Computer Gaming World (March 1987)

Source: Computer Gaming World – Issue Number 35 – March 1987

While I didn’t really start reading it until the early 1990s, Computer Gaming World was by far my favorite computer gaming magazine. Eventually it would become a DOS and then DOS/Windows exclusive gaming magazine but it its earlier days it covered a variety of computer platforms. It had a very long life, eventually becoming Games for Windows before its death. The March 1987 issue includes:

Features

The State of the Industry – An overview of the 1987 Winter Consumer Electronics Show. Highlights include PC compatibles announced by both Atari and Commodore. Commodore’s choices include the PC10-1 and PC10-2 with the primary difference being 512K RAM vs. 640K RAM. I’m not sure Atari ever actually released any DOS machines. EA introduces “Software Classics”, a budget line of games with the first release being Dan Dare: Pilot of the Future. Accolade released Desert Fox, Power and Spy vs. Spy. Activision released imports including The Rocky Horror Show, Spindizzy, Zoids and Titanic: The Recovery. Plus tons more games.

Gunship – Review of this combat helicopter flight sim for the Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST, Apple and IBM.

Gemstone Healer – An action adventure game sequel to Gemstone Warrior for the Apple II and Commodore 64.

Fifty Mission Crush – Combat flight sim from SSI featuring the B-24 Bomber.

Space M+A+X – Review of this space station construction simulator for DOS.

Star Trek: The Promethean Prophecy – Review of this text based adventure game for DOS, Apple II, and Commodore 64. This is the second game in the series.

Starflight – Review of this classic space flight/galaxy exploration/trading game.

Designer Profile – Interview with Doug Crockford, a game designer who has worked for Atari, National Semiconductor and at the time of this interview was working for Lucasfilm exploring the uses of CD-ROM technology.

Blue Powder, Grey Smoke – Review of this Civil War strategy war game for the Apple II (coming soon to the Commodore 64).

Departments

Taking A Peek – A brief look at new games (with screen shots) including Killed Until Dead, Titanic, Aliens, Bard’s Tale II, Championship Baseball, MRCA Flight Sim., Fist, Hallucinations, Parallax, King’s Quest III, Uchi Mata, and Space Quest.

Sports Scoreboard – A look at some of the latest sports related games including World Games, Championship Baseball, Equestrian Showjumper, and Beach Blanket Volleyball.