I miss manuals.

[David_VI]

A memory that just came into my mind I had till now forgotten...

In my early days of PC gaming (Console gaming also) I found it so exciting to get a new game, (in the big boxes and later in the dvd style cases but still with manuals!) and often look forward to going to bed so I could sit there and read through the manual...

Not just me?

Whats odd about this is I don't feel the same now.. I suppose this is because games seem to lack proper manuals now, often just having the controls and some hot keys plus support info with a PDF on disc or in a folder if downloaded..

A few that spring to mind, the Sim City 2000 manual and various Age of Empires manuals along with the reference and tech tree cards, Wing Commander Prophecy, Theme Hospital, Roller coaster Tycoon.. Wish I could remember more.
Shame it seems I can't really remember much of the manuals or games except for the fact it used to be a highlight of buying a new game..

Just a happy memory that popped into my mind I wanted to share guessing I must not be alone with this fondness
David

 

[dante6491]

The first Star:Trek Amarda came with a textbook. Had every ship and building in there.

 

[Tummy]

I remember spending bloody ages reading the Pharaoh book

It was like a mini novel

 

[Deadbeat]

The old Baldur's Gate manual was thick enough to club a man to death with. I miss manuals, too - used to love reading them on the bus ride home after buying a new game

 

[Kosmiche]

I was miffed that half life 2 didn't have a manual, I expected a book to read after all the time spent making it.

 

[Neil79]

Hardly ever read manuals or instructions

 

[Ewanb75]

Used to love the books (manuals) that came with pc games.. played an xbox game earlier and it had 3pages... wtf.. ugh

 

[ants83]

i read once that the manuals cost more to make than the actual games?!

 

[David_VI]

The old Baldur's Gate manual was thick enough to club a man to death with. I miss manuals, too - used to love reading them on the bus ride home after buying a new game

Oh wow i'd forgotten that till you said it, another memory back.. Getting a game in town and reading the manual on the journey home.. It was so exciting opening a new game.

It is odd I never read manuals now, might be more likely to if they were physical though.

 

[Jongo]

Star Trek Klingon Academy had a manual that was 288 pages long (i just checked) was an epic read at the time.

 

[Fred]

I have the Frontier manuals kicking around (thats Elite II )

100 page manual.
Quick Start Guide
39 page Gazetteer of selected worlds
82 page Stories of the life on the frontier
an A2 size map of the star system.

ahhhh those were the days, even the original elite can with a separate story book.

 

[Kanifee]

elite and frontier are epic games!

 

[jakspyder]

yeah i deffo miss this! And often a fold out map or tech tree to stick on the wall behind your screen

 

[Speedy Pete]

manuals/instructions are for women i thought?

 

[compboyo]

yeh i get bored on the sithtter now

 

[ak22]

Falcon 4.0 had 250+ page manual now that was beast!

 

[StonedPenguin]

I have a C&C Renegade manual on my desk right now, Re-installing Renegade I hear its still active MP after 10 years, I played 8 yrs ago.

 

[gazzab]

I love a good manual

AOE2 came with a pretty massive one, along with a load of other really smart pullouts with tech trees and whatnot on them... they also had that awesome new game smell

I might still have it all somewhere actually, I'm tempted to dig it out for a whiff

 

[billyboyd]

Yes defintely miss the manuals

Grand Prix Legends came with a thick book if i remember correctly.

 

[bhavv]

I love reading video game manuals, I miss them too