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November/December 2016 $6.99 USA $8.99 CANADA
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Our Mission Statement
Little Player Magazine’s mission is to provide a safe, fun and advertising-free reading experience that parents can feel good about giving to their kids. We also want to inspire and teach kids to make good gaming choices and play what is appropriate for their age group. We only cover and review games that are rated EC, E, and E10+ to ensure that young children are not exposed to content meant for teens or mature audiences. 2 Little Player Magazine
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little player
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Why playing old games is worth your time... With the upcoming release of the NES Classic Edition, I really got to thinking about the games that I loved as a younger player. To this day, they have had a major impact on me and I and decided to share that joy and wonder with you (our readers). Many of the modern games you like to play have their roots in what is known as the 8-bit and 16-bit era of video gaming. These games were more simple in terms of graphics and sound but were in no way lacking in fun. In fact, it can be argued that some of the older games are even more fun because they are simpler and easier to grasp and play! In the same way we value classic music or films, classic or “retro” video games should be respected and admired and most importantly played. Don’t let the simple graphics or sound keep you from experiencing and enjoying these amazing works of digital artistry and storytelling. Ask a trusted adult what video games they enjoyed when they were your age and you’ll be in for a real treat. The editors and I had such a blast putting this issue together and really hope you love it as much as we do. P.S. I would love to hear from you about your own “retro” experiences for next issue.
Martin Alessi Publisher / EIC
Video Game Magazine for Kids A Massive Impact, Inc. Periodical
Nov./Dec. 2016, Issue 4 1st Printing
Publishers Martin Alessi & Shelly Alessi Editor-in-Chief / Creative Director Martin Alessi Managing Editor Tim Wilkus Content Editor Jason Kaplan Associate Editor Nathan Alessi Junior Editors Isabella Ocampo Brody Patterson Hannah Friedman Aiden Friedman Contributing Editor Rob Strangman Copy Editors Jenny Kaplan Kelly Ford Industry Correspondant Patrick Scott Patterson Art Director / 3D Artist Allen Forbes Illustration Artist Thor Thorvaldson Video Capture Technician Pete Hahn Creative Consultant David Ray Siller Legal Counsel Erich G. Monzon
© Copyright 2016, Massive Impact, Inc. All rights reserved. Little Player is published bi-monthly by Massive Impact, Inc., P.O. Box 512, Wheeling IL 60090. Subscriptions are 6 issues for $24.99. Please allow 6-8 weeks before receiving your first issue as well as any subscription changes on an existing account. Little Player is a registered trademark of Massive Impact, Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means without express written permission of Massive Impact, Inc. Trademark and copyright for all other products and characters contained therein are owned by the respective trademark and copyright owners. For permisson to reuse material from our publication or to use our logo contact martin@littleplayermag.com. DIGITAL EDITION
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FEATURE STORY
Now You’re Playing By Rob Strangman With Power! Ever wonder what kind of videogames your parents played when they were kids? This November, you’ll be able to find out the answer when Nintendo releases the Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition! This mini version of Nintendo’s classic NES console from the 1980s has 30 great games built right in – no cartridges needed! You don’t need to dig up an old television to play it either, as it connects right to your family’s HDTV with an included HDMI ca- The NES Classic Edition comes with Super Mario Bros. 1, 2, & 3 and Legend of Zelda 1 & 2 as well as 25 other ble. It also comes with a power adaptor and one fun and amazing games built right into the system! Classic Controller, which is just like the classic NES controller that came with the original NES. The Classic Controller will also work with your Wii or Wii U, so you can play all of those great retro Virtual Console games with a retro controller! And if you have either the Classic Controller or Classic Controller Pro for the Wii, you can use it with the NES Classic Edition.
The NES Classic Edition comes with one Classic Controller. You can buy another controller for about $10 and it will work with the Wii or Wii U for games on the Virtual Console. 4 Little Player Magazine
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Check out these cool features! 4 Suspend Points!
If you need to stop playing in the middle of a game, you can save your progress at one of the four suspend points in each game.Then you can pick up right where you left off later (no passwords needed!) Just hit the Reset button to bring up the Home menu, choose a spot, and save!
3 Different Display Modes! The NES Classic Edition has three display modes to choose from. There’s the CRT Mode, that adds a scan-line effect to the screen. That makes it almost look like you’re playing it on a 1980s TV! 4:3 Mode shows the original aspect ratio used by the NES. This has a nice, sharp look to it! And the Pixel Perfect Mode shows every pixel as a perfect square, which lets you see what the games looked like when they were originally designed! Another neat feature is that you can scan QR Codes from the Home menu with a smart device. This lets you pull up the entire original instruction manual to read! Sorry! We don’t have a visual example of Pixel Perfect Mode this issue. Most retro gamers will probably prefer the 4:3 Mode. DIGITAL EDITION
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little Editor’s Retro Choice
Isabella
Brody
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Super Mario Galaxy - Wii
Duck Hunt - NES/Wii U
Super Mario Galaxy is a masterpiece in gaming. Everything to it’s brilliant level design and alluring soundtrack, memorable bosses and creative worlds. It also attributes to my childhood, being the first game I ever beat, thus holding a special place in my heart.
