For me, Nintendo Power represents a special part of my childhood - a precursor to my interest in the then relatively unknown business of video game journalism. I remember freaking out at each hint of a new game or system, and re-reading certain issues over and over again until the pages were worn. I remember feeling so special for getting a Pokemon card of Sabrina’s Abra or a new poster to cherish. I’d read each one cover to cover, drinking in all the pictures and words from the publication that actually seemed to understand what everyone else in my life failed to grasp - that video games were the most important thing in the world. I remember waiting for the arrival of Nintendo Power with bated breath - tagging along on the mail run in hopes it would produce a new set of freshly printed pages to eagerly flip through, wondering what cool secrets or gaming tidbits the next issue had in store. So here’s to 24 years of good times - and to the sad realization that now we’ll never get our fan art published. In honor of the magazine so many of us waited on pins and needles for the mailman to bring, we’re looking back at Nintendo Power’s legacy by sharing some of our favorite memories. The cool covers, the helpful guides, the free copy of Dragon Warrior - Nintendo Power held a special place in the gaming world, and its presence will be sorely missed. It’s a sad day for the industry, and the end of a childhood staple for many gamers like myself. There’s still no word on how many issues remain for the magazine, which published its first edition in 1988 - but in any case, IGN is sorry to see it go.

Today news broke that publication of Nintendo Power will soon come to an end. A staple I always thought would be there, sitting in my mailbox, just as it used to sit in my parents’ mailbox when I was a kid.

It was a tangible, highly nostalgic blast from my gaming past. As the world moves further and further away from print media - embracing the seemingly boundless possibilities of the digital space - I always found the arrival of my monthly Nintendo Power to be something of a comfort.

Complete nintendo power collection