Nintendo UK and Future Publishing have officially confirmed the closure of the Official Nintendo Magazine, the UK and Australia’s biggest Nintendo-related magazine.
Official Nintendo Magazine, which launched in 2002, will see its last issue hit the shelves on October 14th – Issue 114. Following the closure of the magazine, Nintendo plans on communicating with its customers via Nintendo Directs and their social media. Speaking with Eurogamer, a Nintendo spokesperson said:”Nintendo is constantly evaluating and evolving the ways in which it speaks to its fans. With this in mind, Nintendo UK has decided to focus on alternative channels including Nintendo Direct, social media and online channels and public events.”
The decision to close ONM signals the end of over 20 years of officially-licensed Nintendo publications in the UK. Other well-known magazines, such as Nintendo Power Magazine in the US, closed in 2012, while Nintendo Gamer (formerly NGamer) published its final issue in 2012 also. It will be interesting to see how the official Xbox and Playstation magazines continue to thrive, though they show no sign of stopping.
Originally published October 8, 2014. Updated April 13, 2018.
