RIP Nintendo Power

[Storm Eagle]

Yeah, so, Nintendo Power will be the next video game publication to bite the dust.

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2012/08/source-nintendo-power-magazine-to-cease-publication/

Someone thought they might do that soon. They did have a good long run though, and I'm sorry to see that Nintendo's relationship with Future wasn't a great one either. I remember the good old days when I'd come home from school and find a new issue in the mailbox pretty much every month. Now I get them after I come home from work. Now that's all going to end soon.

I remember the Super Power Supplies catalogs they had for some time. They had a lot of cool things in there. I got a lot of video game CDs from them that way too.

I've been a subscriber since January 1990, and my first issue was volume 10 with Batman on the cover. The Jan/Feb 1990 issue. (The latest issue is #281, August 2012.) I've been subscribing ever since, and at some point in 1996 I decided to order some back-issues to complete my collection. They had all the ones I needed except for volume 9, but I tried my hand at my very first eBay auction in 2003 to get it, and I even won. Now that the publication is ceasing though, at least I don't have to worry about running out of space on my shelf.

[MikeandRaph87]

Could this be a sign of the beginning of the end of gaming.Some things that were persistent and constant like Saturday Morning cartoons and soap opera have collapsed in the last half decade.Hope the upcoming systems will save the market!

[Storm Eagle]

Well people are thinking that the internet is what's making video game publications go the way of the dodo. You can get most of your gaming news from web sites and all that. GamePro ended its run last year. For the record, I once had a subscription to Game Informer, but I wasn't all that impressed by it.

[Ecto Jedi]

Damn. An era comes to a close.

Sad to hear of GamePro's terminal status, too. I grew up reading that magazine.

[MrPliggins]

I started off with Nintendo Fun Club news, then got upgraded to Nintendo Power when it started. I subscribed for years, probably into the mid-90s. I can definitely see why they're ending it. Magazines are dated as soon as they hit the newsstand. I honestly haven't picked up an NP in 10 years or more. It's still sad to see it go, though.

[The Stryker]

Could this be a sign of the beginning of the end of gaming.Some things that were persistent and constant like Saturday Morning cartoons and soap opera have collapsed in the last half decade.Hope the upcoming systems will save the market!

Yes. The end of a magazine that NOBODY has read for 10 years means the end of gaming as we know it.

Are you f*cking kidding?

[Xav]

I actually have read Nintendo Power in the last 10 years. I would sometimes read them in the stores. Though I haven't subscribed in a long time. Probability due to the fact that I don't own any modern Nintendo systems.

[Zany Orange Dude]

I read it. But I had to stop subscribing two years ago do to wanting to spend my money elsewhere. It was a good magazine and was fun while it lasted.:)

[TheCanadiandrome]

Well I'll get the last issue for sure

[Storm Eagle]

I started off with Nintendo Fun Club news, then got upgraded to Nintendo Power when it started. I subscribed for years, probably into the mid-90s. I can definitely see why they're ending it. Magazines are dated as soon as they hit the newsstand. I honestly haven't picked up an NP in 10 years or more. It's still sad to see it go, though.

I found the Nintendo Fun Club News newsletters on eBay, and I've got all seven of them. I also scored a copy of Pocket Power, which was given to the first few people who saw The Wizard in theaters back in 1989. I saw the movie, but missed my chance.

Yes. The end of a magazine that NOBODY has read for 10 years means the end of gaming as we know it.

Are you f*cking kidding?
That's bullsh*t. If nobody was reading it, let alone subscribing to it for ten years, it would have already been out of circulation by now.

Well I'll get the last issue for sure
My subscription would have ended with a March 2013 issue if it ever went that far, so I'll definitely be getting the December 2012 and final issue. People who, like myself, have a subscription going past that will be refunded on the remaining months of 2013 that would have gotten issues.

[Leo656]

Never subscribed to it, but I did read it at the library a lot, or check out stacks of issues. I always liked EGM and Game Informer better because there was always more hard news and less fluff than a corporate mag like NP, but I appreciated it and was always glad it was there. It hasn't been truly relevant in a long time, but it's sad to me to see it go.

I'm one of those people that prefers magazines and books to the alternative of the internet. In 10 years people won't have any reason at all to ever look up from the little glowing screen in the palm of their hand coming from the magic device that does everything, and I find that disturbing as hell. It's like nobody ever watched Terminator or read 1984 or anything.

[Powder]

I've followed this magazine on & off for as long as I can remember. My mom had a subscription to it even when I was an infant, as she was a die-hard Nintendo fan. The last two years or so have been my latest "on" period. Still reading to the end. It saddens me a lot. I'm admittedly that kind of Nintendo fanboy lots of people hate, who really only likes the kiddie stuff and flagship characters, so this paired with the Wii-U going third party crazy has me feeling like my little world is coming to a close, haha. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

[The Stryker]

That's bullsh*t. If nobody was reading it, let alone subscribing to it for ten years, it would have already been out of circulation by now.

Oh boy. Of course its not literally nobody on earth but it's obviously a small enough number that it might as well be nobody.

Not to mention that it hasn't been relevant in any capacity in those ten years. There were no exclusive stories and the whole game tips and secrets hook that made the magazine popular in the first place doesn't exist since every easter egg is out on youtube on the day of release.

I was honestly surprised it was still around.

[Justin]

A longtime gaming magazine ending, equals the end of games?:-?

[Storm Eagle]

I've followed this magazine on & off for as long as I can remember. My mom had a subscription to it even when I was an infant, as she was a die-hard Nintendo fan. The last two years or so have been my latest "on" period. Still reading to the end. It saddens me a lot. I'm admittedly that kind of Nintendo fanboy lots of people hate, who really only likes the kiddie stuff and flagship characters, so this paired with the Wii-U going third party crazy has me feeling like my little world is coming to a close, haha. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.
Speaking of the Wii U, I realized how weird it might feel when NP is no longer around two months after its release.

