Nintendo Power shutting down?

by Jason Wishnov { May 15th 2007 at 10:40AM }

We attempted to think of something witty and clever to start the post off with a bang, but in the end, it would just be inappropriate. For at least one of us here on staff, Nintendo Power delivered the very first experience to the concept of gaming journalism.

Recent reports, however, have indicated that massive layoffs have been implemented at the publication. This is by no means an official announcement, but certainly either a massive downsizing or outright cancellation. NP has been putting out their pages for nineteen whole years, and it would be a great loss to the gaming community to see such a mainstay eliminated.

That said, our brilliant coverage of all things Wii and DS have probably helped in some small way to facilitate this grim news. Oops. Also, will this affect the tentative plans to bring legacy NP content to the Virtual Console? If they have to die, let their memory at least by memorialized in style.

Tags: Dead, Downsizing, Fired, Layoffs, Magazine, Nintendo, Power, Print, Tree

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

AJ Vaynerchuk @ May 15th 2007 11:07AM

This is sad news. I remember reading Nintendo power ever since it first released! Although if I had to choose between video game blogs (such as this one!) and Nintendo power, I would choose the former.

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SuicideNinja @ May 15th 2007 11:15AM

I got a few issues last year (for free per registration), and it was just way too much Nintendo and not enough overall game industry. I didn't like it for the same reason I didn't like OXM or OPM. The single-brand coverage magazines just don't seem to give as balanced reviews nor provide information in a way that feels like a face-punching advertisment for the brand in focus.

The old 8-year old in me flipping through Ninja Gaiden III screen shots and Megaman passwords is sad, but NP is past its prime.

Jonathan Tran @ May 15th 2007 11:19AM

no dammit, I just qualified for 3 free issues!

Chris @ May 15th 2007 11:21AM

It's not even that it's all Nintendo, though I agree with Suicide that it got annoying when there were 20 pages of Pokemon stats... it's just that everything in there is old news. Magazines like People and Time etc exist with blogs and internet news by providing opinions and interviews. NP was totally just going deep into gaming news, which I can get on Joystiq, or if I'm interested in a Wii cake or something to that affect I can check out Wiifanboy. It's sad, but they didn't adjust. It's their own fault for not providing something people CAN'T get anywhere on the net.

Hirsbrunner @ May 15th 2007 12:45PM

#2 wrote: "I got a few issues last year (for free per registration), and it was just way too much Nintendo and not enough overall game industry."

That's why it's called NINTENDO Power.

I hope this is just a rumor. I much prefer the magazine over web logs. No offense, Jason.

Valien @ May 15th 2007 2:38PM

@ #3.

Me too. Just qualified 2 days ago for 3 issues...oh well. Such is my luck it seems...

Valien @ May 15th 2007 2:38PM

@ #3.

Me too. Just qualified 2 days ago for 3 issues...oh well. Such is my luck it seems...

zenprism @ May 15th 2007 4:42PM

They should totally add a Nintendo Power channel to Wii (not just legacy content, but new stuff too). A channel devoted to previews, reviews and game tips of games on Nintendo systems would be very cool, even if it cost something to subscribe to.

tiamat1990 @ May 15th 2007 7:14PM

Hopefully it isn't true...

Mr Khan @ May 15th 2007 8:19PM

@ zenprism

I would bet on that, that's probably the idea they were floating around when whoever it was (reggie or Iwata, i forget?) mentioned Wii supported Nintendo power content

I would like to see it read like the News Channel, just with Nintendo Power instead