Electronic Games


Electronic Games was the first dedicated video game magazine published in the United States and ran from October 15, 1981, to 1997 under different titles. It was co-founded by Bill Kunkel, Joyce Worley, and Arnie Katz.

History

The history of Electronic Games originates in the consumer electronics magazine, Video. Initially video games were covered sporadically in Deeny Kaplan's regular "VideoTest Reports" column. In the summer of 1979, Video decided to launch a new column to focus on video games. Arcade Alley became a regular column and would represent a journalistic first. Written by Bill Kunkel, Arnie Katz, and Joyce Worley, the three writers became close friends and in 1981 they founded Electronic Games magazine. The magazine was active from Winter 1981, during the golden age of arcade video games and the second generation of consoles, up until 1985, following the video game crash of 1983. The magazine was briefly revived during the 16-bit era in the early 1990s, but ended in 1995 and was renamed to Fusion.
Initially, the release of the first issue was scheduled for October 15, 1981. However, the release was postponed to October 29, 1981 and featured a slightly different cover than initially advertised.

1st Run

2nd Run

Arcade Awards

Electronic Games hosted the Arcade Awards, or Arkie Awards, the first "Game of the Year" award ceremony simultaneously running in Videos "Arcade Alley" column. The following games are the winners of the magazine's annual Arcade Awards. The awards for each year took place in the January of the following year. No single game was allowed to win more than one award in the same year.

1980 Arcade Awards (1979)

According to the Winter 1981 issue of Electronic Games, the 1980 Arcade Awards were announced in February 1980 and covered all hardware and software produced prior to January 1, 1980.
AwardWinnerPlatform
Game of the YearSpace InvadersArcade
Best Pong VariantVideo OlympicsAtari VCS
Best Sports GameFootballBally Professional Arcade
Best Target GameAir-Sea BattleAtari VCS
Best S.F. GameCosmic ConflictOdyssey²
Best Solitaire GameGolfOdyssey²
Most Innovative GameBasketballAtari VCS
Best Audio and Visual EffectsBallyArcade/Bally

1981 Arcade Awards (1980)

The 1981 edition of the awards reflects accomplishments during the 12 months of the preceding year.

1982 Arcade Awards (1981)

The third annual Arcade Awards were sponsored jointly by Video and Electronic Games and honored outstanding achievements in the field of
video games of the year 1981. The 1982 Arcade Awards were published in the March 1982 issue of Electronic Games.

1983 Arcade Awards (1982)

The 4th "Arkies" cover games published between October 1, 1981, and October 1, 1982, and were published in the January 1983 issue of Electronic Games.

1984 Arcade Awards (1983)

The 5th "Arkies" were published in the January 1984 issue of Electronic Games.

1985 Arkie Awards (1984)

The 6th "Arkies" were printed in the January 1985 issue of Electronic Games.

1992 (7th)

Following the magazine's revival in 1992, it published the Electronic Gaming Awards in March 1993, where editors nominated several games for each category and the readers would vote which games win. The following were the winners and nominees for 1992.
AwardWinnerPlatformHonorable Mention
Video Game of the YearStreet Fighter IISNESSonic the Hedgehog 2
Computer Game of the YearWing Commander IIMS-DOSIndiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis
Multimedia Game of the YearNight TrapSega CD
Portable Game of the YearThe G.G. Shinobi II: The Silent FuryGame GearStar Wars
Best Electronic Game GraphicsSonic the Hedgehog 2Sega Genesis
Best Electronic Game SoundThe Adventures of Willy BeamishPCSpace Megaforce
Best Action Video GameStreet Fighter IISNES
Best Action/Action Strategy Computer GameSpear of DestinyPCSuper Space Invaders
Best Adventure/RPG Video GameFinal Fantasy Mystic QuestSNESEquinox
Best Adventure/RPG Computer GameUltima VIIPCIndiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis
Best Strategy Computer GameCivilizationPCSimAnt
Best Strategy/Action Strategy Video GameDesert StrikeGame consolesRampart
Best Sports Video GameJohn Madden Football '93Game consolesNHLPA Hockey '93
Best Sports Computer GameJohn Madden Football IIPC4D Sports Boxing
Most Humorous Electronic GameRoad Runner's Death Valley RallySNESThe Adventures of Willy Beamish
Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Electronic GameSuper Star WarsSNESWing Commander II
Best FanzineComputer Gaming UpdateDigital Press

