Nintendo Power

NP redirects here. For the Nintendo Black Star Promotional TCG cards, see Nintendo Black Star Promos (TCG). For the wiki that the prefix "NP" redirects to, see Nookipedia.

If you were looking for the cartridge, see Nintendo Power (cartridge).

Nintendo Power was the official magazine of Nintendo games and platforms in the United States. It was published by Nintendo of America from 1988 until 2007. Between the end of 2007 and the end of 2012, the magazine was published by Future US, a San Francisco-based company which also publishes the official magazines of Nintendo's rival brands, Microsoft and Sony.

Nintendo Power's logo

Many features and promotions associated with Pokémon ran through the magazine during the franchise's history including previews and reviews, strategies, covers, comics, contests, mini-magazines, trading cards, posters, and promotional VHS cassettes.

Nintendo Power ceased publication at the end of 2012.

Pokémon-related content in Nintendo Power

Generation I

Main article: Nintendo Power/Generation I

Between the January 1998 and August 2000 volumes, Nintendo Power covered Pokémon's success in Japan leading up to the eventual North American releases of Pokémon Red and Blue and other Generation I games on the Game Boy and Nintendo 64. When Pokémon was first released for the Game Boy, Nintendo Power included 6 mini-issues titled "Pokémon Power" which featured tips and strategies for Pokémon Red and Blue.

Generation II

Main article: Nintendo Power/Generation II

Between September 2000 and January 2003, the magazine covered the Generation II games starting with Pokémon Gold and Silver and continued coverage of other Pokémon games on the Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color, and Nintendo GameCube.

Generation III

Main article: Nintendo Power/Generation III

From February 2003 until February 2007, the magazine covered the Generation III games, beginning with Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire on the Game Boy Advance and including other games on the GameCube and Nintendo DS.

Generation IV

Main article: Nintendo Power/Generation IV

From March 2007 until January 2011, the magazine covered the Generation IV games, beginning with Pokémon Diamond and Pearl and including other games on the Nintendo DS and Wii (including Pokémon games on WiiWare and the Virtual Console).

Generation V

From February 2011 until May 2012, the magazine covered the Generation V games on the Nintendo DS, beginning with Pokémon Black and White.

