Game Bytes was a digital computer games magazine which was distributed for free on BBS systems and the Internet, with a total of 21 issues published between 1992 and 1994. Read more.
Download
Game Bytes was originally distributed in two versions, one with text and screenshots, the other just text to save download time for those with slower Internet connections. Later issues had a separate ZIP file including just the screenshots. For simplicity I have only provided the full text + images ZIP file for each issue below. You can use DOSBox to run these on modern PCs; see that page for help. Run GAMEBYTE.EXE to start the game, not runme.com. Dates given below are file dates, exact release dates are unknown (at least, to me ...).
| # | Date | Description | View Online | Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 6, 1992 | Premier issue! Reviews: Bane of the Comsic Forge, Eye of the Beholder 2, Falcon 3.0, Les Manley: Lost in LA, Risk for Windows, Star Trek: 25th Anniversary Edition, and Wing Commander 2. | View in browser | ||
| May 27, 1992 | Chessmaster 3000, D/Generation, Ecoquest: The Search for Cetus, Gunship 2000, Jack Niclaus Golf: Signature Edition, Joe and Mac (SNES), Nova 9, Pools of Darkness, Thunderhawk, TimeQuest, Wolfenstien 3D. | View in browser | ||
| July 6, 1992 | NCAA: Road to the Final Four, Aces of the Pacific, Dune, F-117A Stealth Fighter, A-Traid, Global Conquest, Conquests of the Longbow, The Mirage, Planet's Edge, Super Tetris, The Perfect General, Oh No! More Lemmings, Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss, Ultima VII: The Black Gate. | View in browser | ||
| August 10, 1992 | Hardball 3, Earl Weaver Baseball 2, Tony Larussa's Ultimate Baseball, Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe, Rampart, Gateway, Prince of Persia, SimAnt, Wordtris, Wing Commander 2: Special Ops. #2, Laura Bow 2: The Dagger of Amon Ra, Gravis Gamepad, Pursue the Pennant 4.0, Trustmaster, Shining the Darkness (Genesis). | View in browser | ||
| September 11, 1992 | The first format change in the magazine's short history. Reviews: The Magic Candle II: The Four and Forty, Civilization, Air Combat, Contra 3: The Alien Wars (SNES), Darkseed, The Castle of Dr. Brain, Hardball 3, Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, Links 386 Pro, Loom, Lost Treasures of Infocom II, Martian Memorandum, Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge, Powermonger, Solitaire's Journey, Speedball 2, Splatterhouse 2 (Genesis), Winter Challenge | View in browser | ||
| October 17, 1992 | Out of this World, Micro League Baseball 4, Harpoon 1.3 Designer Series, Ultima 7: Forge of Virtue, B-17 Flying FOrtress, Siege, Crisis in the Kremlin, Carrier Strike, Theatre of War, The Lost Admiral, Carriers at War, Gods, Conflict Korea, Operation: Flying Tiger, Mike Ditka's Ultimate Football, Galactix. | View in browser | ||
| November 15, 1992 | Darklands, XF5700 Mantis Experimental Fighter, Dungeon Master, Lord of the Rings II: The Two Towers, Ultima Trilogy, V for Vinctory: Utah Beach, Prophecy of the Shadow, Quest for Glory I (VGA), QUest for Glory III: Wages of War, Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective Vol 1 (CD-ROM), Birds of Prey, NFL Pro League, Heimdall, Rules of Engagement, Legend of Kyrandia: Fables and Fiends, Super Star Wars (SNES), The Mystical Quest (SNES), RBI Baseball 4 (Genesis), Space Megaforce (SNES), Rampart (SNES), Alien 3 (Genesis), NHLPA Hockey 93 (Genesis), Hardball 3 Statistical Utilities. | View in browser | ||
| December 28, 1992 | PC and cartridge game reviews now separated, plus numerous articles. PC reviews: Air Force Commander, Amazon, Screen ANtics: Johnny Castaway, Front Page Sports: Football, Great Naval Battles / Action Stations!, Lure of the Temptress, Might and Magic: Clouds of Xeen, Red Baron Mission Builder, Red Nubular and the Cosmic Gender Bender, Robosport for Windows, Star Control II, Spellcasting 301: Spring Break, Flight Simulator 4.0 Scenery Round-up, SSI Goldbox Summaries, Stunt Island, Summer Games, Wizardry 7: Crusaders of the Dark Savant. Cartridge games: Axelay (SNES), Super Hi-Impact Football (Genesis), NCAA Basketball (SNES), Sega CD, Street Fighter 2 (SNES), Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Genesis). | View in browser | ||
