N64 Magazine Issue 16 | Nintendo Mags

Introduction

Gex was the surprise cover star of issue 16, however this was part of a wider context as the team looked at several platform games to be released in the coming months - with special looks at Gex 64 and Banjo Kazooie - one was awesome, the other not quite so awesome! There was also previews of Earthworm Jim 3D, Space Circus, Buck Bumble and Conker 64 (before it got all sweary!). Alongside each of the games, they also got a chance to talk to some of the developers of the games, answering some of the big questions on readers' minds.

The major news this month was that former Sony exclusive developer Psygnosis announced their plans for the N64, with Wipeout 64 not far away from release. There was also the promise that a Goldeneye sequel would be shown in some form at E3. Aside from their platformer special, they looked at Pocket Monsters Stadium, cartoon fighter Rakagu Kids, F-Zero X, Holy Magic Century and the latest on Zelda amongst others. With E3 coming next month, there was plenty to look forward to! The reader awards results were also in, with Goldeneye 007 crowned once again the best game of 1997.

There were a massive (in context) 5 UK games reviewed in this issue, but unfortunately it was quantity over quality this time as only Forsaken scored over 75% - Martin giving it 87% with praise for the Graphics, but the game being let down somewhat by its control system. The latest EA football game was also reviewed - with World Cup ‘98 scoring 73% - which paled in comparison with Konami’s ISS games. Jeopardy was also reviewed on import this issue and scored an almost all time low of 9%. Elsewhere they covered Aero Fighters Assault (58%), Wayne Gretsky’s 3D Hockey ‘98 (70%), Rampage World Tour (54%) and the Japanese skateboarder Air Boarder 64 (58%).

Guides this month covered plenty of hints and tips for Yoshi’s Story, as well as part two of their all encompassing guide to Mystical Ninja and there was part one of a guide to finding all the secret areas in Quake. James went into more depth on import converter cards in this issue, with a nice feature covering the pros and cons of using the cards and the compatible games.

At the back of the mag James Price looked at the chemistry of a great game, and now Nintendo and other publishers had put together some masterpieces. He looked into the four criteria that the magazine scored all games on (Visuals, Sound, Mastery and Lifespan) - and went into more depth on some of the games that excelled at those as well as some that didn’t and why.

Articles

Future Look

Banjo Kazooie
Earthworm Jim 3D
Space Circus
Buck Bumble
Twelve Tales: Conker 64
Tonic Trouble

Coming Soon

Pocket Monsters Stadium
Rat Attack
Rakuga Kids
F-Zero X
The Legend of the River King 64
Holy Magic Century
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Harvest Moon 64

Reviews

Jeopardy!
Author: Paul O'Donovan
Country: USA
Score: 9%
Rampage World Tour
Author: Martin Kitts
Country: UK
Score: 54%
Air Boarder 64
Author: Tim Weaver
Country: Jap
Score: 58%
Aero Fighters Assault
Author: Martin Kitts
Country: UK
Score: 58%
Wayne Gretzsky's 3d Hockey '98
Author: Martin Kitts
Country: UK
Score: 70%
World Cup '98
Author: James Ashton
Country: UK
Score: 73%
Forsaken
Author: Martin Kitts
Country: UK
Score: 87%

How To

Win an N64 with a copy of Quake!
Live Happily ever after in Yoshi's Story
Save Edo Japan from the great stage plan in Mystical Ninja
Discover every last secret in Quake
Choose and use your import Convertor Card

Features

N64 Magazine Reader Awards
Goldeneye 007 Spymaster Competition: Results
Wierd Science: The chemistry of great games

Staff

James Ashton Editor
Tim Weaver Deputy Editor
Wil Overton Art Editor
Paul Jarrold Art Assistant
Jes Bickham Writer
Andrea Ball Production Editor
James Price Writer
Martin Kitts Writer