In a significant move for gaming enthusiasts and historians alike, the Video Game History Foundation has made one of the earliest American video game magazines accessible to the public. The magazine, titled Computer Entertainer, originally published from 1982 to 1990, has been fully digitized and is now available under a Creative Commons 4.0 attribution license. This initiative allows readers not only to enjoy its content but also to remix it, fostering a deeper engagement with gaming history.
Preserving Gaming Heritage
Computer Entertainer holds a unique place in the annals of video game journalism. While many console game magazines succumbed to the industry crash of 1983-84, this publication persevered, providing invaluable insights and reviews during a tumultuous period. As noted by the VGHF, “Most console game magazines in the US went out of business during the 1983–84 industry crash… except this one.” This resilience makes Computer Entertainer one of the few sources for American reviews of iconic games such as The Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy, and Super Mario Bros..
For those interested in exploring this treasure trove of gaming history, the entire collection of Computer Entertainer can be accessed at gamehistory.org/computerentertainer. This digitization not only preserves the legacy of early video game journalism but also invites a new generation to engage with the stories and reviews that shaped the gaming landscape.
