Overview

Premiere Issue Packaging

PlayStation Underground was a CD magazine for the PlayStation. Subscribers received quarterly issues that consisted of two discs (except the final issue). The first issue was released in Spring 1997. At that time, Underground was a unique, revolutionary product in the world of gaming. Never before had gamers had access to this type of content.

Each issue was divided into many sections. Here are the sections that appeared most often in the issues:

Alphas - Exclusive first looks at upcoming games.

- Exclusive first looks at upcoming games. Behind the Scenes - An inside look at PlayStation events, developer studios, commercial shoots, etc.

- An inside look at PlayStation events, developer studios, commercial shoots, etc. Bulletins - Info about the mag itself including Speak Your Mind (fan interaction), PlayStation Online news, Contests, Fan Art, Underwear/Threadz (merchandise), Next Transmission (subscription info), Hidden Codes from previous issues, Credits, and Fine Print.

Info about the mag itself including Speak Your Mind (fan interaction), PlayStation Online news, Contests, Fan Art, Underwear/Threadz (merchandise), Next Transmission (subscription info), Hidden Codes from previous issues, Credits, and Fine Print. Code Book - An encyclopedia of codes for tons of PlayStation titles.

- An encyclopedia of codes for tons of PlayStation titles. Cool Moves - Members of the Tip Team go through walkthroughs and strategies for the most popular games.

- Members of the Tip Team go through walkthroughs and strategies for the most popular games. Debriefing - Interviews with industry pros.

- Interviews with industry pros. Download Station - Access to save files that you can download straight to your own memory card.

- Access to save files that you can download straight to your own memory card. Event Center - Documentary footage of the industry biggest events like E3, Tokyo Game Show, Game Developers Conference, and more.

- Documentary footage of the industry biggest events like E3, Tokyo Game Show, Game Developers Conference, and more. Imports - Demos from Japan and/or Europe.

- Demos from Japan and/or Europe. R&D - Presentations on new PlayStation hardware/accessories, Net Yaroze, playabe Yaroze games, Project Wormhole, and CG Design.

- Presentations on new PlayStation hardware/accessories, Net Yaroze, playabe Yaroze games, Project Wormhole, and CG Design. Tech Q&A - Answers to commonly asked questions in the world of PlayStation.

- Answers to commonly asked questions in the world of PlayStation. The Vault - Playable demos.

Playable demos. Hidden Content - Each issue had various Easter Eggs hidden throughout the sections including codes, movies, demos, etc.

Discontinued

PlayStation Underground merged with Official PlayStation Magazine in Summer 2001. The PlayStation Underground brand lived on as a free portion of Sony's official PlayStation website where they run many contests, offer special deals to members, publish newsletters for many PlayStation products, and was home to the Retail Loyalty Site before being completely phased out nearly ten years later.

Issue 1

Issue #1 - Front Cover

The premiere issue of PlayStation Underground was sent to anyone who registered their PlayStation via the card included in the system's box and arrived in the Spring of 1997. The opening sequence features a CG cutscene of characters starting up a satellite transmission that will beam the Underground content to the new subscribers. The main menu consisted of a stone portal of some kind that opened up to reveal the icons for each section of the issue as the user scrolled through them.

Disc 1

Main Menu

The Vault

Imports

Tech Q&A

"Why are PlayStation CD's black?"

"How are games tested and bugs caught?"

Debriefing - Dave Jaffe

Debriefing

Dave Jaffe interview about the development of Twisted Metal 2.

Behind the Scenes

Twisted Metal 2 commercial

NFL GameDay '97 commercial

Download Station

Carnage Heart - Unlocks 25 OKE's

Event Center

E3 1996 - Time-lapse photography of Sony's booth.

Event Center

Code Book

Codes for 24 games.

Bulletins

Fan art submissions

Subscriber comments

Merchandise

Credits

Fine print

Disc 2

In Stores Now

In Stores Now

Coming Soon

Hidden Content

Issue 2

Issue #2 - Front Cover

The second issue was split with one disc for Underground and the second disc featuring products from Squaresoft. Many retailers including Babbage's, Software Etc., and Electronics Boutique offered this issue as a pre-order bonus for reserving/pre-ordering Final Fantasy VII.

