Retro Gamer Issue 288

Retro Gaming’s Monthly Deep Dive Returns

Retro Gamer Issue 288 is a 116-page journey through the games, studios and personalities that shaped classic gaming. It mixes long-form history with interviews, retrospectives, hardware coverage and reviews, making it a substantial read for anyone who still thinks in sprites, scanlines and cartridge slots. 🎮

Codemasters at 40: From Budget Tapes to Racing Icons

The issue’s centrepiece looks back at four decades of Codemasters. David Crookes and Martyn Carroll examine 40 key games and speak with numerous past members of the studio, tracing how a budget software house became a major force in racing, action and beyond. Readers who grew up with Dizzy, Micro Machines or the Colin McRae titles will find plenty of context here, while newcomers get a clear picture of why Codemasters mattered.

The Making Of: Colony Wars, Marathon, Perfect Dark and Fish

Several of the issue’s biggest features go behind the scenes of ambitious and unusual games. Ex-Psygnosis members discuss Colony Wars, their intense space-combat simulator. Former Bungie creatives recall the development of Marathon, the acclaimed first-person shooter. Martin Hollis and David Doak explain how they moved from James Bond to the sci-fi world of Perfect Dark. And Phil South’s journey from arcade writing to creating the strange adventure Fish is explored in its own making-of feature.

Super Punch-Out!! Ultimate Guide

James Tocchio makes the case for Super Punch-Out!! as Nintendo’s staggeringly good sequel and a high point of the boxing genre. The guide digs into what makes the game feel so precise, why its timing and patterns still hold up, and how it built on the original while carving out its own identity in the ring. 🥊

Music, Patapon and an Unusual PlayStation 3 Exclusive

Jerry Martin explains how he created the bouncy, memorable music for the original The Sims. Hiroyuki Kotani discusses Patapon and the fusion of rhythm, strategy and Rolito’s distinctive visual style. A studio profile also examines Afrika, the PlayStation 3 exclusive that combined a love of nature and photography but never reached the UK.

Retro Radar, Homebrew, Reviews and Collector’s Corner

Regular sections keep the issue varied. Retro Radar covers news and tributes, including a look at the late Howell Ivy’s career. Homebrew highlights new games for old systems. Collector’s Corner visits a reader with an impressive collection, while reviews cover Star Fox, R-Type Tactics I•II Cosmos, the Lego Mega Drive console, Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition and Evercade collections. There is also a look back at Crash Bandicoot 2, Mario Party 2, Sensible Soccer, Kirby’s Pinball Land and more. 📖

Who Is This Issue For?

Retro Gamer Issue 288 suits readers who enjoy gaming history, development stories, informed nostalgia and classic-game criticism. Whether you are a long-time follower of the magazine or discovering it through a particular feature, the issue offers a broad, well-researched snapshot of retro gaming culture and the people who keep it alive.