Clearly The Only N64 Magazine You Would Ever Want :P (N64 Magazine)

Member Name: khrys

Product:	N64 Magazine
Date:	12/05/01 (89 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Original, Unbiased, Value For Money

Disadvantages: ...None

My belief that nobody is too old for console games is clearly held by the team behind N64 Magazine. They clearly actually play the games an, what's more, *enjoy* them, unlike some magazines in which they slap out a random review and publsh. N64 magazine is probably the best magazine for the N64 console, and here's why.

Firstly: they are unofficial. This makes them free to say what they want, unlike the Nintendo Official Magazine, who are clearly going to *love* any game made by Nintendo. N64 Magazine (from hereon refered to as "N64", and may be used to describe the magazine or the team behind it) speak their mind. They have written truly withering reviews on some games (eg MK Mythologies: 9%, Quick Summary: "This could only be less enjoyable if it squirted sulphuric acid into your face."), whereas they have sung the praises of other games that are true works of art (eg Perfect Dark: 96%, Quick Summary: Absolutely stunning. If you had to choose one game for your N64, this would be it. Unmissable).

Team 64 have a special way of rating games. In their reviews, they give a score out of ten and a short summarising comment for Visuals, Sounds, Mastery, and Lifespan. They then give a short Verdict/Summary, and a final percentage. Also, they give a list of pluses and minuses about the game, they do a comparison (eg "If you liked this, you'll like this!"), and sometimes award the game a "Star Game" Badge (over 85%). This not only proves that they really do put a lot of effort into their reviews, they also give you the chance to make your own decision by reading the other points made about it.

Reviews vary from only half a page long, to around six to eight pages, if a game is truly that good. Pictures with captions are used to show good points of a game, and they often have subsections in the reviews, for certain parts of the game (eg. "Meet The Players"), adding more dimension to their r
eviews. So, overall, their reviews are absolutely excellent.

Now, onto the rest of the magazine. News is up to date, very accurate, and precise, but there is also a space for rumours/news that is still a long way off, just so you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

Then we have Club 64, a section set up for reader feedback. There are around two/three pages of letters from readers, each answered briefly by the editor, there is a correction corner, for when mistakes have been noticed, there is a small section for websites related to Nintendo that readers have found, there is a "So tell me this" section (readers ask specific questions, which get a longer answer), a "Bargain Hunter" section (where to find the cheapest games), and a "Bonus Letters" section, which is basically just excerpts from letters that look funny on their own (eg. "Princess Zelda could even whip Peach", which got the response "The kind of game you won't be seeing in Dream On [the section where people make up their own ideas for games].").

Then there is the help section, in which they provide a specific walkthrough for a certain part of a certain game, in close detail.
There is also a "Tips Extra" section, for small hints on many games, an "Action Replay" section (Action Replay is a cheat cartridge which you use to edit game features), a "Top 15 Tips" section, a "Game On" section, in which readers send in their own ideas for ways to play games, and finally, the Skill Club.

In Skill Club, you are required to complete challenges set by members of Team 64, send in video evidence of this feat, and, if you have completed enough challenges, you get an award (3+ == Bronze Award and Pin Badge, 7+ == Silver Award and Pin Badge, 10+ == Gold Award, Pin Badge and a Controller, 14+ == Platinum Award, Pin Badge, Controller and T-Shirt). So each challenge, although very difficult, is
worth playing for.

There are many more sections in N64, including a Game Boy owners mini-magazine, an "Ask-The-Expert" style gaming clinic, advertisements, and more. Plus, every issue brings a free gift (either a "Double Game Guide+ which is a walkthrough for two games, plus tips for a few more, or another mystery gift).

So overall, I cannot find a bad thing to say about this magazine. Team 64 are devoted, original, very funny, and great people in general. I salute them all. Buy this magazine.

-k

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