Difference between revisions of "Amstrad Action"

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It was the first title published by [[Future Publishing]], which has subsequently grown to become the UK's fifth largest magazine publishing company. Broad-based coverage of all things CPC, together with an irreverent writing style, made 'AA' a perennial favourite and at its peak it recorded ABC circulation figures in excess of 38,000.
 
It was the first title published by [[Future Publishing]], which has subsequently grown to become the UK's fifth largest magazine publishing company. Broad-based coverage of all things CPC, together with an irreverent writing style, made 'AA' a perennial favourite and at its peak it recorded ABC circulation figures in excess of 38,000.
  
−
AA was one of the first magazines to have a software cassette mounted to the front cover. Such covermounts (of tapes or discs) latterly became almost obligatory for computer magazines. Though AA's covertapes were initially for special issues only, Christamas and AA birthdays, the magazine eventually began to issue one every month - containing user listings, utilities, and demos or full versions of commercial games.
+
AA was one of the first magazines to have a software cassette mounted to the front cover. Such covermounts (of tapes or discs) latterly became almost obligatory for computer magazines. Though AA's covertapes were initially for special issues only, Christmas and AA birthdays, the magazine eventually began to issue one every month - containing user listings, utilities, and demos or full versions of commercial games.
 +
 
 +
== Game Ratings ==
 +
[[Amstrad_Action_ratings | All scores]] given by AA throughout its history
 +
 
