Game magazine scans from 1982, 1983

by Vladimir Cole { Nov 26th 2005 at 11:30PM }

Check this series of scans of video game magazines from the early 1980s. They're a blast from the past. Of course it's fun to note the differences between then now and to feel secure in how much cooler we are than our gaming ancestors. For instance, it's hard to imagine that the ad at right would appeal to anyone today. "Nothing's more fun than having a Tapeworm." Riiiight.

Our favorite hobby has come far indeed, but it's even more fun to note the similarities. Here are a few:

Then	Now
Cover story: Hollywood Video Game Explosion: Raiders! ET! Star Wars! Star Trek!	Hollywood Video Game Explosion.
Game adverts try to be cool with copy like, "do not play this game if you are a weasily, weak, uncoordinated nerd."	Game adverts try to be cool.
Editorial on the future of video games envisions "Walkman video game" device that would enable portable gaming.	Sony creates and markets "Walkman video game device" to allow portable gaming.
Ad copy promises "video games so real, so challenging, that you'll almost forget you're playing a game."	Emotion engine? Painstakingly rendered sweat on NBA players? Hairs on football players' arms? We're still worshipping false idols.

We've come a long way, but we've got much, much further to go.

[Via del.icio.us]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Ben @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

Nice. Nostalgia gaming news. We really have come a long way.

Beanie @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

omg.. ET.. worst.. atari.. game.. ever..

Oshi @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

I must agree with that ad. There really isn't anything more fun then a tapeworm!

Paranoised @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

The flickr link is having a massage :s

some_young_guy @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

I might have to agree with you about ET the Atari game. Even the Strawberry Shortcake game was more entertaining.

Tamo @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

My cat had worms... I don't think she liked it.

Jay @ Dec 18th 2005 9:06PM

I have a PC mag from 1985 "The future is here, the TWO button mouse! now you can collect skin samples inbetween the buttons". it makes for a brilliant read. 1mb Ram... ooooh! ahhhh!
My gran sold a load of my retro NES, Snes and Mega Drive magazines about 7 years ago now. to this day I still cry. I remember the cover shots, I even had the first issue of some Snes magazine that had these Pop n Twin Bee manga style characters on the front! I just can't remember the name.
Of course we have CU Amiga mags somewhere in the house. they're just brilliant.

Old mags rock. But I dont think we've come a long way. we're still playing games on a 2D plane, tricking us into thinking its 3D. We're still (for the majority) using stereo speakers. Only thing is it looks prettier.