Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM)
The Definitive American Console Magazine and Birthplace of the Review Crew
Founded in 1989 by Steve Harris, Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) was the preeminent American multiplatform console magazine of the 1990s and 2000s, iconic for its four-person 'Review Crew'.
The Console Wars and the Four-Person Review Crew
Debuting in 1989 just as 16-bit hardware emerged, EGM revolutionized video game reviewing by deploying its four-member 'Review Crew', featuring distinct personalities offering four individual scores and short critique blurbs. This pluralistic format provided balanced purchasing advice across Nintendo, Sega, and later Sony platforms.
Cultural Legacy and the Sheng Long Hoax
Famous for industry gossip column 'Quartermann' and audacious April Fools pranks, EGM made history in 1992 by publishing the fictional method to fight 'Sheng Long' in Street Fighter II. The hoax spread globally, directly influencing Capcom's subsequent creation of Akuma and Gouken.