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Topic: Videogame booklets..... A thing of the past??

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HawkeyeWii

I just picked up my pre-ordered copy of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD this afternoon and as I gleefully ripped through the factory sealed rapping I was thinking I can't wait to look through the game booklet to at least see some of the new features added to the Wii U version, not to mention Nintendo has always had nice quality game booklets and to my surprise.... there was a piece of paper that said "Push the home button on your gamepad for the electronic manual". It is great and all in this day and age to be conserving on paper and all that, but am I the only one that really misses the nice video game booklets that would come with every game we bought?

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Ryno

No, you are not the only one. Sadly this is the direction physical copies of games are going. I miss the manuals, posters and maps included with games of the past.

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CanisWolfred

I didn't even read instruction manuals back when they meant something. Seriously, what purpose would they serve in an age of cutscenes and forced tutorials? Good riddance, I say.

Edited on by CanisWolfred

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HawkeyeWii

@CanisWolfred Tutorials have been around for quite some time even when instruction booklets were going strong. I don't know about you, but when I buy something I expect to have ever thing that comes with it and that includes a nice manual with the controls, info on the plot, etc.. Also I like collecting games as well, so that may have a bigger impact on me. I like having everything that comes with a game and keep it together in nice shape.

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CanisWolfred

HawkeyeWii wrote:

@CanisWolfred Tutorials have been around for quite some time even when instruction booklets were going strong. I don't know about you, but when I buy something I expect to have ever thing that comes with it and that includes a nice manual with the controls, info on the plot, etc.. Also I like collecting games as well, so that may have a bigger impact on me. I like having everything that comes with a game and keep it together in nice shape.

Personally, I'd rather a company didn't waste money on frivilous things that no one has any use for. And you're right, Tutorials were a thing while there were still manuals. That's why I never had to read a manual. When I get stuck in a game, I'd sooner look online than flip through an instruction booklet. I just don't see them as practical anymore, and I'm guessing companies aren't seeing it as practical either.

Having things is nice, but sometimes it's better to not have things if those things aren't really useful.

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8BitSamurai

I, too, like having a good instruction manual. It's a nice complement to the game, and it can have nice tidbits on the story or character's back story. Sometimes, it's just nice to read them for the illustrations. I think we pay enough for games that developers can throw in a manual.

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Squashy

No I'm also really sad to see that Nintendo have stopped making proper instructions, I really enjoyed reading them because they always had a lot of effort put into them with all the lovely artwork and detailed descriptions. It would seem that Nintendo stopped making them at the same time they began releasing the eShop versions of retail games. The lack of good old instruction booklets is gonna really hurt towards the end of the year with all the great games coming.

Edited on by Squashy

Squashy

Tasuki

Yep I miss them too. Especially the ones from back in the NES days.

I went on this rant about a year ago when I picked up NSMB2 on the 3DS

In fact here's the thread on it

https://www.nintendolife.com/forums/retro/insturction_manuals_...

But yeah I feel the same way as I do now. Unfortunately I hate to say it but manuals are just a thing of the past now which is a real shame.

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kkslider5552000

they were kinda cool when they had art and graphics and story when the game...didn't, but now I fail to see the point.

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Ryno

@DestinyMan: The Donkey Kong Country manual is great! In fact a lot of the old NES and SNES manuals are still fun to read through!

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GuSolarFlare

8BitSamurai wrote:

I, too, like having a good instruction manual. It's a nice complement to the game, and it can have nice tidbits on the story or character's back story. Sometimes, it's just nice to read them for the illustrations. I think we pay enough for games that developers can throw in a manual.

this


I also like when they put some art of the game in the manual, it's cool!

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JetForceSetGrind

It's not about conserving paper...heh, that's just an excuse. It's more about profit on the $50/$60 game. Inflation cuts into profits at the same price point wheras removing manuals has the opposite effect while keeping the prices the same. Also they want to encourage digital.

Edited on by JetForceSetGrind

JetForceSetGrind

Jani-Koblaney

I don't really mind the lack of a manual. I never read them, and they're just a waste of paper and money.

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Banker-Style

I miss the manuals, Nintendo always made good uns.

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SCRAPPER392

I never really cared much about the manuals. I don't even care about the disc or case either. I just want the game.

Even the Hyrule History that comes in the WWHD bundle is digital. Saves on shipping I honestly don't mind. I just wish they would have digital pre-order bonus on stuff you can usually get at GS. I don't like having stuff laying around.

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JetForceSetGrind

Banker-Style wrote:

I miss the manuals, Nintendo always made good uns.

They still do, they're just digital now.

JetForceSetGrind

GuSolarFlare

I liked the manuals also because of the smell.... they smelled like a new Card Booster Pack! I love it!!!

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CanisWolfred

SCAR392 wrote:

I never really cared much about the manuals. I don't even care about the disc or case either. I just want the game.

Even the Hyrule History that comes in the WWHD bundle is digital. Saves on shipping I honestly don't mind. I just wish they would have digital pre-order bonus on stuff you can usually get at GS. I don't like having stuff laying around.

Same here. To me, Digital Artbooks/Soundtracks would be wonderful. I just wind up burning the CDs to my harddrive anyways, then putting them in storage.

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retropunky

I feel the same... if I were to buy a game, whether used or new, I need at least the original case and to be in fair condition. If the manual is there, even better. Maybe it's just a tendency, but I couldn't buy a game without the proper case, unless I haven't been able to find it, or it's a game out of print.

I do miss the manuals, even if I never read them, but for the most part, they tend to have character stories, plot details, art and even personal notes from the developers. I know everything is available on the net, but to have a physical piece like the manual, apart from the game, is a nice addition.

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SheldonRandoms

I remember when the cover of the game was also the manual.

Those were the days.

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