The opening sequence of the Underground disc features out-takes from the infamous "PlayStation $149" commercial that featured an elderly British couple. Despite only having one disc to work with, the PlayStation Underground team still crammed so much content into the issue that the Final Fantasy VII and Bushido Blade demos felt like a bonus.

Underground Disc

Main Menu

The Vault

Imports

Debriefing

Debriefing with Hironobu Sakaguchi

Behind the Scenes

Dave Bamberger and Seth Luisi discuss the rising popularity of RPG's in America.

Event Center

Download Station

Soul Edge - Unlocks Boss & 1 Extra Weapon

Rage Racer - Unlocks Extra First Class Car

Cool Boarders - Unlocks Snowman

R&D

Interviews covering the Net Yaroze project plus two playable demos.

Funky Beans (demo)

The Appointed Station (demo)

R&D - Net Yaroze

Tech Q&A

"How is a PlayStation character created?"

"Why did PlayStation choose CD's over cartridges?"

Code Archive

Codes for 36 different games.

Bulletins

Official Underground website info

Issue 1's Hidden Codes

"UnderWear" merchandise

How to submit comments

"WIN BIG!!!" Contest

Credits featuring the UG Candidcam

Fine Print

Squaresoft Disc

Disc 2 Menu

Demos

Videos

Hidden Content

Issue 3

Issue #3 Front Cover

The third issue starts with another CG cutscene. This time it features an Area 51-type warehouse where two FBI-type guys enter to find a UFO. One of them seems surprised to see it, while the other generally ignores it in favor of something even more top secret. Locked away in its own super secure room is the third issue of PlayStation Underground.

The main menu of issue 3 is basically the same as the one found in issue 2 with some color tweaks. This issue is best known for its video footage from that Summer's E3 in Atlanta, which is something that wasn't typically available at the time (1997).

Disc 1

Debriefing - Buzz Burrowes

The Vault

Debriefing

Interview with Buzz Burrowes, Chief Audio Engineer at Sony Interactive.

Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes - Phil Hartman

Event Center

E3 Roundup - Documentary of E3 1997 focusing on Underground members Brad Lynch and Christopher Gordon

Documentary of E3 1997 focusing on Underground members Brad Lynch and Christopher Gordon Road Trip to Japan - Documentary on the Tokyo Game Show Spring '98

Download Station

Ogre Battle - Unlocks the best ending.

Dynasty Warriors - Unlocks Nobunaga.

R&D

Tech Q&A

"How are those black PlayStation CD's made?"

Event Center - E3 1997 Brad Lynch & Christopher Gordon

Code Archive

Codes for 35 games.

Bulletins

Underground Online news

Issue 2's hidden codes

Wearhouse merchandise

Speak Your Mind

Win BIG Contest

Subscription info

Credits featuring the UG Candidcam

Disc 2

Disc 2 - Main Menu

Demos

Videos

Nobuo Uematsu

Hidden Content

Where What How The Vault Machine Hunter codes Square, Triangle, Circle, Square Event Center PlayStation Birthday Cake Circle, Triangle, Circle x2, Square Code Archive Helene Sheeler photo Circle, Square, Triangle, Circle Disc 2 Blasto preview video L1+L2+R1+R2 Disc 2 Music video from Apollo 440, "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Dub" Triangle, Circle, Triangle x2, Square x2 Disc 2 Spawn: The Eternal trailer Triangle, Circle, Triangle, Circle Disc 2 Crash Bandicoot 2 trailer Circle, Triangle, Square, Circle

Issue 4

Issue #4 Front Cover

The fourth issue arrived during January 1998 and included 3D glasses to use while going through the packaging. The issue starts up with a CG cutscene featuring Santa Claus coming down the chimney to deliver presents to a random family. After dropping off some gifts, one of the boxes begins to move. Santa checks it out by opening it and gets sucked into a present that leads to Underground.