[Victorsaurus]

Even though I was not a fan of it, I started buying them in stores for a year (When Pokémon Red/Blue was mentioned).

After that I subscribed 5 years in a row. My main reason was to get the free subcribers stuff (Zelda Majora Mask 2 cd soundtrack, Mario Kart GBA tee, strategy guides, etc. plus the catalogs/cards) plus 12 issues for $20 was great.

I wish u could subscribe to directly to comic books pubs like you do with magazines (that's why my only Comic subs is Sonic the Hedgehog). It's something nice and cheap to recieve in your mailbox once a month (to people who are not digital copy fans as myself)

Good bye NP, lets see which other gaming mags will join you and Game Pro and so many more.

[Venom]

I know this is old news, but I didn't realize this topic was around.

I subscribed to NP way the hell back in the early days and kept it til I sold my NES (~97). Then I got it for a couple years ~03-04 or so when they had the Four Swords Adventures and LoZ: Collector's Disc.

Even then, I could tell the magazine was drastically different from the one I remembered. There wasn't any charm or soul in the publication, or fun things reminiscent of Howard & Nester, comics just a bunch of mediocre articles.

[Samurai]

Nintendo Power R.I.P.

[Storm Eagle]

I know this is old news, but I didn't realize this topic was around.

I subscribed to NP way the hell back in the early days and kept it til I sold my NES (~97). Then I got it for a couple years ~03-04 or so when they had the Four Swords Adventures and LoZ: Collector's Disc.

Even then, I could tell the magazine was drastically different from the one I remembered. There wasn't any charm or soul in the publication, or fun things reminiscent of Howard & Nester, comics just a bunch of mediocre articles.

I only started this topic yesterday. The news is kind of old since articles have been talking about it since last month, but I'm only starting a discussion about it now.

Anyway, they did do two Nester comics for two special issues. This is one from volume 100 in September 1997, where Nester goes off to college. Interestingly enough, I also started college at the time this issue came out.
http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/1048/nesternz8.jpg

The August 2008 issue (volume 231) celebrated the magazine's 20th anniversary, and there's a comic in it with Nester all grown up and he has a son.
http://imageshack.us/a/img29/4387/nester1.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img844/3075/nester2.jpg

They'll probably even have something related to Nester in their final issue. It'll most likely feel strange, the day I open up my mailbox in my building's lobby and find the final issue there.

[UsagiYojimbo]

The first issue I ever bought had DuckTales on the cover... good memories of that mag. :D

[CyberCubed]

I wonder if now is a good time to sell my old stacks of Nintendo Power on ebay that I've had lying around.

Anyone know if they'll sell?

[Storm Eagle]

I wonder if now is a good time to sell my old stacks of Nintendo Power on eBay that I've had lying around.

Anyone know if they'll sell?

How many do you have? I'm thinking that Nintendo Power is one of those magazines that has a good chance of selling on eBay, especially if you've got a lot of them. I tried to sell two US PlayStation magazines together, and recently tried to sell the most recent eleven Game Informer magazines I have, but no takers.

I've got all 282 issues of NP that have been out so far, as well as all seven Nintendo Fun Club News newsletters, and even all four Nintendo Power Advance issues. I know I could make a truckload of cash if I were to sell all of them, but I can't bring myself to give them up for anything.

[Ecto Jedi]

I subscribed to NP way the hell back in the early days and kept it til I sold my NES (~97). Then I got it for a couple years ~03-04 or so when they had the Four Swords Adventures and LoZ: Collector's Disc.

Even then, I could tell the magazine was drastically different from the one I remembered. There wasn't any charm or soul in the publication, or fun things reminiscent of Howard & Nester, comics just a bunch of mediocre articles.

You've got it exactly right. Late '80s, early '90s NP was great. It's still fun to browse through those issues -- the Battletoads issue had full level guides and a quirky ten-page comic based on the game.

I'd buy a stack of those old mags off eBay in a heartbeat, if I had the expendable cash.

[Storm Eagle]

I got my October 2012 issue (volume 283) in the mail today like I thought I might, and I got it exactly as I imagined. In plastic wrapping with this note inside with it.

http://imageshack.us/a/img7/8812/nintendopowernote.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/7/nintendopowernote.jpg/)

[pannoni1]

The only reason that magazines are still cool for the tech set are for arts & crafts purposes, such as fashion mags. Retromags will be a good place to see these classics who don't want to spend on eBay; who would even think about dialing a premium 900 number back in the late '80s/early '90s just to get a hint today? One more piece of good news for all of the eyecare executives meaning that more people will need to look at a screen and won't have the offline mystique of paper. That said, I myself and my brother had a few issues of NP throughout the '90s, and thought it was really neat before discovering the Internet changed everything. Farewell and good luck Nintendo with the future of delivering information to gamers!

[TheCanadiandrome]

well i guess i'll get the December issue

[Storm Eagle]

Well, I got my November 2012 issue in the mail today, and it goes on sale in stores on the 13th. After that, just one more to go.

[Storm Eagle]

I still haven't gotten my final issue yet, but a picture of the regular version of the final issue's cover has been sighted.

http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/8830/originalop.jpg

They end it all by bookending. I'm guessing the subscriber edition's cover will have the exact same art. That would be great. Plus it wouldn't have any text over it either, except for the NP logo. I'm totally looking forward to getting mine in the mail. I might even buy the one with the regular cover from a store since it's so close to the first issue's cover with all the text over the picture. Maybe it'll even be wrapped in plastic.

It says "25 Years of NP History", but the magazine has only been around since 1988, and that would make it 24 years. Perhaps they're also including the Nintendo Fun Club News newsletters in the history, which started in 1987. Ah, good times.

[Powder]

Saw it coming & I couldn't be happier.

[GK Punk]

I had no plans on buying the final issue until I saw that cover. Nostalgia just won me over and I'm going to try and pick it up today.

