With the progression of technology, paper magazines are slowly dying off, which is very unfortunate. As we all know, there is something unique and exciting about holding a paper magazine and enjoying the contents, and you wouldn’t get that feeling on a tablet or smartphone. I cannot describe the excitement of getting a vast collection of information and entertainment delivered to your doorstep in words. PC Gaming magazines have always been a dominant source of information on what is happening in the industry.
From upcoming games to the exciting lifestyles of gamers, we can find everything in a good gaming newspaper. Despite the popularity of digital magazines, there are still some of the best-quality paper magazines you can subscribe to and enjoy. Today, I will talk about 10 of the best gaming magazines that are still worth it.
Print vs. Digital Magazines
With the surge of digital magazines, it seems print magazines are slowly falling behind. But is it a good thing? Which is better, print or digital magazine?
Digital magazines are easy to produce and distribute. They are very cheap too. Readers can easily access and enjoy a digital magazine copy on any electronic device. You can also carry the magazine with you anywhere you go. Users can easily subscribe to tons of free content available on the internet.
Print media has an unshakable appeal to it. The feel of folding the pages, the smell of the ink, and enjoying a relaxing time can only come from a printed magazine. Many of us prefer the print magazine compared to the digital version. One perk of a print magazine is storing it and showing off your collection. It is not possible with a digital magazine.
In 2017, Freeport Press researched magazine preference. Out of 1,083 people, around 44% prefer print magazines, and 27% prefer to read digital magazines. So, we can say the demand for print magazines is not going away soon.
History of Video Game Magazines
Video game magazines started in the 1980s. They grew with “Nintendo Power” during NES times and expanded in the 1990s. The internet changed things in the 2000s, so magazines went digital. Online platforms took over, but some retro magazines stayed. Magazines shaped gaming culture.
Top Gaming Magazines 2024
In the below table, I will show the Top gaming magazines for 2024. The gamer magazines are not based on rank. Instead, it is based on my choice. You may recommend which one is the best gaming magazine. I will try to update that one. In the description, I will discuss top gaming publications.
| Computer Games Magazines | Specialty | Suitable for Gamers | Visit Link |
| Game Informer | In-depth gaming coverage | Gamers of all types | Visit |
| Edge | Analytical gaming journalism | Serious gamers | Visit |
| PC Gamer | PC gaming reviews & news | PC gamers | Visit |
| IGN Magazine | Gaming & Entertainment | Multimedia enthusiasts | Visit |
| GamesTM | Detailed features & analysis | Hardcore gamers | Visit |
| Official Xbox Magazine | Xbox exclusive content | Xbox console gamers | Visit |
| PlayStation Official Magazine | PlayStation exclusives | PlayStation console gamers | Visit |
| Nintendo Power | Focus on Nintendo platforms | Nintendo fans | Visit |
| Retro magazine | Retro gaming coverage | Retro gaming enthusiasts | Visit |
| Wireframe | Game development & design | Aspiring game creators | Visit |
Note: You may not find your favorite in the above best gaming magazines list. So please recommend your favorite one by comment.
Best 10 Gaming Magazines to Read in 2024
Here is our recommendation of the best 10 PC gaming newspapers you should read to get up to date with the gaming world. Most of the magazines listed below have print and digital versions. But I recommend subscribing to the printed version to have the whole experience.
1. PC GAMER-The world’s number one PC gaming magazine
The first issue was published in November 1993.
Country: United Kingdom, United States.
If you play games regularly, you must be acquainted with PC Gamer. They are the best place to know everything about games. On PC Gamer, you can find information about PC, iOS, Android, Online, and console games. They provide us with the best news and updates in the video game community.
Each PC Gamer issue is packed with many enthralling articles on various topics. There is both the UK and USA-based copy of PC Gamer. So be careful before subscribing to the gaming PC newspaper. Compared to other magazines, PC Gamer is cheap. You can save money if you subscribe to the digital version of this best video games magazine.
Price:
- Printed USA version: $2.47 for a single issue.
- Digital USA version: $1.47 per issue.
2. EDGE Online Gaming Magazine
The first issue was published in October 1993.
Country: United Kingdom.
If you are looking for the most entertaining information, no other magazine is better than Edge. Every month, Edge delivers us with the latest gaming topics and in-depth analysis of games and technology. It brings reviews and previews of the latest games to your doorstep.
Edge rates different games on a ten-point scale. You can look at their scores and find the best game to play. The reviews of games in the magazine are well-detailed.