The main menu of issue 4 was the same as the previous two thematically, but this time everything was covered in snow. In this issue, and for all issues following, The Vault was moved to Disc 2 so that all demos would be on one disc and in the same place.

Disc 1

Todd McFarlane

Debriefing

Interview with Todd McFarlane about everything related to Spawn.

Behind the Scenes

Event Center

ComicCon '97 - PlayStation Underground had a booth and showed several new games including Spawn: The Eternal.

PlayStation Truck - A 20 wheel big rig that expands into a PlayStation convention anywhere it goes. The feature includes interviews with the truck's crew, Michael "Jolly" Cole and Shane Hicke.

Jason Rubin

Download Station

R&D

More demos of Net Yaroze games

Event Center

Tech Q&A

Several employees from Sony, including Mike Giam and Jessica Harrison, talk about how to break into the games industry.

Code Archive

Codes for 40 different games.

Imports

Bulletins

Bulletins

Underground Online info

Issue 3's Hidden Codes

Threadz merchandise

Speak Your Mind

Sweepstakes winners

Subscription Info

Credits featuring the UG Candidcam

Fine Print

Disc 2

The Vault

The Vault

Hidden Content

The Best of Year One

Best of Year 1 Front Cover

This special one disc edition of PlayStation Underground is not an actual issue. This disc was given to attendees at E3 1998 to give them a taste of what the CD mag was all about. The intro to this issue is the MST3K video from Issue 2.1 followed by a promo for selling the mag to new viewers. While the title says it's the best of Year 1, much of the disc is actually from Issue 2.1.

The Vault

Debriefing

Interview with Kaz Hirai (Issue 2.1)

Behind the Scenes

The Making of Blasto (Issue 3)

MST3K makes fun of the opening videos from Issues 1-4

Event Center

PlayStation Truck (Issue 4)

Download Station

R&D

Intro to Software Development Project (Issue 2.1)

Code Archive

Codes for 48 games.

Imports

Tamagotchi (Issue 2.2)

Issue 2.1

Issue 2.1 Front Cover

The first issue of Volume 2 begins with the guys from Mystery Science Theater 3000 making fun of the four previous intro videos. Mike, Crow, and Tom Servo make MST3K fans proud by ripping on everything, especially the elderly couple in the "PlayStation $149" commercial.

The second volume came with revamp of the main menu. Now set in some sort of sci-fi facility, this issue had a distinct focus on Japan with a tour of Polyphony Digital, interviews about localization, and two titles in the Imports section.

Disc 1

Issue 2.1 - Main Menu

Debriefing

Interview with Kaz Hirai, President of SCEA.

Behind the Scenes

Download Station

Ghost in the Shell - Unlocks 8 of 17 of the cinematic sequences.

Vs. - Unlocks four of the game's bosses.

PaRappa the Rapper - Starts you at Level 6 with "Cool" rating.

Behind the Scenes Kazunori Yamauchi

R&D

Previews a new "Software Development" section that will take subscribers step by step through building a game.

Tech Q&A

Etsuko Kobata and Perry Rodgers answer how import titles make it to the American market.

Code Archive

Codes for 48 games.

Imports

Tech Q&A - Gary Barth & Perry Rodgers

Bulletins

PlayStation Online news

Issue 4's Hidden Codes

UnderWear/Threadz merchandise

Speak Your Mind

Get the Next Transmission

Credits featuring the UG Candidcam and MST3K

Fine Print

Disc 2 - The Vault

Intro Video with MST3K

Demos

Videos

Hidden Content

Where What How Main Menu Hidden Screensaver Circle, Triangle, Square, Triangle,

Triangle, Circle x3 Main Menu Code Denied! Circle, Triangle, Triangle, Circle,

Square, Circle, Triangle, Circle Imports Tomba! trailer Circle x2, Square, Triangle x2 Code Archive ONE code Triangle x2, Circle x2, Triangle x2 Code Archive MTV's Gamebrain trailer Circle x4, Triangle Bulletins Hologram Contest Circle, Square, Triangle, X The Vault WCW Nitro codes Triangle x2, Circle, Triangle x2 The Vault Music video from Headswim Circle x2, Square, Circle x2 The Vault Music video from Hooverphonic-Inhaler Circle x2, Triangle, Circle x2

Issue 2.2

Issue 2.2 Front Cover

The sixth issue opens with a CG cinematic showing an archaeological dig site in the year 2306 where the excavators find a PlayStation. The PlayStation is then placed in a museum of natural history along with the previous issues of Underground.

