Sega Master System, Sega CD, Sega 32X, Sega Saturn, Sega Dreamcast Manual Scans (+ Nintendo/SNK)

[TSOLfan]

Just came across this site (based upon a post at The Cover Project), and it looks like some users may be interested in a project I'm currently working on:

http://www.ratigators.com/

I started this over at The Cover Project, which you can read about over there:

http://www.thecoverproject.net/forums/index.php?topic=6791.0

I started scanning Sega Saturn manuals, then moved to Dreamcast, and then Sega CD, followed by Sega CD 32X, 32X carts. All of those systems are now complete and now I'm working on Sega Master System.

Just as I did with the others, I pull one from each end of the alphabet per day (so 2 total) until I'm done, and any games I had to skip because I don't currently own (I'm 19 games short of a full 114 NTSC-U set), I'll go back and complete once I pick up a copy.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

Wow, that's awesome. It must have taken a long time to do it.

[zakthedodo]

Nice.

[lazyhoboguy]

Awesome.

[TSOLfan]

Any games I had to skip because I don't currently own (I'm 19 games short of a full 114 NTSC-U set), I'll go back and complete once I pick up a copy.

I've had some success crossing some items off my list for prices I was willing to pay (now 12 games short of a full set).

I picked up replacement manuals for the following games:

My Hero
Pro Wrestling

And picked up copies of the following games:

Aerial Assault
Bomber Raid
Golden Axe
Kung Fu Kid
Quartet
Slap Shot
Spider-Man

I also updated my post at The Cover Project to remove the items I no longer need. Any games I've had to skip in my schedule (so far Aerial Assault and tomorrow Bomber Raid becase it hasn't arrived yet) will be uploaded once I receive them.

[TSOLfan]

Today wraps up my scheduled Sega Master System insert/manual scans. There are still 6 games, 3 manuals and 2 replacement inserts that I still need to eventually pick up, and I'll post here in this thread when I make any updates.

I have 3 more games on the way that I'll get scanned and uploaded once they arrive.

For those wanting some stats, so far I'm at 1,182 Sega Master Scans, so if you take away the insert scans and do the math, that's another 2,148 pages of manuals scanned.

As for MediaFire stats, they tell me I'm now hosting 11,348 Sega scans. If you take away the zip files and once again do the math, that means I've scanned about 10,564 times, resulting in approximately 21,128 pages of manuals scanned.

I did post in a few places (TCP, CAG, SegaAge, etc) about trying to do a more collaborative effort on Genesis and Game Gear, with manuals either being donated or with me covering cost of shipping and return shipping (to ensure a level of consistency with all scans), and I received no response.

So, other than scanning in any missing items I pick up or deciding to do back inserts across the board for Sega Saturn and Sega Dreamcast, this closes the book on my system level scan projects.

[VACRMH]

This is amazing. I appreciate all your hard work!

Is there any way to download all the manual scans in one go?

[TSOLfan]

This is amazing. I appreciate all your hard work!

Is there any way to download all the manual scans in one go?

Thanks for the appreciation.

As for downloading all in one fell swoop, originally I was just posting the scans online for viewing and then some individuals requested zipping up each game for ease of downloading a game.

As for downloading an entire system, that wasn't really my goal. My intent was to offer up high quality scans for people to replace any manuals they are missing, so you can quickly click on a game to view online, or, remove the "view" from the URL to get access to the zip for that game.

Though, I do know that someone over at The Iso Zone downloaded and repackaged all of my Dreamcast manuals and posted torrents. I wouldn't be surprised if someone else is already working on the same for the other systems I've done.

[vrikkgwj]

Just chiming in that you just saved me quite a few bucks because I didn't want to scour eBay for a Dragon Force instruction manual. Props to you, sir. Very job well done.

[TSOLfan]

Just chiming in that you just saved me quite a few bucks because I didn't want to scour eBay for a Dragon Force instruction manual. Props to you, sir. Very job well done.

Thanks.

