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Issue #51: The Killer Career of Suda51 – March/April 2021
🕑 Added 2021-02-22 22:10:26 +0000 UTCGet ready, everyone, for a very special issue of Nintendo Force! Are you surprised it even exists? If so, I wouldn't blame you. Theming an entire issue around the career of a developer who doesn't even work at Nintendo may seem like a diabolical curveball, but it actually falls right in line with the spirit of NF. Like Goichi Suda (a.k.a. Suda51), our little publication is a scrappy underdog that, through a bold combination of heart and hardheadedness, "forced" itself into existence, despite longshot odds and plenty of naysayers.
Also like NF, Suda makes a habit out of using his unique anti-mainstream machinations to fill the gaps in the gaming landscape left by Nintendo and other big-name game publishers. If Nintendo put out a string of family-friendly party games, he'd put out a single-player, M-rated action title that uses motion controls in unabashedly family-unfriendly ways. If the AAA industry became obsessed with gritty games about grumpy men shooting things, he'd release a game about a sparkling, giggling high school cheerleader with a chainsaw. When everyone else is going by the book, he takes a step back and writes his own, just as we here at NF decided to write our own magazine, right after Nintendo turned away from the business and the world at large declared that print was dead.
But going against the grain doesn't mean pushing against game players themselves. Every step of the way, Suda has always worked to produce the most honest, well-made products possible, even when working exclusively for niche audiences. Again, just like Nintendo Force! It really is like we were separated at birth.
In fact, we've been connected with Suda for more than a little while. It was back in 2019, shortly after he turned 51, that we first starting talking to Suda about making this issue. Even though it took a while to get it together, it's been a match made in "heaven," and it makes us "smile" knowing that you'll finally be reading it soon. Just as Nintendo Power helped introduce the Western world to Suda's games with their Killer7 issue in 2005, we're hoping that this issue helps to newly expose a whole new generation to Suda's unique life story and creative vision.
Wait one minute here folks! Isn't it a little strange that it's been almost exactly 16 years since Suda's first cover story in a full-sized Nintendo magazine, and that Nintendo Force itself just turned 8 years old? Hmm, let's see here, 16 divided by 2 is 8, which is a little too exact to be just a coincidence. Dig a little deeper and you'll discover that 16 minus 2 is 14, and if you divide that 14 by 2 then you get 7. Then if you add that 7 to the 8 from earlier, you'll get 15. Then flip that 15 around backwards if you want to get . . . 51??!!
Whoa!!! What does all that mean?
Honestly, we have no idea, and that mystery is half the fun of Suda's best games. Not knowing, but still believing, that there is meaning to be found in his cryptic mythologies keeps your wheels turning and heart pounding for what might lie just under the surface. We hope this issue gives you that same sense of anticipatory excitement. Thank you for taking a chance on it. We'll do our best to make you glad that you did.
Viva Santa Destroy!
~ Jonathan Holmes
Print subscribers, your physical copies are in production right now, and they should make it to most mailboxes at some point in early-to-mid March. The ongoing pandemic, politics influencing USPS leadership and winter weather all came together to make deliveries of our last issue slower for several subscribers, but I'm hopeful that things will speed back up as each of those impediments lessens in the future. Try to stay patient! This past year or so has been challenging to endure, shipment-speed-wise, but NF's over eight years old at this point and we're not stopping this train now. Eventually this era will all be in the past!
Digital subscribers, the instantaneous delivery of email once again means you can be assured that your intangible editions will be available to you to download sooner. Keep an eye on your inbox this Wednesday, February 24, as I'll be sending out the download links that day.
#51's in the books! We'll start working on #52 for you right away!
~ Lucas M. Thomas
Comments
Ralph Memphis
How do I read this now? Haven't really used Patreon before, but I definitely need to read this issue asap
Hi my copy just arrived today! Excited to read it, sadly the mag got a bit damaged during transit from the US to the UK but excited nonetheless
Lucky, my copy of issue #50 just showed up today, and I live in a suburb of Philadelphia, so I am not so sure the reason it is taking so long. Hopefully this one shows up soon too.
Got my physical edition in the mail today. Appreciate all of the Suda love!! Best issue yet!
deadseveredhead
Heck yeshhhh!!! Anutter NF!!! Best day ever when I open ye olde mail receptacle and there’s a fresh NF inside!!!
Indi Latrani
I subscribed to print last Thursday (the 18th), and then remembered to change it to Print+Digital on Wednesday morning (the 24th); did I miss the cutoff for one or both? :) Thanks!
The Nintendo Force
You just missed the cut-off for this one! But you'll be able to order a copy over at NFMagazine.com very soon. :)
Gilbert Moore
Just read my digital copy and wanted to say: this issue is INCREDIBLE! A happy new subscriber and an even happier Suda51 fan. Can't wait to recieve my physical copy too! 🙌
If I just subscribed today will I be receiving this issue?
My first issue after switching from digital to print and NMH3 is my most anticipated game of 2021!