The majority of this issue's segments were filmed in London, England including trips to Core Design, SCE's Cambridge Studio, and some London night clubs that feature PlayStation themed rooms.

Disc 1

Debriefing - Chris Sorrell

Debriefing

Behind the Scenes

Event Center

The crew goes on a tour of London night clubs that feature entire rooms dedicated to PlayStation.

Download Station

Behind the Scenes - Jeremy Smith

Speed Racer - Unlocks all cars.

Monster Rancher - Unlocks 3 characters.

R&D

Software Development 101: How a Game is Made - Project Wormhole is introduced by Gary Barth. This is a game development project that will allow subscribers to help build a small game through the magazine. This installment teaches the basics of 3D design and let's members play around with the objects in a virtual space.

Net Yaroze - New playable titles include Little Wing, Asobu Rakugaki, and Hover Racing.

Alphas

R&D - Project Wormhole

Code Archive

Codes for over 90 games

Bulletins

PlayStation Online news

Issue 2.1 Hidden Codes

Threadz/UnderWear merchandise

Speak Your Mind

Get the Next Transmission

Credits featuring the UG Candid Cam and "Mean" Gene Okerlund

Fine Print

Imports

Tamagotchi

Disc 2 - The Vault

Hiddden WCW Video with Mean Gene Okerlund

Demos

Videos

Hidden Content

Issue 2.3

Issue 2.3 Front Cover

The issue begins with a view of a pyramid with a "U" at the top followed by an Indiana Jones style run through the dungeon to find Issue 2.3 resting on a trap pedestal. The adventurer narrowly escapes through a quickly closing stone door and we're taken to the main menu, which is now set in the streets of an unknown city.

This issue is most notable for its tours of Naughty Dog and Insomniac Games' studios, plus coverage of E3 1998 in Atlanta, Georgia and GDC in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Disc 1

Intro Video

Debriefing

Behind the Scenes

Debriefing with Masaya Matsuura

Event Center

Download Station

Gran Turismo - Unlocks all tracks, lots of cars, and $1,000,000,000.

Tekken 3 - Unlocks all characters.

Vigilante 8 - Unlocks all characters and levels.

Behind the Scenes with Clancy Brown

R&D

Project Wormhole (Part II) - This episode features how to build tunnel tracks, showing weapon ideas from subscribers, and the ability to start building your own tracks.

Alphas

The Underground crew straps a camera to Naughty Dog studio's pet labrador, and the dog sneaks around the office to get the scoop on Crash: Warped from unsuspecting developers such as Jason Rubin.

Code Archive

Codes for over 90 games.

Alphas - Jason Rubin

Tech Q&A

"Inside Your Console" explains how the PlayStation works.

Bulletins

PlayStation Online news

Issue 2.2 Hidden Codes

Threadz

Next Transmission info

Credits

Fine Print

Disc 2 - The Vault

The Vault

Demos

R&D - Project Wormhole

Videos

Import Demos

Hidden Content

Where What How Main Menu C: The Contra Adventure codes Square, Circle, Square, Circle Main Menu Forsaken codes Triangle, Square, Triangle, Square The Vault Music video from Soul Asylum, "I Will Still Be Laughing" Square x2, Circle, Square x2 The Vault Turbo Prop Racing trailer Triangle x2, Circle, Triangle x2

Issue 2.4

Issue 2.4 Front Cover

The eighth issue opens with a blooper reel from the Crash: Warped commercial that featured 7-time Olympic gold medalist Mark Spitz and stuntman Robby Kneivel. This issue was Christmas themed, arrived in the Winter of 1998, and included an Underground logo sticker.