[TheCanadiandrome]

i'll be getting that final issue

[Storm Eagle]

I had no plans on buying the final issue until I saw that cover. Nostalgia just won me over and I'm going to try and pick it up today.

It doesn't go on sale in stores until December 11th.

[LeoNerdo]

The final cover is SO perfect. I'm really sad to see it go. I've been a subscriber for the past 10+ years.

[GK Punk]

It doesn't go on sale in stores until December 11th.

Thanks for the heads up. I got to busy to look for it today anyway so now I know not to rush out quite yet.

[Storm Eagle]

Thanks for the heads up. I got to busy to look for it today anyway so now I know not to rush out quite yet.

There's a thought I had. Since I subscribe, I'd be getting a copy with the subscriber cover, and it might even be wrapped in plastic. I might get it in the mail before it goes on sale in stores on December 11th. If I get it in the mail first, I might just hold off on reading it if it's even wrapped in plastic. If it is wrapped in plastic, I'll just wait for them to start getting sold in stores, and buy two copies, which would have the regular cover. I'd open one and read it, and leave the other wrapped in its plastic. That way I'll have both the subscriber edition and regular edition in plastic.

[Darth Knuckles]

Hey Storm Eagle! That sounds like a great idea to have the last two versions of the last issue in plastic. I was wondering if you could tell me what two characters appear in the October and November issues in the "Star Power" section. That would help me out a lot! I am also going to buy the final issue of Nintendo Power.

[Storm Eagle]

Hey Storm Eagle! That sounds like a great idea to have the last two versions of the last issue in plastic. I was wondering if you could tell me what two characters appear in the October and November issues in the "Star Power" section. That would help me out a lot! I am also going to buy the final issue of Nintendo Power.

Diddy Kong and Samus Aran appear in the Star Power section of those issues, respectively.

I found someone who got a hold of the final issue, and says he got it from a store. He tells me that there actually won't be a subscriber edition cover for it. I'd ask how he knows, but I've probably bothered him enough already. He may not want to answer. I guess I'll know for sure once my own copy arrives in my mailbox. It's still taking its sweet ass time to get to me, but if I don't get it by this Saturday (the 8th of the month), it's late, and I'm going to report it as such, and they'll send me a new one. He does say that it was also in plastic though. So when I get mine in the mail, I'll still just get another one from the store if there won't be a subscriber edition cover. That way, I'll have one loose and one in mint condition wrapped in plastic. If I report it late though, and the first attempt to mail it to me actually does arrive, I'll already have two copies and won't have to go to a store to get a second one. I can see how even subscribers would get that same cover though. They intended to go out with a bit of a tribute to the past.

I saw someone say elsewhere that the way Nintendo designed the final cover wasn't so much of an homage, but rather a testament to how Nintendo doesn't know how to be original. Someone just has to be a downer and piss all over everything. So I say screw her, and not in the good way.

[Darth Knuckles]

Okay thank you very much for that info. Since both of the last two issues were in plastic I couldn't see the issues ans didn't know about the "Star Power" section. If one of them happened to be Knuckles I was going to get my hands on that issue for sure! I'll let you know when I get the last issue in my area.

[The Stryker]

I saw someone say elsewhere that the way Nintendo designed the final cover wasn't so much of an homage, but rather a testament to how Nintendo doesn't know how to be original. Someone just has to be a downer and piss all over everything. So I say screw her, and not in the good way.

I mean. It's kinda true.

Nintendo has been living off of nostalgia for a long time without actually trying anything new.

Most of the new game's ad campaigns are pretty much "Hey man....remember that old game? That was great. Here's a game with that character." That's all the New Super Mario Bros series is.

[愛]

Stryker is right. What the hell was even their last IP? Pikmin? Remember that time they made that music game for DS that no one cared about? They even had to go third-party for Smash Bros. Brawl.

They may have been original years ago, but even their attempt at original hardware is just a damn chore for anyone who is an actual video game player. I haven't finished Skyward Sword because swinging the controller around is too much work for me to care.

[sdp]

They've made many new IPs since, just probably none you cared about. We've had WiiMusic, Steel Diver, etc. I personally loved motion controls, the only problem was the original Wiimote couldn't give us what we expected and while the remote+ fixed the problem most developers didn't make use of it. I still love motion controls. Nintendo is the one that continues to innovate with their hardware and software including the 3DS, I know most don't care about 3D but I like it as well. That's not to say the other companies haven't innovated either, whether improving something the Kinect is an evolution of motion controls though personally I think Sony got it right mixing camera and controls with their move, too bad they spent no money marketing it and it's dead. All those technologies are awesome we just need good software to use it. Or innovating in otherways like with the online system.

I'm not crazy about the tablet controller but if Nintendo can make it work then I'll love it. The wii motion controls were a bit of a let down but when it worked it worked wonderfully. I guess if moving your wrist around a little is too much work for you then it isn't for you but come on it wasn't that much of a work out, it was hardly ever difficult to do. I personally love moving around.

Now there's a difference whether it's interesting to you or not, but it's another thing to say they haven't innovated or come out with good games recently. Nintendo has always been Nintendo and they'll continue to be Nintendo. Sometimes the produce some terrible stuff but sometimes they strike gold. And they do both of those many times, I can't imagine the VG industry without Nintendo. You really can't say the 360 or Sony have innovated that much this generation besides the fact that their consoles were more powerful than Nintendo's.

But it's always cool to **** on Nintendo and it has been since the Sega Genesis days.

[The Stryker]

Way to completely go off on a tangent. Nobody is sh*tting on Nintendo. I just bought a Wii U.

I was just saying that they've ridden nostalgia to the point where it doesn't work anymore. All of the recent Mario, Zelda, Donkey Kong, Metroid and Kirby games have been "IT'S BACK TO THE CLASSIC STYLE DUDES! REMEMBER?!"