1993 (8th)

The following games were the winners and nominees for the EG Awards of 1993, with nominees chosen by editors and winners voted by readers.
AwardWinnerPlatformHonorable Mention
Video Game of the YearAladdinSega GenesisRock & Roll Racing
Computer Game of the YearAlone in the DarkPCStar Wars: X-Wing
Console Multimedia Game of the YearSonic CDSega CDVoyeur
Computer Multimedia Game of the YearDay of the TentaclePC
  • Return to Zork
  • Seventh Guest
Portable Game of the YearMortal KombatGame GearThe Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening
Best Action Video GameCool SpotSega Genesis
  • Batman Returns
  • Road Rash II
    • Best Adventure/RPG Computer GameLands of LorePCUltima Underworld II
    Best Action Strategy/Strategy Video GameThe Lost VikingsSNESX-Men
    Best Action/Action Strategy Computer Game
  • Lemmings 2
  • Prince of Persia 2
    		• PC
    Best Strategy Computer GameSyndicatePCThe Even More Incredible Machine
    Best Sports Video GameNHL '94Game consolesMutant League Football
    Best Sports Computer GameNHL HockeyPCIndyCar Racing
    Best Electronic Gaming Audio/Visual EffectsEccoSega GenesisMyst
    Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Electronic GameDune IIPCStar Fox
    Best Electronic Military SimulationWarlords IIPC
  • Liberty or Death
  • Clash of Steel
    • Most Humorous Electronic GameClayFighterSNESZombies Ate My Neighbors
    Best Electronic Gaming FanzineDigital Press-

    Reader polls

    From May 1982 onwards, the magazine carried out a reader poll in each issue to see which are the most popular games of the month among its readers, up until the January 1985 issue. The top-ranking games in these polls are listed below.

    1982

    ;May
    • Console: Asteroids
    • Computer: Star Raiders
    • Arcade: Pac-Man
    ;August
    • Console: Pac-Man
    • Computer: Star Raiders
    • Arcade: Pac-Man
    ;September
    • Console: Pac-Man
    • Computer: Star Raiders
    • Arcade: Pac-Man
    ;October & November
    • Console: Defender
    • Computer: Star Raiders
    • Arcade: Tempest
    The games that were top-ranked the most in these 1982 polls were:
    • Console: Pac-Man
    • Computer: Star Raiders
    • Arcade: ''Pac-Man''

      1983

    ;January
    • Console: Pitfall!
    • Computer: Star Raiders
    • Arcade: Donkey Kong
    ;May
    • Console: Pitfall!
    • Computer: Star Raiders
    • Arcade: Donkey Kong
    ;June
    • Console: Donkey Kong
    • Computer: Star Raiders
    • Arcade: Donkey Kong
    ;July
    • Console: Pitfall!
    • Computer: Star Raiders
    • Arcade: Donkey Kong
    ;August
    • Console: Donkey Kong
    • Computer: Pac-Man
    • Arcade: Zaxxon
    ;September
    • Console: Donkey Kong Jr.
    • Computer: Star Raiders
    • Arcade: Pole Position
    ;October
    • Console: Donkey Kong
    • Computer: Star Raiders
    • Arcade: Pole Position
    ;November
    • Console: Donkey Kong Jr.
    • Computer: Star Raiders
    • Arcade: Pole Position
    ;December
    • Console: Donkey Kong Jr.
    • Computer: Miner 2049er
    • Arcade: Pole Position
    The games that were top-ranked the most in these 1983 polls were:
    • Console: Donkey Kong / Donkey Kong Jr.
    • Computer: Star Raiders
    • Arcade: ''Pole Position''