The main menu of this issue is mostly the same as the previous one. Still set in an urban environment and projecting images on the side of a building, the main difference in this issue is that the city was in daylight instead of at night.

Disc 1

Intro with Mark Spitz

Debriefing

Stewart Copeland, co-founder and drummer for The Police, talks about game music composition and his work on Spyro the Dragon.

Behind the Scenes

Main Menu

Event Center

On the set of the Spyro the Dragon commercial shoot.

R&D

Project Wormhole (Part III) - Video explaining how collision detection works and physics in general. Playable courses are available, but no enemies yet.

Imports

Debriefing with Stewart Copeland

Download Station

Tech Q&A

Inside look at how the new Dual Shock controller works.

Code Archive

More codes than ever before.

R&D - Project Wormhole

Bulletins

PlayStation Online

Issue 2.3 Hdden Codes

Threadz merchandise

Next Transmission

Credits

Fine Print

Disc 2 - The Vault

The Vault

Demos

Videos

Hidden Content

Where What How Main Menu PlayStation Kids (Baby) Triangle, Triangle, Square, Circle Main Menu PlayStation Kids (Adult) Triangle, Circle, Triangle, Circle, Triangle, Circle Main Menu NFL Blitz codes Circle x2, Square, Circle x2 The Vault Spyro the Dragon demo Triangle, Circle, Triangle The Vault Making of Tenchu video Square, Circle x3, Square The Vault Music video from KoRn, "Got the Life" Triangle, Circle, Square, Circle, Triangle

Issue 3.1

Issue 3.1 Front Cover

The third year of PlayStation Underground starts with a trailer featuring all the content featured within the issue. Then, a CG video plays that starts in a wrestling arena then goes backstage where the menu for the issue loads. This issue has heavy influences from the WCW footage that was shot.

This issue also is the debut of the Cool Moves section, which features tips and tricks for several games presented by the QA testers that know the games best.

Disc 1

Behind the Scenes - The Giant & Vincent

Behind the Scenes

R&D

Project Wormhole (Part IV) - This time they explain enemy AI. The project was planned to be only four parts, but continued due to its popularity. In this issue, members could play another build that now included enemies and weapons.

Event Center - Tommy Tallarico

Event Center

Spyromania - Sony held a party in Las Vegas in September 1998 to mark the 3rd Anniversary of PlayStation, and the release of Spyro the Dragon. The festivities included a scavenger hunt through Vegas in which Tommy Tallarico successfully delivers on a guaranteed victory.

Download Station

Alphas

Alphas

Imports

Code Book

Still tons of codes added.

Tech Q&A - PocketStation

Tech Q&A

Feature on the PocketStation accessory only available in Japan and the support it has for Street Fighter Alpha 3.

Bulletins

Announcing Underground Radio Netcast

Issue 2.4 Hidden Codes

Threadz merchandise

Speak Your Mind

Next Transmission

Credits

Fine Print

The Most Important Man in the Video Game Industry

Cool Moves

Disc 2 - The Vault

The Vault

Demos

Videos

Hidden Content

ISSUE 3.2

Issue 3.2 Front Cover

The 10th installment of Underground introduced a new host for the mag, a CG woman by the name of Maggie. Maggie would introduce subscribers to the new issue with a rundown of what they were about to find while bickering back and forth with Gary Barth (off-screen).

The new main menu is centered around the front doors of a movie theater. Scrolling through the different categories changes the marquee above the entrance.

Disc 1

Main Menu

Debriefing

Behind the Scenes

Maggie

Event Center

Debriefing - Ken Kutaragi

Imports

R&D

Project Wormhole (Part V) - This episode focuses on special effects and how they are applied in ways like the smoke trails on missiles. A new vehicle, based on subscriber suggestions, is introduced. The beta of the game is now Dual Shock compatible.

Download Station

Event Center - Jason Rubin

Alphas

First look at Jet Moto 3, now developed by 989 Studios.