Edge is a UK-based PC gamer magazine for subscription. The delivery charge may vary depending on your location. However, they can deliver it to you no matter where you live. You can also get the digital version of Edge if you don’t want to go through the hassle of delivery issues.
Price:
- Printed version: USD 10.00 for 1 issue (Delivery included).
- Digital version: USD 2.77 per issue.
3. Game Informer
The first issue was published in August 1991.
Country: United States.
Game Informer is one of the top gaming magazines owned by GameStop. It is a great place for game reviews, previews, opinions, and exclusive game deals. GI has been publishing for a long time and is worth subscribing to the magazine. Not only does the magazine contain vast information, but you also get an additional loyalty bonus from your purchase at GameStop.
Game Informer publishes an issue every five weeks (10 per year). You can either get the print version or the digital copy. With a digital copy, there is an additional power-up facility. So, I would recommend going for the digital version of Game Informer. One drawback of Game Informer is that you must subscribe annually to the magazine. You can always check out the free copy before subscribing to the magazine. You can cancel your subscription anytime if you do not wish to continue.
Price:
- Printed version: USD 19.99 annually (10 issues)
- Digital version: USD 17.99 annually (10 issues).
4. RETRO GAMER – Gaming Magazines for Retro Gamers
The first issue was published in January 2004.
Country: United Kingdom.
Retro Gamer is the best gaming industry magazine if you are looking for updates on classic games. Several gaming veterans are putting effort into this newspaper to provide high-quality content. Retro is all about old-school games that dominated the gaming industry in the past. The magazine is published every month.
Retro Gamer magazines gaming feature articles on the history of games and interviews with professional gamers, creators, and developers. There are a bunch of unknown facts described in this classic magazine. Like Edge, Retro Gamer is also a UK-based publication. So, you will need to spend a little more on the shipping cost to receive the paper copy of Retro Gamer. There is a digital issue of the magazine. If you don’t want to spend more, choose the magazine’s digital version.
Price:
- Printed version: USD 9.17 for 1 issue (Delivery not included).
- Digital version: USD 2.77 per issue.
5. 110% GAMING
Country: United Kingdom.
This biggest gaming magazine covers everything there is to know for an aspiring gamer. 110% Gaming is a newspaper for gamers aged 7-12. Games popular among teens, like Minecraft, Fortnite, PUBG, and Valorant, are featured in the magazine.
If you aim to become a pro gamer in the future, I suggest subscribing to 110% Gaming. You will also receive gifts with each issue of the magazine. With excellent pro tips, tricks, and epic stories, 110% Gaming is the best video gaming newspaper for teens. It is a UK-based magazine. So, you will need to spend some extra bucks to deliver it. However, you can always try the digital version of 110% Gaming.
Price:
- Printed version: £50.00 for six issues (US Delivery included).
- Digital version: £3.99 per issue.
6. NINTENDO FORCE (NF Magazine)
The first issue was published in January 2013.
Country: United States.
Are you a Nintendo fan and looking for a Nintendo-dedicated magazine? Then look no further; Nintendo Force is here for you. It is a Patreon-funded magazine that requires a subscription to read.
NF Magazine has been a bi-monthly publication delivering Nintendo game reviews and previews since January 2013. This best Nintendo magazine was published to continue the legacy of Nintendo’s official magazine, Nintendo Power. The design and stylization of the magazine are similar to Nintendo Power.
You can send your fan art and letters to the editors of Nintendo Force. If it is up to the mark, they will feature it in one of the editions of the magazine. The subscription fee for the magazine is very cheap. The cost of an issue of Nintendo Force with shipping is only USD 6.99. You can get the digital version of this top gaming magazine at a cheaper rate.
Price:
- Printed version: USD 6.99 for 1 issue (USA Delivery included).
- Digital version: USD 2.99 per issue.
7. MINECRAFT WORLD
Country: United Kingdom.
Minecraft World is the independent and unofficial Minecraft guide for every Minecraft fan. You can get the latest updates, how-to, and tips & tricks about Minecraft in this magazine. If you want to learn everything to protect against mobs, creepers, or enemies, you should read Minecraft World. Not only that, there is a gift with each magazine issue.
Whether you are a new gamer or have played for years, Minecraft World is an excellent magazine to read about the game. You can subscribe to their printed copy at a low price. They offer three Minecraft World issues for only £3 if you subscribe today. Unfortunately, they do not have a digital copy of the magazine.
Price:
- Printed version: First 3 issues for just £3, then £19.99 for every six issues.
8. IND13 MAGAZINE
The first issue was published in September 2013.
Country: United States.
