From the VGHF's Mark Flitman collection (https://archive.gamehistory.org/folder/205c628c-5d0a-4de8-a5a5-782f31706ac0), here's 1994 internal Acclaim data on the (U.S.?) sales of their (many!) Simpsons games. Looks like Bart's Nightmare on SNES did the best....

‘The gloves are off’ for one of our lucky classic video game mag ‘blind box’ subscribers 👍👌

A neat Easter Egg for this San Francisco Rush 2049 U.S. magazine ad? The store is called Logg's TV Emporium, after Ed Logg (Asteroids and Centipede co-designer & co-creator of the Rush series!)

This is extremely work in progress and part of a HUGE undertaking, but I wanted to share some "proof of life" for getting Game Informer magazine's original screenshot captures from way back in 1993 recovered off of digital backup tapes. If they had any lost builds, we might be able to recover images

Going through the 1995 E3 Show Dailies. There are some amazing trade-only ads in these that I don't know have ever been reproduced

From a 1990 issue of EGM: Toho itself actually published a (Compile-developed) Game Boy version of Godzilla - as an action puzzle game - in the U.S.!

The latest Game History Hour Podcacst has Frank joined by guest host Kate Willaert to interview Jeremy Parish, media curator at Limited Run Games, author ('Works' series), YouTuber, and podcaster: https://gamehistory.org/episode-149-jeremy-parish-works/

Today's unusual item: The First Decade of Computer Games, a supplement to Game Players PC Entertainment from 1992. This magazine tries to summarize how the computer game industry changed from its earliest days, featuring candid interviews with foundational figures in the PC game business

The back page of '00s video game magazines doesn't just feature games - sometimes, it features messianic proclamations for toy lines related to games! (Hi, Sonic X, c.2006.)

I've got the original gigantic Konami horse render you've been asking about, freshly digitized from a press kit

VGHF: we have the future, now. (Don’t ask for your money back.)

This 1996 U.S. print ad for Core Design's arcade tank game Shellshock plays up the 'attitude' big-time, '90s style. [Ad scanned by VGHF from CD-ROM Today.]

Another look at this 2003 Electronics Boutique catalog - https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/6bedff02-8620-49e7-ab95-33258145130a - reveals a $100 mail-in gift voucher if you bought a Nokia N-Gage & two games. (Well, did you?)

For our Patreon members: We have a preview of what we've been working on and what to expect in the first part of the year!

How did game companies protect against accusations that they stole devs' ideas? At Mindscape in 1996, they actually set up a process to protect themselves legally - smart! (Via VGHF's Flitman collection: https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/08b9bb30-19a3-4d4a-9fcf-e8e13cb56d92 )

"Virtuoso does deliver its share of excitement" —Geoff Keighley archive.gamehistory.org/item/64d786d...

In 1995, Computing Gaming World asked a vital question at the time - 'Are DOS Games Dead?' (The answer: not straight away, but eventually?)

I was asked to see if we had anything showing the StarFox demo animation that Nintendo had when it debuted the Virtual Boy at E3 1995. We do, but it cuts out really quickly, and the jump cut to the confused man is making me giggle.

Another set done! With this addition, we now have every physical issue from the main run of Official Xbox Magazine. This was much harder to complete than we expected. We've got a story for you... 🧵

Another VGHF-scanned page from Fall 1991's Electronic Boutique catalog, here's how the Game Boy was advertised to the masses 35 (eek!) years ago...

We hate to show off about '90s Electronics Boutique mascot Elbo again, but here's the very (VGHF-scanned) 1991 brochure which introduced the 'cross between champion canine and electronic whiz kid': https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/c7e09a97-6012-49fe-99fd-71c63605e254

Robert DeNiro's Tribeca Productions went big on CD-ROM, as seen by this 1996 CD-ROM Today article about their star-studded 'psychedelic Myst' debut title, 9.

Another look at this 1993 EB Games brochure - https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/f42e0c9a-d4d1-478b-8640-69eba10171a2 - with SNES standouts including Secret Of Mana & Cool Spot.

Mundane memos from '90s Konami of America? Great social history documents, as it happens: https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/6c7ff961-6711-4d4a-be53-c41269928bba (And yes, the office was pretty strict.)

The @defeatinggames.bsky.social marathon to benefit @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social is underway, and I'll be playing The Typing of Dead at 8 p.m. EST tonight! Visit defeatinggames.com for information and a schedule

Way before Helldivers 2, there was 2000's Starship Troopers: Terran Ascendance for PC, with this VGHF-scanned U.S. print ad promising, uh, "'Sects, Bugs and Lock 'N Load." (Sorry.)