One individual sent me a link with photos of a replacement manual they printed from my scans:

http://s1098.photobucket.com/albums/g374/games-go-round/

They even went the extra mile and resized the scans for the game to fit inside a DVD case (which Sega CD and Sega Saturn manuals, in their original dimensions, do not).

[TSOLfan]

Alex Kidd: High-Tech World, Ghouls 'N Ghosts and Michael Jackson's Moonwalker have all been scanned in (adding 35 scans) and linked.

[Atarileaf]

Darn I was hoping to find a scan of Super Space Invaders for the SMS.

[TSOLfan]

Darn I was hoping to find a scan of Super Space Invaders for the SMS.

Sorry, I only collect NTSC-U games, with just a few non US games. I have some NTSC-J only Sega Saturn games and Sega Dreamcast games. The only non NTSC-U game I have for the Sega Master System is this one:

Mortal Kombat (EUR):
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?fgki3hv8dqo22#

I didn't scan in that manual since it just didn't scan well (it was like a book with 8 chapters, one for each language). The only reason I even have that is, well, you could say I'm a fan:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2823655/My%20Pictures/20101230_Collection/setup18before.jpg

[TSOLfan]

Maxim, an admin over at SMS Power (smspower.org), is taking all of my scans and OCR'ing them to have plain text versions. Thus far, he noticed two games where when I was flipping pages to scan, I flipped too many. I've scanned in the missing pages and re-uploaded the individual scans and zips. This affected Zillion and Zillion II: The Tri Formation. Odd that it was two games in a row.

If anyone else notices any errors, please let me know, and I'll correct them.

[TSOLfan]

Since I've pretty much closed the door on manual scans, I'm coming back to a few systems to do pickups on back insert scans. I did a trial run this morning on Sega Saturn, and I estimate I can knock out about 10-20 of these a morning. I uploaded 3D Baseball through Baku Baku. These are in the same folders as the manual scans I've already finished:

http://www.ratigators.com/

I don't have time this morning to re-upload the zip files, so just know, if you currently download the zip files, you'll still just get the manual scans.

My goal is to have Sega Saturn back inserts wrapped up by the end of the month. I'll post in this thread when I do another batch of uploads, as I can't guarantee I'll be able to do a batch every day consistently.

[Andred]

Just wanted to say great job! You're doing a lot of people a favor by preserving these manuals.

[TSOLfan]

Just wanted to say great job! You're doing a lot of people a favor by preserving these manuals.

Thanks, that was the goal, providing a complete resource of Sega manuals for those that are missing their own (and can't figure a game out) or perhaps just want to browse.

Also, the back inserts for Bases Loaded '96 through Darius Gaiden have been uploaded (42 games).

[TSOLfan]

Back inserts for Dark Legend through Dragon Heart: Fire and Steel have been uploaded (11 games). I had to skip Doom, as apparently, my back insert is glued in the case, and I can't remove it without damaging it. I'll keep an eye out for a cheap second copy/back insert only.

[TSOLfan]

Picked up copies of Casino Games and Rampage, so both of those have been scanned in and linked on the Sega Master System side of things.

[TSOLfan]

Back inserts for Duke Nukem 3D through Highway 2000 have been uploaded (26 games). My F1 Challenge apparently had a cutout UPC, though, I scanned it in anyways and added it on the "to be replaced" list. Scanning always somehow ends up costing me money :)

[TSOLfan]

I know I just sort of dropped this Sega Saturn back insert project, though, had to go out of town for work, and since getting back, things have just been crazy busy (end of the year is always busy). My goal is to cross this off my list this year.

I uploaded The Horde through NBA Live '98 (42 games). My Last Bronx had a cutout UPC, though, I scanned it in anyways and I'll get that replaced sometime in the future. That leaves me with 111 more back inserts to scan.

Also, on the Sega Master System side, I posted Power Strike, and I have a copy of R.C. Grand Prix in the mail.

[TSOLfan]

Just finished uploading back inserts for The Need For Speed through Sonic 3D Blast (54 games).