| March 13, 1993 | PC: Battles of Destiny, Castles II: Siege and Conquest, Cyber Empires, Humans, Kings Quest VI: Heir Today Gone Tomorrow, Monopoly, Shadow President, Spellcraft: Aspects of Valor, Spelljammer; Pirates of Realmspace, Terminator 2029, Tristan Pinball, Utopia, Ultima Underworld II: Labyrinth of Worlds. Cartridge: Super Sonic Blastman (SNES), Four Fighters Comparison, Batman Returns (Genesis), Lightning Force (Genesis), Super Mario Kart (SNES), Streets of Rage 2 (Genesis), Road Runner Rescue (SNES), Super Smash TV (SNES), Super Play Action Football (SNES), Ultimate Fighter (SNES), Jimmy Connor's Tennis (SNES). | View in browser | ||
| May 8, 1993 | PC: SVGA Air Warrior, Shadow of Yserbius, 4-D Boxing, Conquered Kingdoms, Comanche: Maximum Overkill, Strike Commander, Ultima 7 Part II: Serpent Isle, Dune 2: The Building of a Destiny, Eric the Unready, High Command, F-15 Strike Eagle III, World Circuit, Links 386 Pro Courses: Mauna Kea, Power Politics, Spectre, X-Wing, Star Legions. Cartridge: F-Zero (SNES), Super Double Dragon (SNES), Wonderdog (Sega CD), Batman Returns, Bio-Metal, Bubsy, Fatal Fury, Fatal Fury 2 (Neo Geo), Mech Warrior (SNES), Road Rash II. | View in browser | ||
| June 11, 1993 | Special section covering CD-ROMs hardware and software. PC: The 7th Guest, AV8B Harrier Assault, Conquest of Japan, Thrustmaster Flight Control System, Spaceward Ho for Windows, Inca, V for Victory: Operation Market Garden, Pacific War, Links 386 Pro Courses: Pinehurst, Populous 2: Trial of the Olympian Gods, Ringworld: Revenge of the Patriarch, Sound Graphics and Aircraft for FS 4.0, The Soccer Game II, The Summoning, Tegel's Mercenaries, The Incredible Machine, Tony La Russa Baseball II, Trolls, Wave Blaster. Cartridge: Flashback (Genesis), Final Fight 2 (SNES), John Madden Football 93 (Genesis), Super NBA Basketball (SNES), PGA Golf Tour II (Genesis), Dead Dance / Tuff Enuff, The Lost Vikings. | View in browser | ||
| July 23, 1993 | PC: Realms of Arkania, Might and Magic: Darkside of Xeen, Riftwar: Betrayal at Kondor, Challenge of the Five Realms, Empire Deluxe, Putt Putt Joins the Parade, Lemmings II: The Tribes, Aircraft and Adventure Factory with 911, Links Courses: Banff Springs, Buzz Aldrin's Race into Space, Comanche: Maximum Overkill Mission Disk #1, Take a Break: Crosswords, Space Hunk, El-Fish, Freddy Pharkas Frontier Pharmacist, Japan Scenery for Flight Simulator, Price of Persia II, Shadowgate for Windows, SimLife, Syndicate. Cartridge: Hardball III (Genesis), Andre Agassi Tennis (Genesis), Death Valley Rally (SNES), Wings 2: Aches High (SNES), Cybernator (SNES), Cyborg Justice (Genesis), Firepower 2000 (SNES), SimEarth (SNES), Super Valis 4 (SNES). | View in browser | ||
| September 28, 1993 | PC: Air Traffic Controller, King's Quest VI CD-ROM, Maniac Mansion 2: Day of the Tentacle, Ecoquest 2: The Lost Secrets of the Rain Forest, Flashback, Hong Kong Mahjong Pro, Tornado, Imperial Pursuit, The Legend of Kyrandia CD-ROM, Lands of Lore, Return of the Phantom, Rules of Engagement 2, Railroad Tycoon Deluxe, Space Quest 5: The Next Mutation, Zone 66, Mig-29: Deadly Adversary of Falcon 3.0, CyberStrike (GEnie), Gateway 2: Homeworld. Cartridge: Final Fight (Sega CD), Mutant League Football (Genesis), X-Men (Genesis), Cal Ripken Baseball (SNES), Shining Force (Genesis), Jurassic Park (Genesis), Spot (Genesis), Super Battletoads (SNES), WWF Royal Rumble (SNES), Street Fighter 2: Turbo (SNES). | View in browser | ||
| November 6, 1993 | PC: Master of Orion, NHL Hockey, Links Courses: The Belfry, Seal Team, Privateer - Series 1 & 2, Dark Sun: Shattered Lands, Eye of the Beholder 3, Flight Simulator 5.0, Flightstick Pro, Notebook Gameport, Stronghold, The Silver Seed, Microsoft Arcade, Gary Grigsby's War in Russia, Weapons Control System Mark II, The Longs Vikings, The Magic Candle III, Autobahn 16 Pro, Warlords II. Cartridge: Operation Logic Bomb (SNES), Super Turrican (SNES), The Legend of Mana (SNES), NHLPA Hockey 94 (SNES), World Heroes (SNES), Super Slam Dunk (SNES), Top Gear (SNES), Super Baseball 2020 (Genesis). | View in browser | ||
