Even non-news magazines joined in. Architectural Digest featured Hong Kong’s colonial and modern architecture. National Geographic ran a striking photo essay on Hong Kong’s people and ports. Fortune and The Economist ranked Hong Kong’s economic future as a “top” story for global investors — with Fortune ’s infamous “The Death of Hong Kong” cover (1995) still being debated in 1997 issues.
The first issue of Game Urara featured a small blurb and screenshot of the game—which stands as the only known print advertisement for Hong Kong 97 . Because original copies of the magazine and the physical game cartridges are incredibly rare, that specific magazine page has taken on a mythic status among internet archivists and video game collectors. The Legacy of the "Worst Game Ever Made" hong kong 97 magazine top
With the market proven by the "Four Founders," new titles flooded in during the 1990s. Hong Kong 97 was part of this second wave, competing alongside titles like: Even non-news magazines joined in
The reality is nuanced. Hong Kong 97 was not a mainstream release. Developed by the obscure company HappySoft (also known for the Tenshi no Uta series), the game was a satirical (or perhaps offensive) take on the impending handover of Hong Kong from British to Chinese rule in 1997. You play as a journalist hunting down "Triads" against a static photo background. Fortune and The Economist ranked Hong Kong’s economic
Beyond serious geopolitics, Hong Kong's internal media landscape was hyper-stylized and highly competitive. The term "Hong Kong 97 magazine top" often leads vintage collectors to the region's localized lifestyle and adult-oriented publications that peaked in popularity during the mid-to-late 90s. 1. Esquire Hong Kong (April 1997)
: This short-lived Japanese magazine is recognized as the primary source for the game's original print advertisements. An ad in this magazine famously acknowledged the game's own poor quality, calling it "dreadful" and "incomprehensible".
Despite its notorious reputation, Hong Kong 97 left a lasting impact on the city's media landscape. The magazine's innovative approach to publishing, which emphasized humor, irreverence, and a touch of cynicism, paved the way for future generations of writers and editors.