PC Zone Magazine – September 2005 – Issue 158 – Peter Jackson's King Kong

Name: PC Zone Magazine September 2005 Issue 158 King Kong Oblivion Hitman SKU 1572
Brand: pc zone
SKU: 1572-02-26102026
Price: 6.95 GBP
Availability: InStock

Original UK PC Zone gaming magazine from September 2005, Issue 158, featuring Peter Jackson's King Kong, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Hitman: Blood Money, Serious Sam 2, Pro Evolution Soccer 5, Warcraft Battlegrounds and Tomb Raider: Legend.

An interesting original gaming publication from the mid-2000s, featuring previews, reviews, gaming news, hardware coverage and a special feature celebrating cooperative multiplayer games.

Published by Future Publishing, this issue captures an important period in PC gaming history, when major franchises were preparing to launch new titles and developers were pushing increasingly ambitious graphics, artificial intelligence and multiplayer experiences.

IMPORTANT: This listing is for the original printed magazine only. Any original cover-mounted discs, promotional software, supplements, free gifts or other additional items are no longer included.

Magazine Details

Magazine: PC Zone
Issue Number: 158
Publication Date: September 2005
Publisher: Future Publishing
Country: United Kingdom
Language: English
Original Cover Price: £5.99
Category: PC Gaming / Video Games / Computing
Format: Original printed magazine
Condition: Pre-owned, with visible signs of age and handling
SKU: 1572

Front Cover – Peter Jackson's King Kong

The front cover is dominated by a dramatic illustration of King Kong, promoting the forthcoming video game adaptation associated with Peter Jackson's 2005 film.

The artwork features a large, roaring gorilla positioned against a fiery orange background, with a second prehistoric creature visible in the foreground.

The composition uses dramatic lighting, detailed fur textures and bold orange and black colouring to create an action-packed design.

Across the upper section is the familiar PC Zone masthead, printed in large black lettering with yellow outlines.

The main headline reads:

"Peter Jackson's King Kong – The first truly great movie game?"

This issue was published before the game's release, making it particularly interesting for collectors of King Kong memorabilia, Ubisoft gaming history and early promotional coverage.

The front cover also prominently advertises:

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Hitman: Blood Money
Warcraft Battlegrounds
Serious Sam 2
Pro Evolution Soccer 5
Tomb Raider: Legend
Earth 2160

A yellow promotional panel advertises a special feature on cooperative gaming.

Major Cover Feature – Peter Jackson's King Kong

Page 40 – Peter Jackson's King Kong

The magazine includes a major preview of the forthcoming King Kong video game.

The contents page features a large gameplay image showing prehistoric creatures in a jungle environment, with a human character appearing in the foreground.

The preview is promoted as an exciting look at the game ahead of release.

Developed by Ubisoft Montpellier and associated with the 2005 film, the game combined first-person human survival sequences with third-person action featuring Kong.

The game became notable for its cinematic presentation, atmospheric environments and close relationship with the film's production.

For collectors, this original September 2005 preview provides an interesting contemporary look at the game's development and pre-release publicity.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Page 48 – The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

One of the issue's most significant features is its preview of Bethesda's forthcoming fantasy role-playing game.

The cover describes Oblivion as one of the most anticipated RPGs of 2005.

The contents page features a screenshot showing a lush outdoor fantasy environment, including trees, vegetation and distant architectural structures.

The accompanying preview was published before Oblivion's eventual release in March 2006.

The game would become one of the most influential fantasy RPGs of its generation, known for its expansive open world, character customisation, quests and exploration.

This makes the magazine particularly relevant to collectors of The Elder Scrolls series and Bethesda gaming publications.

Hitman: Blood Money

Page 54 – Hitman: Blood Money

The magazine includes a preview of IO Interactive's forthcoming stealth-action game.

The contents page features an action screenshot showing a confrontation between characters inside a building.

Hitman: Blood Money follows the professional assassin Agent 47 and became particularly notable for its open-ended mission design, disguises and multiple approaches to completing objectives.

This preview offers a contemporary look at the game before its 2006 release.

Serious Sam 2

Page 52 – Serious Sam 2

The magazine features coverage of Croteam's colourful first-person shooter sequel.

The contents listing highlights the game's emphasis on fast-paced action.

Serious Sam 2 was known for its large enemy encounters, exaggerated weapons, humour and distinctive visual style.

Additional Game Previews

The contents page confirms several other previews.

Get Legendary – Page 46

A feature covering the forthcoming FPS game Legendary.

Rise & Fall: Civilizations at War – Page 58

Coverage of the historical action-strategy title.

Total Overdose – Page 61

A preview of the third-person action game set in a stylised Mexican crime environment.

Fahrenheit – Page 62

Coverage of Quantic Dream's cinematic adventure game, also known as Indigo Prophecy in North America.

Starship Troopers – Page 66

A preview of the science-fiction first-person shooter based on the Starship Troopers franchise.

Bet on Soldier – Page 68

Coverage of the military-themed first-person shooter.

Pro Evolution Soccer 5

Page 10 – Pro Evolution Soccer 5

The contents page features a prominent screenshot from Konami's football simulation.

The image shows an in-game football match with players competing for the ball near the penalty area.

