How Early Gaming Magazines Shaped the Culture of Gamers

10 December 2024

When we talk about the evolution of gaming, it’s easy to focus on the consoles, the groundbreaking games, or the rise of online multiplayer. But let’s pump the brakes for a second and rewind to a time before the internet was a thing—back to the golden age of early gaming magazines. Remember flipping through glossy pages, devouring every word about cheat codes, walkthroughs, and the latest game releases? If you’re nodding, you already know these magazines were more than just monthly publications; they were the heart and soul of gaming culture.

Early gaming magazines didn’t just report on games—they helped shape how we played, talked about, and even thought about gaming. These bad boys were our guides, our forums, and our hype machines, all rolled into one. So, let’s dive in and take a closer look at how these magazines left an indelible mark on gamer culture.

The Birth of Gaming Magazines: A Nostalgic Start

In the late '80s and early '90s, gaming was still finding its footing as a mainstream pastime. Consoles like the NES and Sega Genesis were gaining steam, but there wasn’t an easy way to stay in the loop about what was happening in the gaming world. Cue gaming magazines like Nintendo Power, GamePro, and Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) stepping into the spotlight. These publications became the go-to sources for gamers hungry for news, strategies, and reviews.

Think about it: No Reddit threads, no YouTube walkthroughs, no Twitch streams. If you wanted tips to beat Super Mario Bros. or figure out how the heck to finish that tricky dungeon in The Legend of Zelda, you turned to these magazines. They were like your older sibling who always knew the coolest tricks—or maybe the wizard in the corner of the tavern with the rare treasure map.

Cheat Codes and Walkthroughs: The Secret Sauce

Let’s be real—one of the biggest reasons we loved gaming magazines back in the day was for the cheat codes. Oh man, the thrill of typing in a random combination of buttons and unlocking unlimited lives or invincibility? That stuff was legendary. And where did those magical codes come from? Gaming magazines.

Magazines like Tips & Tricks specialized in compiling all the cheat codes and secrets you could ever dream of. They gave us the power to beat games we thought were impossible. Walkthroughs and strategy guides were another godsend. Before YouTube “Let’s Play” videos, these step-by-step guides were the ultimate lifeline for gamers stuck on tough levels.

These cheats and tips didn’t just make us better players—they gave us something to talk about. Gamers would share their findings at school or during hangouts, creating a shared sense of excitement and camaraderie. In hindsight, it was like meme culture before memes even existed.

A Gateway to Community Before the Internet

Before online forums or Discord servers, gaming magazines were the epicenter of community. Remember those “Letters to the Editor” sections where gamers could send in their questions, tips, or fan art? These weren’t just a fun read—they were the closest thing we had to a social network specifically for gamers.

Fans could see their usernames or drawings published in these magazines, giving them a sense of belonging. Some magazines held contests where you could win game-themed prizes, or they showcased high scores from readers across the globe. It was grassroots community-building at its finest.

Also, let’s not forget the role of opinionated reviews—oh, the debates they sparked! Everyone had that one friend who wanted to argue about why GamePro's five-star ratings were better than EGM's 10-point scale. Gaming magazines effectively laid the groundwork for the spirited discussions (and outright flame wars) we see today in comment sections and Twitter threads.

The Art of Hype: Marketing Meets Passion

If there’s one thing gaming magazines excelled at, it was drumming up hype. Every issue was packed with previews, exclusive screenshots, and juicy tidbits about upcoming releases. They turned every game into a must-play event, even if it was just a half-decent platformer with slightly better graphics than its predecessor.

Sure, you might argue that they were marketing machines, and yeah, you’d be totally right. But it didn’t feel like we were being sold to—it felt like we were in on a secret, like we were getting privileged insider info. We’d pore over the pages, analyzing every screenshot, imagining what it would feel like to play those games.

Gaming magazines also helped shape the idea of gaming as a lifestyle. Their coverage extended beyond the games themselves to include interviews with developers, sneak peeks at new consoles, and even in-depth articles on gaming culture. They didn’t just tell you what to play—they showed you how to be a gamer.

Defining the “Gamer” Identity

Early gaming magazines didn’t just support the culture—they helped define it. They gave gamers a shared language: terms like “Easter egg,” “lag,” or “button-mashing” became mainstream partly because of how frequently they were used in these publications.

Also, gaming magazines were relentless in celebrating the passion and creativity of gamers. They amplified the idea that being a gamer wasn’t just about playing games; it was about embracing a whole way of life. Whether you were rocking Street Fighter tournaments or solo-grinding through RPGs, these magazines made you feel like part of something bigger.

They also played a huge role in normalizing gaming as a legitimate hobby. Remember, back in the day, gaming wasn’t the billion-dollar industry it is now. Owning a console or PC meant you were considered “nerdy” or “geeky.” Magazines helped shift that narrative by legitimizing the medium and celebrating the artistry behind it.

Bridging the Gap Between Fans and Developers

Another major impact of early gaming magazines was how they connected gamers with developers. Interviews with game designers, behind-the-scenes features, and "making of" articles were all staples of these mags. Reading a developer’s thoughts on their inspiration for a game or their challenges during production gave us a new appreciation for the medium.

In a way, these magazines were like the gaming world’s version of DVD extras. They pulled back the curtain and showed us that games weren’t just commodities—they were art.

The Decline of Gaming Magazines: The Internet Takes Over

Of course, all good things must come to an end. By the late 2000s, gaming magazines were on a steep decline. Why? The internet, plain and simple. Online platforms like GameFAQs, IGN, and YouTube made it easier (and cheaper) to access gaming content. Why pay for a monthly magazine when you could get instant updates and endless walkthrough videos online?

That’s not to say gaming magazines completely disappeared—some still exist, albeit in a more niche capacity. But their role in the broader gaming ecosystem has undeniably diminished. Still, their legacy lives on. The sense of community, the obsessive coverage, the sheer love of gaming—they planted seeds that have grown into today’s hyper-connected gaming culture.

The Legacy of Early Gaming Magazines

Even though gaming magazines have mostly faded into history, their influence is still felt in today’s gaming culture. Modern gaming websites, YouTubers, and streamers owe a lot to those old publications. The way we consume gaming news, obsess over leaks, and share strategies? All of that has roots in the pages of magazines like Nintendo Power and GamePro.

And let’s not forget the nostalgia factor. For so many gamers, those magazines were a formative part of their childhood. They weren’t just periodicals—they were portals to another world.

Conclusion

Early gaming magazines played a monumental role in shaping the culture of gamers. They were our guides, our hype machines, and our communities in a pre-internet world. They gave us cheat codes for our favorite games, taught us to respect the artistry behind development, and helped forge the identity of what it means to be a gamer.

While they’ve mostly been replaced by digital platforms, their impact is still visible in every aspect of gaming culture today. So the next time you fire up your favorite console or debate whether a game deserves a 7 or an 8 on Metacritic, take a moment to remember those glossy pages that started it all.