Next Generation Issue 003 (March 1995)

This cover is for PlayStation, next is for the Jaguar, Ultra 64 would follow that, with PC getting the next, and 3DO after that. For being their first year, they really are trying to be fair and show they covering all the big systems of the time, instead of picking just the biggest games for 1995. 

Highlights From this Issue: A 6-page interview with Tom Kalinske, the head of Sega of America at the time. We get 8-pages on the PlayStation hardware this time, and coverage from the Winter CES show, where we find the Virtual Boy and some info on the Japanese launch of the PS1. We still don't have bylines (no names are displayed of those that write the previews, reviews, and articles and features), the only items that have names is the recurring columns, which traditionally in newspapers and magazines is meant to be the opinion of an individual. "Joyriding" by Bernard Yee talks about using the internet on a 28.8K modem. "Movers and Shakers" by Selby Bateman is the monthly look at business news in gaming. "Arcadia" by Marcus Web covers coin-op, like Tekken, Virtua Fighter 2 in the USA, and Virtuality machines. And "Generator" by Merk James Ramshaw looks at Apple looking to enter the gaming industry. Sounds familiar, huh? There's 5 pages on Ridge Racer, an article on the art of making music in games, called Making Tracks. Another on "What's Wrong With the PC?" which is a part-one look at the PC industry at the time (8-pages). We have previews for Toh Shin Den (ps1), Dark Forces (pc), Boxer's Road (ps1), Iron Assault (pc), Motor Toon Grand Prix (ps1), and a section and Hudson Soft. I can't mention ALL the reviews -- the 3DO has 12 reviews across 3-pages, the Jaguar had 4, the Sega CD has 6, and there's several for Genesis and SNES, along with some for the Mac. You see why so many enjoyed this magazine back then -- so many articles, columns, news, and previews to read through.

Plus, this issue is 117 pages, but there's only 18 pages of ads. Your standard EGM or GamePro would have 40 pages of ads for a 120-page issue (or about, it can vary). As a kid I never minded ads, because they showed you some cool new games that you might like. And as an adult, I seem to like them even more -- but I mention it because you get a great amount of content per issue.