As I continue to focus my attention on the PlayStation 2, I thought it would be fun to dig into some magazine coverage of the era. I decided to start in November 1999, which was when the console was formally revealed to the press and public at the Tokyo Game Show.
I’m thinking this may be an ongoing feature, so I chose 5 magazines to track month over month: Next Gen, Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM), Official PlayStation Magazine (OPM), PlayStation Magazine (PSM), and GameFan. Why these particular magazines? Well, they were the ones I was reading at the time, and all provide unique perspectives.
Without any further ado, let’s start with Next Gen.
Next Gen – Lifecycle 2 Vol.1 Issue 3 (November 1999)
What a cover!Editor Chris Charla describing PS2 hype in Japan. I’d take 24 hours of Ken Kutaragi over our current 24 hour news cycle.Again, the graphic design in NextGen was on another level. From colors to layout, this is all class and matches the vibe of the PS2.While The Bouncer was ultimately a disappointment for many (I love it, personally), it’s understandable why it was so hyped prior to release.
The Pokémon feature in this issue is absolutely massive. While a lot of magazines of the time completely wrote off the franchise, EGM seemed to understand how big it was / would be, and why.Relatively modest and reserved spread for the PS2. Just the facts!
Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine – Vol. 3 Issue 2 (November 1999)
This CG Crash model looks even more unhinged than usual.Again, lots of Bouncer hype.The “by the numbers” section here is pretty neat.
Big promises on the cover here!I loved this editorial about new console launches. Times have certainly changed…Strong opinions and enthusiasm – everything I loved about PSM.Tired: comparing Dark Cloud to Zelda. Wired: comparing Dark Cloud to Actraiser.No, the environments in Eternal Ring never really got any better (but I love it anyway).Two page IGN ad in PSM.
GameFan – Issue 75 (November 1999)
GameFan must have been on a different publishing schedule than the other mags, because there’s zero PS2 talk this issue.
The hype continues in next month’s mags…
All scans pulled from Retromags and The Internet Archive. Bless them (and the people uploading scans) for doing the lord’s work.
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