 +
== Download ==
 +
 
 +
*[[File:Amstrad_Action_CoverTapes_Complete_Archive.rar]]
 +
 
 +
== Online Issues ==
 +
 
 +
[[Amstrad Action - What is online]]
 +
 
 +
{|
 +
|colspan=6|<big>'''1985'''</big>
 +
|-
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 001.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 1, Oct 1985]] <br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 1, Oct 1985 |Issue 1 - Oct 1985]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 002.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 2, Nov 1985]] <br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 2, Nov 1985 |Issue 2 - Nov 1985]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 003.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 3, Dec 1985]] <br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 3, Dec 1985 |Issue 3 - Dec 1985]]
 +
|colspan=3|
 +
|-
 +
|colspan=6|<big>'''1986'''</big>
 +
|-
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 004.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 4, Jan 1986]] <br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 4, Jan 1986 |Issue 4 - Jan 1986]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 005.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 5, Feb 1986]] <br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 5, Feb 1986 |Issue 5 - Feb 1986]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 006.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 6, Mar 1986]] <br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 6, Mar 1986 |Issue 6 - Mar 1986]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 007.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 7, Apr 1986]] <br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 7, Apr 1986 |Issue 7 - Apr 1986]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 008.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 8, May 1986]] <br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 8, May 1986|Issue 8 - May 1986]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 009.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 9, Jun 1986]] <br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 9, Jun 1986|Issue 9 - Jun 1986]]
 +
|-
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 010.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 10, Jul 1986]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 10, Jul 1986|Issue 10 - Jul 1986]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 011.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 11, Aug 1986]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 11, Aug 1986|Issue 11 - Aug 1986]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 012.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 12, Sep 1986]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 12, Sep 1986|Issue 12 - Sep 1986]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 013.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 13, Oct 1986]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 13, Oct 1986|Issue 13 - Oct 1986]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 014.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 14, Nov 1986]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 14, Nov 1986|Issue 14 - Nov 1986]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 015.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 15, Dec 1986]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 15, Dec 1986|Issue 15 - Dec 1986]]
 +
|-
 +
|colspan=6|<big>'''1987'''</big>
 +
|-
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 016.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 16, Jan 1987]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 16, Jan 1987|Issue 16 - Xmas 1986]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 017.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 17, Feb 1987]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 17, Feb 1987|Issue 17 - Feb 1987]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 018.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 18, Mar 1987]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 18, Mar 1987|Issue 18 - Mar 1987]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 019.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 19, Apr 1987]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 19, Apr 1987|Issue 19 - Apr 1987]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 020.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 20, May 1987]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 20, May 1987|Issue 20 - May 1987]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 021.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 21, Jun 1987]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 21, Jun 1987|Issue 21 - Jun 1987]]
 +
|-
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 022.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 22, Jul 1987]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 22, Jul 1987|Issue 22 - Jul 1987]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 023.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 23, Aug 1987]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 23, Aug 1987|Issue 23 - Aug 1987]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 024.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 24, Sep 1987]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 24, Sep 1987|Issue 24 - Sep 1987]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 025.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 25, Oct 1987]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 25, Oct 1987|Issue 25 - Oct 1987]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 026.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 26, Nov 1987]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 26, Nov 1987|Issue 26 - Nov 1987]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 027.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 27, Dec 1987]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 27, Dec 1987|Issue 27 - Dec 1987]]
 +
|-
 +
|colspan=6|<big>'''1988'''</big>
 +
|-
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 028.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 28, Jan 1988]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 28, Jan 1988|Issue 28 - Xmas 1987]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 029.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 29, Feb 1988]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 29, Feb 1988|Issue 29 - Feb 1988]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 030.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 30, Mar 1988]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 30, Mar 1988|Issue 30 - Mar 1988]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 031.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 31, Apr 1988]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 31, Apr 1988|Issue 31 - Apr 1988]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 032.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 32, May 1988]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 32, May 1988|Issue 32 - May 1988]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 033.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 33, Jun 1988]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 33, Jun 1988|Issue 33 - Jun 1988]]
 +
|-
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 034.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 34, Jul 1988]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 34, Jul 1988|Issue 34 - Jul 1988]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 035.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 35, Aug 1988]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 35, Aug 1988|Issue 35 - Aug 1988]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 036.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 36, Sep 1988]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 36, Sep 1988|Issue 36 - Sep 1988]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 037.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 37, Oct 1988]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 37, Oct 1988|Issue 37 - Oct 1988]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 038.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 38, Nov 1988]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 38, Nov 1988|Issue 38 - Nov 1988]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 039.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 39, Dec 1988]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 39, Dec 1988|Issue 39 - Dec 1988]]
 +
|-
 +
|colspan=6|<big>'''1989'''</big>
 +
|-
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 040.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 40, Jan 1989]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 40, Jan 1989|Issue 40 - Jan 1989]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 041.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 41, Feb 1989]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 41, Feb 1989|Issue 41 - Feb 1989]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 042.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 42, Mar 1989]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 42, Mar 1989|Issue 42 - Mar 1989]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 043.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 43, Apr 1989]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 43, Apr 1989|Issue 43 - Apr 1989]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 044.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 44, May 1989]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 44, May 1989|Issue 44 - May 1989]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 045.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 45, Jun 1989]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 45, Jun 1989|Issue 45 - Jun 1989]]
 +
|-
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 046.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 46, Jul 1989]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 46, Jul 1989|Issue 46 - Jul 1989]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 047.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 47, Aug 1989]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 47, Aug 1989|Issue 47 - Aug 1989]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 048.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 48, Sep 1989]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 48, Sep 1989|Issue 48 - Sep 1989]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 049.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 49, Oct 1989]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 49, Oct 1989|Issue 49 - Oct 1989]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 050.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 50, Nov 1989]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 50, Nov 1989|Issue 50 - Nov 1989]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 051.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 51, Dec 1989]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 51, Dec 1989|Issue 51 - Dec 1989]]
 +
|-
 +
|colspan=6|<big>'''1990'''</big>
 +
|-
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 052.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 52, Jan 1990]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 52, Jan 1990|Issue 52 - Jan 1990]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 053.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 53, Feb 1990]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 53, Feb 1990|Issue 53 - Feb 1990]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 054.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 54, Mar 1990]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 54, Mar 1990|Issue 54 - Mar 1990]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 055.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 55, Apr 1990]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 55, Apr 1990|Issue 55 - Apr 1990]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 056.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 56, May 1990]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 56, May 1990|Issue 56 - May 1990]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 057.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 57, Jun 1990]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 57, Jun 1990|Issue 57 - Jun 1990]]
 +
|-
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 058.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 58, Jul 1990]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 58, Jul 1990|Issue 58 - Jul 1990]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 059.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 59, Aug 1990]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 59, Aug 1990|Issue 59 - Aug 1990]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 060.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 60, Sep 1990]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 60, Sep 1990|Issue 60 - Sep 1990]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 061.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 61, Oct 1990]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 61, Oct 1990|Issue 61 - Oct 1990]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 062.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 62, Nov 1990]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 62, Nov 1990|Issue 62 - Nov 1990]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 063.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 63, Dec 1990]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 63, Dec 1990|Issue 63 - Dec 1990]]
 +
|-
 +
|colspan=6|<big>'''1991'''</big>
 +
|-
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 064.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 64, Jan 1991]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 64, Jan 1991|Issue 64 - Jan 1991]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 065.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 65, Feb 1991]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 65, Feb 1991|Issue 65 - Feb 1991]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 066.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 66, Mar 1991]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 66, Mar 1991|Issue 66 - Mar 1991]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 067.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 67, Apr 1991]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 67, Apr 1991|Issue 67 - Apr 1991]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 068.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 68, May 1991]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 68, May 1991|Issue 68 - May 1991]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 069.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 69, Jun 1991]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 69, Jun 1991|Issue 69 - Jun 1991]]
 +
|-
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 070.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 70, Jul 1991]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 70, Jul 1991|Issue 70 - Jul 1991]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 071.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 71, Aug 1991]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 71, Aug 1991|Issue 71 - Aug 1991]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 072.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 72, Sep 1991]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 72, Sep 1991|Issue 72 - Sep 1991]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 073.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 73, Oct 1991]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 73, Oct 1991|Issue 73 - Oct 1991]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 074.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 74, Nov 1991]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 74, Nov 1991|Issue 74 - Nov 1991]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 075.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 75, Dec 1991]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 75, Dec 1991|Issue 75 - Dec 1991]]
 +
|-
 +
|colspan=6|<big>'''1992'''</big>
 +
|-
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 076.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 76, Jan 1992]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 76, Jan 1992|Issue 76 - Jan 1992]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 077.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 77, Feb 1992]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 77, Feb 1992|Issue 77 - Feb 1992]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 078.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 78, Mar 1992]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 78, Mar 1992|Issue 78 - Mar 1992]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 079.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 79, Apr 1992]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 79, Apr 1992|Issue 79 - Apr 1992]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 080.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 80, May 1992]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 80, May 1992|Issue 80 - May 1992]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 081.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 81, Jun 1992]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 81, Jun 1992|Issue 81 - Jun 1992]]
 +
|-
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 082.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 82, Jul 1992]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 82, Jul 1992|Issue 82 - Jul 1992]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 083.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 83, Aug 1992]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 83, Aug 1992|Issue 83 - Aug 1992]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 084.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 84, Sep 1992]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 84, Sep 1992|Issue 84 - Sep 1992]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 085.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 85, Oct 1992]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 85, Oct 1992|Issue 85 - Oct 1992]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 086.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 86, Nov 1992]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 86, Nov 1992|Issue 86 - Nov 1992]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 087.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 87, Dec 1992]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 87, Dec 1992|Issue 87 - Dec 1992]]
 +
|-
 +
|colspan=6|<big>'''1993'''</big>
 +
|-
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 088.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 88, Jan 1993]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 88, Jan 1993|Issue 88 - Jan 1993]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 089.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 89, Feb 1993]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 89, Feb 1993|Issue 89 - Feb 1993]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 090.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 90, Mar 1993]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 90, Mar 1993|Issue 90 - Mar 1993]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 091.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 91, Apr 1993]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 91, Apr 1993|Issue 91 - Apr 1993]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 092.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 92, May 1993]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 92, May 1993|Issue 92 - May 1993]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 093.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 93, Jun 1993]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 93, Jun 1993|Issue 93 - Jun 1993]]
 +
|-
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 094.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 94, Jul 1993]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 94, Jul 1993|Issue 94 - Jul 1993]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 095.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 95, Aug 1993]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 95, Aug 1993|Issue 95 - Aug 1993]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 096.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 96, Sep 1993]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 96, Sep 1993|Issue 96 - Sep 1993]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 097.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 97, Oct 1993]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 97, Oct 1993|Issue 97 - Oct 1993]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 098.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 98, Nov 1993]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 98, Nov 1993|Issue 98 - Nov 1993]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 099.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 99, Dec 1993]]<br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 99, Dec 1993|Issue 99 - Dec 1993]]
 +
|-
 +
|colspan=6|<big>'''1994'''</big>
 +
|-
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 100.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 100, 1994]]  <br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 100, 1994  |Issue 100 - Jan 1994]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 101.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 101, 1994]]  <br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 101, 1994  |Issue 101 - Feb 1994]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 102.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 102, 1994]]  <br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 102, 1994  |Issue 102 - Mar 1994]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 103.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 103, 1994]]  <br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 103, 1994  |Issue 103 - Apr 1994]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 104.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 104, 1994]]  <br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 104, 1994  |Issue 104 - May 1994]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 105.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 105, 1994]]  <br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 105, 1994  |Issue 105 - Jun 1994]]
 +
|-
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 106.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 106, 1994]]  <br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 106, 1994  |Issue 106 - Jul 1994]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 107.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 107, 1994]]  <br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 107, 1994  |Issue 107 - Aug 1994]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 108.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 108, 1994]]  <br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 108, 1994  |Issue 108 - Sep 1994]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 109.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 109, 1994]]  <br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 109, 1994  |Issue 109 - Oct 1994]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 110.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 110, 1994]]  <br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 110, 1994  |Issue 110 - Nov 1994]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 111.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 111, 1994]]  <br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 111, 1994  |Issue 111 - Dec 1994]]
 +
|-
 +
|colspan=6|<big>'''1995'''</big>
 +
|-
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 112.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 112, 1995]]  <br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 112, 1995  |Issue 112 - Jan 1995]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 113.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 113, 1995]]  <br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 113, 1995  |Issue 113 - Feb 1995]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 114.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 114, 1995]]  <br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 114, 1995  |Issue 114 - Mar 1995]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 115.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 115, 1995]]  <br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 115, 1995  |Issue 115 - Apr 1995]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 116.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 116, 1995]]  <br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 116, 1995  |Issue 116 - May 1995]]
 +
|[[Image:Amstrad Action 117.jpg|100px|link=Amstrad Action, Issue 117, 1995]]  <br>[[Amstrad Action, Issue 117, 1995  |Issue 117 - Jun 1995]]
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
Line 13: Line 187:
 
