I miss when games came with proper instruction booklets

I was digging through an old box last weekend and found my copy of Metal Gear Solid for the PS1. That booklet was like a mini novel, full of codec frequencies and little tips about the stealth mechanics. You don't get that anymore, now it's a one page digital manual or a 20 minute tutorial video. I remember sitting in the back of my parents' car reading those booklets on a road trip, getting hyped before I even put the disc in. It just felt more personal, you know? Like the developers cared about you understanding their world. Does anyone else hang onto their old game cases just for the booklets?

2 comments

2 Comments

ivan_hayes296d ago

I mean, I get the nostalgia thing, but idk if I totally agree. Saying "the developers cared about you understanding their world" because they printed a booklet feels like giving them too much credit. Half those booklets were just padding with concept art and ads for other games. And honestly, I remember reading through them on the car ride home and still being totally lost when I actually played the game. Maybe it's just me but I'd rather have a tight 5 minute tutorial that actually teaches me the mechanics than a booklet I'm gonna lose or get greasy pizza fingerprints all over. Plus, digital manuals can be updated if something was broken or unclear, which is something paper booklets could never do.

the_david6d ago

Used to roll my eyes at people saying this stuff. But you make a good point about updates, never thought about that. Guess I was just sentimental about the smell of the paper.