iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 7h

For our Patreon members, we have a preview for the upcoming Colin Williamson photography collection in our digital archive, covering the Japanese game industry from 1999–2001! We've censored this mascot's face to protect their identity www.patreon.com/gamehistoryo...

A photo of Colin Williamson standing next to a mascot character, whose face has been blurred. The mascot looks suspiciously like Bub from Bubble Bobble, but there's simply no way of knowing without joining our Patreon.

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 9h

In 1994, PC CD-ROM games were a big deal - hence the Electronics Boutique 'multimedia' catalog at the time - archive.gamehistory.org/item/79a705… - devoting an entire issue to titles like Wing Commander III!

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Was it "Diddy's Kong Quest" or "Diddy Kong's Quest"? In the final game it's the former, but as we can tell from this 1995 E3 video, it once was the latter! archive.gamehistory.org/item/a6df7c… #Nintendo #SuperNintendo #SNES #DonkeyKongCountry2

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George Frankly! @georgefrankly.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

holy shit. I used a clipping of that image from an old EGM as a phone case insert 15+ years ago and kept a scan of it to print new inserts for new phones over the years. I've been using the most deep-fried ancient scan all this time and have NEVER seen this pic in such clear definition.

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Official Sega Dreamcast product shots from 1999? We've got those in VGHF's GamePro asset CD collection: archive.gamehistory.org/folder/6150…

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

We’re not flexin’ over here at the VGHF, but…

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

The Nokia N-Gage was a 'memorable' '00s phone/handheld. And its high-concept magazine ads? Also a tad unforgettable...

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

This 1994 U.S. print ad for first-person CD-ROM adventure Spaceship Warlock (originally released in 1991 on Mac!) is dense with screenshots and 'rave reviews'. "Available where fine CD-ROM titles are sold!"

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

All they had to do was capture 15 seconds of good Bug! footage on the SEGA Saturn for E3 '95, but in the first second they deBug! themselves out of a pit. archive.gamehistory.org/item/92b103… #SEGA #Saturn #SEGASaturn #Bug

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

From the VGHF's Gabe Swarr art collection - archive.gamehistory.org/folder/a226… - here's character concept art from the 2003 Atlus skateboarding game (!) Go!Go!Hypergrind. (Yes, these are the 'Johnson Bros'.)

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

At long last: Thanks to Retromags, the final unscanned issue of Game Players has been digitized! All* 220ish issues of Game Players—from 1988 to 1998—are now in our digital archive. * Not counting the encyclopedias, which are just reruns of old content

archive.gamehistory.org

Game Player's PC Strategy Guide, Volume 3, Number 1

View Game Player's PC Strategy Guide, Volume 3, Number 1 in the Video Game History Foundation Library – Digital Archive.

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

'The one place it's okay to poke a monkey with a stick' is... a credibly funny magazine ad tag-line for Super Monkey Ball Touch & Roll on Nintendo DS, right?

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Blade Force for the 3DO was shown at E3 1995 with a very different camera position - with your guy right in the middle, rather than at the bottom of the screen. It was also shown using the X-O-Tron VR gyroscopic control! archive.gamehistory.org/item/92b103…

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

We're so proud that the VGHF Digital Library's handy search functions are helping research efforts by the Video Game Forklift Museum 🍴🏋️!

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

This ad (before they added the rest of the 'T. Rock' name) is for Milton Bradley and Rare's 1990 platformer, one of the least known (and regarded?) of the DK 64 dev's NES games: archive.gamehistory.org/item/c38acd…

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Captain Commando's proud to chat Capcom games in this 1989 U.S. retailer hand-out: archive.gamehistory.org/item/9f4263… (BTW: Street Fighter II never made the NES and this pre-dates SFII arcade - wonder which version they're talking about?)

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Preserving digital indie games in libraries/archives? The latest Video Game History Hour podcast features Dr. Colin Post and Marisa Marzilli from University of North Carolina at Greensboro: gamehistory.org/episode-164-nationa…

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鋼のStephen Meyerink @sjmtaelus.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

So happy I got to help the VGHF with this, and looking forward to helping more in the future! They have been an incredible research for our book project and also for my own general education on preservation and history, and also just plain fun (Sega Channel!!), and I'm glad I got to repay the favor.

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Phil Salvador @philsalv.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I also really love this infographic we did. The magazine archive is a collaborative effort. We've scanned thousands of magazines, but we're also relying on years of scanning work by the community and partnerships with the industry. It takes a village!

30% of our magazines were provided by Retromags. 33.4% were scanned by the Video Game History Foundation. Magazine publishers and staff provided another 10.8%. In declining order, other contributor groups are "Various Internet Archive users," CGW Museum, Out-of-Print Archive, and other community groups.

