Issue #57: The Path to the Past – January/February 2022 (Patreon)

The well-oiled machine that keeps cranking out new Nintendo games has run on a few different kinds of fuel over the decades, but as we enter the year 2022 it's safe to say that pure nostalgia is its preferred source of power! With so much Nintendo history now in the books (and the magazines) and so many happy memories living in the minds of multiple generations of players, it's totally understandable why just about every new product the company puts out does its best to tap into that appreciation of the past and get as many of those players as possible to want to relive those most memorable moments.

No recent game hits that nail so squarely on its head, though, as January's upcoming release of Pokémon Legends: Arceus! And that's because it taps into the past two times over. First, it's setting its adventure in the Sinnoh region, instantly drawing in the attention of anyone who first played Pokémon Diamond, Pearl or Platinum on the DS over a decade ago. (Or Brilliant Diamond or Shining Pearl just a few weeks ago!) But more than just revisiting a past region again, Legends: Arceus is also delving into the actual past of that region! It takes place not in the "present day" of the Pokémon world, but rather back when Sinnoh was barely settled by humans at all. Back in an age when it wasn't even called Sinnoh yet! It was called Hisui!

That two-pronged approach to presenting "the past" is so fascinating that we've made it the theme of this issue: "The Path to the Past." Our central feature will prep you for your time-travel trip to the lands of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, too!

We'll also look to the future with a robust 2022 Year in Preview that should get you excited about the whole year of new releases that lie ahead. Here's hoping 2022 will be a great year for you and all your loved ones!

Digital patrons, your emailed edition will arrive in your inbox a little later on this week. Keep your eyes peeled for that alert to come through!

Print patrons, the physical copies are in production now. As usual with this time of year, the holiday season may delay shipments by a day or two, but most subscribers should still expect to see their issues arrive in the early days of January.

And, as always, thanks for your continued support! This issue marks the official kick-off of NF's 10th year!

~ Lucas M. Thomas