Nintendo Power Ends After 24 Years
Posted on August 21 2012 by Colin McIsaac
Parting is such sweet sorrow, especially to something that we hold so dear. It’s true, after 24 long years of tips, tricks, and news, Nintendo has ended publication of its much-loved magazine, one of the longest-running in the industry. There was once a time, before the land of the internet, when Nintendo Power was how to find the way to the next dungeon, or to learn where the last magic flute is. But now, several sources have confirmed that Nintendo discontinued its partnership with Future US, Nintendo Power’s publisher since 2007. Several staff members will be moving on to Games Radar, MacLife, and other Future-published magazines.
This news comes as unsurprising, since the first half of they year saw the entire magazine industry’s success decline by 10 percent. Monthly readership of Nintendo Power itself has shrunk over the years to 475k, which is dwarfed by GameInformer’s six million monthly per month. As gamers continue to move to online news sources and strategy guides, magazines become less necessary, leading to GamePro Magazine to publish its final issue last year.
Senior editor Chris Hoffman tweeted that he, like many others, was “sad to see it go.” He also mentioned that the team would “try to make the last issues memorable,” and that they’ve got “something pretty sweet for the final issue.” Since posted, these tweets have been removed. We currently don’t know how many issues are left until the final one Chris refers to, but it’s good to see they’re going to be doing their best until the very end.
As bitter as this news is, it’s a bit sweet, as well. Everything good must come to an end, and I’m glad that Nintendo Power’s time came while the staff love the magazine enough to give it a proper sendoff. There have reportedly been a few campaigns to save the magazine, but neither Nintendo nor Future have shown interest yet in renewing the deal. We will be sure to report as soon as more information comes about Nintendo Power’s swan song. Nintendo Power has left myself and many others with great memories, and for that, I wish you a fond farewell, my friend.
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