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 YOUR FAVOURITE MOMENT FROM THE GOD OF WAR SERIES?

LOADING…

THE STATE OF RETRO • Sony reveals a bevy of retro-related games

Alignment

KINGS OF KONG • ARCADE CLUB TO HOST NEW DONKEY KONG CHAMPIONSHIP

This way and that

Handing over control

Video Game History Museum • Zagreb’s retro-gaming paradise is a must-see amongst the Croatian capital’s attractions

NEWS OCTOBER 2009

THE LATEST NEWS FROM OCTOBER 2009

CHARTS • OCTOBER 2009

THIS MONTH IN…

Cauldron II: The Pumpkin Strikes Back • TAKING THE PLUNGE

THE EVOLUTION OF GOD OF WAR • INSPIRED BY THE ANCIENT GREECE OF HOLLYWOOD MOVIES, AND WITH NEW REMAKES OF THE FIRST THREE GAMES PLANNED, GOD OF WAR COMBINED BLOODY COMBAT WITH PLATFORMING, PUZZLING AND A RICH NARRATIVE. ITS UNQUALIFIED SUCCESS ENSURED AN EPIC RUN OF SEQUELS, AS SERIES CREATIVES TIM MOSS AND STIG ASMUSSEN EXPLAIN

STAGES OF EVOLUTION: WAR JOURNAL(2005-2007) • THE ORIGINAL, A SEQUEL AND A MOBILE OUTING

STAGES OF EVOLUTION: WAR JOURNAL(2008-2010) • A PSP TITLE, A BUNDLE AND A THIRD CORE TITLE

STAGES OF EVOLUTION: WAR JOURNAL(2010-2012) • ANOTHER HANDHELD OFFERING AND TWO COLLECTIONS

STAGES OF EVOLUTION: WAR JOURNAL(2013-2018) • THE FOURTH CORE GAME, A REMASTER AND A PREQUEL

STAGES OF EVOLUTION: WAR JOURNAL(2018-2023) • A REBOOT, THE LATEST CORE TITLE AND ITS DLC

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THE MAKING OF CRYSTAL KINGDOM DIZZY • THE WALLET-FRIENDLY DIZZY SERIES WAS A HUGE SUCCESS FOR CODEMASTERS, BUT WHAT HAPPENED WHEN IT DECIDED TO MAKE A FULL-PRICE DIZZY GAME? DID CODEMASTERS CRACK THE MARKET OR DID IT END UP WITH EGG ON ITS FACE?

CONVERSION CAPERS • THERE WERE SOME CRACKING VERSIONS OF THE GAME

CYNIC CORNER • OTHER GAMES THAT LEAPT TO FULL PRICE

CRYSTALCLEAR CRITICISM • THE OLIVER TWINS WANTED SOME CHANGES

Pengo • PICK UP A PENGUIN

FIREBIRD BUDGET GAMES • Alongside rivals Mastertronic, Firebird dominated the 8-bit budget market during the Eighties. As a result, there are plenty of games from the publisher that you may have missed. Retro Gamer takes a look at some of those games across several systems. How many did you play?

ZZAP!64 MAGAZINE #80 • AS WELL AS ALL THE HIDDEN GEMS, COVERTAPES SOMETIMES DELIVERED THE SPECTACULAR, SECURING MAJOR TITLES. ONE MONTH IN 1992, ZZAP!64 READERS WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET ARGUABLY THE SYSTEM’S BEST GAME, ALONG WITH A HOST OF MULTIPLAYER ENTERTAINMENT

Covermount HIGHLIGHTS • THE BEST OF THE REST

THE MAKING OF DARK CASTLE • IT’S BEEN FOUR DECADES SINCE PRINCE DUNCAN FIRST STEPPED INTO THE OMINOUS GREAT HALL OF DARK CASTLE TO CHALLENGE THE BLACK KNIGHT. DESIGNER AND ARTIST MARK PIERCE, PROGRAMMER JONATHAN GAY AND AUDIO PROGRAMMER AND PRODUCER ERIC ZOCHER HELP US SEE THE LIGHT

CONVERSION CAPERS • THE QUEST TO SUCCESSFULLY PORT DARK CASTLE...