Retro Gamer - Issue 204

[BiNMaN]

Nice Piece on the PC Engine.

What would have been nice would have been a box out on Stephen Lowe and PC Engine Supplies (later Console Concepts, not to mention being the first official importer of the mega drive) from here on sunny Stoke-on-Trent. Probably for the most part that without him most folks wouldn't have got one or probably heard of it over here as it would never get a UK release. I remember going with him to that there London to pick up the first batch to hit these shores, not to mention going to trade shows.

He was a big part of the UK PC Engine history imho,

[Crusty Starfish]

It's a great article on the PC Engine. Not read anything else yet... BUT, it looks like the cover was produced by a 5yr old that's been asked to draw a games console :O

Some of the Subs covers have been really good - this is the worst so far (imho)... as with always, the content is the stuff that counts though

[ely]

Just to even things up,I think the cover looks fantastic. But yeah I agree the content is far more important

[RetroBob]

It's a great article on the PC Engine. Not read anything else yet... BUT, it looks like the cover was produced by a 5yr old that's been asked to draw a games console :O

Some of the Subs covers have been really good - this is the worst so far (imho)... as with always, the content is the stuff that counts though

Agreed, this looks so weird and not in a good way.

[merman]

The subs cover is fine, I think it works ok.

Great mix of stuff in this issue, really enjoyed the Jeff Lee interview and the making of Footballer of the Year.

[AceGrace]

Cover shot? I always have to tell my wife what the cover looks like to make sure she doesn't get the old mag.

[RichL]

The cover just does not bother me. It’s what’s inside that counts.

[PostieDoc]

Good stuff inside but I am with those who don't like the subs cover.

[NorthWay]

The subscriber cover was a bit wtf...

[rinzwind]

Problem with the subscriber cover is that they remove details. Make it way too basic. Also nostalgia asks for covers like in store. Screaming interesting stuff at you. So yeah I dont think these unique covers are a good idea. I prefer the store covers in this case. It also seems pretty clear more attention is put on the store covers than subs. A cover should grab your attention, subscriber or not. So please reconsider. I understand the idea, but its not working out IMHO of course.

[RuySan]

Problem with the subscriber cover is that they remove details. Make it way too basic. Also nostalgia asks for covers like in store. Screaming interesting stuff at you. So yeah I dont think these unique covers are a good idea. I prefer the store covers in this case. It also seems pretty clear more attention is put on the store covers than subs. A cover should grab your attention, subscriber or not. So please reconsider. I understand the idea, but its not working out IMHO of course.

Yes, old school magazines had busy and epic covers, not minimalistic. I think they're misjudging their audience.

[ely]

I used to buy EDGE when it came in the plastic bag on the shelf in WHSmiths and you didn't know what was even on the cover never mind the content. Surely once you've built up a certain idea about what a magazine is going to give you the "selling" part is irrelevant, and given we're talking about "Subscriber" covers, those people are already sold on the product.

[Antiriad2097]

It does come with a hiccup though. The people who subscribe to RG will often be collector types.

These people will collect the mag.

When they later want to find an article or pick up a back issue to read, the regular cover gives at least a vague outline of the major contents. The subs cover isn't helpful in that regard, since it only indicates one particular feature in the issue.

[ely]

It does come with a hiccup though. The people who subscribe to RG will often be collector types.

These people will collect the mag.

When they later want to find an article or pick up a back issue to read, the regular cover gives at least a vague outline of the major contents. The subs cover isn't helpful in that regard, since it only indicates one particular feature in the issue.

Yeah that's a fair point. I'm not one who keeps my magazines, I used to but found that they just piled up never to be read again. In this modern age I have more than enough content to consume that means I never go back to reread anything.

[RichL]

Folks, when's the new issue out?