There's no real progression on any of those games. Look at what the Gamecube did for those franchises. Say what you will about the quality of those games but they atleast TRIED to do something interesting.

[Storm Eagle]

Okay thank you very much for that info. Since both of the last two issues were in plastic I couldn't see the issues ans didn't know about the "Star Power" section. If one of them happened to be Knuckles I was going to get my hands on that issue for sure! I'll let you know when I get the last issue in my area.

I'm seeing a few more copies of the final issues pop up on eBay. I've asked the sellers about them and they all say they're store-bought. The first guy I asked, he said his copy is store-bought too, and that his issue hasn't been taken out of its plastic. So I wonder how he could possibly know that even subscribers will get that same exact cover. By the way, they also come with a poster that shows you the covers of all the issues.

I mean. It's kinda true.

Nintendo has been living off of nostalgia for a long time without actually trying anything new.

Most of the new game's ad campaigns are pretty much "Hey man....remember that old game? That was great. Here's a game with that character." That's all the New Super Mario Bros series is.

Stryker is right. What the hell was even their last IP? Pikmin? Remember that time they made that music game for DS that no one cared about? They even had to go third-party for Smash Bros. Brawl.

They may have been original years ago, but even their attempt at original hardware is just a damn chore for anyone who is an actual video game player. I haven't finished Skyward Sword because swinging the controller around is too much work for me to care.

I still could have done without her killing the buzz though. She sounds like a b*tch. Maybe she's actually a "bint" (cross between a b*tch and the "c" word).

They've made many new IPs since, just probably none you cared about. We've had WiiMusic, Steel Diver, etc. I personally loved motion controls, the only problem was the original WiiMote couldn't give us what we expected and while the remote+ fixed the problem most developers didn't make use of it. I still love motion controls. Nintendo is the one that continues to innovate with their hardware and software including the 3DS, I know most don't care about 3D but I like it as well. That's not to say the other companies haven't innovated either, whether improving something the Kinect is an evolution of motion controls though personally I think Sony got it right mixing camera and controls with their move, too bad they spent no money marketing it and it's dead. All those technologies are awesome we just need good software to use it. Or innovating in other ways like with the online system.

I'm not crazy about the tablet controller but if Nintendo can make it work then I'll love it. The Wii motion controls were a bit of a let down but when it worked it worked wonderfully. I guess if moving your wrist around a little is too much work for you then it isn't for you but come on it wasn't that much of a work out, it was hardly ever difficult to do. I personally love moving around.



I'm cool with the motion control, but I wouldn't mind if they went back to the traditional type of play.

Way to completely go off on a tangent. Nobody is sh*tting on Nintendo. I just bought a Wii U.

I was just saying that they've ridden nostalgia to the point where it doesn't work anymore. All of the recent Mario, Zelda, Donkey Kong, Metroid and Kirby games have been "IT'S BACK TO THE CLASSIC STYLE DUDES! REMEMBER?!"

There's no real progression on any of those games. Look at what the Gamecube did for those franchises. Say what you will about the quality of those games but they at least TRIED to do something interesting.
Maybe you're not pissing on Nintendo, but I don't know if we can say the same about the guy after your post (I can't make out his name since it comes out as a strange symbol on my screen for some reason.) I even saw him kind of bash someone for getting a Wii U in another thread. Anyway, I just hope for your sake that you won't end up with buyer's remorse afterwards. Why exactly did you buy a Wii U anyway?

As for the franchises on GameCube, what aspect of them did you find "interesting"? Didn't they try to do something different with the Metroid Prime games? People still weren't too crazy about the first-person perspective that they had.

[愛]

Oh, I'm sorry, did I touch a nerve there? Let me go change my opinion so it's all roses and butterflies for you.

And I'm not hating on Nintendo. I'm just saying they're not original anymore. You don't have to agree with me if you don't want to, but don't go and personally attack me. You want an internet fight or something? Sorry, but I don't play that crybaby game anymore.

[Storm Eagle]

Oh, I'm sorry, did I touch a nerve there? Let me go change my opinion so it's all roses and butterflies for you.

And I'm not hating on Nintendo. I'm just saying they're not original anymore. You don't have to agree with me if you don't want to, but don't go and personally attack me. You want an internet fight or something? Sorry, but I don't play that crybaby game anymore.

That's cool with me, because that's not what I was doing. I was just remembering this (http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/showpost.php?p=1023264&postcount=8321), and how you said this (http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/showpost.php?p=1023265&postcount=8322) to him. It just didn't seem Nintendo-friendly, but I'm big enough of a man to leave you to your opinion.

[愛]

He's a friend of mine, and it was partially in jest. I have no actual opinion on WiiU, as I have never touched one.

[Storm Eagle]

He's a friend of mine, and it was partially in jest. I have no actual opinion on WiiU, as I have never touched one.

Nice to know there's no bad blood between you two then.

[Storm Eagle]

The poster that comes with the issues shows the cover of every issue, and the different regular covers that some issues had. There are actually 300 images total. There were a couple of issues that I didn't even know had different images. I checked a copy of one of those issues, and it turns out I overlooked something in there that said there were four different covers for it. Some issues even had cover images that only subscribers got, but not all of them are on the poster.

[Darth Knuckles]

I can think of one instance where I think there were four different covers for one issue. Back when the Star Wars Episode I: Racer game came out there were four different covers I think. Is that the one you're talking about?

[Storm Eagle]

I can think of one instance where I think there were four different covers for one issue. Back when the Star Wars Episode I: Racer game came out there were four different covers I think. Is that the one you're talking about?

