Classic early nineties multi-format console gaming magazine. Published by EMAP. Staffed by Jaz Rignall, Rich Leadbetter, Radion Automatic, Oz Browne, Gus Swan, Paul Davies, Gary Harrod and countless other quality journos. Metamorphosed into a number of other mags over the course of the decade.

Notable for the letters column Mean Yob, the Q&A section which would actually offer decent opinions and comparisons between games (whereas most of games mags in those days had to use lots of hyperbole, especially for big name reviews and previews), and towards the end, a fantastic feature Cash for Photos where a lengthy list of dangerous and embarrassing activities were listed each month along with cash prizes. This was utterly hilarious, and probably caused rather a lot of complaints (some of the 'dares' being a bit extreme to say the least).

Mean Machines' humour was one of the main reasons to buy the mag: they regularly lampooned their rivals and ran obscure gags (such as Mind the Oranges Marlon, Some Robots Fighting, Yesterday and Game Action Ahoy In This Action Packed Screenshot!).