The second issue of Sega Mania dropped through the letterbox recently and I thought it worth posting about as this is the first issue I have paid for, the copy of issue one I received as a free review sample. Between the two, the team behind the magazine have been very communicative and quick in providing updates via their Twitter and YouTube channels. This level of communication is reassuring and whilst they are effectively learning on the job with all of the highs and lows that entails, they've not been shy in telling people about this. That is to their credit and long may it continue.
Back to the issue at hand and, following on from the first issue's 1990 focus, issue two takes us to 1991 and the year of the Game Gear. With 68 pages (including the cover), there have been some changes since the first issue which I think are for the better, and demonstrate that the editorial team are keen to make the magazine the best it can possibly be. They've also expanded the team (there are four writers! - thank you Captain Picard).
Starting off with an open and honest editorial about how the first issue went and how things are progressing, we're quickly into a review of the year 1991. Back to my school days at Tanfield Comp, Computer and Video Games magazine, Mean Machines... ah, the memories. Anyway, this is followed by two pages of opinion pieces by the rest of the crew, and then the News Zone, that lovely mix of "in the era but not quite of the era" reporting. It works, what else can I say? Future news has a piece about a new Dreamcast game, Intrepid Izzy, which is a cool looking platformer for Sega's final home console. Not bad considering the machine was discontinued twenty years ago. A single page is given over to 1991 news from other, less worthy, areas of the videogames market, four pages focus on Sonic the Comic (which I vaguely remember) and then we have a profile piece on OGDuffy, a retrogaming YouTuber.
The review section is packed again this month, with the likes of G-LOC: Air Battle, Sonic The Hedgehog, Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse and loads more. In fact, twenty five titles get the review treatment, some of which cover multiple formats. A single page covers reader responses to the first issue, there's a two page interview with Audio Sprite, two pages go to a report on RetroSix and an interview with founder, Luke Malpass, and then we have a lovely two page cover spread of a Game Gear. What? It's not porn!
Collector's Corner features a lovely interview with RetroFaith, who is another YouTuber who, like OGDuffy, you should really check out. The collection she has, just from the pictures in this piece, is impressive.
The Capitalism Zone features three reviews, including one that turned out to be a tad controversial. I'm not going into it as the Editor has responded to this in fine style (and I agree with him on this) and that is all that needs to be said here. There are single pages on TV shows of the year and notable films. Of the two films highlighted, the under-rated The Last Boy Scout gets a good write up and The Rocketeer, one of my favourite films of all time, also gets the love it deserves. Seriously, if you've not seen that film yet, watch it now!
The final section in the mag is the cheats page, which nicely covers the games in the review section. It's a cute touch and one I hope they continue with in future issues.
All told, the second issue of Sega Mania is a doozy. The humour is still there and there is a sense of style that differentiates the mag from others on the market. Is it different from the first issue? Yes. Is it improved? Definitely. So much so that as soon as they announced their plan for subscriptions, I paid for a three issue sub. I'm more than happy to see more of what the team can do and support it that way. No doubt this magazine will change as it grows and as the team become more adept at this publication malarkey. If you can, check out the Sega Mania website and buy a copy. If you like it, give them a sub. In my humble opinion, this is another niche videogaming magazine that most definitely deserves support.
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