NGC Magazine Issue 76

January 2003
Release Date: 20 Dec 2002
Pages: 116
Editor: Jes Bickham

Introduction

Samus took to the cover for the first time in the magazine's history for issue 76 as not two of her games were released. Metroid Prime was the next in line of massive Gamecube releases with the US version launched this month. Geraint scored it an excellent 96%, praising everything from the graphical detail to the way they took the 2D concept into a 3D world. Also this month was the UK launch of Metroid Fusion on the GBA, which took the series back to its 2D roots. Jes gave it 92%, praising its visuals and audio and made it a perfect accompaniment to the GameCube game

In the news this month was the announcement of no less than Five Gamecube exclusive games from Capcom, including the classics Resident Evil 4 and Viewtiful Joe. They also got their first look at the Game Boy Player, allowing you to play every Game Boy game on the big screen, and they looked at Ocarina of Time’s re-release (for free!) on Gamecube. Putting all this together they asked the question if 2003 was going to be Nintendo’s year - judging by the put together evidence, it certainly looked that way! 2003 was definitely an exciting time to be a Gamecube owner!

The big preview this month looked at Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance giving it a full going over with the release imminent. There were plenty of games looked at, but not many big-hitters. Wind Waker got a final look before it’s Japanese release, and oh boy did it look beautiful!

Also this month Resident Evil Zero was reviewed by Tom Mayo, and whilst he praised it for it’s improved visuals and sounds, there were incredibly difficult puzzles and problems inherited from older Resident Evil games - he scored it at 85%. On GBA, Doom II was the biggest game, scoring 82%.

Tipped this month was Starfox Adventures, with another 9 page info packed guide to the entire game. There was also a guide for making maps in TImesplitters 2, including looking at recreating four of the best levels from Goldeneye.

Articles

Previews

Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance
Anticipation Rating: 4
Fireblade
Anticipation Rating: 3
Robotech Battlecry
Anticipation Rating: 3
Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers
Anticipation Rating: 3
Baldurs Gate Dark Alliance
Anticipation Rating: 3
RTX Red Rock
Anticipation Rating: 3
Dead to Rights
Anticipation Rating: 3
Mace Griffin Bounty Hunter
Anticipation Rating: 4
Blood Omen 2
Anticipation Rating: -
Rally Championship
Anticipation Rating: -
Zelda
Anticipation Rating: -

Reviews

Metroid Prime
Author: Geraint Evans
Country: UK
Score: 96
Metroid Fusion
Author: Jes Bickham
Country: UK
Score: 92
Resident Evil Zero
Author: Tom Mayo
Country: USA
Score: 86
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Author: Lee Hall
Country: UK
Score: 78
Ty the Tasmania Tiger
Author: Geraint Evans
Country: UK
Score: 60
Reign of Fire
Author: Martin Kitts
Country: UK
Score: 59
Bomberman Generations
Author: Martin Kitts
Country: UK
Score: 70
Legends of Wrestling II
Author: Martin Kitts
Country: UK
Score: 50
The Sum of All Fears
Author: Martin Kitts
Country: UK
Score: 25
Disney Sport Football
Author: Martin Kitts
Country: UK
Score: 69
BMX XXX
Author: Martin Kitts
Country: UK
Score: 48
Doom II
Country: UK
Score: 82
Yu Gi Oh Dark Duel Stories
Country: UK
Score: 59
The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
Country: UK
Score: 64
Game & Watch Gallery
Country: UK
Score: 77
Fifa 2003
Country: UK
Score: 61
Robotech The Macross Saga
Country: UK
Score: 51
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Country: UK
Score: 43
Sonic Mega Collection
Author: Geraint Evans
Country: USA
Score: 71

How To

Save the Dinosaurs with a furry fox in Starfox Adventures

Features

How to Make Maps in Time Splitters 2

Staff

Jes Bickham Editor
Martin Kitts Reviews Editor
Dan Geary Production Editor
Justin Webb Art Editor
Paul Edwards Deputy Art Editor
Geraint Evans News Editor