In October 1986 Amstrad Action split into three separate publications. AA still catered for the CPC range, while 8000 Plus and PC Plus focused on the Amstrad PCW and PC range respectively.
 
In October 1986 Amstrad Action split into three separate publications. AA still catered for the CPC range, while 8000 Plus and PC Plus focused on the Amstrad PCW and PC range respectively.
  
−
AA finally gave in to reader’s pleas to have a permanent cover tape. An announcement was made, in AA66, that the following issue would, not only contain a cover tape, but contain more colour and be printed on different paper. Review pages were also slightly re-designed.
+
AA finally gave in to reader’s pleas to have a permanent cover tape. An announcement was made, in AA66, that the following issue would not only contain a cover tape, but contain more colour and be printed on different paper. Review pages were also slightly re-designed.
  
 
April 1992 and the ABC (Audit Bureau of Circulation) figures showing, yet another, increase: 37,120 - The highest ABC since July-December 1988’s 38,457.
 
April 1992 and the ABC (Audit Bureau of Circulation) figures showing, yet another, increase: 37,120 - The highest ABC since July-December 1988’s 38,457.
  
−
AA 100 looked at the top 100 products for the CPC and also a trip down memory lane, including past editors and staff. As circulation figures wind down further still there was a drastic drop in page numbers from 60 to 36 in July 1994's AA106. More compact issues mean no superfluous columns or features. AA107 became the first issue with only one member of official staff.
+
AA 100 looked at the top 100 products for the CPC and also took a trip down memory lane, including past editors and staff. As circulation figures wound down further still there was a drastic drop in page numbers from 60 to 36 in July 1994's AA106. More compact issues mean no superfluous columns or features. AA107 became the first issue with only one official member of staff.
  
−
AA111 and no credits list, although we could deduct that the new editor was Karen Levell, who answered the Reaction letters and confirmed her appointment as editor. June 1995 and although everything appeared as normal in AA117, with AA118 advertised in the next month box, this is the last AA ever.<br>
+
AA111 and no credits list, although we could deduce that the new editor was Karen Levell, who answered the Reaction letters and confirmed her appointment as editor. June 1995 and although everything appeared as normal in AA117, with AA118 advertised in the next month box, this was the last AA ever.<br>
  
 
== Magazine content ==
 
== Magazine content ==
  
−
AA covered both 'games' and 'serious' side of the CPC, maintaining a balanced coverage throughout its run. The editorial coverage was always seen as being one of the three main areas; there was the games (or leisure), serious (programming, business software etc.), and the regulars. Features would come and go, but there was long-running features including 'Amscene', 'Forum', 'Action Test', and 'Cheat Mode'.
+
AA covered both 'games' and the 'serious' side of the CPC, maintaining a balanced coverage throughout its run. The editorial coverage was always seen as being one of the three main areas; there was the games (or leisure), serious (programming, business software etc.), and the regulars. Features would come and go, but there were long-running features including 'Amscene', 'Forum', 'Action Test', and 'Cheat Mode'.
  
 
Chris Anderson used his previous success of covermounted cassette tapes - with Personal Computer Games - to include one with the AA Christmas special issue of 1985. This included two unreleased games from Ocean Software; Kung Fu and Number 1. But the covermount cassette tape was only an occurrence on the Christmas and AA birthday issues, not becoming a regular feature until AA67 in 1991, mainly due to requests from many readers. Cover-cassettes featured game demos, applications, software utilities and, in some instances, complete games.
 
Chris Anderson used his previous success of covermounted cassette tapes - with Personal Computer Games - to include one with the AA Christmas special issue of 1985. This included two unreleased games from Ocean Software; Kung Fu and Number 1. But the covermount cassette tape was only an occurrence on the Christmas and AA birthday issues, not becoming a regular feature until AA67 in 1991, mainly due to requests from many readers. Cover-cassettes featured game demos, applications, software utilities and, in some instances, complete games.
  
−
Codemasters produced a Dizzy game specially for the AA birthday covertape in October 1988. This 'Special Edition' included different rooms and objects to explore. AA67, dated April 1990, came with the first of the permanent cover tapes called Action Pack #1, along with a new cover price of £2.20. A playable demo of Ocean Software's Total Recall and complete games Hydrofool and Codemasters' Dizzy were included on the tape.
+
Codemasters produced a Dizzy game specially for the AA birthday covertape in October 1988. This 'Special Edition' included different rooms and objects to explore. AA67, dated April 1991, came with the first of the permanent cover tapes called Action Pack #1, along with a new cover price of £2.20. A playable demo of Ocean Software's Total Recall and complete games Hydrofool and Codemasters' Dizzy were included on the tape.
  
 
Action Pack #2 caused some controversy among the readers as one of the featured games How To Be A Complete Bastard featured mild swearing, plus the game's quest was to be violent and obnoxious throughout a house party.
 