In the latest Video Game History Hour podcast, producer Robin Kunimune sits down with Director Frank Cifaldi and Library Director Phil Salvador to wrap up the final quarter of 2025. (NES! VHS! Fundraiser!) https://gamehistory.org/episode-148-wrapping-up-2025/

VGHF has scanned the super-rare Electronic Games Hotline (formerly Arcade Express), which ran from 1982-1984: https://archive.gamehistory.org/folder/14c6f023-c9dd-4ac8-ac7b-f243dc1dbe8f Here's an example 1983 front page, including Atari employees suing over unions, and Toys 'R Us profit booming.

OK, which of these 'hot games' for PC being released in 2001 - is actually, genuinely stirring to you? Don't be shy. (U.S. magazine ad scan via the VGHF Library.)

Do you want to play Pinball Fantasies on the Amiga CD32 and win 10,000 British pounds? Well, you must be a teenager in the UK in 1993 reading about the National Games Championship, then.

Another day at the history factory

In 1995, Sega was moving swiftly into the PC space, hence this keyboard-blasting U.S. print ad promoting games like Ecco the Dolphin and Comix Zone. (Scan via the VGHF Library.)

We came close! In our library, we found a UK catalog from 1995 with Virtua Racing listed at £47.99, and Mega Drives starting at £69.99 with two controllers and a pack-in game. No listing for a standalone MD, which would've been lower archive.gamehistory.org/item/4c3aa08...

Checking out this 2003 Electronics Boutique catalog - https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/6bedff02-8620-49e7-ab95-33258145130a - yep, GameCube games were 50% of the cost of the actual console. (Crazy times!)

I want to highlight one of my favorite items in our digital archive: Shiny Entertainment put out an excessively detailed press kit for MDK with photos of every team member, their office space, developer diaries, concept art, and more archive.gamehistory.org/folder/224e3...

Pre-email, how did Konami Japan work with the West? Via fax - here's a 1990 example from VGHF's Flitman papers: https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/8c88c4e0-0067-430e-9b50-73869f4e80ad (Games discussed: Nightshade, Castlevania II, Blades Of Steel, Bill Elliott's NASCAR Challenge, new.. emperor?)

Please enjoy this nearly three seconds of footage from the original Mother 3, newly captured off of a tape we're working with

Morning reading: my latest classic video game magazine from @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social. EGM from August 1998. Previews for Ocarina of Time, Perfect Dark, and Rogue Squadron. And a Letter of the Month pronouncing “The Sega Saturn is dead.”

Don't miss the Defeating Games for Charity livestream from Jan 23-25, raising money for VGHF (thanks!) "using games never finished by one of the hosts as a jumping off point": https://defeatinggames.com/

It's Friday, let's play a game. We're scanning a bunch of material from E3, including some corporate promotions. How much do you think it cost to sponsor the coffee cups at E3 1999? Your best guesses, please! ☕

For those who remember, the '90s UK print ads for Action Replay cheat devices (this one for the Mega Drive/Genesis) always had fully chaotic art direction. [Ad scan via the VGHF Library.]

Later on, EGM² was rebranded as Expert Gamer, as seen on this cute cover for Issue 50 where one logo transitions into the other!

In the latest Video Game History Hour, Atari game developer John Van Ryzin and Digital Eclipse Technical Director Kevin Wilson both join host Frank Cifaldi to reminisce about the Atari 2600 title, and Frank’s favorite game, H.E.R.O.: https://gamehistory.org/episode-147-h-e-r-o/

My monthly retro mag from @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social arrived! This one is the Feb 96 issue of EGM and it’s all about the “Ultra 64” showcase Nintendo held. There’s all kinds of coverage of early 64 stuff that shipped with different names or were canceled. Love it!

All hail Dizzy! This early '90s UK magazine ad is for Fantastic Dizzy, ft. a late-period Indiana Jones-y take on, uhh, Codemasters' heroic platforming egg. [Scan via the VGHF Library.]

I love when @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social sends me a magazine I am not familiar with! It will make a great read during lunch tomorrow.

'The price of freedom is eternal vigilance' - so says this portentous 1995 CD-ROM Today magazine ad for the FMV-laden Wing Commander IV - Hamill! McDowell! (Scan via the VGHF Library.)

I got an email from @iam8bit.com saying today is the last day to pre-order the physical NES copy of the excavated game Xcavator 2025, with 100% of profits going to @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social, so don't delay if you want to buy it and support a good cause.

This 1993 EB Games brochure - https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/f42e0c9a-d4d1-478b-8640-69eba10171a2 - has a PC section headlined by Return To Zork, MechWarrior II and Sam & Max.

What was it like getting an internship at Atari in the early '00s? This write-up from VGHF's Mark Flitman papers (https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/e08ee03f-afcb-4833-8774-db3a60c9dc14) explains things firsthand, including comments on game budgets back then...