Pro Evolution Soccer 5 became a well-regarded entry in Konami's football series.

This issue captures the game's pre-release publicity during a period of strong competition between Pro Evolution Soccer and FIFA.

Cooperative Gaming Special

Page 34 – The Z-Team

A major feature of the issue is a special article celebrating cooperative multiplayer gaming.

The front cover advertises:

"Friends Reunited – The co-op games you HAVE to play!"

The contents page identifies the feature as The Z-Team, with a dedicated section examining cooperative gaming.

The artwork includes a stylised black vehicle and the magazine's distinctive Z-Team branding.

This feature is especially interesting as cooperative gaming became increasingly important to PC players during the 2000s.

The article provides a period perspective on games designed around teamwork, shared objectives and multiplayer cooperation.

Additional Game Reviews

The contents page lists an extensive collection of PC game reviews.

Earth 2160 – Page 72

A review of the science-fiction real-time strategy game.

Cricket 2005 – Page 76

Coverage of EA Sports' cricket simulation.

Brian Lara International Cricket 2005 – Page 77

A review of Codemasters' cricket game.

Worms 4: Mayhem – Page 78

Coverage of Team17's turn-based strategy game.

Falcon 4.0: Allied Force – Page 80

A review of the detailed military flight simulator.

7 Sins – Page 82

Coverage of the life simulation game.

RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Soaked! – Page 84

A review of the water park-themed expansion for RollerCoaster Tycoon 3.

Chaos League: Sudden Death – Page 86

Coverage of the fantasy sports strategy game.

Aurora Watching – Page 88

A review of the action-adventure title.

Big Mutha Truckers 2: Truck Me Harder – Page 89

Coverage of the truck-driving game.

NHL Eastside Hockey Manager 2005 – Page 90

A review of the ice hockey management simulation.

Yeti Sports Arctic Adventure – Page 90

Coverage of the Yeti Sports game.

The magazine also includes its regular Indie Zone and Replay sections.

Online Gaming and Community Coverage

The contents pages show extensive online gaming coverage, reflecting the growing importance of multiplayer PC gaming in 2005.

Original Back Cover Advertisement

The back cover features a full-page advertisement for 1&1 Hosting.

The advertisement promotes a web hosting package and features a large blue background, hosting software imagery and a prominent yellow starburst advertising a free software offer.

The design is typical of mid-2000s internet advertising, when personal websites, online hosting and broadband services were becoming increasingly popular.

The original advertisement remains clearly visible and adds to the magazine's period character.

Condition Report – Please Read Carefully

Condition: Pre-owned, with visible age-related wear and handling marks.

The magazine is approximately two decades old and should not be considered new or mint.

Front Cover

The front cover remains present and the King Kong artwork is clearly visible.

Visible imperfections include:

Surface scuffing and rubbing.
Light scratches and handling marks.
Creasing and slight bending around the cover.
Wear along the upper and lower edges.
Corner wear, particularly around the bottom-right corner.
Minor wear around the spine.
Small marks and surface imperfections across the printed artwork.
Some light edge curling.

There is a noticeable small crease or worn area near the top edge around the publication date.

The main cover illustration and text remain legible.

Spine and Binding

The spine is present and retains the PC Zone issue identification.

The side-view photograph shows minor rubbing and wear along the spine and its ends.

The magazine appears to retain its general shape, although some bending and handling wear are visible.

The photographed pages remain attached.

The binding has not been checked page by page.

Interior Pages

The photographed contents pages remain colourful and readable.

Visible condition details include:

Slight page curvature.
Light handling wear.
Minor edge and corner wear.
Some surface rubbing and light marks.
Natural bending around the central fold.

No major tears are apparent in the photographed interior pages.

The original gaming screenshots, artwork and editorial text remain clearly visible.

Back Cover

The 1&1 Hosting advertisement remains present.

Visible imperfections include:

Light surface rubbing.
Minor scratches and handling marks.
Slight corner wear.
Some edge wear.
Minor bending and curvature.

The advertisement remains legible.

Overall Condition

A presentable original PC gaming magazine with visible signs of previous ownership, handling and storage.

The magazine retains its distinctive King Kong cover artwork and photographed interior contents.

It is suitable for someone collecting original gaming magazines, PC Zone back issues or mid-2000s video game memorabilia.

Please study all supplied photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.

The entire magazine has not been individually checked page by page, so complete contents cannot be guaranteed.

Important – Original Extras Not Included

MAGAZINE ONLY – NO ORIGINAL COVER-MOUNTED EXTRAS INCLUDED.

Any CDs, DVDs, demo discs, promotional software, inserts, supplements, vouchers, free gifts or other detachable items that may originally have accompanied this issue are no longer included.

The sale is for the original printed magazine shown in the photographs only.

No games, activation codes or software licences are included.

Packaging and Postage

UK Orders

The magazine will be carefully packaged and dispatched in a protective hardback envelope to help reduce the risk of bending and damage during transit.

International Orders

International orders will be packaged in a sturdy cardboard mailing-size box for additional protection during shipping.

The photographs show the actual magazine being offered for sale.

Please review the photographs and condition information before purchasing.

SKU: 1572

Country/region

PC Zone Magazine September 2005 Issue 158 King Kong Oblivion Hitman SKU 1572