Source: VideoGames & Computer Entertainment – December 1988

While VideoGames & Computer Entertainment was never as popular as EGM or GamePro, it was my personal favorite video game magazine. The December 1988 issue was the first issue. I think it was the following year when I started buying issues on a regular basis. This issue includes:

Video-Games Features

• An Introduction to the Game Systems – A brief look at the three major systems that were available in 1988. These were the Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Master System, and Atari XEGS.

• The 1989 VideoGames Buyer’s Guide – A look at over 150 games for Nintendo, Sega, and Atari game systems with ratings.

• Barnyard Blaster – Review of this light-gun game for the Atari XE.

• Contra – A review of this classic (and difficult) shooter from Konami for the NES.

• Blaster Master – A strategy guide for this action game from Sunsoft for the NES.

• Archon – Hints and tips for this strategy game for the Atari XEGS. I played this one on the Commodore 64.

Computer Games Features

• Football! – A history of electronic football simulations. Some of the games covered here include Touchdown Football (Commodore 64, DOS, Atari 7800), 4th and Inches, Football (Atari 2600), RealSports Football (Atari 2600), M Network Football (Atari 2600), 10-Yard Fight (NES), John Elway’s Quarterback (DOS), Super Bowl Sunday, Great Football (Sega Master System), Sports Pad Football (Sega Master System), World’s Greatest Football, Touchdown Football (Atari 7800), Star League Football, GFL Championship Football, John Madden Football (Apple II), On Field Football, TV Sports Football (Amiga), Computer Football, Monday Morning Quarterback, GFL Football (Apple II), and more.

• An Interview With Brian Fargo – Creator of early games such as Labyrinth of Mortagon and Demon’s Forge and the founder of Interplay.

• Computer Reviews – Reviews of Three Stooges (Amiga, Commodore 64, DOS), Blockbuster (Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS), Road Runner (Atari ST, Commodore 64), Superstar Ice Hockey (Apple II, Apple IIGS, Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS), Tetris (Amiga, Apple II, Apple IIGS, Commodore 64, DOS, Macintosh, Macintosh II), Rommel: Battles for North Africa (Apple II, Commodore 64), Bubble Ghost (Amiga, Apple IIGS, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS), Stellar Crusade (Atari ST, DOS), and The Last Ninja (Apple IIGS, Commodore 64, DOS).

Departments

• Publisher’s Letter – An introduction to the premiere issue of this magazine.

• News Bits – New Freedom Stick wireless joystick; Atari to release 45 new games including titles for the XEGS, Atari 7800, and Atari 2600; Japanese games coming to the U.S. from Koei including Romance of The Three Kingdoms and Nobunaga’s Ambition; Captain Blood coming from Mindscape; Pool of Radiance (one of my favorites!) coming for the Commodore 64 and other systems; Zork Zero coming from Infocom; Activision releasing Commando and Kung Fu Master for the Atari 2600; Activision to change name to Mediagenic (stupid decision), and much more.

• Questions and Answers – The Game Doctor answers questions about where most games are designed, what happened to text adventures, 3D games on the Sega Master System, new computers with gaming potential, and more.

…and more!