| November 30, 1993 | PC: V for Victory: Gold Juno Sword, NFL Coaches Club Football, Blue Force, Aces Over Europe, Quarterpole, The Labyrinth, Dracula Unleashed, Speed Racer, Shadowcaster, Return to Zork, Daughter of Serpents, San Francisco Scenery for FS 5.0, Wing Commander Academy, B-Wing, Pirates Gold, Prophecy, The Even More Incredible Machine, The Art of the Kill, Iron Helix, Microsoft Arcade, NHL Hockey. Cartridge: Super Mario All-Stars (SNES), Rock 'N Roll Racing (SNES), Gunstar Heroes (Genesis), Joe Montana NFL Football (Sega CD), Zombies Ate My Neighbors, Bill Walsh College Football (Genesis), Plok (SNES), SimAnt (SNES). | View in browser | ||
| January 21, 1994 | PC: Doom, Blake Stone, Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Father, Sam & Max Hit the Road, Terminator: Rampage, Strike Commander - Tactical Operations Disk, Bloodstone, Sid and Al's Incredible Toons, IndyCar Racing, Bloodnet, Global Domination, Front Page Sports: Football Pro, Dungeon Hack, Simon the Sorcerer, Hand of Fate, Mental Math Games, When Two Worlds War, Epic Pinball, Companions of Xanth, Coaster. Cartridge: The Secret of Monkey Island (Sega CD), Aladdin (SNES), The 7th Saga (SNES), Landstalker (Genesis), Super Bomberman (SNES), AH-3 Thunderstrike (Sega CD), Boxing Legends of the Ring (SNES), Actraiser 2 (SNES), Battletoads / Double Dragon (SNES). | View in browser | ||
| March 26, 1994 | PC: Unnatural Selection, Strike Commander CD-ROM, SimCity 2000, NHL Pro League Foorball 93, Unnecessary Roughness, Lucky's Casino, Microsoft Dinosaurs, Walls of Rome, Horney (for Falcon 3.0), The Elder Scrolls: Arena, Uninvited for Windows, Mortal Kombat, Police Quest 4, Jutland, Oxyd, Rebel Assault, Rally, New York and Paris Scenery for FS 5.0, Elite 2: Frontier. Cartridge: Sonic 3, Art of Fighting (SNES), Aero the Acrobat, Jurassic Park (SNES), Lunar (Sega CD), Mortal Kombat, Soldiers of Fortune, Bill Walsh College Football (Sega CD/Genssis). | View in browser | ||
| April 29, 1994 | PC: Ultima 8: Pagan, Syndicate: American Revolt, Myst, Quest for Glory 4: Shadows of Darkness, SubWar 2050, Jeopardy, Pinball Fantasies, Ambust at Sorinor, Archon Ultra, Chessmaster 4000, Critical Path, MegaRace, Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis CD-ROM, Merchant Prince, Comanche: Over the Edge, Real Weather Pilot, Alone in the Dark 2, Russian 6-Pak, Dragon's Lair, Seawolf. Cartridge: Mutant League Hockey (Genesis), NBA Jam, Bugs Bunny Rabbit Rampage (SNES), Eternal Champions (Genssis), The Horde (3DO), Young Merlin (SNES), SubTerrania (Genesis), Tomcat Alley (Sega CD), Lufia and the Fortress of Doom (SNES), John Madden Football (3DO). | View in browser | ||
| April 29, 1994 (?) | PC: Leisure Suit Larry 6, Chaos Continuum, Daemonsgate, Soundman Wave, Fantasy Empires CD, Hellcab, Who Shot Johnny Rock?, The Journeyman Project, Lost in Time, MadDog McCree, Privateer: Righteous Fire, Soundblaster AWE32, Tornado: Operation Desert Storm, Tuneland, X-Com / UFO, Horror of Rylvania / Unnkulia Zero, Washington DC Scenery, Raptor, Hannibal, Goal! 2.0, Alone in the Dark 2, Quest for Glory 4. Cartridge: Genesis CDX, FIFA International Soccer (Genesis), Ken Griffey Jr Baseball (SNES), MLBPA Baseball (SNES), Escape from Monstor Manor (3DO), Sewer Shark (3DO), Shadowrun (Genesis), Tecmo Super Bowl (SNES), Twisted (3DO), World Series Baseball (Genesis). | View in browser | ||
| August 29, 1994 | PC: Tie Fighter, 1942: Pacific Air War, Pacific Strike, Outpost, Aegis: Guardian of the Fleet, Cannon Fodder, Al Qadim, Kingmaker, Detriot, Harpoon 2, Carriers at War 2, Beneath a Steel Sky, Inherit the Earth, The Grandest Fleet, Ultimate Domain, WCS II: Tanks!, Hocus Pocus, Warlods 2 Scenario Builder, Battle Isle 2, Shadowcaster CD. Cartridge: Super Metroid (SNES), NBA Action / NBA Showdown, Jungle Book (Genesis), Shockwave (3DO), Dragonball Z II (SNES), Robocop vs Terminator (Genesis), Castlevania Bloodlines (Genesis). | View in browser | ||
