Power Unlimited (often abbreviated as PU) is a Dutch semi‑quarterly video‑game magazine that provides news, background information, and criticism about video games. It is published in the Netherlands and Belgium and is written in Dutch.
History
The magazine was launched in June 1993 as a new label of the publishing house Verenigde Nederlandse Uitgeverijen (VNU). The first issue appeared in July 1993, produced initially in the living room of freelance editor Bjørn Bruinsma, who wrote most of the content for the debut issue and handled production, advertising, and negotiations with game importers. After six months the staff moved into a VNU office, and an editor‑in‑chief (Edwin Ammerlaan) and executive editor (Ed Wiggemans) were appointed.
In the following years Power Unlimited grew to become the largest video‑game magazine in the Benelux region. It expanded its activities by co‑organising the Gameplay events at the Hobby Computer Club’s HCC Days and, from 2003, by hosting the television programme Gamekings (later a web show). The magazine also introduced the annual Power Unlimited Game Awards, which were co‑branded with the music channel TMF in 2005‑06.
From November 2007 the title was published by HUB Uitgevers after the latter acquired the rights following VNU’s absorption into Nielsen Holdings. HUB Uitgevers filed for bankruptcy in August 2013; the following month the magazine was taken over by the newly formed Reshift Digital. In January 2017 editor Jan Meijroos stepped down. Power Unlimited fielded an esports team, “Team Power Unlimited”, for the 2017‑18 season, competing in Rocket League.
In 2023 the magazine celebrated its 30th anniversary with special issues, a commemorative book on three decades of video‑game history, and an exhibition at the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision. In January 2026 the Power Unlimited brand was sold to a Maltese gambling company; Reshift Digital retained a licence to continue publishing the physical magazine, while the new owner assumed control of the website.
Publication details
- Frequency: Semi‑quarterly (eight issues per year as of 2025)
- Circulation: 23 563 copies (Q1 2014)
- Publishers: VNU (1993–2007), HUB Uitgevers (2007–2013), Reshift Digital (2013–present)
- ISSN: 0929‑760X
- Headquarters: Haarlem, Netherlands
Content and editorial stance
Each issue contains news items, reviews, feature articles, a comic strip, and a reader mailbox. Game reviews are scored on a 0‑100 scale; over the magazine’s history more than 4 500 games have been reviewed, with 23 receiving a perfect 100. The magazine’s tone is straightforward and humorous, targeting teenage male gamers aged roughly 12‑20.
Editorial team (selected recent members)
- Simon Zijlemans – editor‑in‑chief (since 2024)
- Ed Wiggemans – executive editor
- Wouter Ferdinand Brugge, Jan‑Johan “JJ” Belderok, Florian Houtkamp, Jurjen Tiersma, Willem “Graddus” van der Meulen, Samuel Hubner, Casado, Tjeerd Lindeboom – editorial staff
Reception and influence
Power Unlimited is regarded as the most prominent gaming magazine in the Benelux, noted for its extensive coverage of both mainstream and niche titles and for its role in fostering Dutch gaming culture through events, awards, and media productions.
References
- “Power Unlimited.” Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
- Reshift Digital press releases (2023‑2026).
- Dutch media reports on the magazine’s anniversaries and ownership changes.