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

We've passed over 5000 out-of-print magazines in our digital archive! This is a big milestone that wouldn't have been possible without our community of supporters, collaborators, and industry partners. And it's about to keep growing. Learn more...

gamehistory.org

VGHF Digital Archive passes 5000 magazines. Here's what's next. | Video Game History Foundation

We've passed a big milestone for our digital archive. Let's talk about where our magazine collection is going next...

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

A very brief look at Battlesphere on the Atari Jaguar, from E3 1995. The game did not come out until 5 years later once the Jaguar became an open platform. This b-roll shows a very different UI from the final game. archive.gamehistory.org/item/92b103…

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layney @a-bug.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I've been getting old gaming magazines from a subscription from @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social and they're a treasure trove for finding interesting games! here's a look at two N64 racing games I found in a 1998 Nintendo Power! #youtube #racinggames #retrogames www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx2h...

youtube.com

Racing Games from 1998 Nintendo Power! - (GT 64 Championship Edition + F-1 World Grand Prix)

YouTube video by FlutterBug Auto

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Released on this day in 1998? Crystal Dynamics' unconventional 3D strategy game The Unholy War for PS1 - here's a couple of pieces of concept art from the VGHF's GamePro disc library!

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

VGHF hit some 'new digital library collection' milestones this past week, so we're sharing a Patreon update with our (paid) supporters. What does that vague intro mean? Backer Blog supporters can find out! www.patreon.com/gamehistoryorg/post…

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

We pity the editors of Computer & Net Player, Volume 4, Number 5 back in 1997 - archive.gamehistory.org/item/81f80f… - for having to play through Gooch Grundy's X-Decathlon, one of the most bizarre MS-DOS games of all time... (That 3 is out of 10, btw!)

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Who wants to see Charles Martinet talk to himself? These animatronic puppets were on display at E3 in 1997 and they're not terrifying at all. Nope. Definitely not. archive.gamehistory.org/item/dd16d0… #Nintendo64 #Nintendo #Wario #Mario #E3

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

With extensive docs from the VGHF's Mark Flitman archives, The Bounty Hunter was a game Atari was concepting with Todd McFarlane (Spawn) in 2004: archive.gamehistory.org/item/0e4918… (Possible studios to dev it? Irrational, Free Radical, Arkane & Planet Moon!)

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Phil Salvador @philsalv.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

archive.gamehistory.org/item/9ffec9d...

A magazine ad for Cyberdillo. "Gross, nasty, disgusting, sickening and slimy. I love it!"

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Has the VGHF added all 7 known issues of 3 For 3DO Enthusiasts, "a short-lived independent magazine that covered the 3DO platform", to our Digital Library? Darn right we have: archive.gamehistory.org/folder/7bb9…

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

ICYMI: in the Video Game History Foundation's latest YouTube video, John Rairdin uses VGHF's archives to explore the work of pioneering - and perhaps overlooked - Nintendo 3D camera creator Takumi Kawagoe: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zmd...

youtube.com

Takumi Kawagoe - Camera Systems, Cinematics, and Defeating Ganondorf

YouTube video by The Video Game History Foundation

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Stephanie Brownback @osu16bit.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

A fun thing about the random retro mag of the month from @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social is that sometimes you get an EGM that you remember…and sometimes you get weird shit. What in the world is going on with this cover? Why is big bird on a ship? Karate man on a dragon’s belly? And my god that link!

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

One of the most difficult parts of the transition from 2D to 3D was coming up with a good camera. Luckily for Nintendo, they had Takumi Kawagoe. Join John Rairdin NWR for a quick dive into the largely unsung career of this pivotal player in the history of 3D games: youtu.be/8zmdcS7gRfQ

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

🚨 CRYPTID SIGHTING 🚨 Spotted at E3 1995. If you see this Rayman, please report him to raymanwatch@raymancontrol.gov

A mascot suit for Rayman, as seen at E3 1995. He is unusually lanky and has permanent pog face and a haunting stare.

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

This supplement included with a 1992 EGM issue is a giant preview guide based on 1992's Winter CES, including such hotness as, uh, Felix The Cat on the NES: archive.gamehistory.org/item/6dd1a3…

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Mm, NES goodness. (Of course Super Mario Bros. 3 was categorized as 'fallsome' in this Electronics Boutique catalog from Fall 1990, as digitized by VGHF for our Library): archive.gamehistory.org/item/d10886…

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

32 Xtreme is a cancelled game for SEGA's 32X, featuring "radical" remixes of sports like... Jetski Football! Deep in our archive, we've got a tiny bit of footage of it in action at E3 1995. archive.gamehistory.org/item/92b103… #SEGA #SEGA32X #32X #32Xtreme

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Konami's Goemon franchise isn't the easiest to market in the West. (This U.S. print ad for 2000's Goemon's Great Adventure on N64 is... a good illustration?)

