15 Magazines We Used to Collect
Back in the day, magazine collecting was serious business. Kids would hoard their allowance money for the latest issue, adults would carefully stack issues in closets, and everyone had that one magazine they absolutely couldn’t throw away. Whether it was the glossy photos, the exclusive interviews, or just the thrill of completing a collection, magazines held a special place in our hearts.
Remember when getting the mail was actually exciting? Here’s a list of 15 magazines that turned us all into collectors, whether we meant to or not.
Nintendo Power
Nintendo Power was basically the holy grail for any kid with a Game Boy or NES system. This magazine didn’t just cover games—it included detailed maps, cheat codes, and those fold-out posters that immediately went up on bedroom walls.
The magazine ran from 1988 to 2012, and early issues in excellent condition can fetch serious money today, especially Vol. 1 with the Super Mario Bros. 2 cover.
Tiger Beat
Tiger Beat was the ultimate teen magazine for crushing on celebrities. Every issue was packed with glossy photos of heartthrobs, and those centerfold posters were currency in middle school hallways.
The magazine launched in 1965 and became legendary for featuring everyone from David Cassidy to Jonathan Taylor Thomas, continuing into the 2010s though with much less cultural impact than its heyday.
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National Geographic
National Geographic was the magazine that made geography cool before the Discovery Channel existed. Those iconic yellow borders housed some of the most stunning photography ever printed, and families would stack them up for decades.
The magazine’s been around since 1888, and vintage issues with famous covers like the Afghan girl with green eyes remain highly collectible.
MAD Magazine
MAD Magazine was pure comedic genius wrapped in satire that parents didn’t always appreciate. Alfred E. Neuman’s gap-toothed grin became instantly recognizable, and the magazine’s parodies of movies, TV shows, and politicians were brilliant.
Running from 1952 to 2018 in print, new content ceased in 2019 when post-2018 issues became mostly reprints of classic material, making original issues highly collectible.
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated captured the biggest moments in sports history, and those covers became iconic pieces of Americana. The magazine was famous for its stunning photography and in-depth reporting, plus those special issues with trading cards inserted made them even more collectible.
First published in 1954, vintage issues featuring legendary athletes or historic games command top dollar.
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Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone was the music magazine that defined cool for generations of rock fans. The magazine featured incredible interviews with music legends and those glossy covers were pure art.
From its launch in 1967, Rolling Stone documented music history as it happened, making early issues with Beatles or Bob Dylan covers extremely valuable to collectors.
Disney Adventures
Disney Adventures was like having a monthly ticket to the Magic Kingdom delivered to your mailbox. The magazine mixed Disney content with pop culture, comics, and celebrity interviews that appealed to kids and teens alike.
Published from 1990 to 2007, it featured original comics and special inserts that made each issue feel like a treasure hunt.
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Electronic Gaming Monthly was the gamer’s bible before the internet took over game reviews. EGM featured multi-reviewer scores, exclusive previews, and those April Fool’s jokes that fooled everyone.
The magazine ran from 1989 to 2009, briefly resumed from 2010 to 2015, then went online-only, making original print issues prized by gaming collectors.
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Seventeen
Seventeen magazine was the training ground for future Cosmopolitan readers, teaching teens about fashion, beauty, and celebrity culture. Every issue promised to solve your biggest problems and make you instantly cooler.
Since starting in 1944, Seventeen created countless collectors who saved every issue throughout their teen years.
Highlights
Highlights was the magazine that made doctor’s office visits bearable for kids everywhere. Those ‘Hidden Pictures’ puzzles and Goofus and Gallant stories entertained millions of children while they waited.
Published since 1946, vintage issues remind adults of simpler times when finding a hidden banana in a drawing was the height of entertainment.
Famous Monsters of Filmland
Famous Monsters of Filmland was the horror magazine that made being scared incredibly cool. The magazine featured behind-the-scenes looks at classic monster movies with makeup tips and special effects secrets.
Originally running from 1958 to 1983, it had several revival runs over the years, creating generations of horror fans and remaining highly collectible among genre enthusiasts.
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YM
YM (which stood for ‘Young Miss’ then ‘Young and Modern’) was Seventeen’s edgier cousin that wasn’t afraid to tackle tougher topics. The magazine had a more progressive voice and featured alternative music alongside mainstream pop culture.
Published from 1932 to 2004, YM issues from the grunge era are particularly sought after by collectors.
GamePro
GamePro was the colorful gaming magazine that made reading about video games feel like playing them. The magazine was famous for its cartoon mascots and detailed strategy guides that helped gamers beat impossible levels.
From 1989 to 2011, GamePro built a loyal following, and issues with exclusive game guides or rare cover art remain popular with retro gaming fans.
Ranger Rick
Ranger Rick made learning about nature feel like going on an adventure with your coolest park ranger friend. The magazine combined stunning wildlife photography with educational content that never felt like homework.
Published by the National Wildlife Federation since 1967, vintage issues with their beautiful animal photography appeal to both nostalgia seekers and nature lovers.
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Sassy
Sassy was the magazine that talked to teenage girls like they actually had brains. Unlike other teen publications, Sassy tackled real issues with humor and intelligence, becoming a cult favorite among smart young women.
Though it only ran from 1988 to 1994, Sassy’s influence on teen media was enormous, making original issues incredibly valuable to collectors who remember its unique voice.
When Magazines Ruled the World
These magazines didn’t just inform us—they shaped entire generations. Before social media feeds and YouTube channels, magazines were our windows into different worlds, our style guides, and our entertainment.
Today, as physical media makes a comeback, these vintage publications remind us of a time when waiting a month for new content made it that much more special. The magazines we collected tell the story of who we were and what mattered to us, one glossy page at a time.
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