[TSOLfan]

Just uploaded the back inserts for Sonic Jam through Virtua Cop (26 games). I had to skip True Pinball, because just like Doom, the back insert of my copy is stuck in the case, so I've added it to the list of eventual replacements.

[TSOLfan]

Wrapped up my back insert scanning and uploaded Virtua Cop 2 through X-Men Children of the Atom (30 games). I also scanned in the jewel case cover and back insert for the Sega Rally and Virtual On Netlink editions. The front insert was just a single sided single piece for both.

Unless someone notices something I didn't, once I get replacements for Doom and True Pinball that I couldn't scan, and then inserts without UPCs cutout for F1 Challenge and Last Bronx, that should be it.

Also, if there's interest in me doing back insert scans for all of the Dreamcast titles, let me know.

On the Sega Master System front, R.C. Grand Prix arrived has been uploaded and linked.

I still need a copy of Alex Kidd in Shinobi World and James 'Buster' Douglas Knockout Boxing, as well as replacement manuals for Alf, Fantasy Zone, and Teddy Boy, and a replacement insert for Ghost House (without the UPC cutout). If anyone has extras of any of those and would be interested in donating or cutting me a deal, send me a PM.

[brainerdrainer]

So awesome! I've been looking for scans of the Dragon's Revenge manual for Genesis but can't find it anywhere!

[brainerdrainer]

plan on doing Sega Genesis games?

[TSOLfan]

plan on doing Sega Genesis games?

As per this post:

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?163250-Sega-Master-System-Sega-CD-Sega-32X-Sega-Saturn-Sega-Dreamcast-Manual-Scans&p=1931775&viewfull=1#post1931775

There are no plans at the current moment as I don't have a full Genesis set to work with, and thus far, no one has expressed interest in helping (even with myself willing to cover shipping both ways on any manuals).

[TSOLfan]

Just got around to scanning and uploading replacements for F1 Challenge and Last Brox. Also, my replacement copy of Doom also arrived so that was scanned and uploaded as well. That just leaves True Pinball as the last Sega Saturn rear insert I need to scan that's still stuck inside the case.

[TSOLfan]

In the past couple of weeks, I received multiple notifications from MediaFire (where I was hosting my scans) that some of my scans were reported as a violation of some sorts, and had been removed. I contacted them asking if they could let me know who had contacted them so I could turn in turn request permission, though, multiple requests have all been ignored. By the time they had removed 8 games, I started working on an alternative.

I re-uploaded everything to my own server, so instead of just hosting the index, it now hosts the index and scans alike:

http://www.ratigators.com/

I kept the UI basic. Click a system, scroll through the "shelf" of games (which uses a lazy load, so only the items on screen load for bandwidth's sake, but as you scroll and items come into view, they will load), click to load the manual (which uses some basic math to determine the viewable height and do some rounding to keep the amount of cached thumbnails on the server to a minimum (100 pixel height increments)), and click any page for a full screen view (if the default manual isn't already large enough to read).

With the variable height interior manual preview images, if you are the first person ever to visit the site with your specific vertical resolution, the preview images may take slightly longer to load while the server builds them (the top thumbnails are consistent for everyone). The next time you view the same manual it will be quicker (or if someone running your same resolution has already viewed it). I did this so the server only has to build what is requested.

I threw the code together fairly quickly, and uploaded everything just the same, so if you notice any errors or glitches, please let me know.

Also, picked up the last replacement Saturn title I needed, and the back insert for True Pinball has been uploaded to my site.

[TSOLfan]

Did some more user interface work on the new ratigators.com, and again, let me know if anyone notices any issues.

[TSOLfan]

And we're back to the regularly scheduled program.