I guess that's one of them that comes to mind. That's the May 1999/volume 120 issue. Subscribers could get one of the four images, two of which would only be sold in stores, while the other two were subscriber exclusives. As far as the latter goes, 40% of subscribers would get one while 10% of subscribers would get the other. I was actually one of the 10% who got it. The other two that were only sold in stores each had a percentage of 25. The magazine also notes that Canadian percentages may vary. The images for the 40% and 10% could be put together to form a whole picture, and so could the other two.
http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/9021/may99120.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/24/may99120.jpg/)

The January 1997/volume 92 issue featured Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire on the cover, and there were also four different covers for that one. One of the covers were available to 40%, two were each available to 25% (one of which I got), and the other was available to 10% (which I managed to snag on eBay). The four could be put together to form a whole picture. It's too bad that they weren't put together that way on the poster. The aforementioned one wasn't either.
http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/993/jan9792.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/842/jan9792.jpg/)

The April 2001/volume 143 issue had a Game Boy Advance unit on the cover, as seen here (http://www.vgmuseum.com/ads/mag/mags/ninpow-83.jpg). That's the Arctic version. The one I got had the Indigo version on the cover, and there was also a variant with the Glacier model. I never knew this issue had three different covers until I saw the poster. The March 2004/volume 177 issue featured Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles on the cover, and this is the one that I got, and overlooked the part in the magazine where it said there were three other variants.
http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/5521/mar04177.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/832/mar04177.jpg/)
The images for these two weren't divided into specific percentages and made rare or exclusive to any percentages.

The November 2008/volume 234 issue is where they started doing subscriber edition covers all the way until now. You can see a few examples here (http://shop.futureus.com/games/nintendo-power.html?p=1). Sometimes the image would be the same as the newsstand cover except the only thing on it was the NP logo, and sometimes both the subscriber and newsstand images were totally different. There, you can also see that the only difference between the newsstand and subscriber versions of the covers for the final issue is that one lacks a bar code. I still haven't gotten my issue in the mail, but it's nice to finally see what the subscriber version looks like. Mind you, the poster that comes with the final issue only shows the newsstand covers of volumes 234 and on.

[Darth Knuckles]

Yeah that brings back memories. I was a subscriber and I got Mars Guo from the Star Wars Episode I: Racer covers. :tconfuse: I'll have to look back at my issues for 143 and 177 though. From issue 234 on, I sometimes liked the exclusive subscriber edition, and sometimes I didn't. So I have a few of them twice with different covers. I haven't been a subscriber for about a year now but I'll definitely get the last issue....with the bar code I guess. :tsmile: I'll be looking around for it tomorrow.

[Storm Eagle]

Yeah that brings back memories. I was a subscriber and I got Mars Guo from the Star Wars Episode I: Racer covers. :tconfuse: I'll have to look back at my issues for 143 and 177 though. From issue 234 on, I sometimes liked the exclusive subscriber edition, and sometimes I didn't. So I have a few of them twice with different covers. I haven't been a subscriber for about a year now but I'll definitely get the last issue....with the bar code I guess. :tsmile: I'll be looking around for it tomorrow.

Why not just order the subscriber version? The one without the bar code. The site says it's out of stock, but perhaps they'll produce more. I can't believe I still haven't gotten mine in the mail yet.

[Powder]

I guess this is out now, will have to pick it up tomorrow along with my new comics.

[Darth Knuckles]

Why not just order the subscriber version? The one without the bar code. The site says it's out of stock, but perhaps they'll produce more. I can't believe I still haven't gotten mine in the mail yet.

I only mentioned it because I'll just get mine in store so it will have the bar code. I'm surprised if you still don't have your issue either because I bought an issue today at my local grocery store. It did feel weird to buy the last issue of Nintendo Power. :tconfuse: They only had one other one besides the one I bought so people are wise to it being the last one. I'd be sure and get one now before people on eBay sell them for crazy amounts after they're not available in stores anymore. I think I may just keep mine in plastic and kindly ask Storm Eagle to mention the cooler parts of the issue, if you don't mind of course. :twink:

[Storm Eagle]

I only mentioned it because I'll just get mine in store so it will have the bar code. I'm surprised if you still don't have your issue either because I bought an issue today at my local grocery store. It did feel weird to buy the last issue of Nintendo Power. :tconfuse: They only had one other one besides the one I bought so people are wise to it being the last one. I'd be sure and get one now before people on eBay sell them for crazy amounts after they're not available in stores anymore. I think I may just keep mine in plastic and kindly ask Storm Eagle to mention the cooler parts of the issue, if you don't mind of course. :twink:

The site is saying that the subscriber version of the final issue is once again in stock. So it can be ordered again now. I also STILL didn't receive my copy in the mail. I called last week and they told me I should get it by the 15th. If I don't have it by then, I'm reporting it late. I swear I'm tempted to just do that right now. I wonder if other subscribers are having this issue.

Now that I know that the subscriber cover will just be lacking the bar code though, I'll keep it in the plastic when I receive it. I actually bought three copies from Barnes & Noble on Sunday though, and just opened one. Since both the subscriber edition and retail edition have the same artwork though, I'll see about giving away the two unopened copies somehow. I'm definitely not going to ask for a ridiculous amount of money either, like I've been seeing people on eBay do. There may still be a good amount of them in the stores, and you can even order both versions from the site at the same price. So there's no need to shell out about $100 or so for them.

The things that are listed on the cover are basically all the issue has. There are letters from readers bidding farewell and talking about their best memories as subscribers and all that. Even people in the video game industry share their memories. There are ads for The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses and Digipen that even bid the magazine farewell.

There's a list of 285 of the greatest games as chosen by the editors.
It goes from Super Star Wars to (surprise, surprise) The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

They also have a run-down of all the years that NP was in circulation, and memories from editors past and present.

The final feature in the issue is...
...a two-page comic featuring Nester and his son Max.
http://www.gonintendo.com/content/uploads/images/2012_12/1W3h7.jpg

Since news got out about the end of the magazine in late August, I thought I was prepared for the end once I got the final issue and read it all. Now that I have read it all though, it felt weird knowing that there would be no more issues coming after that, and knowing that there will be no more issues showing up in my mailbox. Now if only my subscriber copy of the final issue would show up in my mailbox, that would be just great.

