The 14 September issue of Famitsu is one for the record books. The iconic magazine, which is the longest running gaming publication in Japan, reached its 1500th issue. Though Famitsu celebrated its 30th anniversary last year, 1500 issues is quite a big round number and also worthy of recognition.

The issue is a split of the week’s current gaming news with some nods to the milestone achievement thrown in as well. A 36 page supplemental book was added covering the history of game controllers. There was also a spread of cover images where the magazine celebrated different milestones of the past, including both anniversaries and issue numbers. One point of note is that some issues like number 1,234 weren't anything special but were highlighted for having consecutive numbers. The issue sold out quickly, due its collectable status.
Beyond the pages of the magazine, Famitsu celebrated in other ways too. On 31 August and 1 September, live events were held in downtown Tokyo, featuring idol group Wake Up Girls and some other celebrities. These events were also streamed on the Famitsu NicoNico Dough channel.
Famitsu, which started as Famicom Tsuushin in 1986, has been an industry leader practically from the beginning; its cross review system influenced English publications like Electronic Gaming Monthly. Reviews, scores and weekly sales data presented in Famitsu are often posted in English media as well.
If Famitsu continues to release weekly issues as it has been doing for decades, it will reach 2000 issues in the Spring of 2027. Who knows what the world of gaming will look like then!
Comments 21
Well done, Famitsu!
That's impressive, especially considering many other magazines have come and gone in that time.
I am so glad to see that there is still some gaming magazines that are still alive and kicking well into the internet age. Long may it continue!
Is Famitsu available digitally?
Has every 1 of those issues had something Pokemon related in it, or is that strictly a Corocoro thing?
Well anyway, congrats to them.
What is amazing about Famitsu readership is that they have a lot of 20-30 year olds reading. A generation that is usually more hesitant to invest in magazines.
I can't believe they survived this long. I'm glad they did because I am a big fan of their work and even though I don't understand Japanese, whenerv translated bits come up I always get hyped! Although my gaming magazine days started with ONM, I enjoyed Famitsu as well! Congrats!
This bit of info was featured as a part of the anime Gamers!! this most recent episode.
Famitsu is still going strong printed on dead-trees. Thats some achievement. Cheers
That's really outstanding, congrats!
I wonder what's its secret, being weekly? Being published in Japan? Or maybe it is simply the best, period XD
Now that is a lot of issues.
Congrats!
raises glass Here's to the next 1500 issues of Famitsu ^^
Congratulations... They give controversial scores to games, just like Edge, they have very particular tastes.
1,500 issues and still only a couple of handfuls of 40/40 scores. I love the fact they still mean something.
Now if only Nintendo Power lasted just as long.
@NinChocolate Yes, it is, but only (as far as I know) through DOCOMO's service D-Magazine, so it's only available in Japan.
I subscribe to that service so I get the magazine digital.
Oh no, is that Bubsy's older brother!?!
In all seriousnes though, that's a really impressive number for a gaming magazine. Long live Famitsu!
I started out reading N64 Magazine and its future iterations (no pun intended for those who know what I mean...) and I was always really disappointed to find out that other English language magazines like ONM and some for the DC, PS2, etc. had nowhere near the same level of quality.
That continues today, despite there being some decent publishing houses surviving. I don't know what they fed that team, but it really worked... I miss that magazine!
Cool, I wish I had a copy! I used to read various gaming magazines every month starting from the late Eighties up until just a few years ago. I'd still be buying them but my favourite mags aren't being printed anymore and the internet is just way more convenient.
@Luffymcduck
No it's that Famitsu mascot fox, unlockable and playable in Super Mario Maker.
So if it's a weekly publication and they've been going for 31 years now, wouldn't they be more like at issue # 1,612 or so by now?
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