For those that didn't happen to visit ratigators.com yesterday, all of the Sega console links redirected instead to Nintendo consoles, each with a scan of a Mario manual. Here's the links for those that missed them:

http://www.ratigators.com/ui.asp?c=NINTENDOENTERTAINMENTSYSTEM
http://www.ratigators.com/ui.asp?c=NINTENDOSUPERNINTENDO
http://www.ratigators.com/ui.asp?c=NINTENDO64
http://www.ratigators.com/ui.asp?c=NINTENDOGAMECUBE
http://www.ratigators.com/ui.asp?c=NINTENDOWII
http://www.ratigators.com/ui.asp?c=NINTENDOWIIU

Yea, I could have spent the time it took to scan those in to tag more Dreamcast back inserts, but sometimes I take a break to amuse myself. Those will stick around permantely, and I'll eventually get around to scanning my manuals for those systems (none of which are complete, but my personal "best of" collections).

Also, while on the topic of other non-linked links, here are two more:

http://www.ratigators.com/ui.asp?c=VMLABSNUON
http://www.ratigators.com/ui.asp?c=SNKNEOGEO

On the Neo Geo titles, I have one game in the mail (Real Bout Special), and 5 more on my WTB list (the last in each of the series I own) that I'll get around to eventually.

[TSOLfan]

Huge thanks to a new Cover Project member, Specialt1212, who has been going through my site and letting me know things that need to be fixed, such as Sega CD games where I flipped two pages instead of one, resulting in some missing pages.

I lay blame squarely on my (then) newborn as the distraction :P

Sega CD 32X
Supreme Warrior: Missing Pages 30 & 31

Sega CD
Dark Wizard: Page 1 (labeled start up) is messed up it looks like the image was moved during scanning
Dungeon Master 2 Skullkeep: Missing Pages 30 & 31
Lethal Enforcers: Missing Pages 8 & 9
Microcosm: Missing Page 6 & 7
Third World War: Missing Pages 34 & 35

So, a year after uploading everything originally, those games are now once again complete.

It was also noted that my Virtua Fighter for Sega 32X was missing quite a few pages, though, after checking my manual, every page I had was scanned. My manual seems to have two entire sheets that didn't get stapled in (resulting in 8 missing pages, pages 5, 6, 7, 8, 25, 26, 27, 28). When I get a replacement manual for that, I'll get it scanned (assuming that it has all of its pages).

Specialt1212 is also sending me a batch of Sega Genesis and Sega Game Gear manuals to start up those sections.

Huge thanks!

Also, again, if anyone notices any issues, let me know and I'll get them fixed as soon as I can.

Also also, if anyone else has a stack of Genesis or Game Gear manuals they want to send my way for me to scan in the same fashion I've done everything else, I'll cover your shipping costs (both ways if you want them back).

[Polygon]

As per this post:

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?163250-Sega-Master-System-Sega-CD-Sega-32X-Sega-Saturn-Sega-Dreamcast-Manual-Scans&p=1931775&viewfull=1#post1931775

There are no plans at the current moment as I don't have a full Genesis set to work with, and thus far, no one has expressed interest in helping (even with myself willing to cover shipping both ways on any manuals).

I would be willing to help.

[TSOLfan]

Also, on the Neo Geo front, I've since added scans for Art of Fighting 3, Kizuna Encounter, Real Bout Special and World Heroes Perfect.

[TSOLfan]

I would be willing to help.

PM sent!

[TSOLfan]

I have a family member that's been picking up every Wii U Virtual Console Super Nintendo game released, and thus far, I've owned physical copies of every single one of them, so I went ahead and got those scanned in and uploaded.

I didn't check to see if these scans were already available elsewhere (I'm sure someone, somewhere, had already scanned in Super Metroid at least).

As I (think I) mentioned before, I'll eventually get around to scanning in my Nintendo collections, which are primarily just the Nintendo released titles and my personal favorites (sans most RPGs, my brother was always the one that picked those up, but I own a few).

[TSOLfan]

A replacement copy of Ghost House for Sega Master System arrived so I've replaced my insert scan that had the UPC cutout (my only Master System insert that had one).

Also, Specialt1212's package arrived, and I've gone through everything Sega Genesis related and created this spreadsheet:

http://bit.ly/ratigatorsgenesis

That way, everyone can see what I've already received as donations and what's in my queue for scanning.

