Playing With Power – Nintendo Fun Club News #3

For my first few post, I will be taking a look at the issues of the Nintendo Fun Club News that I have. This was the precursor to Nintendo Power, a free newsletter that you could sign up for to get info, tips and tricks (and a lot of ads) about NES titles. it was much shorter than what the magazine would become later and used minimal colors in this early issue but you can see some early views of what Nintendo Power would become. I don’t have issues 1 and 2, so I’m starting with issue 3 which features The Legend of Zelda.

: The artwork from the first Legend of Zelda is my favorite from the entire series

: A full page ad from Taito, an early third party developer for the NES

: The letter from Nintendo Fun Club president, Howard Phillips. The idea of a password was quite revolutionary at this point for console games

: Two page feature of Metroid. So many concepts and ideas were introduced in this early game that have carried through the entire series

: I wonder if anyone thought Metroid was developed by Data East with all the ads on the page

: 2 page feature on Kid Icarus, the other ‘password pak’ game in the issue. Also, that has to be the most interesting version of Medusa I’ve ever seen

: I was never any good at Kid Icarus, I never even reached the first treasure

: The reason to read the magazine, ‘Pro Tips’. One thing to note, currency in the Legend of Zelda was called ‘Rubles’ in the early years

: Tips from players…did you find any of these?

: First mention of Mike Tyson’s Punch Out and Rad Racer. I wonder what the special training round is in the Punch Out ad?

: Interesting the ads take up more space than the screenshots

: A great two page map from the first quest of Legend of Zelda

: As you can see, this was well used by the owner. Some of the notes are even from the second quest

: Here’s an ad for what is now one of the most expensive games in the NES library. I believe a recent sale went for over $40,000!

: This would be the first time a Zelda sequel was ever mentioned

: Early high score achievers

: I had no idea many of the glitches and secrets I remember about the game were printed right in this newsletter

: Every kids dream job, to be a ‘Game Counselor’

: For as popular as Nintendo was at the time, I don’t remember anyone ever wearing one of these

: I never could use this joystick, i always thought the NES controller was much better

: What character did you dress up as at Halloween?

: Inside back cover of the issue

: Back cover. Clever reference to ‘Cruise’ in the ad.

: This was a small order form insert in the magazine

: I guess the programmable series is because you could create your own levels in the game, a pretty unique feature for the time

So that is issue 3 of the Nintendo Fun Club News. I hope you enjoyed looking at the early genesis of what would become the top video game magazine for many years. I’m excited to share more issues with everyone. Share any memories, comments or thoughts in the comments below!

Now your playing with power!

Playing With Power – Nintendo Fun Club News #3

Chris Owens