Final issue of Nintendo Power pays homage to origin

The final issue of Nintendo Power will be delivered to readers next month, but it has leaked ahead of its official arrival. The cover (via Kotaku) pays homage to the magazine's first issue, and is a recreation of the clay-themed design that started it all.

The 1988 debut Nintendo Power issue featured Super Mario 2 on its cover, and the 2012 issue is in a similar vein, offering a 20-page spread on New Super Mario Bros. U for Wii U.

It was announced in August that Nintendo Power would shut down for good following its December issue after being continuously published since 1988. According to a report, Nintendo was not interested in renewing its contract with publisher Future or participating in a range of "digital initiatives that Future saw as necessary for the long-term health of the brand."

Gaming magazines have shut down in spades recently. In addition to Nintendo Power, PSM3, Xbox World, PlayStation: The Official Magazine, and GamePro are all planning to shut down or have already ceased publication.