Retro Gamer

Retro Gamer is the only magazine in the UK that’s fully dedicated to the halcyon days of classic gaming. If you’ve ever fondly blasted away at the Bydo Empire in R-Type, swung Bowser by the tail in Super Mario 64, or navigated all 20 levels of Matthew Smith’s Manic Miner, then this is the magazine for you. Created by a dedicated team of experts, Retro Gamer’s mission is to deliver constantly engaging and passionately written articles that cover a wide range of subjects. We offer our readership in-depth looks at classic games and franchises, behind-the-scenes glimpses of the software houses from yesteryear, and one-on-one exclusive interviews with industry veterans such as Archer Maclean and Hideo Kojima. Stylish, entertaining and beautifully presented, Retro Gamer is the ultimate guide to videogaming’s rich and diverse history.

THE RETROBATES • WHAT’S THE MOST TECHNICALLY IMPRESSIVE N64 GAME YOU’VE PLAYED?

A MINIATURE REVELATION • Retro Games’ Chris Smith on creating a new mini system

REVISITING THE PAST • We chat to David Pleasance about his new Commodore book

Beware the pods

The ultimate adventure?

Sega Mania • We speak to the creators of the new retro magazine

THE LATEST NEWS FROM NOVEMBER 2004

THIS MONTH IN…

CHARTS

Cheeky Mouse OF MICE AND MEN

INSIDE THE NINTENDO 64 • FOR A TIME IN THE LATE-NINETIES, NINTENDO BOASTED OF HAVING “THE FASTEST, MOST POWERFUL GAMES CONSOLE IN THE WORLD”, AND REVOLUTIONARY 3D GAMES TO RUN ON IT. BUT WHAT MADE THIS POWERHOUSE TICK? WITH THE HELP OF VETERAN DEVELOPERS, WE DELVE INTO THE MACHINE TO FIND OUT

INTERVIEWEES

FRANCHISE FORWARD • HOW EXISTING GAMING SERIES ADJUSTED TO THE NEW POSSIBILITIES OF THE N64

THE OTHER N64S • WHAT’S THE TRUTH BEHIND THE ARCADE ULTRA 64 GAMES?

UNDER THE HOOD • A CLOSER LOOK AT THE N64 MOTHERBOARD

DOWN TO THE WIRE • BREAKING DOWN GRAPHICAL ELEMENTS OF A FAMOUS N64 SCENE

PRESS AND IMPRESSED • JES BICKHAM OF N64 MAGAZINE RECALLS HIS TIME WITH THE CONSOLE

SUBSCRIBE TODAY AND GET A FREE TRIBUTE 64 CONTROLLER

THE EVOLUTION OF DIZZY • Inspired by cartoons and fantasy, the Oliver twins created an adventure trilogy based around an unlikely hero called Dizzy. They then oversaw his next four quests, and later designed his swan song. The Olivers explain how Dizzy’s adventures evolved

CHARACTER BUILDING • THE FRIENDS, FAMILY AND FOES OF THE DIZZY ADVENTURES

PRACTICAL PUZZLES • HOW RELATED OBJECTS AND OBSTACLES KEPT THINGS SIMPLE

TREASURE HUNT • COLLECTING COINS, PICKING CHERRIES AND FINDING GEMS

The Berlin Wall • “I’M LOOKING OVER THE WALL AND THEY’RE LOOKING AT ME!”

THE MAKING OF Castle Mastle • SET IN THE PAST BUT EMPLOYING VERY MODERN TECHNIQUES, CASTLE MASTER WAS A 3D MASTERPIECE OF VIDEOGAME DESIGN MADE POSSIBLE THANKS TO THE FREESCAPE ENGINE. INCENTIVE SOFTWARE FOUNDER IAN ANDREW LOWERS THE DRAWBRIDGE AND LETS US EXPLORE HOW IT WAS MADE

CONVERSION CAPERS • WHICH VERSION SHOULD BE BANISHED TO THE DUNGEONS?

ENTER THE CRYPT • DARE YOU GO BACK INSIDE FOR THE SEQUEL?

Atari 800

ULTIMATE GUIDE DOUBLE DRAGON II The Revenge • DOUBLE DRAGON WAS AN ARCADE SMASH, AND THANKS TO ITS CO-OP PLAY AND WEAPONS-BASED COMBAT, IT WOULD GO ON TO DEFINE THE BEAT-’EM-UP GENRE. A SEQUEL WAS A SURE THING, BUT SECOND TIME ROUND DID THE DRAGONS ROAR OR SNORE?

CONVERSION CAPERS • WHICH OF THE HOME VERSIONS HIT HARDEST?

BOSS RUSH • THE MAIN FOES YOU FACE ON THE MEAN STREETS

DEVELOPER Q & A • PAUL RANSON CODED UP THE SPECTRUM VERSION

THE MAKING OF: THE SIMPSONS: BART VS THE SPACE MUTANTS • THIS EARLY VIDEOGAME VERSION OF THE SIMPSONS WAS NOTORIOUSLY, PUNISHINGLY DIFFICULT – BUT THE STORY OF...