Beat Up Mike Tyson, Sneak Peek at the New Zelda, and Other Revelations

Diving into the Fun Club Newsletter Vol. 4

Nintendo is Great’s paid subscribers get access to lots of cool, niche stuff, like today’s breakdown of 37-year-old Nintendo reading material.

If you’re subscribed to the free tier, and you’re considering a paid subscription, you might want to wait. I’ll be having a 40th Birthday Special in about 5 days. Not sure how much I’ll mark off subscriptions, but perhaps a nice round number, like, oh… 35 or so?

Oh wait! 40% off! Because I’m turning 40! Ah, it’s all come together now.

Whether you’re all paid up or you’re free (fallin), I’m glad you’re here. Have a glimpse behind the paywall curtain, on the house. And hey, if you haven’t subscribed at all yet, please do so right here. Cheers!

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In today’s post, I’ll be discussing each page in the first half of the Nintendo Fun Club Newsletter Vol. 4, Winter 1987 issue.

Not sure if I have any younger readers, but if I do, it’s hard to emphasize just how huge Mike Tyson was in the late 80s. People who didn’t care about boxing would tune into his bouts just to watch him jab. He was a hurricane force, both in and out of the ring. For Nintendo to sign him for a video game, even if it was just a three-year deal, was a huge get.

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Poor Ray Leonard Jr. He certainly backed the wrong boxing game.

Hilarious that this ad is the first thing you see after the cover advertising another (considerably better) boxing title!

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I don’t blame you for not reading Howard Philips’ entire editorial, but I appreciate him highlighting how important creativity is within both game development itself and each player’s own skills/abilities to overcome the game’s challenges. How I wish the industry at large would heed his humble words from a simpler time.

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Coach’s excited bugged-out eyes never get old. Also, why is Little Mac calling you Little Mac?

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Shame that Mike Tyson’s contract with Nintendo for his likeness only lasted three years. Fighting Mr. Dream at the end of the game just isn’t the same…

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“Never become angry - it will inhibit your ability.”

Truer words never spoken, Mr. Tyson.

Also… punchy TV spot? What could that be?

I don’t care what anyone says, this is still a great ad. All those TVs! Is that really Mike Tyson playing the game? The camera hides his face until he flips around at the last minute and - gasp! - there he is, the champ, laughing at you! Only one thing to do now: buy Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! and wipe the smile off his face.