I attended the party.

Nickle

I was searching through my old Stack of EGMs last night, for no apparent reason, when I stumbled on the December 1998 issue. Man, that is a glorius issue, containing previews for Ocarina Of Time, and a bunch of features on this new-fangled Dreamcast thing, that's gonna change the face of gaming. It features the reviews of Metal Gear Solid for the PSX, Xenogears, and the original Pokemon (if we only knew), among many others. The big news is Nintendo bringing over the 4-MB pack for 'hi-res' visuals in games like the upcoming Rogue Squadron and Turok 2. While reading, it was like I was magically transported back to that time, experiencing the anticipation all over again.

So, in this thread, we reminisce about the times we were waiting with baited breath. Where were you when you first heard news about a 3D Mario in the works (OMG!!!1!) or that Microsoft was planning on entering the console business (Pishaw! No way they'll ever survive!)?

e: Yes, that's what I was doing. Leaving you in suspense. I am brilliant.

LondonBridge

I think you hit post too early. Thanks for leaving me in suspense

Inzigna

LondonBridge wrote: »

I think you hit post too early. Thanks for leaving me in suspense

The cover is blown! It's not a troll! Lalala! :P

Darlan

I always come back to the 150th issue, which has a pretty decent top 150 Games list, and reviews of Halo, MGS2, GTA3, and Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance. That was a good month, too bad I just don't like the magazine anymore.

Trevor

I had an old Tips and Tricks magazine with a really in depth Bushido Blade 2 article listing all the characters and weapons with some really neat art. Of course, I could only find Bushido Blade 2 for rent and still can't find a copy to buy. But if I ever do find a copy to buy, I'm sure it will be wonderfully nostalgic.

expendable

At home I have an old PC World (I think) that had one of the first articles on Half-Life before the game was released. It was written in-character as Gordon.

I was pumped.

I remember being a little disappointed that the monsters didn't really work together and track me like they were supposed too.

KKprofit

I have my old egm2 issues with the FF6 maps and walkthru. Sheer awesome.

Sharp10r

I remember the hype of 32X, and since I had both Genesis and SegaCD, I wanted it to be the best thing ever...*sigh.* I had a one page advertisement that showed screenshots from 16 games or so, and I imagined I was playing each one. Stupid Sega.

darkwarriorva

In early high school, I was insanely into Street Fighter. When Super Street Fighter was about to released, there was a 2 page article in Nintendo Power about it. I must've read those pages 30 times. When I ordered it by mail, I sat outside every day waiting for it to show (it was a summer release). The wait was excruciating.

I remember reading an article about the Nintendo CD-based system, talking about how cinematics would be coming to games. Sounded interesting to me at the time. Then it disappeared, and of course we all know the end of that story.

There was also an article in one NP about Secret of Mana, written from the perspective of the main character, like a journal. I was hooked. I absolutely had to play that game.

I also have an old strategy guide with a bunch of NES games listed in it like Gauntlet, Mario Brothers, Zelda, Contra, etc. with tips like "to get anywhere in Zelda, you must have an insatiable curiosity!" Probably from 88 or so. I like to pull that out now and again and feel the nostalgia.

Houk the Namebringer

i have no less than 3 different magazines featuring reviews and strategies for FF7. id flip back and forth between them constantly while playing through the game to unlock different stuff and see all the sidequest stuff.

truly, those were glorious days.

MayGodHaveMercy

Man, I waited with barely bated breath for Fable. Damn was I excited for that game. Got caught up in the Molyneux Hype Machine (it was my first experience with Peter), and felt so let down when I got my copy in the XBrick and played it.

Also, BC.

Raiden333

Anyone remember GamePlayers magazine? They had the funniest writers ever, I wish I could find all my old issues just for the letters sections. I cried when they went under, but that's ok because I was like 12 or something.

Accualt

Project Dolphine.

That whole year long "what is it?" build up.

Evil_Pig

I read back on the magazine that had a review of Ogre Battle 64.


I remember reading the review and thinking this is the stupidest thing ever.

Then, when it came out, I played that thing over and over and over all summer long.

Damn, that was a good game

________________________________________

Someone mentionned BC?

That thing where you had a tribe and there were dinausors? That thing was going to be BIG. What happened to it?

Witchsight

I was subscribed to Nintendo Power when they were doing massive Mario 64 adverts. I even got the 15 minute VHS tape with short clips of Mario, Shadows of the Empire and some other nameless (probably never released) stuff. I watched the shit out of it.

I remember one of the mags had a wireframe model of one of the Stormtroopers from Shadows, and listed the amount of polygons used compared to current arcade game sprites... I showed my mom and tried to explain to her how this was a new era, and thus i would be helping the world by getting a 64 for christmas.

On the downside... in my 3d frenzy i saw my SNES as obsolete and sold it promptly.. along with Chrono Trigger

MayGodHaveMercy

This went from "So, in this thread, we reminisce about the times we were waiting with baited breath" to "Stuff about magazines." Actually, it sort of started off that way. I am saddened.