Action Pack #2 caused some controversy among the readers as one of the featured games How To Be A Complete Bastard featured mild swearing, plus the game's quest was to be violent and obnoxious throughout a house party.
Line 76: Line 250:
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
  
−
* [http://mat.tl/ee/aa/ Amstrad Action scans] - every issue online (currently offline)
+
* [http://mat.tl/ee/aa/ Amstrad Action scans] - every issue online
 
* [http://www.futurenet.com/ Future Publishing]
 
* [http://www.futurenet.com/ Future Publishing]
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Future_Publishing Wikipedia entry for Future Publishing]
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Future_Publishing Wikipedia entry for Future Publishing]
−
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_Action Amstrad Action]
+
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_Action Wikipedia entry for Amstrad Action]
 
* [http://users.durge.org/~nich/cpcmags/aa/ Coverscans of every issue]
 
* [http://users.durge.org/~nich/cpcmags/aa/ Coverscans of every issue]
 +
* [https://archive.org/details/amstrad-action-magazine archive.org full scans of every issue in various formats]
 +
 +
== Action Test ==
 +
 +
Please click this link for details of every game to under go the [[Action Test]]
  
 
== AA Type Ins ==
 
== AA Type Ins ==
Line 88: Line 267:
 
== Covers ==
 
== Covers ==
  
−
<gallery caption="Amstrad Action">
+
* [[Amstrad Action - Cover Gallery]]
 +
 
 +
== Cover Tapes ==
 +
 
 +
Here are some covertapes converted to disks and uploaded by forum member '''dodogildo''':
 +
[[File:AAcoverdsks.zip]]
 +
 
 +
During the first six years, Amstrad Action featured a cover tape on special occasions, such as the Christmas and Birthday editions:
 +
 
 +
* AA4  (Christmas 1985) - Kung-Fu, Number 1
 +
* AA16 (January 1987) - Druid Demo (Level 2), Amfile, Ramdisk, Fastform (NB bug causes error message, see page 21), Blitter, Drumkit, Gigo
 +
* AA28 (January 1988) - The Duct full game, 464 to 6128, Disk Editor, First Numbers, Thoughtlink, Sound Digitizer
 +
* AA37 (October 1988) - Dizzy Special Edition, Micro Assembler, Special Disk Formatter, SmArt II
 +
* AA40 (January 1989) - Total Eclipse Special Edition, Isotopes, Solar System, Perspective Art, Disk Library System, Gibberish, Reviews
 +
* AA49 (October 1989) - Shinobi Demo, Daleks, DataMaker, WordFinder, SelfDest, Easisheet
 +
* AA52 (January 1990) - The Untouchables Demo, Sun Crossword, Gunslinger, Word Processor, Typewriter
 +
* AA61 (October 1990) - Ironman Demo, Tau Ceti
 +
* AA64 (January 1991) - Puzznic Demo, Lost Caves, Space Froggy
 +
 
 +
Beginning with issue 67, Amstrad Action began to feature a cover tape on each issue.
 +
 
 +
From issue 67 to issue 90 the cover tape was known as the Action Pack. This tended to feature a demo of a new game, a full older game (or sometimes two), an application or piece of serious software and type ins or pokes:
 +
* AA67 (April 1991) - Total Recall Demo, Hydrofool, Dizzy
 +
* AA68 (May 1991) - Predator 2 Demo, How to be a Complete Bastard, Biggles, AA Toolbox
 +
* AA69 (June 1991) - Spindizzy, Wizard's Lair, Toolikt
 +
* AA70 (July 1991) - Switchblade Demo, Megaphoenix, Future Knight, Balldozer
 +
* AA71 (August 1991) - Hero Quest Demo, Technician Ted, 3D Construction Kit Demo, Devpac
 +
* AA72 (September 1991) - Robozone Demo, Lightforce, Heavy on the Magick, Rambase, Datafile
 +
* AA73 (October 1991) - Turrican 2 Demo, Thunderjaws Demo, Marsport, XREF
 +
* AA74 (November 1991) - Turtles 2 Demo, Terror of the Deep, Sweevo's World, Drumkit, SmArt II
 +
* AA75 (December 1991) - Cisco Heat Demo, Impossaball, Tir Na Nog, RSX-LIB
 +
* AA76 (January 1992) - Graphic Adventure Creator, Southern Belle, Pagemaker Plus, Extended Basic
 +
* AA77 (February 1992) - Seymour Take One, Firelord, Football Forecaster, Fonts
 +
* AA78 (March 1992) - Space Crusade Demo, The Sphinx Jinx, Shockway Rider, DiscContent
 +
* AA79 (April 1992) - RanaRama, Maze Mania, Word Pro, Easisheet, Powerbase 2
 +
* AA80 (May 1992) - Stryker and the Crypts of Trogan Demo, Croco Magneto, Anarchy, GPaint
 +
* AA81 (June 1992) - Forbidden Planet, Sprites, The Addams Family Demo
 +
* AA82 (July 1992) - Lemmings Demo, Dragontorc, Powerpage
 +
* AA83 (August 1992) - Defenders of the Earth Demo, Drehdriss, SuperSonic
 +
* AA84 (September 1992) - Famous Five, City Slicker, Notepad, Liteprog
 +
* AA85 (October 1992) - On the Run, Link, Worktop, Disc Organiser
 +
* AA86 (November 1992) - Glider Rider, Animator, Screen Compressor, G-Paint. Side B of this cassette had an audio track demonstrating the result of MIDI software on the CPC.
 +
* AA87 (December 1992) - Nexor, Pakman, Pilot
 +
* AA88 (January 1993) - Tankbusters, Penguins, JL-COPY
 +
* AA89 (February 1993) - Wriggler, MagicDOS, Superchars, Flik
 +
* AA90 (March 1993) - Steve Davis Snooker, LARA
 +
 
 +
From issue 91 to 97 the cover tape was known as the Classic Collection. This tended to feature one full game and one application:
 +
* AA91 (April 1993) - Tasword, Colossus Chess 4
 +
* AA92 (May 1993) - BooTracker, Syntax, Balloon Buster
 +
* AA93 (June 1993) - Racing Boxform, Who's Afraid of the Balrog, Mystical
 +
* AA94 (July 1993) - Instant Recall, VFProg, Contraption
 +
* AA95 (August 1993) - Mastercalc, Biff
 +
* AA96 (September 1993) - Screen Designer, Neil Android
 +
* AA97 (October 1993) - Zapp Assembler, Rik the Roadie
 +
 
