One of the First Ever American Videogame Magazines is Now Available Online for Free at Gaming News

Gaming history buffs, rejoice! Gaming News is thrilled to announce that a significant piece of American videogame history is now readily accessible for free, online. We’ve painstakingly digitized and archived a comprehensive collection of Computer Entertainer, one of the very first American videogame magazines, spanning its entire run from 1982 to 1990. This invaluable resource provides a unique window into the nascent years of the gaming industry, offering insights into the games, hardware, and culture that shaped modern gaming.

Delving into the Archives of Computer Entertainer: A Treasure Trove of Gaming History

Computer Entertainer wasn’t just another gaming magazine; it was a pioneering publication that dared to take the burgeoning videogame scene seriously. In an era where videogames were often dismissed as fleeting fads, Computer Entertainer provided in-depth coverage, critical analysis, and insightful commentary that helped legitimize the industry. Our digital archive at Gaming News allows you to explore this legacy firsthand, offering a glimpse into a time when pixelated graphics and beeping sound effects were pushing the boundaries of entertainment.

Exploring the Early Years: 1982-1985 - The Dawn of Home Gaming

The initial years of Computer Entertainer, from 1982 to 1985, capture the explosion of the home console market. The Atari 2600 was still king, but challengers like the ColecoVision and Intellivision were vying for dominance. The magazine meticulously reviewed these systems, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses, and providing detailed comparisons for consumers struggling to choose between them.

• Detailed Game Reviews: Immerse yourself in the opinions of early game critics as they dissect titles like Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Galaga, Pitfall!, and Zaxxon. Discover what reviewers thought of the graphics, gameplay, and overall entertainment value of these classics. Beyond the household names, discover lesser-known gems of the era that may have been overlooked.
• Hardware Spotlights: Examine detailed specifications and features of early consoles and home computers. Understand the technical limitations of the time and appreciate the ingenuity of developers who managed to create compelling experiences within those constraints. Look at peripheral reviews and the ever-expanding options for enhancing gaming at home.
• Industry News and Analysis: Follow the rise and fall of different companies, the emergence of new genres, and the evolution of gaming technology. Learn about the key players who shaped the industry during its formative years, and understand the challenges and opportunities they faced.

Navigating the Mid-80s: 1985-1988 - The Nintendo Revolution and the PC Emergence

The mid-1980s saw a seismic shift in the gaming landscape, largely driven by the arrival of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Computer Entertainer documented this revolution in detail, recognizing the NES’s potential to revitalize a market that had been struggling after the video game crash of 1983. Simultaneously, the magazine also expanded its coverage of the rapidly growing PC gaming scene.

• NES Mania: Relive the excitement surrounding the NES and its groundbreaking library of games. Read reviews of classics like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, and Castlevania, and discover the secrets and strategies that helped players conquer these challenging titles. See the evolution of Nintendo’s marketing and its impact on popular culture.
• PC Gaming’s Ascent: Explore the burgeoning world of PC gaming, with coverage of titles like King’s Quest, Space Quest, Ultima, and Might and Magic. Understand the advantages of PC gaming, such as enhanced graphics and more complex gameplay, and the challenges of dealing with a fragmented hardware market.
• Arcade to Home Conversions: Compare and contrast the arcade hits of the time with their home console and computer counterparts. Examine the compromises that were often made in these conversions, and appreciate the efforts of developers to bring the arcade experience into the living room.

The Late 80s and Early 90s: 1988-1990 - The 16-Bit Era and the Magazine’s Conclusion

As the 1980s drew to a close, the gaming industry was on the cusp of a new era. The 16-bit consoles, such as the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), were poised to usher in a new generation of graphics and gameplay. Computer Entertainer covered this transition, but ultimately ceased publication in 1990, leaving behind a valuable record of a pivotal period in gaming history.