Apparently the first post was cut off, though? Maybe that's how it happened.

Raiden333

I remember when Nintendo would just randomly send out promotional materials for N64 games. I got a spy folder thing for Goldeneye and VHS tapes advertising Banjo-Kazooie and Starfox. All 3 games I had 0 interest in before the promo materials, and had rabid frothing desire to own afterwards.

chamberlain

I followed STALKER for years. YEARS. I pimped it like crazy when I was still runing an EBStop.

I was not disappointed, and now I am waiting for the sequal the same way. Let's hope it takes less then 5 years.

bombboy

Raiden333 wrote: »

I remember when Nintendo would just randomly send out promotional materials for N64 games. I got a spy folder thing for Goldeneye and VHS tapes advertising Banjo-Kazooie and Starfox. All 3 games I had 0 interest in before the promo materials, and had rabid frothing desire to own afterwards.

The Goldeneye folio was GENIUS!!!! :!!::!!::!!:

bruin

I'd love to hear what the Pokemon review is like. If you could scan the mag it'd be even more awesome.

Elendil

I was so excited for Star Fox Adventures.

So excited.

Rook

MayGodHaveMercy wrote: »

Man, I waited with barely bated breath for Fable. Damn was I excited for that game. Got caught up in the Molyneux Hype Machine (it was my first experience with Peter), and felt so let down when I got my copy in the XBrick and played it.

Heh, Black and White. Most disappointing party, EVER. Never going to molyneux's house again.

Nickle

MayGodHaveMercy wrote: »

This went from "So, in this thread, we reminisce about the times we were waiting with baited breath" to "Stuff about magazines." Actually, it sort of started off that way. I am saddened.

Apparently the first post was cut off, though? Maybe that's how it happened.

Yeah, my fingers did not listen to me. The magazine was just an example, because that was my primary source of gaming news back then. But yeah, it's about the reminiscing. I even made a snappy new thread title.

Maek Thread Fail.

bruin wrote: »

I'd love to hear what the Pokemon review is like. If you could scan the mag it'd be even more awesome.

I was going to bring the mag into work today for just that purpose. I will probably do this tomorrow. It's pretty epic, with tons of big games being reviewed/previewed. It shocked me, seeing 'Pokemon'. No colors, no minerals, just 'Pokemon'. Also, alot of stuff about MGS, it's perfect 10s review and a huge 12 page national enquirer spoof for Ocarina. Alot of talk about the Dreamcast being a huge threat to PS and N64. Rumors about 'Prince of Persia 3D!', really just a whole bunch of good stuff.

It was pretty strange too, because after reading the mag for a couple hours, I watched the Daily Show, and it took my brain a few minutes to figure out that it wasn't a rerun.

MayGodHaveMercy

Rook wrote: »

MayGodHaveMercy wrote: »

Man, I waited with barely bated breath for Fable. Damn was I excited for that game. Got caught up in the Molyneux Hype Machine (it was my first experience with Peter), and felt so let down when I got my copy in the XBrick and played it.

Heh, Black and White. Most disappointing party, EVER. Never going to molyneux's house again.

I know I'm in the minority here, but I really enjoyed it. Hated B&W II, though.

Sort of on the topics of hype and waiting for games... Most underhyped game ever: Arcanum. Having never heard of it, I picked it up on a whim, and played the everloving shit out of it. That game was awesome. Also, I've been waiting for something similar from Troika ever since.

zanetheinsane

I remember reading the small "next issue" block for Pokemon and thinking "sweet, Monster Rancher for the gameboy!" Japan is just now getting a portable Monster Rancher. I hope it makes it over here.

Edit: That should read proper portable MR. I know there are GB/GBA ones... meh, no thanks.

Lach

I remember watching the Star Fox 64 VHS they sent to Nintendo Power subscribers. I dug up a video fo that and I was transported to the day I paid almost $80 for the game (w/ Rumble Pak!) and beat it in one sitting. I spent the next few days unlocking everything and was totally over it.

bruin

MayGodHaveMercy wrote: »

Man, I waited with barely bated breath for Fable. Damn was I excited for that game. Got caught up in the Molyneux Hype Machine (it was my first experience with Peter), and felt so let down when I got my copy in the XBrick and played it.

Also, BC.

God yes. I remember being blown away by early previews for "Project Ego" (like this one - http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/rpg/fable/news.html?sid=2862038). Unfortunately I was still as excited when the game was finally released and was disappointed. I mean it was a good game, just not really what it could have been.

And yeah, BC. I still hold onto the hope that it'll be revived on next-gen systems one day.

Boilerbird

I LOST my Nintendo Power that had a walkthrough for Final Fantasy III (SNES). I looked for it when I got FF6 GBA, and couldn't find it with the rest of the Nintendo Powers. Too bad, too. That issue had the best artwork ever. Ever.