[Darth Knuckles]

Thanks a lot for the update on what is in the issue! I think I will just keep mine in the plastic. I can't believe you still haven't gotten yours in the mail yet. :tconfuse: They were always so good with getting them out to you early. It is surreal for this to be the last issue of Nintendo Power isn't it? :tsad:

[TheCanadiandrome]

I plan to get this today sometime

[Storm Eagle]

Thanks a lot for the update on what is in the issue! I think I will just keep mine in the plastic. I can't believe you still haven't gotten yours in the mail yet. :tconfuse: They were always so good with getting them out to you early. It is surreal for this to be the last issue of Nintendo Power isn't it? :tsad:
I gave one of the copies still in its plastic to some guy at my job, since I told him about it. I told him he could also order the one with the subscriber cover which lacks the bar code, but he said the newsstand version is fine with him. So I've still got one newsstand copy still in its plastic, so I might keep that, or I might sell it.

This may change by the time you see it, but the listing for the copy with the subscriber cover says it's sold out, yet it also says "availability: in stock".
http://shop.futureus.com/games/nintendo-power/nintendo-power-november-2012-subscriber-cover-533.html
Just out of curiosity, I decided to call the company about that, and the person I got, all she told me is that I can still try to order it. I told her that I've still got an active subscription and I should be getting it in the mail anyway, and that I still haven't gotten it. When I called last Saturday, I was told to give it until the 15th to arrive. Now this one tells me that the date for when the issue is overdue has been extended to the 17th. So you can only imagine how frustrating it was to have her tell me that. I asked her why they extended it, and she tells me she doesn't know. I've seen a couple of subscribers say they've gotten theirs, but I thought of the possibility that they've been getting calls from other subscribers about not getting their issues yet, but I can't believe she didn't know why, or that she and other representatives weren't at least told why. I think the magazine got better treatment when it was being run by just Nintendo themselves, than when Future US came into the picture. Nintendo just always seemed more helpful whenever I had a problem. Future US has done some cool things with the magazine, but the representatives just don't have a clue.

[Darth Knuckles]

Yeah the site still says the same thing. I'm just fine with buying the newsstand version sense I saw one and was able to get it in hand easily. It's crazy that you're going through such a hard time on getting answers about your last subscriber issue in the mail. :tmad:

I dealt with Nintendo Power a lot of times over the phone and they were wonderful on customer service. A lot of times I bought an offer that included a game, players guide, and an additional year subscription to my Nintendo Power subscription. I never had a problem with them sending me the wrong issue or multiple issues because of it either. They always seemed to know what they were doing. I don't think I had to add a subscription to my existing one by the time Future got a hold of it so I wouldn't know about their customer service. I absolutely love Archie Comics but it sounds like Archie and Future have the same problems with their telephone operators on solving issues. Here's to you getting your issue in the mail within a week!

[Storm Eagle]

Yeah the site still says the same thing. I'm just fine with buying the newsstand version sense I saw one and was able to get it in hand easily. It's crazy that you're going through such a hard time on getting answers about your last subscriber issue in the mail. :tmad:

I dealt with Nintendo Power a lot of times over the phone and they were wonderful on customer service. A lot of times I bought an offer that included a game, players guide, and an additional year subscription to my Nintendo Power subscription. I never had a problem with them sending me the wrong issue or multiple issues because of it either. They always seemed to know what they were doing. I don't think I had to add a subscription to my existing one by the time Future got a hold of it so I wouldn't know about their customer service. I absolutely love Archie Comics but it sounds like Archie and Future have the same problems with their telephone operators on solving issues. Here's to you getting your issue in the mail within a week!

What game and player's guide did you get when you renewed a subscription? I remember something like that near the end of 2002, and the promotion involved Metroid Prime, the player's guide, a memory card 59, and a discount coupon for the Wavebird controller. I believe they did the same thing for Super Mario Sunshine.

When my subscription ran out at the end of 1994 and 1995, I renewed late and asked if they could start me off with the first issue of their following years if possible, and they honored my request. It was cool since some time in February of 1996, I received both the January and February issues for that year on the same day. Coincidentally, I even got the Killer Instinct player's guide and Donkey Kong 2: Diddy's Kong Quest CD soundtrack that I ordered from a Super Power Supplies catalog along with the issues. Unfortunately, they couldn't honor my request to start me off with the January 1997 issue since I ended up renewing late again, so my new cycle after that was from February 1997 to January 1998. I'd have probably gotten a copy of the rarest January 1997 issue if I renewed fast enough. I just went and ordered that issue as a back issue instead.

Even though I was still subscribing around this time, I got the newsstand version of the January/February 2012 issue, and thought they stopped doing the subscriber edition covers. That is, until I saw someone's copy of that issue with a subscriber edition cover. Before I saw it though, I called Future US to see if they were no longer doing subscriber edition covers, and the representative actually did not know. Neither did this other one I got when I decided to call again.

For the record, I still didn't get my final issue today. At least tomorrow is a Saturday though. So I won't have to wait through a boring day of work to come home and see if it's in my mailbox.

[Darth Knuckles]

What game and player's guide did you get when you renewed a subscription? I remember something like that near the end of 2002, and the promotion involved Metroid Prime, the player's guide, a memory card 59, and a discount coupon for the Wavebird controller. I believe they did the same thing for Super Mario Sunshine.

I think I did it for both The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (Collectors Edition) and Pokemon Gold. I'm certain about the later one. I may have even done it for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Collectors Edition) but I can't remember. :tsmile:

[sdp]

Subscription gifts that I remember getting...hmmm...I got the Perfect Dark players guide, which included nothing and I mainly only got it because of the prequel comic. I got the Pokemon Snap players guide not sure why but I'm pretty sure it included a Blockbuster prepaid card for those Pokemon Snap stickers. I got the Pokemon TCG players guide mostly because it included a promo TCG, for Mario Sunshine I decided players guides were stupid and got the Sunshine T-Shirt instead which makes more sense looking back and has more value, though the other player guides I got for a reason different than just the players guide to pass the game. Was there a Zelda Gamecube disc promotion for subscribing to Nintendo Power? I remember I have the OOT/MQ disc and the Collectors Edition disc but I don't remember how I got them, I remember one of them I got by registering my consoles on nintendo.com, and maybe the other by reserving at K-Mart.

