In the late 1980s and early 1990s, a significant shift occurred in the gaming industry, particularly within the United Kingdom. During these years, the gaming landscape was largely defined by home computers such as the ZX Spectrum, C64, and Amstrad CPC. These platforms were kings of the British gaming realm, and consoles made by Japanese companies were more of an anomaly than a norm. Yet, this balance was about to be disrupted by the entrance of several pivotal gaming consoles that would shape the industry moving forward. These included the likes of the PC Engine, Sega Mega Drive, Nintendo Game Boy, and the Super Nintendo – all of which would not just change the gaming scene in the UK but would redefine it across the globe.
Driving the new era of console gaming was 'Computer & Video Games' (CVG) magazine. Standing as one of the longest-standing interactive entertainment publications worldwide, CVG took the mantle to introduce this fresh wave of console gaming. The effort began with Tony Takoushi, who would later join Sega Europe, laying the groundwork for console-related content in the magazine. It was Julian Rignall, however, who would take this initiative to the next level. He came from a background working for the legendary C64 magazine, Zzap!64, and brought a wealth of knowledge and passion to the scene.
Rignall initiated the 'Mean Machines' section of CVG, courtesy of Takoushi. This section was pivotal as it carved out space for console gaming within the pages of a magazine that traditionally catered to home computer owners. The 'Mean Machines' showcased gaming consoles such as the NES, PC Engine, and Master System, which at the time, were still striving for the limelight in a computer-centric UK market. The section was an educational tool that introduced the British gaming audience to the joys of console gaming and generated enough intrigue and interest that the magazine's publisher, EMAP, considered launching a dedicated monthly magazine focusing solely on consoles.
As a trial run and to gauge interest, Rignall was allowed to create a series of console-specific magazines under the banner 'Complete Guide To Consoles.' These publications aimed to encapsulate all that was happening within the console world. Every issue brimmed with news, profiles, previews, and an array of reviews, all crafted to explain the allure of the contemporary cartridge-based systems. Hence, the magazine was appropriately named, offering comprehensive coverage and services as a primer into console gaming for many.
The excitement for console gaming was palpable within the magazine's pages, illustrated by the review scores such as the 98% awarded to the Mega Drive version of 'Ghouls 'n Ghosts.' To contemporary readers, it might have seemed overenthusiastic. However, one must consider the context: for years, gamers were accustomed to mediocre home computer conversions of arcade classics. To experience an almost arcade-perfect rendition in one's own living room was, without exaggeration, a breakthrough moment.
Four issues of the magazine would eventually see the light of day. While the final issue took a different approach, serving as a directory of games, its publication confirmed that the experiment was a success. EMAP went ahead with 'Mean Machines,' a dedicated console magazine named after the successful CVG section, which Julian Rignall spearheaded as well. The new magazine quickly turned into a commercial hit, spurring the launch of several other console-focused publications by EMAP and sparking competition across the UK magazine industry.
While 'Complete Guide To Consoles' only had a limited run and resulted in a couple of one-off publications, it left an indelible mark on UK gaming culture. Today, even decades later, it is revered, and copies are traded for significant sums amongst collectors and enthusiasts. For many gamers in the UK, these magazines were a gateway into a fascinating world of home console gaming that continues to be enjoyed and celebrated to this day.
Reflecting on the golden age of gaming magazines, especially those that introduced consoles to a generation, we can appreciate the monumental role they played in shifting the interests and habits of a regional audience. These magazines weren't merely publications; they were educators, influencers, and most importantly, the heralds of a new era where the console gaming we recognize today began to take shape. They showed how a few pages could change the perception of entertainment mediums and leave a legacy that outlasted the physical existence of the magazines themselves.
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