Future reveals Official Nintendo Magazine

10/02/06 - Future and Nintendo UK launch the all-new Official Nintendo Magazine with a bang from February 16th, when the magazine hits news stands uncovering exclusive information on the DS Lite and a world first hands-on session with the Revolution controller.

As an exciting new era for Nintendo magazines begins, issue one of Official Nintendo Magazine takes a look at how the company is revolutionising the way we play games. Showcasing Nintendo's innovation - the DS handheld grabs the front cover of the premier issue and comes enclosed in an attention grabbing card wallet, showcasing the Nintendo Revolution and its amazing new controller. Inside, the magazine has a 12-page feature revealing Nintendo's plan for the Revolution and uncovers the 30% smaller Nintendo DS Lite, with tantalising information and images of both consoles.

Designed with a fresh contemporary look and feel and offering premium production values, the all-new Official Nintendo Magazine promises to appeal to a broader range of Nintendo gamers. The magazine will provide something for everyone, from long-term hardcore fans, through to those who have recently picked up a Nintendo console for the very first time.

Driving Future's vision for Official Nintendo Magazine is company veteran, Group Senior Editor Steve Jarratt, who was launch editor for respected games title, Edge. The magazine will be edited by Lee Nutter, formerly of PSW, joined by Associate Editor Chandra Nair, who joins Future from Highbury's unofficial Nintendo title, Cube. Official Nintendo Magazine will also include contributions from a wealth of respected games journalists including Margaret Robertson, Jes Bickham, Mark Green and Tim Weaver.

Boosting interactivity with readers of the magazine, Future will soon be launching a brand-new website for Official Nintendo Magazine, to be located at www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk - enabling fans to react and discuss the latest news from Nintendo as it happens, under the watchful eye of Online Editor, Tom East, former editor of Nintendo GameCube magazine NGC.

With unrivalled access to the biggest Nintendo-related stories, Official Nintendo Magazine speaks exclusively with the creators of Resident Evil: Deadly Silence, Megaman and Street Fighter, Capcom about their plans for Revolution. The four-page feature reveals what games will be coming to the new system and just how the company hopes to utilise the cutting-edge controller. Alongside the definitive preview of Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, the launch issue of Official Nintendo Magazine has 32-pages of previews, showcasing the very best in forthcoming Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance and Nintendo GameCube titles.

The first issue of Official Nintendo Magazine comes with an exclusive set of high-quality vinyl decals, featuring top games; Animal Crossing, Mario Kart DS and Nintendogs, allowing gamers to personalise their DS.

Group Publisher for Official Nintendo Magazine, James Binns said:

"Future is delighted to be working with Nintendo UK on the Official Nintendo Magazine, having already enjoyed a longstanding relationship with the company in France and Italy. Creating a magazine Nintendo fans can be proud of has been a labour of love for the experienced editorial team led by Steve Jarratt and Lee Nutter. There's always been a hardcore base of Nintendo gamers and with the remodelled DS and hotly-tipped Revolution the firm is likely to open things up even more to a wider audience of gamers, all looking for new ways to play."

Dawn Paine, Marketing Director, Nintendo UK, said:

"As Nintendo continues to revolutionise the world of gaming, 2006 is shaping up to be a great for Nintendo and we are very pleased to have Future on board with us to create a truly unique magazine for Nintendo fans of all ages."

Issue one of Official Nintendo Magazine goes on sale Thursday, 16th February, with a coverprice of £3.99.

ENDS

About Future

Future plc was founded in the UK in 1985. Today, it publishes over 150 special-interest consumer magazines worldwide with strong portfolios in the computing, games, music, automotive, sports, crafts and leisure sectors. It is the fifth largest magazine publisher in the UK. Future employs 1,450 people in offices in the UK, US, France and Italy. Over 100 international editions of Future's magazines are also published under licence in 30 other countries across the world. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange (symbol FUTR).

About Nintendo

Nintendo Co., Ltd of Kyoto, Japan, is the acknowledged worldwide leader in the creation of interactive entertainment. To date, Nintendo has sold more than 2 billion video games worldwide and more than 350 million hardware units globally, creating such industry icons as Mario^® and Donkey Kong and launched franchises like The Legend of Zelda^® and Pokémon. Nintendo manufactures and markets hardware and software for its popular home video game systems, including the Nintendo 64, NINTENDO GAMECUBE, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and Game Boy - the world's best-selling video game system which has sold over 180 million units. As a wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of Europe, based in Grossostheim, Germany, was established in 1990 and serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in Europe.

For more information:

Will Guyatt, Media Relations Manager, Future Publishing, 01225 822517.

Robert Saunders, Nintendo UK, 01753 472 765 or robert.saunders@nintendo.co.uk