By early 1989, Nintendo’s 8-bit reign seemed nearly unstoppable. Up to this point, the NES had enjoyed an almost unparalleled pinnacle in the home console market. This dominance was mirrored by Nintendo Power’s commanding presence, which significantly shaped player perspectives within the video game magazine world. However, this established order was on the brink of upheaval, as the latter half of 1989 was poised to unleash a torrent of change, fundamentally reshaping the entire gaming landscape.

The first wave of this transformation crashed onto newsstands with the arrival of dynamic, multi-platform publications. Leading the charge was Electronic Gaming Monthly, which launched with a May 1989 cover date. EGM rapidly carved out a niche for itself with its innovative Review Crew, offering multiple viewpoints on the latest releases. Furthermore, its notorious rumor column by Quartermann and a keen eye on import gaming brought a more critical and expansive voice to a rapidly maturing audience, challenging the existing narrative.

Hot on EGM’s heels and debuting in the same pivotal month, GamePro emerged as another powerful force. It immediately captivated readers with its vibrant design and distinctive character-based ProTips, which provided unique and memorable advice. GamePro further solidified its position by introducing a multi-category rating system, presenting game information in an accessible and visually engaging style. This approach quickly garnered a massive following, proving that there was a significant appetite for diverse perspectives in gaming journalism.

The arrival of EGM and GamePro signalled a new era, breaking the single-voice dominance and introducing a broader, more critical discussion around video games. This shift set the stage for a more competitive and varied media landscape. Join us next time as we begin to cover these new magazines in PlayZine Issue #3!