| November 11, 1994 | Final issue! PC: Doom 2: Hell on Earth, Front Page Sports: Baseball, Loderunner: The Legend Continues, Battle Bugs, Colonization, World at War: Operation Crusader, The Logitech Cyberman, Great Naval Battles 2, Hexx, Super Hero League of Hoboken, Inca 2, Isle of the Dead, Jazz Jackrabbit, Joyswitch, Jump Raven, Alien Legacy, The Living Books Series, One Must Fall, Epic Pinball Packs, Quarantine, Ravenloft, Return to Ringworld, Serf City, Space Simulator 1.0, System Shock, T1 Driving Controls, Theme Park, FIFA Soccer PC. Cartridge: Aliens vs Predator (Jaguar), Crusin USA (Arcade), Desert Tank (Arcade), Fatal Fury 2 (Genesis), Guardian War (3DO), Mortal Kombat 2, NHL 95 (Genesis), Primal Rage (Arcade), Ridge Racer (Arcade), Road Rash (3DO), Star Control 2 (3DO), Slayer (3DO), Super Street Fighter 2, Suzuka 8 Hours (Arcade), Tempest 2000 (Jaguar), Urban Strike (Genesis). | View in browser | ||
| Special | May 11, 1993 | Super Nintendo (SNES) Comprehensive (All-Games) Review List - Special release which reviews every SNES release. By Jer Horwitz. | View in browser | Download SNES Special Edition |
About Game Bytes
Game Bytes was a favorite of mine, especially back in the BBS days. A great source of free news and reviews on current and upcoming games (although I read most of these magazines long after their original release). It included reviews, previews, rumors, even "letters to the editor" that were sent in by readers. Reviews even included screenshots from the games! Truly a wonderful and innovative magazine that was in many ways ahead of its time.
Here is a description of the magazine from the editor, Ross Erickson:
Game Bytes started out as an idea of mine to produce a high-quality, user-supported gaming magazine that utilizes the electronic networks prevalent in the world today. I didn't want to create "just another" paper newsletter; instead I wanted to create an electronic magazine, something that made use of the capabilities of modern PCs and the high- speed networks that connect them. Truly, I wanted this to become the "Computer Gaming World" of the networked age.
With some programming help and some hard work, we succeeded in creating a "magazine" program that ran on a PC, one in fact that not only could display text -- game reviews, previews and tips, industry rumors, news and interviews -- but also graphics: actual screen images from the games being reviewed. So, not only did the readers get a comprehensive review of the games, they got to see exactly what the games look like -- on their own screens! Needless to say, this has since become a very popular feature.
Through the gracious efforts of several people on the Internet, we had enough articles to publish the first issue. Looking back, it wasn't as strong as we wanted it to be, but it was a start.
Since then, the magazine has grown and improved, and now we're really beginning to exploit the capabilities of a PC-based magazine. The interface lets the reader view all articles rapidly and jump directly to the article he or she's interested in, and it lets him or her view screen shots to see exactly how the game will look on his or her screen. The electronic format lets us distribute it by ftp over the Internet and other networks and over bulletin boards, so that 48 hours after the magazine is done it can be available in Russia, South Africa or Singapore. Electronic distribution also lets us publish with much shorter lead times, so that if we're on the ball we can get reviews of new games and reports from industry shows out weeks or months ahead of the paper magazines. (It's great fun to "scoop" the big guys...)
More information on the magazine is available on the official GameBytes website which hasn't been updated in many years. You can also read a few issues online that were converted to HTML pages.