Bulletins

PlayStation Online

Issue 3.1 Hidden Codes

Threadz & Accessories

Speak Your Mind

Coming Next Issue

Credits

Fine Print

Disc 2

The Vault

The Vault

Hidden Content

Where What How Main Menu Underground Staff Photo Circle, Square, Circle, Triangle Main Menu Medal of Honor trailer Square, Circle, Square, Circle Bulletins Silent Hill codes Circle, Triangle, Circle, Triangle The Vault Alexi Lalas Soccer codes L2, L1, R1

Issue 3.3

Issue 3.3 Front Cover

This installment begins with a shot of an Underground blimp in the sky and pans down to street level to enter a movie theater where Maggie greets us once again. The war of words between Gary Barth and Maggie continues.

Disc 1

Tech Q&A

Tech Q&A

Industry professionals such as Dennis Koble, Chris Norden, and Daniel D. Wood discuss the potential of the PlayStation 2 as Sony announces a Fall 2000 release date.

Debriefing

The producer of Jet Moto 3, Hunter Luisi, talks about what 989 Studios is focusing on as they take over development for the hit franchise.

Behind the Scenes Masaya Matsuura

Behind the Scenes

Event Center - Tony Hawk

Event Center

X-Games - Tony Hawk, Bob Burnquist, and Colin MacKay talk about their favorite PlayStation games and the new Tony Hawk's Pro Skater game from Activision.

PlayStation Truck - The truck returns and this video features a lucky 8th grader named Jason Moreira who won a contest that had the truck come to his school.

Download Station

R&D - Project Wormhole

R&D

Project Wormhole (Part VI) - This time they have a lesson on articulation and animation plus an updated version of the game.

Bulletins

PlayStation Online

Issue 3.2 Hidden Codes

Threadz & Accessories

Speak Your Mind

Coming in Issue 3.3

Credits

Fine Print

Disc 2

The Vault

The Vault

Hidden Content

Where What How Main Menu R-Type Delta codes R1, R2, L1, L1, L2 The Vault 3Xtreme codes L2, L1, R1, R2 The Vault Syphon Filter codes L2, R2, R1, L2

Issue 3.4

Issue 3.4 Front Cover

The final issue of year three is yet another Christmas themed issue, right down to Maggie being dressed as Santa's helper, which of course gets a comment from Gary.

Disc 1

Intro Video

PlayStation2

An exclusive look at the next-gen PlayStation including interviews with Tomonobu Itagaki, Kou Shibusawa, and others.

R&D

Project Wormhole Finale - The video teaches you how to create well-rounded levels and introduces all new level editor that allows you to save your work on a Memory Card. This is the second to last installment, as Issue 4.1 will feature the final game.

Behind the Scenes - Jason Rubin

Behind the Scenes

Event Center

Tokyo Game Show Autumn '99 - This feature talks about how 600 games are on PlayStation in America, but over 2000 are in Japan and why that is.

Lammy Rocks New York - Sony threw a party at the Roxy to celebrate Um Jammer Lammy and Lammy's band, Milk Can, had an on-stage performance. Tokura Fujiwara also sits down for an interview.

Debriefing - Tokoru Fujiwara

Debriefing

Download Station

Event Center

Tech Q&A

CG Design is introduced as an upcoming section in future issues and it will show the process of creating 3D renders. They request that subscribers send in drawings of objects they'd like to see created.

Bulletins

PlayStation Online

Issue 3.3 Hidden Codes

Threadz & Accessories

Speak Your Mind

Coming in Issue 4.1

Credits

Fine Prin

Disc 2

The Vault

The Vault

Hidden Codes

Where What How Main Menu Trickin' Snowboarder codes L1, L2, L1, R1, R1 Behind the Scenes Suikoden II tips R2, R2, L1, L1 The Vault Croc 2 trailer R1, R1, L2, R1, R2, L2

Issue 4.1

Issue 4.1 Front Cover

This first issue of year four opens with another view of the blimp, but this time missiles are being shot at it. A defense system takes out the missiles, which is good since Maggie is inside the blimp to introduce the new issue.

