N64 Magazine Issue 49

Introduction

Issue 49 once again brought the Christmas rush. Although this was only 6 games compared to last years 22, it was still more than most of the year had seen. Majora’s Mask was the big game, as the UK release finally rolled around and gained 96%, becoming the joint second best game on the N64 after Ocarina of Time and alongside Perfect Dark and Mario 64. As with the Japanese version they praised the way it used the N64 to its full potential and greatly expanded on the graphics and concepts of Ocarina of Time in new and exciting ways. Mark took a full 8 pages tearing apart the game, showing the first dungeon of the game as well as some of the later aspects including many of the masks on offer. 

Also reviewed in this issue were fellow star games The World is Not Enough (scoring 88%) and WWF No Mercy (scoring 92%) giving the N64 a reasonable final proper Christmas. Batman of the Future: Return of the Joker was the dud of the month, with a dismal score of 16%.

Previewed this issue was Banjo Tooie, as the game slipped back from its November release date to a provisional date of March. The team visited Rare to get a proper playthrough and they were suitably impressed. They also looked at Hey, You Pikachu’s English translation as well as information about WCW backstage assault and several other games due out in early 2001 including the next version of Pokemon Stadium, covering the new Gold and Silver Pokemon. As usual there was a Christmas buyers guide with all the latest peripherals for both the Game Boy and N64 reviewed. Mark also looked around several high-street stores (remember when we had more than just Game!) looking at the best deals.

Planet Game Boy reported on the release of Pokemon Gold and Silver in the states, as well as Mario Tennis in Japan. The GBC re-release of Donkey Kong Country was the game of the month, and scored five stars - the team praising the amount of SNES game shoved into a tiny Game Boy cartridge. Cannon Fodder also scored five stars, and there were yet more tips for Pokemon Yellow.

Rush 2049 was the only guide this issue, with tips on the various tracks of the game, as well as general tips for the game. At the back of the mag they had another dose of Cartwarming Christmas Tales, their now annual take on Nintendo games turned into saucy novels