[Storm Eagle]

I think I did it for both The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (Collectors Edition) and Pokemon Gold. I'm certain about the later one. I may have even done it for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (Collectors Edition) but I can't remember. :tsmile:

They didn't offer copies of Majora's Mask in any NP promotions, except through probably the Zelda collector's edition disc which included that, and the two NES Zelda games and Ocarina of Time. That you got from either renewing a subscription (like I did), or registering a certain amount of games. I once also received a Metroid Prime 2: Echoes bonus disc for renewing in late 2004.

Was there a Zelda GameCube disc promotion for subscribing to Nintendo Power? I remember I have the OOT/MQ disc and the Collectors Edition disc but I don't remember how I got them, I remember one of them I got by registering my consoles on nintendo.com, and maybe the other by reserving at K-Mart.

You got the game disc for the Master Quest version of Ocarina of Time by reserving The Wind Waker at stores. Nintendo Power wasn't really involved in that, although they did let you know how to get it. As for the Zelda collector's edition disc that involved the four Zelda games, I already mentioned above how that was acquired.

I know that people were offered free copies of Dragon Warrior many moons ago for renewing, but I guess I missed out on that one.

I renewed a subscription for a player's guide for The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess since it would also come with a soundtrack disc for the game, but that turned out to be a disappointment because it only had seven tracks.

[MrPliggins]

And here is the final cover, a throwback to the first cover:

http://cdn.gamerant.com/wp-content/uploads/Nintendo-Power-Final-Magazine-Cover.jpg

[Storm Eagle]

And here is the final cover, a throwback to the first cover:

http://cdn.gamerant.com/wp-content/uploads/Nintendo-Power-Final-Magazine-Cover.jpg

Welcome to 15 days ago, dude. (http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/showpost.php?p=1027194&postcount=28)

[TheCanadiandrome]

I got my copy! Left it seale, can't bring myself to open it

[Storm Eagle]

I got my copy! Left it sealed, can't bring myself to open it.

Were there more copies left when you bought it? If so, then you probably should have bought two.

I went out for a while yesterday, and was aggravated that there wasn't a lick of mail in my mailbox when I went back home and opened it. So that means still no issue. I saw someone who got their copy in the mail say that there's a letter with refund information sealed inside of the plastic with the magazine, and it's over the cover. There go my chances of keeping it mint, but at least they were also offering it for sale on the site for non-subscribers.

The listing for the subscriber version said it was sold out when I checked it on Thursday, yet it also says "in stock". I ordered a copy just because, and now I see that it's a good thing I did. So we'll see if I get that one or not. At least I can keep that mint since I have to take the plastic off the one I'm supposed to be getting anyway.

I had the enclosed poster laminated yesterday. I thought it was just that good.

I saw someone's rant on YouTube on Friday night, about how it's strange that Nintendo would cease publication of the magazine when they'd have a new system coming out later in the year, and that they should have at least gone digital with the magazine. I'd have to agree that it is kind of weird to cease publication with a new system coming out. I still hope the Wii U can do well regardless.

[TheCanadiandrome]

Yeah I might just buy another copy, there was a few

[Storm Eagle]

Yeah I might just buy another copy, there was a few

Well I hope there are still more for you to get if you do go out and buy some more. I can tell you that the three Barnes & Noble stores I went to over the weekend currently don't have anymore in stock. Two of the stores are where I got my newsstand issues from. Both the newsstand and subscriber versions of the final issue have even sold out on the Future US site, only three days after they could be ordered as back issues starting on the 10th. So I can no longer get the second subscriber version that I ordered. The one that I was supposed to get as a subscriber came in the mail to me today anyway, and this is the letter that's enclosed in the plastic wrapping.
http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/3706/finaliissueletter.jpg
Even the subscriber copies you order individually from the site have the letter enclosed from what I understand. Whether you ordered it from the site or got it as a subscriber, it conceals the cover, and that rather sucks.

[BladeEdge86]

I always kind of took Nintendo Power for granted, sure today we have the internet to such an extent that even phones can access it but I am pretty old fashioned when it comes to my reading materials I still like books and magazines.

[TheCanadiandrome]

Well I hope there are still more for you to get if you do go out and buy some more. I can tell you that the three Barnes & Noble stores I went to over the weekend currently don't have anymore in stock. Two of the stores are where I got my newsstand issues from. Both the newsstand and subscriber versions of the final issue have even sold out on the Future US site, only three days after they could be ordered as back issues starting on the 10th. So I can no longer get the second subscriber version that I ordered. The one that I was supposed to get as a subscriber came in the mail to me today anyway, and this is the letter that's enclosed in the plastic wrapping.
http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/3706/finaliissueletter.jpg
Even the subscriber copies you order individually from the site have the letter enclosed from what I understand. Whether you ordered it from the site or got it as a subscriber, it conceals the cover, and that rather sucks.

Well I can likely count on Walmart still havin a copy.

[Storm Eagle]

Well I can likely count on Walmart still havin a copy.

I might check a Walmart to see if they have any left. I went to two other Barnes & Noble stores I know of that I can easily make it to, and they didn't have any in stock either.

Screw Attack did a top 10 video about Nintendo Power's finest moments.
http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/mmqnqq/screwattack-s-top-ten-nintendo-power

I see they touched up on the Celebrity Profile section. It was one of my favorite sections, and I'm probably the only one who enjoyed it. I was always looking forward to seeing who they might feature next. I don't know why he'd mention Jaleel White, since no issue ever featured him, although they did once feature Darius McCrary and Kellie Shaygne Williams in an issue. He was probably just trying to be funny, but I kind of have hangups about things misleading others.