Disc 1

Kazunori Yamauchi

PlayStation2

The crew goes to Japan to get footage of Gran Turismo 2000 and to talk to Kazunori Yamauchi about he depth of control that GT2000 will feature thanks to the Dual Shock 2 controller. They also take a look at how the lighting techniques that the game uses bring unbelievable graphics to the game. They even discuss the future of the franchise being about online racing. The crew then takes a trip to Tokyo Game Show again to chat with the likes of Jason Rubin and Takatsuka Susumu about the potential of PS2.

Behind the Scenes

Main Menu

Cool Moves

Debriefing

WWF Superstar D'Lo Brown and THQ's Sanders Keel talk about the first WWF title from THQ to hit the PlayStation.

Debriefing - D'Lo Brown

Event Center

Covert Gaming Journalists - 989 Studios invited a bunch of journalists to compete in a Syphon Filter 2 style covert operation with paintball guns.

Tech Q&A

Christian Lowe took a drawing submitted by a fan and quickly rendered it in 3D to show how simple CG design is done.

Imports

Intro Video

Download Station

Medal of Honor - Unlock everything

NASCAR Rumble - Unlock all tracks

MTV Music Generator - Start with lots of custom tracks pre-made

Bulletins

PlayStation Online

Issue 3.4 Hidden Codes

Threadz & Accessories

Speak Your Mind

Coming on Issue 4.2

Credits

Fine Print

Disc 2

The Vault

The Vault

Hidden Content

Issue 4.2

Issue 4.2 Front Cover

This issue again opens in the PlayStation blimp with Maggie, who talks a bit about PlayStation 2 and all the E3 2000 coverage including Frankie Muniz.

Disc 1

PlayStation2

Frankie Muniz

Underground heads to E3 2000 and finds Frankie Muniz, the star of Malcolm in the Middle, who quickly realizes that you have to be 18 or older to enter E3. Muniz runs through trying to play as many games as possible while being chased by a security guard. He checks out:

Event Center

Event Center

E3 2000 Roundup

Slam City Jam - The crew went to Vancouver for this skate competition in order to build hype for Grind Session.

Intro Video

Behind the Scenes

Download Station

Main Menu

Tech Q&A

The CG Design crew picked "Land Crusher" from an 11-year old kid from Pennsylvania.

Bulletins

PlayStation Online

Issue 4.1 Hidden Codes

Threadz & Accessories

Speak Your Mind

Coming on Issue 4.3

Credits

Fine Print

Disc 2

The Vault

The Vault

Hidden Content

Where What How The Vault - Security Door Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty video L1, L2, X, R2, R1, Triangle, Circle, Square

Issue 4.3

Issue 4.3 Front Cover

Maggie's still in the blimp as this issue begins, and she's talking to Frankie Muniz on a video wall. Apparently Frankie forgot to get games to go with those two PS2's he stole from E3. Maggie refuses to help him and we head into the menu.

Disc 1

Debriefing - Hideo Kojima

Debriefing

Behind the Scenes

Tom Teuscher, Zachary Krefting, and pro skaters Daewon Song and Cara-Beth Burnside talk with the Underground crew about Grind Session.

Intro Video

Download Station

Grind Session - Unlock all skaters and levels

CTR: Crash Team Racing - Unlock all racers and arenas

Tenchu 2 - Unlock all characters and levels

Gekido - Unlock all characters and modes

Event Center

The PlayStation Truck returns to Underground to show off it's PS2 make-over as it went to Rockfest 2000, which was headlined by Metallica.

R&D - Andrew House

R&D

Andrew House (VP Marketing) shows the newly designed PSone, along with the optional 4-inch screen attachment.

Cool Moves

MediEvil II - John Aspinwall from the Tip Team at SCEA shows how to get past a tricky switch puzzle.

Wild ARMs 2 - Saul Villegas explains how to light all for pillars.

Speed Punks - Paul McGuire reveals several short cuts within the game.

Tomba! 2: The Evil Swine Return - Nathan Bosia describes how retrieve a ring in the mines.

