Electronic Games (Winter 1981)

_{Cover of the Winter 1981 issue of Electronic Games}

Electronic Games was really the grandfather of video game magazines. Unfortunately it was not long lived as it was introduced shortly before the video game crash of that era. It lived on for a brief while afterwards as Computer Entertainment. This is the first issue from 1981 and includes:

Switch On! - An introduction to this brand new magazine.

Readers Replay - Mostly readers writing in about how excited about the new magazine. You might be wondering how given that this is the first issue. However, this magazine actually started as a column in Video Magazine which was a magazine for home video enthusiasts.

Inside Gaming - David Crane gives us an inside look at the making of Freeway.

Electronic Games Hotline - Atari confirms secret messages in Adventure; McDonald's considers developing video terminals for ordering and playing games with Atari; Atari develops 8K cartridge for Asteroids; Red Baron released by Atari to arcades; Mattel to develop Dungeons & Dragons game for Intellivision; and much more.

Holiday Gift Giving for Gamers - Some of the items in this holiday gift guide include the Casio CA-90 watch, a satin Space Invaders jacket, the handheld electronic game Merlin, Pocket Simon, Head-to-Head Boxing from Coleco, Alien Invaders/Galaxian mini-arcade, Electronic Detective (sort of an electronic version of Clue), Lexor (an electronic scrabble game), and more.

Test Lab - A detailed look at Tandy's new Color Computer.

_{Table of Contents from the Winter 1981 issue of Electronic Games}

Q&A - Questions answered about videogames damaging TVs, docking in Atari's Star Raiders, and cassette games on Atari computers.

Strategy Session - How to get high scores in Space Invaders and Breakout.

Feature: Can Asteroids Conquer Space Invaders? - Asteroids appears poised to replace Space Invaders as the number one arcade game. This is deatiled look at the history of both games.

What's Next - A look at what's coming soon in electronic gaming. Some of the items here include a remote controlled VCS, Ice Hockey, Stampede, Fishing Derby, UFO, Alien Invaders, Quest for the Rings, and more.

Special Section: Player's Guide to Programmable Videogames - A guide to the best current videogames plus a look at the available videogame systems including the Atari VCS, the Fairchild Channel F, the Odyssey2, the Intellivision, and more.

Programmable Parade - Reviews of the latest games including Quest for the Rings, Missile Command, Kaboom, Auto Racing, UFO, Tennis, Air-Sea Battle, Breakout, Boxing, Alien Invaders - Plus!, Space Battle, and Video Whizball.

Computer Playland - Reviews of some of the latest computer games including Star Raiders (Atari 400/800), Bowling (Atari 400/800), House of Usher, (Atari 400/800, Apple II, Pet, TRS-80), Beneath the Pyramid (Atari 400/800, Apple II, Pet, TRS-80), Sands of Mars (Atari 400/800, Apple II, Pet, TRS-80), Nominoes Jigsaw (Apple II, Atari 400/800, TRS-80), Space Chase (Atari 400/800), War at Sea (Atari 400/800), Alien Rain (Apple II), Asteroids Field (Apple II), Mystery Fun House (Atari 400/800, Apple II, Sorceror, TRS-80), Empire of the Over-Mind (Apple II, Atari 800, Pet, TRS-80), Dino Wars (TRS-80 Color Computer), and more.

Insert Coin Here - A look at what's new in arcades including Pleiades, Space Odyssey, Venture, and Warlords.

Stand-Alone Scene - A look at some standalone electronic games including Dark Tower, Bank Shot, Alien Attack, Bowlatronic, and Wildfire.

Own Your Own Arcade Game - A look at the used arcade machine market including some current prices.

Touchdown! - An overview of available football videogames. Some titles looked at here include Atari's Football, Intellivision's NFL Football, Football for the Odyssey2, various standalone games, and more.