BRITAIN'S BIGGEST RETRO MAG
ISSUE 001 ■ AUGUST 1986
NEON PULSE
"The Definitive Guide to the Decade That Dared"
MONTHLY ■ 95p
THIS ISSUE'S BIG READ
SYNTH GODS & DRUM MACHINES
The electric guitar is dead. Long live the synthesizer. How silicon chips, MIDI cables, and programmable drum machines have completely conquered the UK charts, dethroning traditional rock and redefining the sound of a generation. We explore the rise of the machines, from the pioneering days of Kraftwerk to the chart-topping dominance of New Order, Pet Shop Boys, and the synth-pop explosion.
The Roland Jupiter-8 — the sound of the decade.
GAMING
INSERT COIN: ARCADE TOP 10
The cabinets draining your pocket money this summer, ranked. From the blistering speed of Out Run to the frantic platforming of Bubble Bobble, we count down the absolute best coin-op experiences currently dominating the arcades across the nation.
STYLE
POWER DRESSING & PASTELS
Miami Vice, shoulder pads, and the neon revolution on the high street. We dive into the boldest fashion trends of the year, showing you how to capture that effortlessly cool pastel look without breaking the bank.
TECH
ZX SPECTRUM vs COMMODORE 64
The home micro war that's dividing playgrounds across Britain. Which system reigns supreme? We pit Sinclair's rubber-keyed wonder against Commodore's beige behemoth in the ultimate 8-bit showdown to settle the score once and for all.
PLUS
READER LETTERS ■ REVIEWS ■ WIN!
A Commodore 64 and 20 games to be won inside.
MUSIC
DEPECHE MODE EXCLUSIVE
We go inside the studio with the Basildon boys as they record their darkest album yet. Exclusive interviews with Dave Gahan and Martin Gore reveal the creative tensions and groundbreaking sampling techniques behind their highly anticipated new sound.
02
GAMING
OUT RUN IS HERE
Sega's Super Scaler masterpiece reviewed in full. We take the wheel of the Ferrari Testarossa for a sun-drenched spin through the most visually stunning racing game ever created. Does the gameplay match the breathtaking graphics?
03
STYLE
THE MIAMI VICE EFFECT
How one TV show changed the way Britain dresses. From rolled-up blazer sleeves to wearing t-shirts under designer suits, we explore the phenomenal cultural impact of Crockett and Tubbs on modern menswear.
04
WIN!
C64 + 20 GAMES
The biggest competition in Neon Pulse history. We're giving away a brand new Commodore 64 complete with a joystick and a bundle of 20 classic games. Turn to page 04 to find out how you can enter and win this incredible prize!
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