Cool Moves - Saul Villegas

Bulletins

PlayStation Online

Issue 4.2 Hidden Codes

Threadz & Accessories

Speak Your Mind

Coming on Issue 4.4

Credits

Fine Print

Disc 2

The Vault

The Vault

PlayStation 2 Round Up

PlayStation 2 Round Up

Hidden Content

Issue 4.4

Issue 4.4 Front Cover

The sixteenth installment of Underground is split between PlayStation and PlayStation 2 (one disc for each). The final PSone issue of Underground starts with Maggie at the launch of PlayStation 2. On Disc 2, Maggie is wearing a red jumpsuit in what appears to be a space station to unveil the mag's new look for PS2.

PSone Disc

Disc 1 - Intro Video

Download Station

Event Center

Launch of PS2 at the Metreon in San Francisco

Behind the Scenes

Disc 1 - Event Center

Cool Moves

Disc 1 - Main Menu

Bulletins

PlayStation Online

Issue 4.3 Hidden Codes

Threadz & Accessories

Speak Your Mind

Next Transmission

Credits

Fine Print

The Vault

PlayStation 2 Disc

Disc 2 - Intro Video

Arcade

Download Station

Tekken Tag Tournament - Unlock all characters and secrets.

Wild Wild Racing - Unlock all cars.

Behind the Scenes - Tom Itagaki

Behind the Scenes

Cool Extra

Theatrical trailer for The Grinch starring Jim Carrey.

Cool Moves

Madden NFL 2001 - John Diamonon, Graphics Specialist for SCEA, shows players how to perform a successful juke.

SSX - Mike Foster, Senior Product Evaluator for SCEA, shows some of the shortcuts in the first level.

Fantavision - Aaron Whitmore, QA Tester for SCEA, shows multiplayer powerup strategies and a general tutorial for the game.

Hidden Content

Issue 5.1

Issue 5.1 Front Cover

The final issue of Underground is also the only one that is exclusively for PS2 and also is the only issue that is not two discs. Maggie introduces all the new content one final time and continues bickering with UG Producer, Gary Barth. Maggie says "See you next issue" and in the Bulletins section there is info about what will be on the next issue, but unfortunately it never came.

The Vault

The Vault

This time, The Vault featured seven PS2 demos as well as seven trailers for upcoming PS2 games.

Behind the Scenes

Behind the Scenes - Dave Jaffe at work on Twisted Metal Black

Spyro: Year of the Dragon

The Insomniac crew, including Ted Price (President), Craig Stitt (Art Director), and Brian Allgeier (Game Designer), are back to talk about their little field trip to go hang gliding in order to get the physics of flying right for the game.

Twisted Metal Black

Dave Jaffe has returned to the helm of the franchise along with Scott Campbell (President of Incognito) and Randy Zorko (Technical Director). They talk to Underground about the development of the game and how it's going back to its roots.

Download Station

Event Center

Qadry Ismail vs. Jason Sehorn

Maggie joins the crew on a trip to Super Bowl XXXV in order to watch the "Game Before the Game," which is a traditional game of NFL GameDay between opposing players in the Super Bowl. The GBtG correctly determined the winner of the Super Bowl for the 7th year in a row as Qadry Ismail's Ravens defeated Jason Sehorn's Giants in GameDay.

Tech Q&A

Professional snowboarders Todd Richards, Barrett Christy, and Kevin Jones get their faces scanned at 989 Studios for Cool Boarders 2001. Chip Parsons, Kolbe Launchbaugh, and Gerald Ashworth from 989 discuss the first Cool Boarders title for PlayStation 2 and how they used motion capture technology to make the game more realistic.

Cool Moves

Credits

Gary Barth

Many people contributed to the PlayStation Underground CD Magazine project. Since this is a concept page, there is not a way to add them the way Giant Bomb would normally do so. So, here is a list of some of the most important people involved, plus others notables that appear throughout the issues in the "Special Thanks" category.

Special Thanks

Issue #1 Front Cover

These individuals appeared in the Special Thanks section of the credits. Many more than once.