You can download Duck Hunt on the Wii U. The game is easy to learn and I like the sound effects. It is also easy to control with an original Wii controller, using it to shoot and even to select the level and difficulty without picking up a controller again.
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Zelda: A Link to the Past Super NES
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Super Mario Bros. 3 NES
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Kirby’s Adventure NES 14 Little Player Magazine
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The Legend of Zelda NES
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Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
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Super Mario Bros. 3 NES
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Pac-Man Arcade
Pac-Man Championship DX Xbox 360
little Editor’s Retro Choice
Hannah
Aiden
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Donkey Kong - NES
I love this retro game because each level is kind of like a maze. You need to master the patterns to save the princess at the end and that can be a real challenge. Did you know that Mario used to be called Jumpman in this game?
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Pac-Man Xbox 360
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I love the old school graphics and the way Pac-Man’s mouth moves and eats the dots and ghosts. The PS4 has a perfect version to download and it’s just like the arcade. It may be a simple game, but it is still fun and challenging.
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Crash Bandicoot: Warped PlayStation 1
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Metroid NES
Pac-Man - PS4
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Donkey Kong NES
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Dig Dug NES
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Galaga Xbox 360 DIGITAL EDITION
Super Mario Bros. NES
John Madden Football Xbox 360 Little Player Magazine 15
FIRST LOOK! CONSOLE MODE
Nintendo Switch By Tim Wilkus
A GREAT LINE UP OF GAMES!
ZELDA
SUPER MARIO
MARIO KART
SPLATOON 20 Little Player Magazine
NBA 2K SERIES DIGITAL EDITION
The successor to the Nintendo Wii U has finally been revealed. Initially codenamed the Nintendo NX, now known as the Nintendo Switch, is set to release in March 2017. It is a very unique approach to gaming. Nintendo has designed its new system as a home console with the ability to go portable. At home the Nintendo Switch will sit in a Nintendo Switch Dock that stays connected to your television. In this mode, the system will act like any other home console displaying the image on the television screen. Lifting the system screen out of the Nintendo Switch Dock will instantly put the system into portable mode. To do so, you will want to attach what Nintendo is calling the Joy-Con controllers to both sides of the screen. While in portable mode, players have many options for a controller. A single player can use both Joy-Con controllers in each hand or two players can each use one of the Joy-Con controllers each.
PORTABLE MODE
Nintendo will also sell an optional Switch Pro Controller similar to the one out now for the Wii U for players who prefer a bigger, traditional controller instead of playing with the Joy-Con controllers. Nintendo still hasn’t released the specs of the Nintendo Switch at the moment or battery life once you decide to go portable with it, but we expect at least 4-5 hours on a full charge. We do know that there will be no disc drive this time around. The Nintendo Switch will use cartridges as their media format. In a preview video of the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo revealed gameplay of many Nintendo fan favorites such as a new Super Mario, Mario Kart, Splatoon, and the highly anticipated The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. No price point has been announced at the moment, but Nintendo has historically kept the price down to make it affordable for most families. Nintendo has promised to release more information as the March 2017 release date gets closer.
SWITCH FROM HOME CONSOLE TO PORTABLE!
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To change the Switch from Console Mode to Portable Mode you simply detach the Joy-Con controllers and slide them onto the tablet! DIGITAL EDITION
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Collector’s Corner
By Jason Kaplan
Collecting “Toys-to-Life” figures is really fun! Here is a guide to some of the newest figures that are coming out soon. You can use the check boxes to keep track of your collection.
Are you hunting for older amiibo for your collection? A bunch of previously released amiibo are making their way back into stores! So if you missed out on Gold Mario, Lucina, Mega Man, Ness, Pit, Samus or Sonic then you’re in luck! It doesn’t seem like any changes were made to them either so they should look just like their original releases.
Toon Link & Zelda Series: The Wind Waker Release date: 2016
The Legend of Zelda is getting three brand new amiibo as part of the series 30th anniversary. There’s 8-bit Link, Ocarina of Time Link and a double pack with Toon Link and Zelda from The Wind Waker. They will be released December 2nd, just in time for Christmas!
8-Bit Link
Link
Series: Legend of Zelda Release date: 2016
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Series: Ocarina of Time Release date: 2016
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The Lego Dimensions Team is bringing out some great packs with this season. You won’t need a new starter pack for any of these new sets. If you had the original starter pack all you need to do is get online to download a patch and you’re set. In mid-November the Fantastic Beasts Story
Sonic the Hedgehog Level Pack Series: Sonic Release date: Winter 2016
Pack, Batman Story Pack, E.T. Fun Pack, Sonic Level Pack and Knight Rider Fun Pack will be out in stores. Story Packs are new for Lego Dimensions this time around. You get six levels instead of one and you can build a new gateway to use instead of the portal you get in the starter pack.
E.T. Fun Pack
Series: E.T. Release date: Winter 2016
Knight RIder Fun Pack
Series: Knight Rider Release date: Winter 2016
Batman Story Pack
Fantastic Beasts Story Pack
Series: Batman Release date: Winter 2016
Series: Fantastic Beasts Release date: Winter 2016
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