Envelope art was fun. You could just send in an envelope with art on it and it you didn't even need to write an actual letter. I did notice how one girl's art in particular was shown in several issues, and someone even wrote to the Player's Pulse section to comment about that.

As far as the posters go, I think I always kept mine in their magazines. I never put them up on the wall or anything. As I mentioned earlier though, I had the poster that came with the final issue laminated because I thought it was just that good. Plus I can show it around better that way. Also, at least it wasn't attached to the magazine.

Also, screw the guy who made that comment about the magazine being best used for toilet paper. Stupid haters.

[sdp]

I remember Reggie or someone else in NOA mentioned how they had almost 20 years worth of Nintendo Power issues and that they were looking into making them available online through the Wii, this was early in the Wii life either 2006 or 2007 but I guess nothing ever came out of it, with the magazine ending maybe we could get it on the Wii U and their tablet controller, it's more logical to browse a magazine there. That'd be a great treat.

[rufus]

,For anyone that has the final issue.Does the poster included feature every cover or just a select few?

[CyberCubed]

,For anyone that has the final issue.Does the poster included feature every cover or just a select few?

Its a poster of all 285 issues, even the alternate covers for the issues that had more than 1 cover.

[rufus]

Its a poster of all 285 issues, even the alternate covers for the issues that had more than 1 cover.

Thank you.

[Storm Eagle]

Thank you.

I even mentioned it earlier in the thread.
http://forums.thetechnodrome.com/showpost.php?p=1030170&postcount=48

[Powder]

Hmm...

http://www.nintendoforcemagazine.com/

[Plasticplayhouse]

i'm a bit late to this party, but wow man...

when i was a kid i use to get nintendo fun club news. i was so excited whenever i got home from school to find the new issue in my mailbox. from there it upgraded to nintendo power which was even cooler. i remember getting that very first mario 2 issue. i must have carried that mag around in my backpack for months, reading it over and over again on the bus ride to school. i enjoyed the nester comics and more recently the craft section in the back of the mag where i have actually had some of my work published in. it's sad to see it go. it feels like part of my childhood just died off.

as mentioned earlier, as soon as it hits the stand its old news. all the tips and tricks that it was known for are available on line as soon as these games are released.

there use to be a nintendo power hot line that you could call to get info on how to beat various bosses and such. sad to see it come to an end :(

[Storm Eagle]

I'm a bit late to this party, but wow man...

When I was a kid, I used to get Nintendo Fun Club News. I was so excited whenever I got home from school to find the new issue in my mailbox. From there it upgraded to Nintendo Power which was even cooler. I remember getting that very first Mario 2 issue. I must have carried that mag around in my backpack for months, reading it over and over again on the bus ride to school. I enjoyed the Nester comics and more recently the craft section in the back of the mag where I have actually had some of my work published in. It's sad to see it go. It feels like part of my childhood just died off.

As mentioned earlier, as soon as it hits the stand, it's old news. All the tips and tricks that it was known for are available on line as soon as these games are released.

There use to be a Nintendo Power hot line that you could call to get info on how to beat various bosses and such. Sad to see it come to an end. :(
I wish I could have started out with Nintendo Fun Club News. Apparently it all started when I was in second grade, and I was 7. I actually didn't know anyone who was playing video games. Nobody around me really talked about them back then. That was earlier in 1987. I transferred to a new school in the fall of that year, starting third grade. I remember later on in the school year, someone in my class had something that had Link on it. Fast forward several years later when I get my hands on some newsletters and I realize that just what that kid had back then.

When you got your first NP issue, might you remember getting it in an envelope that looked like this?
http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/3292/kgrhqrhqfbf7i4vtbqqyu0u.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/853/kgrhqrhqfbf7i4vtbqqyu0u.jpg/)

What issue did your works make it to? I had an internet buddy I knew on AOL back in 1996, and I talked to his sister sometimes. Some envelope art that she submitted made it into the magazine, in the February 1997 issue/volume 93. It had Mario Kart 64 on the cover. I've submitted things to them, but they never put it in any of the magazines.

As for tips becoming old news, I think I noticed that when they dropped the Counselors' Corner section. I used to call game play counselors for help until my mother made me stop calling them since I'd run up the phone bill that way. So I'd just write to Counselors' Corner if I ever needed help, although I'd always end up figuring things out myself before I got a response in the mail. There was only one time where I didn't figure something out before getting a response. I've even still got all their letters.

[oldmanwinters]

Just browsed through the last issue.

That "Nester and Max" comic at the end was a pretty awesome way to turn out the lights on the brand. Made me get a little sentimental.

[CyberCubed]

Just browsed through the last issue.

That "Nester and Max" comic at the end was a pretty awesome way to turn out the lights on the brand. Made me get a little sentimental.

Definitely. Being a grown up Dad with his own kid was great.

Makes you realize how all the kids with an NES in the 80's are now all grown up.

[Storm Eagle]

Just browsed through the last issue.

That "Nester and Max" comic at the end was a pretty awesome way to turn out the lights on the brand. Made me get a little sentimental.

One cool thing about the comic was recognizing all the objects in his room, and the posters on the wall that came from Nintendo Power magazines.

Definitely. Being a grown up Dad with his own kid was great.

Makes you realize how all the kids with an NES in the 80's are now all grown up.

Yeah it almost makes me want to have kids.

[CyberCubed]

One cool thing about the comic was recognizing all the objects in his room, and the posters on the wall that came from Nintendo Power magazines.



Yeah it almost makes me want to have kids.

Indeed. The message of kids who grew up with Nintendo now being adults themselves and passing it on to their children is great.

It almost brought a tear to my eye.

[oldmanwinters]

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a56/slimer2erasmus/NP-LightsOut_zps0f6e273a.jpg