Volume - Date	Content	Notes
264 - February 2011	Back in Black (And White); Nintendo DS Essentials	Back in Black (And White) announces features for Pokémon Black and White Nintendo DS Essentials revisits the exclusive Pokémon version of the Nintendo DS Lite as well as the must-have HeartGold, SoulSilver and Platinum versions. The article also makes mention of Black and White as possible future essentials.
265 - March 2011	Breeding the Fifth; First Catch; Readers' Choice; Reviews: Monochrome Masterpieces	Breeding the Fifth includes an interview with Junichi Masuda and Ken Sugimori answering questions about Pokémon Black and White. Includes The Birth of Game Freak and A Visit to the Pokémon Center side-panels. First Catch announces the Liberty Pass over Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Readers' Choice names Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver the Best Role-Playing/Strategy Game of 2010. Reviews: Monochrome Masterpieces rates Pokémon Black and White a 9.0 out of a possible 10.
269 - July 2011	eShop 'Til You Drop; Power Profiles	eShop 'Til You Drop covers the Nintendo eShop update and Pokédex 3D for Nintendo 3DS. Power Profiles interviews Super Smash Bros. Brawl musical contributor Yoko Shimomura
270 - August 2011	Warp Zone; Download; Freebies	Warp Zone looks back at the August 2001 coverage of Pokémon Crystal. Download features the Victini AR Marker for Pokédex 3D. With the magazine came a DVD with the first episode of Pokémon: Black & White, and a music video called Can't Stop (Catchin' 'Em All) by Presidents of the United States of America.
271 - September 2011	Power Up; Download; The Nintendo 64 Age of Innovation; Community	Power Up features an interview with Andy Hartpence, Online Marketing Director at The Pokémon Company International, and the Croagunk C-Gear custom skin password. Download features the Tornadus AR Marker for Pokédex 3D. The Nintendo 64 Age of Innovation celebrates the 15th anniversary of the Nintendo 64 and its biggest hits, including Super Smash Bros., the Pokémon Stadium series and Pokémon Snap Community features fan-made plush toys of various videogame characters, including Houndour.
272 - October 2011	PGL Halloween Hijinks; Wii Millionaire's Club; Download; Ready to Rumble	PGL Halloween Hijinks covers the Pokémon Global Link opening of Spooky Manor and the Banette event. Wii Millionaire's Club covers the Wii titles that have sold over a million copies, which includes Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Download features the Thundurus AR Marker for Pokédex 3D. Ready to Rumble previews Pokémon Rumble Blast.
273 - November 2011	Battle and Boogie; Warp Zone; Download; Think Outside the Cube; review: Rumble Pack; Community	Battle and Boogie covers the Carnival Pokémon Musical promotion and Pokémon Autumn Friendly tournament. Warp Zone looks back at the November 2006 Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team cover story. Download features the Landorus AR Marker for Pokédex 3D. Think Outside the Cube celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Nintendo GameCube and counts down the console's top 25, listing Super Smash Bros. Melee at number 4. Rumble Pack rates Pokémon Rumble Blast a 7.5 out of a possible 10. Community features a set of fan-customized Smash Bros. figures
274 - December 2011	Deck the Halls; Warp Zone; Download; Nintendo Power Holiday 2011 Buyers' Guide	Deck the Halls covers the Dream World holiday decorations Warp Zone looks back at the December 2001 Super Smash Bros. Melee cover story. Download features the Cobalion, Terrakion and Virizion AR Markers for Pokédex 3D. Nintendo Power Holiday 2011 Buyers' Guide suggests Pokémon Black and White as a gift for the role-player.
275 - January/February 2012	Wonders Never Cease; 2011 Nintendo Power Awards Nominees	Wonder Never Cease announces PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond. Pokémon Black and White are nominated for Nintendo DS Game of the Year and Best Role-Playing/Strategy Game.
276 - March 2012	2011 Nintendo Power Awards; review	Pokémon Black and White won Nintendo DS Game of the Year (Readers' Choice) and Best Role-Playing/Strategy Game (Readers' Choice). Parks and Recreation rates PokéPark 2: Wonders Beyond a 5.5 out of a possible 10.
277 - April 2012	Back in Black (and White); Community	Back in Black (and White) covers the announcement of Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Community covers homemade plushes of each of Kirby's Smash Bros. hats and a blog that offers videogame-inspired recipes, including Poffins.
278 - May 2012	The Warrior Within	The Warrior Within is a full preview of Pokémon Conquest. In the article is also a small section that takes note of three popular spin-off titles from previous years.

Cover count

#	Pokémon/Character	# of appearances
025	Pikachu	8
245	Suicune	3
243	Raikou	2
244	Entei	2
249	Lugia/Shadow Lugia	3
382	Kyogre	2
383	Groudon	2
	Ash/Red	2
003	Venusaur	1
004	Charmander	1
006	Charizard	1
007	Squirtle	1
052	Meowth	1
084	Doduo	1
133	Eevee	1
150	Mewtwo	1
201	Unown	1
250	Ho-Oh	2
251	Celebi	1
252	Treecko	1
384	Rayquaza	1
483	Dialga	1
484	Palkia	1
487	Giratina	1
	Wes	1
	Kellyn	1
	Kate	1
495	Snivy	1
498	Tepig	1
501	Oshawott	1
643	Reshiram	1
644	Zekrom	1

Official Nintendo Player's Guides

Nintendo Power also published several strategy guides, branded as the "Official Nintendo Player's Guide". In 2007, Nintendo Power magazine announced that they were no longer publishing strategy guides, instead referring to Prima Games as a licensed alternative.

List of Player's Guides published by Nintendo Power

Core series

Side series

Spin-off games

External links

Magazines
English:	Beckett Pokémon Unofficial Collector (issues) • K-Zone • National Bulbagraphic • Nintendo Power • Official Nintendo Magazine • Pocket World PoJo's Unofficial Pokémon News & Price Guide Monthly • Pokémon Fan (US) • Pokémon Power Pokémon Official Magazine (da, de, en, es MX, es ES, nl)

Japanese:	CoroCoro • Ciao • Monthly Coin Toss: Pokémon Card Magazine • Pokémon Card Fan Club • Pokémon Fan (Japan) • Pokémon Scoop Pokémon the Comic • Pokémon Wonderland

Other:	Pokémon Club

This article is part of Project Mass Media, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on official Pokémon publishing, broadcasting, communications, and other media.