Retro Gamer

Overview

Retro Gamer launched when nostalgia for classic gaming was becoming mainstream. Rather than reviewing new releases, it documented history—interviewing developers, analysing classic games, and preserving stories that might otherwise be lost. It became essential reading for anyone interested in gaming’s past.

Fast facts

Publisher: Future Publishing (later Imagine).
First issue: 2004.
Frequency: Monthly.
Focus: Gaming history, all platforms.

Content focus

Section	Coverage
Developer interviews	First-hand accounts
Making of features	Development stories
Classic reviews	Historical analysis
Collector guides	Market information

Developer interviews

Exclusive conversations with:

Bedroom coders
Industry legends
Unsung contributors
Forgotten pioneers

Many stories preserved nowhere else.

Platform coverage

Era	Systems
8-bit	Spectrum, C64, BBC, CPC
16-bit	Amiga, ST, Mega Drive, SNES
Arcade	Golden age to modern
Console	All generations

Regular features

Feature	Content
Making of	Deep development dives
Desert Island Disks	Developer favourites
Collector’s guides	Pricing, rarity
Homebrew	New retro releases

Historical value

Retro Gamer preserved:

Development anecdotes
Technical explanations
Business stories
Cultural context

Community connection

Aspect	Engagement
Letters	Reader interaction
Subscriptions	Dedicated readership
Events	Show presence
Website	Extended content

Notable issues

Topic	Significance
Ultimate retrospective	Complete company history
Ocean coverage	British publishing giant
Commodore features	Machine dedication

Bookazines

Special editions:

Platform-specific collections
Genre retrospectives
Company histories
Collector’s editions

Competition

Publication	Focus
Retro Gamer	Broad retrospective
Various	Platform-specific
Online	Websites, YouTube

Retro Gamer remains print standard.

Legacy

Retro Gamer demonstrates:

Gaming history has audience
Developer stories matter
Print magazines survive in niches
Preservation through journalism

Celebrating gaming history