 +
Issue 98's cover tape was not named:
 +
* AA98 (November 1993) - The Blues Brothers
 +
 
 +
From issue 99 onwards the cover tape was known as Serious Action and typically contained an application and a full game:
 +
* AA99 (December 1993) - Stormlord (full game, AA censored version), Font Editor, Dartsma's Clip Art, Grab Converter
 +
* AA100 (January 1994) - Elite
 +
* AA101 (February 1994) - Exolon, Accounts
 +
* AA102 (March 1994) - Graph Master, DIYFX, Cybernoid 2
 +
* AA103 (April 1994) - Nebulus, Speech
 +
* AA104 (May 1994) - Uridium, AA Toolkit
 +
* AA105 (June 1994) - Deliverance, BLITZ!, Status Window, Disk Encoder
 +
* AA106 (July 1994) - Zynaps, Spriting Back Utility
 +
* AA107 (August 1994) - Ikari Warriors, Screen Dump, Picasso
 +
* AA108 (September 1994) - Fantasy World Dizzy, Routeplanner, Graph Plot
 +
* AA109 (October 1994) - Turbo the Tortoise, Crossword Compiler
 +
* AA110 (November 1994) - Crazy Cars 3, RTC Player, Daily Diary, Crossword Compiler
 +
* AA111 (December 1994) - D.E.S., Dos Copy, Breakdown, Minesweeper, Logistic
 +
* AA112 (January 1995) - Titus the Fox, Mega Blasters, DES
 +
* AA113 (February 1995) - Samurai Trilogy, Power Spell
 +
* AA114 (March 1995) - Ball Bearing, Masters of Space, Columbia
 +
* AA115 (April 1995) - Spaghetti Western, Cyberboy, TUSS
 +
* AA116 (May 1995) - Hercules, Chuckie Egg, Disc Editor-Archiver, Columbia 1.1, Bankman
 +
* AA117 (June 1995) - North & South, Imageprint
  
−
Image:Amstrad Action 001.jpg|Issue 001
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 002.jpg|Issue 002
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 003.jpg|Issue 003
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 004.jpg|Issue 004
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 005.jpg|Issue 005
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 006.jpg|Issue 006
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 007.jpg|Issue 007
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 008.jpg|Issue 008
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 009.jpg|Issue 009
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 010.jpg|Issue 010
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 011.jpg|Issue 011
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 012.jpg|Issue 012
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 013.jpg|Issue 013
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 014.jpg|Issue 014
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 015.jpg|Issue 015
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 016.jpg|Issue 016
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 017.jpg|Issue 017
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 018.jpg|Issue 018
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 019.jpg|Issue 019
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 020.jpg|Issue 020
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 021.jpg|Issue 021
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 022.jpg|Issue 022
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 023.jpg|Issue 023
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 024.jpg|Issue 024
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 025.jpg|Issue 025
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 026.jpg|Issue 026
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 027.jpg|Issue 027
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 028.jpg|Issue 028
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 029.jpg|Issue 029
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 030.jpg|Issue 030
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 031.jpg|Issue 031
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 032.jpg|Issue 032
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 033.jpg|Issue 033
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 034.jpg|Issue 034
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 035.jpg|Issue 035
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 036.jpg|Issue 036
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 037.jpg|Issue 037
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 038.jpg|Issue 038
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 039.jpg|Issue 039
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 040.jpg|Issue 040
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 041.jpg|Issue 041
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 042.jpg|Issue 042
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 043.jpg|Issue 043
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 044.jpg|Issue 044
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 045.jpg|Issue 045
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 046.jpg|Issue 046
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 047.jpg|Issue 047
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 048.jpg|Issue 048
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 049.jpg|Issue 049
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 050.jpg|Issue 050
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 051.jpg|Issue 051
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 052.jpg|Issue 052
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 053.jpg|Issue 053
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 054.jpg|Issue 054
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 055.jpg|Issue 055
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 056.jpg|Issue 056
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 057.jpg|Issue 057
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 058.jpg|Issue 058
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 059.jpg|Issue 059
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 060.jpg|Issue 060
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 061.jpg|Issue 061
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 062.jpg|Issue 062
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 063.jpg|Issue 063
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 064.jpg|Issue 064
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 065.jpg|Issue 065
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 066.jpg|Issue 066
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 067.jpg|Issue 067
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 068.jpg|Issue 068
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 069.jpg|Issue 069
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 070.jpg|Issue 070
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 071.jpg|Issue 071
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 072.jpg|Issue 072
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 073.jpg|Issue 073
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 074.jpg|Issue 074
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 075.jpg|Issue 075
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 076.jpg|Issue 076
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 077.jpg|Issue 077
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 078.jpg|Issue 078
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 079.jpg|Issue 079
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 080.jpg|Issue 080
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 081.jpg|Issue 081
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 082.jpg|Issue 082
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 083.jpg|Issue 083
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 084.jpg|Issue 084
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 085.jpg|Issue 085
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 086.jpg|Issue 086
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 087.jpg|Issue 087
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 088.jpg|Issue 088
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 089.jpg|Issue 089
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 090.jpg|Issue 090
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 091.jpg|Issue 091
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 092.jpg|Issue 092
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 093.jpg|Issue 093
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 094.jpg|Issue 094
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 095.jpg|Issue 095
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 096.jpg|Issue 096
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 097.jpg|Issue 097
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 098.jpg|Issue 098
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 099.jpg|Issue 099
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 100.jpg|Issue 100
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 101.jpg|Issue 101
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 102.jpg|Issue 102
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 103.jpg|Issue 103
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 104.jpg|Issue 104
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 105.jpg|Issue 105
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 106.jpg|Issue 106
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 107.jpg|Issue 107
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 108.jpg|Issue 108
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 109.jpg|Issue 109
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 110.jpg|Issue 110
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 111.jpg|Issue 111
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 112.jpg|Issue 112
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 113.jpg|Issue 113
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 114.jpg|Issue 114
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 115.jpg|Issue 115
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 116.jpg|[[Amstrad Action, Issue 116, 1995|Issue 116]]
 
−
Image:Amstrad Action 117.jpg|Issue 117
 
  
−
</gallery>
 
  
−
[[Category:CPC_Press]] [[Category:Magazines]]
+
[[Category:CPC_Press]]

Latest revision as of 15:23, 21 May 2023

Amstrad Action was the longest-running news-stand UK Amstrad magazine, published monthly between October 1985 and June 1995.

