GameNOW Magazine

GameNOW Magazine

GameNOW was a vibrant, high-energy video game magazine published by Ziff Davis in the early 2000s. Launching in November 2001 as the successor to Expert Gamer (and previously EGM2), it was designed for the younger generation of gamers who wanted deep dives into gameplay strategies rather than industry politics.

With its mascot "Sparky" and a colorful, chaotic layout, GameNOW focused heavily on the PlayStation 2, GameCube, Xbox, and Game Boy Advance era. It distinguished itself from its serious older brother, Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM), by focusing on fun, accessibility, and comprehensive guides.

Key highlights for collectors include:

  • The Strategy Guides: True to its Expert Gamer roots, the magazine was famous for its massive, in-depth walkthroughs of titles like Final Fantasy X, Kingdom Hearts, and Zelda: The Wind Waker.

  • The "E for Everyone" Approach: While it covered all games, the tone was lighter and more humorous, making it a nostalgic favorite for those who grew up gaming in the early 2000s.

  • 2000s Gaming Culture: The reviews and features capture the peak of the "console wars" era, offering a fascinating look at how games like Halo and Super Mario Sunshine were received at launch.

  • Short Run: The magazine ran for only 27 issues (ending in early 2004), making a complete set much easier to achieve and highly collectible compared to longer-running titles.

GameNOW is a colorful time capsule of the 128-bit era, perfect for retro gamers who want to relive the glory days of the PS2 and GameCube.