Former Mean Machines Team Revives Classic Gaming Spirit for Supercell's Squad Busters with Super Cellphone Gamer Magazine

Super Cellphone Gamer: The Mean Machines Legacy Returns to Promote Supercell’s Squad Busters Gamers who grew up in the 1990s will remember the excitement of picking up EMAP’s iconic Mean Machines magazine.

Originally launched in 1990 as a console-focused segment within Computer and Video Games (CVG) magazine, Mean Machines quickly became a standalone staple for a generation of UK gamers, routinely selling hundreds of thousands of copies throughout its 24-issue run.

The publication’s influence even led to the birth of the Nintendo Magazine System and Mean Machines Sega, cementing its legacy in gaming journalism. Now, members of the original Mean Machines editorial team have reunited to channel that same spirit into a new project: Super Cellphone Gamer, an innovative online and limited-edition print magazine.

Produced in partnership with Supercell—the mobile gaming powerhouse behind Clash of Clans and Clash Royale—and Sega, this new venture is designed to promote Supercell’s latest mobile title, Squad Busters, which is available now on iOS and Android. Among the gaming journalism veterans involved in the creation of Super Cellphone Gamer are Gary Harrod, Paul Davies, Paul Glancey, Julian "Jaz" Rignall, and Eddy "Radion Automatic" Lawrence.

Rignall, who served as the launch editor for Mean Machines, is once again bringing his trademark wit to the project, reprising his famed "Mean Yob" persona in a feature humorously titled "Barbarian Jaz." Super Cellphone Gamer is more than just a nostalgia trip.

The publication offers a variety of content, including gameplay tips, mini-reviews, and feature articles.

It also contains a section devoted to Sega’s legendary mascot, Sonic the Hedgehog, who not only appears in Squad Busters but stars in his own upcoming mobile title, Sonic Rumble.

The combination of these beloved franchises and prominent editorial talent underscores the magazine’s goal to celebrate the enduring evolution of mobile gaming. Though the physical print version of Super Cellphone Gamer is being released in very limited quantities mainly for promotional purposes, the digital magazine is easily accessible to mobile gamers and fans of classic gaming journalism alike.

The collaboration between Supercell, Sega, and the former Mean Machines staff stands as both a testament to the lasting influence of print gaming media and evidence of mobile gaming’s growing prominence in the industry. As Squad Busters continues to build momentum on the App Store and Google Play, Supercell’s approach—melding mobile game promotion with engaging editorial content by industry legends—speaks to the company’s innovative marketing strategies.

With the involvement of such revered names in gaming journalism as Jaz Rignall and his colleagues, Super Cellphone Gamer succeeds in bridging generations, bringing the magic of Mean Machines to a whole new audience while honoring its legacy.

Sega Xbox Series X|S Android iOS mobile Mean Machines Supercell Squad Busters EMAP Nintendo Magazine System Super Cellphone Gamer Jaz Rignall Gary Harrod Paul Davies Paul Glancey Radion Automatic Sonic Rumble