In this issue

Because we knew exploring alien worlds, taking part in starfighter dogfights in orbit and all of those other wonderfully outer space-y things would be building up in everyone’s minds as a result of the impending release of the all-new Star Wars film, we decided to give NF Magazine’s all-new Issue #18 an outer space-y theme. This one is called “Beyond the Earth,” and it casts its gaze to the heavens to look back at the past several decades of alien planets that pop culture has introduced us to, as well as putting a focus on the new extraterrestrial game experiences Nintendo’s bringing to store shelves soon.

Conveniently enough, the upcoming release of Xenoblade Chronicles X was perfectly timed for this purpose. If you aren’t already aware, it’s all about what happens to humanity when Earth is destroyed, exploding in a massive flash of light – and the few survivors of the blast are forced to flee into space to search for an all-new homeworld for humankind. They find it in the vast, wildly alien world of Mira, and a grand exploration of this new frontier begins.

Xenoblade Chronicles X takes the honor of being our cover game this time around, and also claims one of the two side of the included wall poster for print edition subscribers. On the flipside of the poster, meanwhile, is Nintendo’s other upcoming outer space-y game: Star Fox Zero! Its impending launch inspired us to look back on the history of Star Fox in our Retro section this time around, including a piece that puts the spotlight on the long-lost, never-released sequel, Star Fox 2.

We even partnered with popular YouTuber Beta64 to produce a video on the subject! (Well, he did all the work. We just asked him to do it and interviewed him for this issue.) Visit YouTube and search for "Beta64" to track it down and watch it!

NF Magazine - Made by the Nintendo Force! Description:

Nintendo Power got unplugged. It was the original source of news, previews and reviews of the Nintendo video game scene, published continuously since the '80s until being unceremoniously shut down in December 2012 – but its legacy didn't die. A new team of writers, artists and designers took up its torch. Calling ourselves "The Nintendo Force," we've ushered in a new era of Nintendo coverage in magazine form, paying homage to Power's past while moving forward to embrace the future. So join us! Join the Force of Nintendo fans. NP is no more, but NF is its next chapter!