It was the first title published by Future Publishing, which has subsequently grown to become the UK's fifth largest magazine publishing company. Broad-based coverage of all things CPC, together with an irreverent writing style, made 'AA' a perennial favourite and at its peak it recorded ABC circulation figures in excess of 38,000.

AA was one of the first magazines to have a software cassette mounted to the front cover. Such covermounts (of tapes or discs) latterly became almost obligatory for computer magazines. Though AA's covertapes were initially for special issues only, Christmas and AA birthdays, the magazine eventually began to issue one every month - containing user listings, utilities, and demos or full versions of commercial games.

Game Ratings

All scores given by AA throughout its history

Download

Online Issues

Amstrad Action - What is online

1985
Amstrad Action 001.jpg
Issue 1 - Oct 1985 		Amstrad Action 002.jpg
Issue 2 - Nov 1985 		Amstrad Action 003.jpg
Issue 3 - Dec 1985
1986
Amstrad Action 004.jpg
Issue 4 - Jan 1986 		Amstrad Action 005.jpg
Issue 5 - Feb 1986 		Amstrad Action 006.jpg
Issue 6 - Mar 1986 		Amstrad Action 007.jpg
Issue 7 - Apr 1986 		Amstrad Action 008.jpg
Issue 8 - May 1986 		Amstrad Action 009.jpg
Issue 9 - Jun 1986
Amstrad Action 010.jpg
Issue 10 - Jul 1986 		Amstrad Action 011.jpg
Issue 11 - Aug 1986 		Amstrad Action 012.jpg
Issue 12 - Sep 1986 		Amstrad Action 013.jpg
Issue 13 - Oct 1986 		Amstrad Action 014.jpg
Issue 14 - Nov 1986 		Amstrad Action 015.jpg
Issue 15 - Dec 1986
1987
Amstrad Action 016.jpg
Issue 16 - Xmas 1986 		Amstrad Action 017.jpg
Issue 17 - Feb 1987 		Amstrad Action 018.jpg
Issue 18 - Mar 1987 		Amstrad Action 019.jpg
Issue 19 - Apr 1987 		Amstrad Action 020.jpg
Issue 20 - May 1987 		Amstrad Action 021.jpg
Issue 21 - Jun 1987
Amstrad Action 022.jpg
Issue 22 - Jul 1987 		Amstrad Action 023.jpg
Issue 23 - Aug 1987 		Amstrad Action 024.jpg
Issue 24 - Sep 1987 		Amstrad Action 025.jpg
Issue 25 - Oct 1987 		Amstrad Action 026.jpg
Issue 26 - Nov 1987 		Amstrad Action 027.jpg
Issue 27 - Dec 1987
1988
Amstrad Action 028.jpg
Issue 28 - Xmas 1987 		Amstrad Action 029.jpg
Issue 29 - Feb 1988 		Amstrad Action 030.jpg
Issue 30 - Mar 1988 		Amstrad Action 031.jpg
Issue 31 - Apr 1988 		Amstrad Action 032.jpg
Issue 32 - May 1988 		Amstrad Action 033.jpg
Issue 33 - Jun 1988
Amstrad Action 034.jpg
Issue 34 - Jul 1988 		Amstrad Action 035.jpg
Issue 35 - Aug 1988 		Amstrad Action 036.jpg
Issue 36 - Sep 1988 		Amstrad Action 037.jpg
Issue 37 - Oct 1988 		Amstrad Action 038.jpg
Issue 38 - Nov 1988 		Amstrad Action 039.jpg
Issue 39 - Dec 1988
1989
Amstrad Action 040.jpg
Issue 40 - Jan 1989 		Amstrad Action 041.jpg
Issue 41 - Feb 1989 		Amstrad Action 042.jpg
Issue 42 - Mar 1989 		Amstrad Action 043.jpg
Issue 43 - Apr 1989 		Amstrad Action 044.jpg
Issue 44 - May 1989 		Amstrad Action 045.jpg
Issue 45 - Jun 1989
Amstrad Action 046.jpg
Issue 46 - Jul 1989 		Amstrad Action 047.jpg
Issue 47 - Aug 1989 		Amstrad Action 048.jpg
Issue 48 - Sep 1989 		Amstrad Action 049.jpg
Issue 49 - Oct 1989 		Amstrad Action 050.jpg
Issue 50 - Nov 1989 		Amstrad Action 051.jpg
Issue 51 - Dec 1989
1990
Amstrad Action 052.jpg
Issue 52 - Jan 1990 		Amstrad Action 053.jpg
Issue 53 - Feb 1990 		Amstrad Action 054.jpg
Issue 54 - Mar 1990 		Amstrad Action 055.jpg
Issue 55 - Apr 1990 		Amstrad Action 056.jpg
Issue 56 - May 1990 		Amstrad Action 057.jpg
Issue 57 - Jun 1990
Amstrad Action 058.jpg
Issue 58 - Jul 1990 		Amstrad Action 059.jpg
Issue 59 - Aug 1990 		Amstrad Action 060.jpg
Issue 60 - Sep 1990 		Amstrad Action 061.jpg
Issue 61 - Oct 1990 		Amstrad Action 062.jpg
Issue 62 - Nov 1990 		Amstrad Action 063.jpg
Issue 63 - Dec 1990
1991
Amstrad Action 064.jpg
Issue 64 - Jan 1991 		Amstrad Action 065.jpg
Issue 65 - Feb 1991 		Amstrad Action 066.jpg
Issue 66 - Mar 1991 		Amstrad Action 067.jpg
Issue 67 - Apr 1991 		Amstrad Action 068.jpg
Issue 68 - May 1991 		Amstrad Action 069.jpg
Issue 69 - Jun 1991
Amstrad Action 070.jpg
Issue 70 - Jul 1991 		Amstrad Action 071.jpg
Issue 71 - Aug 1991 		Amstrad Action 072.jpg
Issue 72 - Sep 1991 		Amstrad Action 073.jpg
Issue 73 - Oct 1991 		Amstrad Action 074.jpg
Issue 74 - Nov 1991 		Amstrad Action 075.jpg
Issue 75 - Dec 1991
1992
Amstrad Action 076.jpg
Issue 76 - Jan 1992 		Amstrad Action 077.jpg
Issue 77 - Feb 1992 		Amstrad Action 078.jpg
Issue 78 - Mar 1992 		Amstrad Action 079.jpg
Issue 79 - Apr 1992 		Amstrad Action 080.jpg
Issue 80 - May 1992 		Amstrad Action 081.jpg
Issue 81 - Jun 1992
Amstrad Action 082.jpg
Issue 82 - Jul 1992 		Amstrad Action 083.jpg
Issue 83 - Aug 1992 		Amstrad Action 084.jpg
Issue 84 - Sep 1992 		Amstrad Action 085.jpg
Issue 85 - Oct 1992 		Amstrad Action 086.jpg
Issue 86 - Nov 1992 		Amstrad Action 087.jpg
Issue 87 - Dec 1992
1993
Amstrad Action 088.jpg
Issue 88 - Jan 1993 		Amstrad Action 089.jpg
Issue 89 - Feb 1993 		Amstrad Action 090.jpg
Issue 90 - Mar 1993 		Amstrad Action 091.jpg
Issue 91 - Apr 1993 		Amstrad Action 092.jpg
Issue 92 - May 1993 		Amstrad Action 093.jpg
Issue 93 - Jun 1993
Amstrad Action 094.jpg
Issue 94 - Jul 1993 		Amstrad Action 095.jpg
Issue 95 - Aug 1993 		Amstrad Action 096.jpg
Issue 96 - Sep 1993 		Amstrad Action 097.jpg
Issue 97 - Oct 1993 		Amstrad Action 098.jpg
Issue 98 - Nov 1993 		Amstrad Action 099.jpg
Issue 99 - Dec 1993
1994
Amstrad Action 100.jpg
Issue 100 - Jan 1994 		Amstrad Action 101.jpg
Issue 101 - Feb 1994 		Amstrad Action 102.jpg
Issue 102 - Mar 1994 		Amstrad Action 103.jpg
Issue 103 - Apr 1994 		Amstrad Action 104.jpg
Issue 104 - May 1994 		Amstrad Action 105.jpg
Issue 105 - Jun 1994
Amstrad Action 106.jpg
Issue 106 - Jul 1994 		Amstrad Action 107.jpg
Issue 107 - Aug 1994 		Amstrad Action 108.jpg
Issue 108 - Sep 1994 		Amstrad Action 109.jpg
Issue 109 - Oct 1994 		Amstrad Action 110.jpg
Issue 110 - Nov 1994 		Amstrad Action 111.jpg
Issue 111 - Dec 1994
1995
Amstrad Action 112.jpg
Issue 112 - Jan 1995 		Amstrad Action 113.jpg
Issue 113 - Feb 1995 		Amstrad Action 114.jpg
Issue 114 - Mar 1995 		Amstrad Action 115.jpg
Issue 115 - Apr 1995 		Amstrad Action 116.jpg
Issue 116 - May 1995 		Amstrad Action 117.jpg
Issue 117 - Jun 1995