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

In the latest VGHH podcast, Phil Salvador interviews Amy Thomas, legal expert and author of Copyright, Contract, and Video Games: Terms of Play, about the history and landscape of EULAs (end user license agreements) in games: gamehistory.org/episode-163-the-com…

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Imagine Town Magazine (originally Game Candy) was a mag supplement published by Ubisoft in the late 2000s and early 2010s to promote their line of casual games for girls - here's our mini-collection: archive.gamehistory.org/folder/6187…

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Hamwelder @hamwelder.vip · 10/09/2026

Got a 350+ page novel this month, no MegaMan but the cover is blue and it has Mr Bones who sounds like a Robot Master.

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🎃 Spooky Jake 🎃 @jaketaur.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Getting a vintage Nintendo Power in the mail in 2026 heals my soul.

Battletoads / Double Dragon

Nintendo Power pictured with the game!

(Box from Minibox Gaming)

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Mostly Gifs @mostlygifs.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Got mine this week. Very cool.

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

The early rise of E3 for video game companies (and the fall of CES) was documented in this rare issue of Videogame Advisor magazine from 1995: archive.gamehistory.org/item/7845ec…

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xarph @xar.ph · 09/09/2026

Total banger this month; I just finished the 150 page 1995 cd rom preview issue of CGW

$3.95
$4.95 Canadian

Spelljammer • Star Control 2 • Car & Driver
COMPUTER GAMING WORLD
The Premier Computer Game Magazine
Spectrum HoloByte's
The Iron Helix

Also in this issue:
Battles of Destiny
Three New Football Games
Comanche: Maximum Overkill
Crusaders of the Dark Savant Hints

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Since the Zelda 40th anniversary stream is happening... This is the first (and only?) American review of the original Legend of Zelda, from the August 1987 issue of Computer Entertainer. The reviewer praised its "mythic aura" and "fairy-tale quality." Read the full issue: ow.ly/tg3s50ZJMSY

"THE LEGEND OF ZELDA (***1/2/****) from Nintendo for the NES is THE most eagerly anticipated title yet released for the system. With all the hoopla, including golden package and matching golden cartridge, we just didn't feel right about playing the game with our usual review set-up: NES Control Deck hooked up to a modest, 12-inch composite monitor. So we dragged the deck into the living room, connected it to a 27-inch Sony monitor/receiver, and dared Nintendo to impress us. Not only did Nintendo impress us with the many wonders of ZELDA, but they also managed to get us totally hooked on this excellent game. Imagine a great adventure: the rescue of the princess Zelda, the recovery of the Triforce of Wisdom, the defeat of of an evil prince. Imagine yourself as Link, the young hero about to set out on this adventure, with all 97-plus screens of the Hyrulean Overworld to explore and nine levels of multi-screen labyrinths in the Underworld as well."

"Alone in the Forest
The story begins with young Link alone and unarmed in a forest clearing. If he enters the cave at one edge of the clearng, he can find a sword and begin his adventure. As an inexperienced young hero, he will suffer many defeats in the early going. The forests are full of dangerous creatures. The lakes harbor nasty monsters that shoot balls at Link. But there are jewels and other goodies to be found by slaying the creatures, and jewels can buy useful items sold by merchants in some of the caves. After wandering for a while (or following the directions in the instruction book), Link can find the entrance to the first underground labyrinth. In the Underworld, the player has an overhead view into the chambers, which are full of many surprises and more nasty creatures of all kinds. The trip through a labyrinth is a treasure hunt, with a Triforce segment the ultimate treasure to be gained. Along the way, there are monsters to fight, secret doors to discover, and plenty of frustration. As Link gathers treasures, new weapons, and experience, he is able to venture into new places and make new discoveries. Thanks to the built-in battery in the cartridge, the objects that Link accumulates are saved from one playing session to the next. It's a good thing they are saved for Link, because it would be impossible to complete this game in one sitting. (The battery also allows you to save three "Link" characters.) Players are also aided by maps and hints included in the package."

"Fairy-Tale Quality
THE LEGEND OF ZELDA has a beautiful, fairy-tale quality that we found very appealing. As an adventure, it has more to offer than the typical hack-and-slash epics because of its special mythic aura that carries you into the story. And ZELDA offers an incredibly rich, deep gaming experience that goes far beyond the typical cartridge game. The game is well supported by charming graphics, superb original music, excellent animation, and smooth transitions in scrolling between locations. We believe that THE LEGEND OF ZELDA will appeal to both male and female players of all ages. It has a very special kind of magic that makes it a "must-have" for every owner of the Nintendo Entertainment System. (Solo play; Pause.) Recommended. (MSR $44.95)"

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Need a hi-rez version of the face tattoo on the U.S. cover of Acclaim's Descent-style shooter Forsaken? Naturally, our GamePro media CDs have that: archive.gamehistory.org/folder/6de1…

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Video Game History Foundation @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Ballblazer X was shown off at PlayStation's E3 1995 booth. A remake of a 1985 Commodore 64 game, it was developed by Factor 5 and published by Lucasarts. It would make it to shelves two years later as Ballblazer Champions. archive.gamehistory.org/item/92b103…

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