Ind13 Magazine is a magazine for Indie Developers and the Indie Gaming Community. It features news, game reviews, previews, and gameplay of different indie games. They also do crowdfunding for the development of aspiring indie game developers. Ind13 Magazine is catered to fulfill the thirst of any indie game enthusiast. They accept articles from the public, too. You can write about a game and send them to the publisher. If the writing is good enough, they will publish it in one of the issues of Ind13 Magazine.
Ind13 Magazine is an online gaming website; you can download and read a PDF version of the newspaper for free. You can get daily updates by visiting their website, too.
Price:
- Digital-PDF Version: Free.
9. FAMITSU (Famicom Tsūshin)
The first issue was published in June 1986.
Country: Japan.
Famitsu is the best Japanese gaming and manga magazine published by Kadokawa Game Linkage. The PC video game magazine is available in both print and online versions. The magazine has a frequency of weekly and monthly publications. The magazine features reviews, tips & tricks, and upcoming PC and console game updates. Famitsu also publishes manga and anime reviews in the magazine.
Famitsu rates games on a scale of 10. The scoring is helpful if you are looking for what game to play. If you want to experience the depth of Japanese gaming, you should get a copy of Famitsu. Though the magazine is in Japanese, you can enjoy the English version from their website blog. You can order the magazine from the link below.
Price:
- Printed version: USD 7.99 for 1 issue (USA Delivery included)
10. THE GAMES MACHINE (TGM)
The first issue was published in September 1988
Country: Italy
The Games Machine is an Italian gaming journalism publication published by Aktia Srl. The magazine has a circulation of over 25,000 copies in Italy. Moreover, it is published every month, containing previews, reviews, news, and about games. You can also find movie reviews and recommendations in the magazine. The Games Machine features all games, including PC, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, and Mobiles.
The Games Machine is one of the longest-running magazines on the planet. You can subscribe to their annual plan to get the magazine reasonably priced. You can also purchase a single issue from The Games Machine magazine.
Price:
- Printed version: € 39.90 ($47.99) annual subscription (12 issues).
- Printed + Digital version: € 44.99 ($53.99) annual subscription (12 issues).
Gaming Magazines Still in Print
There is no alternative to the printed magazine. So, for knowledge, I am sharing the best 5 Gaming magazines still in print.
| Magazine Name | Number of Publications | Location of Publication | Published From |
| Game Informer | Monthly | United States | 1991 |
| PC Gamer | Monthly | United Kingdom | 1993 |
| Retro Gamer | Monthly | United Kingdom | 2004 |
| PlayStation Official Magazine | Monthly | United Kingdom | 1995 |
| Official Xbox Magazine | Monthly | United Kingdom | 2001 |
Indie Gaming Magazine
| Magazine Name | Description | Download Option |
| Indie Game Magazine | Covers indie games with reviews and insights. | Website |
| HAYWIRE Magazine | Explores indie game culture and development stories. | Website |
| Jump Button Magazine | Highlights lesser-known indie games and their creators. | Website |
Japanese Gaming Magazine
Here’s a table with the names of three Japanese gaming magazines, their descriptions, and any available download options:
| Magazine Name | Description | Download Option |
| Famitsu | Leading gaming magazine in Japan with reviews and news. | Website |
| Dengeki PlayStation | Focuses on PlayStation games, offering reviews and info. | Website |
| Weekly ASCII | It covers gaming, tech, and cultural topics in Japan. | Website |
Gaming Magazine UK
| Magazine Name | Description | Download Option |
| EDGE | Known for its analytical approach to gaming journalism. | Website |
| Retro Gamer | It focuses on retro gaming, covering classic games and more. | Website |
| GamesTM | Offers detailed features and retrospectives on gaming. | Website |
Gaming Magazines Australia
| Magazine Name | Description | Download Option |
| Hyper | An Australian gaming magazine covering games and culture. | Website |
| PC PowerPlay | Focuses on PC gaming, offering reviews and features. | Website |
| AustralianGamer | Provides news, reviews, and features on gaming in Aus. | Website |
Final Thought
A gaming newspaper subscription is a smart way to keep updated about the gaming industry. There is much more information and insights about the gaming world in a newspaper than you would find on the internet. As the cost of printing rises, the number of printed magazines is decreasing at an alarming rate. In this article, I discussed 10 of the best video game magazines from all over the world. I hope you will find the magazine you are looking for and subscribe to it. Always check the shipping cost before subscribing to a magazine service. Let me know if I skipped any PC Gaming Magazines on this list.
I am a regular reader of your content. Keep it up