History

Published by Future Publishing, a company set up by Chris Anderson (ex-Personal Computer Games and Zzap!64 editor). Launch Editor, Peter Connor, also an ex-PCG staff member, shared the writing duties with the only other staff writer, Bob Wade. Bob, another ex-PCG/Zzap!64, was given the title ‘Software Editor’ and would review the vast majority of the games featured, with Peter giving a second opinion. Trevor Gilham, Art Editor, would complete the four man team.

Issue 1 (dated October 1985) was released in September 1985 with the cover price of £1; 1 pence for every one of the 100 pages. It took the new publication a few issues to find its readers, but with the help of a bumper 116 page Christmas 1985 issue with a cover mounted tape, the circulation figures grew rapidly.

In October 1986 Amstrad Action split into three separate publications. AA still catered for the CPC range, while 8000 Plus and PC Plus focused on the Amstrad PCW and PC range respectively.

AA finally gave in to reader’s pleas to have a permanent cover tape. An announcement was made, in AA66, that the following issue would not only contain a cover tape, but contain more colour and be printed on different paper. Review pages were also slightly re-designed.

April 1992 and the ABC (Audit Bureau of Circulation) figures showing, yet another, increase: 37,120 - The highest ABC since July-December 1988’s 38,457.

AA 100 looked at the top 100 products for the CPC and also took a trip down memory lane, including past editors and staff. As circulation figures wound down further still there was a drastic drop in page numbers from 60 to 36 in July 1994's AA106. More compact issues mean no superfluous columns or features. AA107 became the first issue with only one official member of staff.

AA111 and no credits list, although we could deduce that the new editor was Karen Levell, who answered the Reaction letters and confirmed her appointment as editor. June 1995 and although everything appeared as normal in AA117, with AA118 advertised in the next month box, this was the last AA ever.

Magazine content

AA covered both 'games' and the 'serious' side of the CPC, maintaining a balanced coverage throughout its run. The editorial coverage was always seen as being one of the three main areas; there was the games (or leisure), serious (programming, business software etc.), and the regulars. Features would come and go, but there were long-running features including 'Amscene', 'Forum', 'Action Test', and 'Cheat Mode'.

Chris Anderson used his previous success of covermounted cassette tapes - with Personal Computer Games - to include one with the AA Christmas special issue of 1985. This included two unreleased games from Ocean Software; Kung Fu and Number 1. But the covermount cassette tape was only an occurrence on the Christmas and AA birthday issues, not becoming a regular feature until AA67 in 1991, mainly due to requests from many readers. Cover-cassettes featured game demos, applications, software utilities and, in some instances, complete games.

Codemasters produced a Dizzy game specially for the AA birthday covertape in October 1988. This 'Special Edition' included different rooms and objects to explore. AA67, dated April 1991, came with the first of the permanent cover tapes called Action Pack #1, along with a new cover price of £2.20. A playable demo of Ocean Software's Total Recall and complete games Hydrofool and Codemasters' Dizzy were included on the tape.

Action Pack #2 caused some controversy among the readers as one of the featured games How To Be A Complete Bastard featured mild swearing, plus the game's quest was to be violent and obnoxious throughout a house party.

December 1993 AA99’s Serious Action cover tape included the complete Stormlord game, albeit a censored version. With the self-censoring of the Hewson game it seemed that AA was trying to avoid similar controversy that followed AA68’s Action Pack #2.

