Now that the PS2’s proper reveal at 1999’s Tokyo Game Show has come and gone, we’re in the print era’s wild west of hype, doubt, and misinformation about the console. It won’t be until magazines get their hands on the Japanese console in March (so April / May 2000 issues) that people’s expectations of the hardware will become reasonable. Let’s enjoy this chaotic, lost time period.
Next Gen – Lifecycle 2 Vol.1 Issue 4
Note that this is still months before the release of the PS2. I mean, the part about the PS3 releasing in 2006 is shockingly on point!The PS2 remains the best console for Dark Cloud gaming.(it outsold that prediction)Later this year, the prophecy of Halo on PlayStation will finally be fulfilled.
While the previous issue of EGM was light on PS2 details, this preview is more robust.Interesting results (and poll choices)!Don’t get too attached to Munch PS2 fans…R.I.P. Densen. Sick looking game, sadly cancelled.
Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine – Vol. 3 Issue 3 (December 1999)
OPM editor in chief Kraig Kujawa promises that his mag will be the best source of PS2 coverage. The massive feature in this issue makes a strong case for the claim!BrutalThis spread may seem hyperbolic, but we’re talking about what would become the best-selling console of all time.!“What’s so great about DVD movies?”Well, some of this stuff happened, kinda.
Something I loved about PSM is how they would get cool comic artists to do work for the mag. This Chris Bachelo RE3 cover is one of my favorites.The countdown begins!s/o to the bodacious Big-Ass PS2 Screen of the MonthQuintessential Phil Harrison interview.They apologize for the screens not being “as crisp as we would’ve hoped for,” but to me that’s part of the charm.I don’t remember this book?? Seems like something I totally would have bought.I’d give the “best PS2 coverage of the month” award to OPM this round, but PSM making some big promises for the January 2000 issue!
GameFan – Volume 7, Issue 12 (76) (December 1999)
The first PS2 talk from GameFan comes from their TGS coverage, 83 pages in:
Probably the most enthusiastic preview coverage we’ve seen for Eternal Ring yet. Moments like this are why I loved GameFan.
And that’s it for December 1999. Please look forward to the next month of “PS2 in Print!”
All scans pulled from Retromags and The Internet Archive. Bless them (and the people uploading scans) for doing the lord’s work.
Leave a comment