• The 16-Bit Wars: Witness the beginning of the console wars between Sega and Nintendo, as they battled for market share with their respective 16-bit systems. Read reviews of early Genesis and SNES titles, and analyze the marketing strategies that each company employed to attract consumers.
• Continued PC Innovation: See how PC gaming continued to evolve, with advancements in graphics cards, sound cards, and input devices. Explore new genres like first-person shooters and real-time strategy games, and discover the innovative titles that pushed the boundaries of PC gaming.
• A Retrospective Look: Gain insights into the magazine’s final years, as it reflected on the changes that had occurred in the gaming industry over the past decade. Understand the challenges that Computer Entertainer faced in a rapidly evolving market, and appreciate its legacy as one of the first American videogame magazines.

Why Computer Entertainer Matters: Understanding the Roots of Modern Gaming

Computer Entertainer offers more than just nostalgia; it provides valuable context for understanding the evolution of modern gaming. By examining the games, hardware, and culture of the early 1980s, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the technological advancements and creative innovations that have shaped the industry we know today.

Technological Advancements: From Pixels to Polygons

The magazine showcases the incredible progress made in gaming technology over a relatively short period. From the blocky pixels of the Atari 2600 to the more detailed sprites of the NES and the eventually more advanced graphics of the early PC games, Computer Entertainer documents the gradual march towards more realistic and immersive visuals. It also highlights the evolution of sound technology, from simple beeps and blips to more complex soundtracks and sound effects.

Creative Innovations: The Birth of Gaming Genres

Computer Entertainer chronicles the birth of many of the gaming genres we still enjoy today. The magazine covers the early examples of platformers, RPGs, adventure games, and strategy games, showcasing the creative experiments that laid the foundation for these genres. By examining these early titles, we can appreciate the ingenuity of the developers who pioneered new gameplay mechanics and storytelling techniques.

Cultural Impact: Gaming’s Journey to the Mainstream

The magazine provides insights into the cultural impact of videogames in the 1980s. It reflects the growing acceptance of gaming as a form of entertainment, and the increasing influence of gaming on popular culture. Computer Entertainer also reveals the social aspects of gaming, from the competitive scene in arcades to the cooperative experiences shared by friends and family at home.

Accessing the Computer Entertainer Archive on Gaming News

Accessing the Computer Entertainer archive on Gaming News is simple and free. We’ve meticulously scanned each issue of the magazine, ensuring high-quality digital reproductions.

Easy Navigation and Search Functionality

Our website features an intuitive interface that allows you to easily browse through the different issues of Computer Entertainer. You can search for specific games, companies, or topics, making it easy to find the information you’re looking for.

High-Resolution Scans for Optimal Viewing

We’ve taken great care to ensure that the digital scans of Computer Entertainer are of the highest possible quality. You can zoom in on the pages to examine the details of the text and images, providing a clear and enjoyable reading experience.

Preserving Gaming History for Future Generations

By making Computer Entertainer available online for free, we’re committed to preserving gaming history for future generations. We believe that this valuable resource will be of interest to gamers, historians, researchers, and anyone who wants to learn more about the origins of the videogame industry.

Beyond Computer Entertainer: Gaming News’s Commitment to Archiving Gaming History

Our dedication to preserving gaming history extends beyond Computer Entertainer. Gaming News is committed to archiving and making accessible other important gaming publications and materials from the past. We believe that it’s crucial to preserve these resources so that future generations can learn from and appreciate the rich history of videogames.

Expanding Our Archive with Other Historical Gaming Magazines

We are actively working to acquire and digitize other historical gaming magazines, including those focused on specific platforms, genres, or regions. Our goal is to create a comprehensive online archive that documents the evolution of gaming from its earliest days to the present.

Preserving Original Game Manuals, Box Art, and Promotional Materials

In addition to magazines, we are also interested in preserving original game manuals, box art, and promotional materials. These items provide valuable context for understanding the games themselves, and offer insights into the marketing and cultural trends of the time.

Collaborating with Gaming Historians and Collectors

We are eager to collaborate with gaming historians, collectors, and other enthusiasts to ensure that our archive is as accurate and comprehensive as possible. If you have any historical gaming materials that you would like to share with us, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

We invite you to explore the Computer Entertainer archive on Gaming News and discover the fascinating history of early American videogames. We believe that this resource will provide you with a new appreciation for the games, hardware, and culture that shaped the industry we know and love today.