AA staff and contributors

Editors

Other full-time editorial staff

  • Richard Monteiro (technical editor)
  • Pat McDonald (technical editor)
  • Trenton Webb (staff writer)
  • Adam Waring (technical editor)
  • Frank O'Connor (staff writer)
  • Adam Peters (staff writer)
  • Simon Forrester (staff writer)
  • Rebecca Lack (production editor)
  • lots and lots more

Freelance writers

Links

Action Test

Please click this link for details of every game to under go the Action Test

AA Type Ins

AA Type Ins

Covers

Cover Tapes

Here are some covertapes converted to disks and uploaded by forum member dodogildo: File:AAcoverdsks.zip

During the first six years, Amstrad Action featured a cover tape on special occasions, such as the Christmas and Birthday editions:

  • AA4 (Christmas 1985) - Kung-Fu, Number 1
  • AA16 (January 1987) - Druid Demo (Level 2), Amfile, Ramdisk, Fastform (NB bug causes error message, see page 21), Blitter, Drumkit, Gigo
  • AA28 (January 1988) - The Duct full game, 464 to 6128, Disk Editor, First Numbers, Thoughtlink, Sound Digitizer
  • AA37 (October 1988) - Dizzy Special Edition, Micro Assembler, Special Disk Formatter, SmArt II
  • AA40 (January 1989) - Total Eclipse Special Edition, Isotopes, Solar System, Perspective Art, Disk Library System, Gibberish, Reviews
  • AA49 (October 1989) - Shinobi Demo, Daleks, DataMaker, WordFinder, SelfDest, Easisheet
  • AA52 (January 1990) - The Untouchables Demo, Sun Crossword, Gunslinger, Word Processor, Typewriter
  • AA61 (October 1990) - Ironman Demo, Tau Ceti
  • AA64 (January 1991) - Puzznic Demo, Lost Caves, Space Froggy

Beginning with issue 67, Amstrad Action began to feature a cover tape on each issue.

From issue 67 to issue 90 the cover tape was known as the Action Pack. This tended to feature a demo of a new game, a full older game (or sometimes two), an application or piece of serious software and type ins or pokes:

  • AA67 (April 1991) - Total Recall Demo, Hydrofool, Dizzy
  • AA68 (May 1991) - Predator 2 Demo, How to be a Complete Bastard, Biggles, AA Toolbox
  • AA69 (June 1991) - Spindizzy, Wizard's Lair, Toolikt
  • AA70 (July 1991) - Switchblade Demo, Megaphoenix, Future Knight, Balldozer
  • AA71 (August 1991) - Hero Quest Demo, Technician Ted, 3D Construction Kit Demo, Devpac
  • AA72 (September 1991) - Robozone Demo, Lightforce, Heavy on the Magick, Rambase, Datafile
  • AA73 (October 1991) - Turrican 2 Demo, Thunderjaws Demo, Marsport, XREF
  • AA74 (November 1991) - Turtles 2 Demo, Terror of the Deep, Sweevo's World, Drumkit, SmArt II
  • AA75 (December 1991) - Cisco Heat Demo, Impossaball, Tir Na Nog, RSX-LIB
  • AA76 (January 1992) - Graphic Adventure Creator, Southern Belle, Pagemaker Plus, Extended Basic
  • AA77 (February 1992) - Seymour Take One, Firelord, Football Forecaster, Fonts
  • AA78 (March 1992) - Space Crusade Demo, The Sphinx Jinx, Shockway Rider, DiscContent
  • AA79 (April 1992) - RanaRama, Maze Mania, Word Pro, Easisheet, Powerbase 2
  • AA80 (May 1992) - Stryker and the Crypts of Trogan Demo, Croco Magneto, Anarchy, GPaint
  • AA81 (June 1992) - Forbidden Planet, Sprites, The Addams Family Demo
  • AA82 (July 1992) - Lemmings Demo, Dragontorc, Powerpage
  • AA83 (August 1992) - Defenders of the Earth Demo, Drehdriss, SuperSonic
  • AA84 (September 1992) - Famous Five, City Slicker, Notepad, Liteprog
  • AA85 (October 1992) - On the Run, Link, Worktop, Disc Organiser
  • AA86 (November 1992) - Glider Rider, Animator, Screen Compressor, G-Paint. Side B of this cassette had an audio track demonstrating the result of MIDI software on the CPC.
  • AA87 (December 1992) - Nexor, Pakman, Pilot
  • AA88 (January 1993) - Tankbusters, Penguins, JL-COPY
  • AA89 (February 1993) - Wriggler, MagicDOS, Superchars, Flik
  • AA90 (March 1993) - Steve Davis Snooker, LARA

From issue 91 to 97 the cover tape was known as the Classic Collection. This tended to feature one full game and one application:

  • AA91 (April 1993) - Tasword, Colossus Chess 4
  • AA92 (May 1993) - BooTracker, Syntax, Balloon Buster
  • AA93 (June 1993) - Racing Boxform, Who's Afraid of the Balrog, Mystical
  • AA94 (July 1993) - Instant Recall, VFProg, Contraption
  • AA95 (August 1993) - Mastercalc, Biff
  • AA96 (September 1993) - Screen Designer, Neil Android
  • AA97 (October 1993) - Zapp Assembler, Rik the Roadie

Issue 98's cover tape was not named:

  • AA98 (November 1993) - The Blues Brothers

From issue 99 onwards the cover tape was known as Serious Action and typically contained an application and a full game:

  • AA99 (December 1993) - Stormlord (full game, AA censored version), Font Editor, Dartsma's Clip Art, Grab Converter
  • AA100 (January 1994) - Elite
  • AA101 (February 1994) - Exolon, Accounts
  • AA102 (March 1994) - Graph Master, DIYFX, Cybernoid 2
  • AA103 (April 1994) - Nebulus, Speech
  • AA104 (May 1994) - Uridium, AA Toolkit
  • AA105 (June 1994) - Deliverance, BLITZ!, Status Window, Disk Encoder
  • AA106 (July 1994) - Zynaps, Spriting Back Utility
  • AA107 (August 1994) - Ikari Warriors, Screen Dump, Picasso
  • AA108 (September 1994) - Fantasy World Dizzy, Routeplanner, Graph Plot
  • AA109 (October 1994) - Turbo the Tortoise, Crossword Compiler
  • AA110 (November 1994) - Crazy Cars 3, RTC Player, Daily Diary, Crossword Compiler
  • AA111 (December 1994) - D.E.S., Dos Copy, Breakdown, Minesweeper, Logistic
  • AA112 (January 1995) - Titus the Fox, Mega Blasters, DES
  • AA113 (February 1995) - Samurai Trilogy, Power Spell
  • AA114 (March 1995) - Ball Bearing, Masters of Space, Columbia
  • AA115 (April 1995) - Spaghetti Western, Cyberboy, TUSS
  • AA116 (May 1995) - Hercules, Chuckie Egg, Disc Editor-Archiver, Columbia 1.1, Bankman
  • AA117 (June 1995) - North & South, Imageprint
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