Masonite

Rook wrote: »

MayGodHaveMercy wrote: »

Man, I waited with barely bated breath for Fable. Damn was I excited for that game. Got caught up in the Molyneux Hype Machine (it was my first experience with Peter), and felt so let down when I got my copy in the XBrick and played it.

Heh, Black and White. Most disappointing party, EVER. Never going to molyneux's house again.

I first heard about B&W on Extended Play. The thing that got me was Adam describing how you could toss villagers around and hurl them into things. I enjoyed that part of the game, at least.

Gorilla Salad

I lost all my old magazine over the years(damn you, mother! I don't care if they a fire hazard, let me keep them in this box!)

All I remember is that GamePro was much better when I was 10.

Zeta

I remember back when nintendo power was leading the hype train on this new GB game called pokemon. The game looked AMAZING to me. Over 150 monsters to collect and battle with your friends?!?! No way!!! I started dreaming about pokemon, drawing pokemon and acting like a pokemon I was so hyped for this game to come out. The day finally came and I bought it without hesitation. I played that game for many many months without stopping. Finally collecting every last one (including missingno and that other glitch one and mew) and placing second in a city wide tournament. After that I retired from the game, gave it away and only recently got back into pokemon after picking the up ds version on a whim.

Retarded_Turkey

Trevor wrote: »

I had an old Tips and Tricks magazine with a really in depth Bushido Blade 2 article listing all the characters and weapons with some really neat art. Of course, I could only find Bushido Blade 2 for rent and still can't find a copy to buy. But if I ever do find a copy to buy, I'm sure it will be wonderfully nostalgic.

I suggest renting it and never returning it. Like, how much could they possibly be charging for it if it isn't returned?

Nickle

Retarded_Turkey wrote: »

Trevor wrote: »

I had an old Tips and Tricks magazine with a really in depth Bushido Blade 2 article listing all the characters and weapons with some really neat art. Of course, I could only find Bushido Blade 2 for rent and still can't find a copy to buy. But if I ever do find a copy to buy, I'm sure it will be wonderfully nostalgic.

I suggest renting it and never returning it. Like, how much could they possibly be charging for it if it isn't returned?

I still have my copy of Star Tropics that I rented from Video Outlet forever ago.

They'll never find me.

In my defense, I was young, it was all the way across town, and my parents never took me back.

Nocren

Retarded_Turkey wrote: »

Trevor wrote: »

I had an old Tips and Tricks magazine with a really in depth Bushido Blade 2 article listing all the characters and weapons with some really neat art. Of course, I could only find Bushido Blade 2 for rent and still can't find a copy to buy. But if I ever do find a copy to buy, I'm sure it will be wonderfully nostalgic.

I suggest renting it and never returning it. Like, how much could they possibly be charging for it if it isn't returned?

Yeah, seeing that entire move list (EVERY character's moves with EVERY weapon, including what weapon they had special abilites with) made me buy that game. PM me and I might be able to help you with your lack of game problem.

Invisible

bombboy wrote: »

Raiden333 wrote: »

I remember when Nintendo would just randomly send out promotional materials for N64 games. I got a spy folder thing for Goldeneye and VHS tapes advertising Banjo-Kazooie and Starfox. All 3 games I had 0 interest in before the promo materials, and had rabid frothing desire to own afterwards.

The Goldeneye folio was GENIUS!!!! :!!::!!::!!:

I'm pretty sure I have it and the video in a box in my attic. I wish they still did stuff like that. Hell, even Sony does.

delphinus

I was here for Nintedo Wii Keynote speech by Iwata. and we broke half the internet.

that was by FAR the funniest video game moment i remember.
these threads hold 25 posts per page and would grow 4 pages every 20 seconds.


IWATA IS STILL BOWING!

Target Practice

Sharp10r wrote: »

I remember the hype of 32X, and since I had both Genesis and SegaCD, I wanted it to be the best thing ever...*sigh.* I had a one page advertisement that showed screenshots from 16 games or so, and I imagined I was playing each one. Stupid Sega.

That was just a stupid idea from the start. "Hey, you know what sold like shit? Our CD add-on for the Genesis? So you know what we should do? Make an expensive cart-based add-on for the Genesis right at the same time that we're coming out with a new CD-based system!"

"BRILLIANT! Hookers all around!"

Blakout

Heh, I found an old-ish EGM the other day, where readers sent in joke news headlines. One of them was "New Legend of Zelda to be Revolution launch title!"

Evander

I remember being really excited about fable



Oh, and I remember latching on to every single bit of news while I was waiting for Spore...HEY, WAIT A SECOND!!!

GroovyMr1337

The EGM Halo 2 preview? God, I bought it to read on an airplane. I think I fucking memorized that thing.

maximumzero

I have one of those "Holiday Shopping Guide" type magazines EGM and Gamepro used to put out from 1998. Previews of upcoming games like MGS and Ocarina, and how this newfangled Dreamcast thing had a screen in the fucking controller.

Oh, and the glorious return of Sonic the Hedgehog.