Again, I can't thank Specialt1212 enough, and they also have the honor of being manual donor #1.

[TSOLfan]

Sega Dreamcast back inserts front and back scans for E through H have all been uploaded, so I'm just about a third of the way through the full set.

Also, I've gotten started scanning Genesis manuals with a block of 12 games, which contains all 3 Phantasy Star games, all 3 Shining titles, and all 6 original Sonic titles (only the Sonic Classics manual is missing at the moment).

Also also, I did things a bit differently since I'm not starting with a full/nearly full set as I did with my other scan projects, in that, instead of titles showing up when scanned, I'm showing everything. Empty boxes means I don't yet have the manual and clicking will prompt a donation form as well as a full list of what I do/do not have, and a "SCAN PENDING" graphic means that I do have the manual on hand (I've got about 20% of a full set), and I just haven't scanned and uploaded it yet. I'll be going alphabetical from here on out with what I have, and will bump up any donations sent in where the sender wants them back (and as a reminder, I cover shipping, including return shipping if you want them back).

http://www.ratigators.com/ui.asp?c=SEGAGENESIS

[greedostick]

It's times like this I wish I still had my complete english turbo grafx set. I would be more than willing to help. I can send you a list of games I own for nes, genesis, dreamcast and every other system which isn't a lot anymore. I have Ikaruga, PAL Panzer Dragoon saga, and quite a few other games. I also have Neo Geo mini marquees, and move stickers. If you ever want to do MVS carts I think people in the Neo-Geo forums would probably help. There are many people there with complete AES sets.

[TSOLfan]

It's times like this I wish I still had my complete english turbo grafx set. I would be more than willing to help. I can send you a list of games I own for nes, genesis, dreamcast and every other system which isn't a lot anymore. I have Ikaruga, PAL Panzer Dragoon saga, and quite a few other games. I also have Neo Geo mini marquees, and move stickers. If you ever want to do MVS carts I think people in the Neo-Geo forums would probably help. There are many people there with complete AES sets.

Thanks for the offer. I'm primarily interested in Genesis and Game Gear at the moment. For the other SEGA systems, I've already scanned in a complete Sega CD, Saturn and Dreamcast set, and just missing a few odds and ends for the other systems (3 Master System manuals, 1 case insert, and 3 32X manuals where I have loose carts).

I haven't finished up my spreadsheet for Game Gear yet, though, you can check my Genesis one from the link above (also linked on the ratigators.com homepage) and let me know what you have that I don't already.

Concerning European/Japanese manuals, since I'm sort of all or nothing, I'd rather not get started on those. Since I'm in the US, not that it's impossible to try and get full sets from other countries, it's just a lot more difficult (such as for Japan, most things are listed on Yahoo Auctions, and there's a language barrier, and of course, shipping costs if there's even the willingness to ship internationally), and I figure someone in Europe or Japan would be better off tackling those projects. Through some other forums I'm a member of, I know others in those regions have their own full sets, it's just a matter of them going on an insane scanning binge like I have :) For example, I know the individual that runs Satakore has a complete Saturn Japanese collection if I recall correctly.

Also, I do realize the hypocrisy in my own statement on non-US manuals, since my Neo Geo collection doesn't have a single US game. I basically scanned those for my own sort of digital backups (for easy access from my tablet).

[greedostick]

Thanks for the offer. I'm primarily interested in Genesis and Game Gear at the moment. For the other SEGA systems, I've already scanned in a complete Sega CD, Saturn and Dreamcast set, and just missing a few odds and ends for the other systems (3 Master System manuals, 1 case insert, and 3 32X manuals where I have loose carts).

I haven't finished up my spreadsheet for Game Gear yet, though, you can check my Genesis one from the link above (also linked on the ratigators.com homepage) and let me know what you have that I don't already.

Concerning European/Japanese manuals, since I'm sort of all or nothing, I'd rather not get started on those. Since I'm in the US, not that it's impossible to try and get full sets from other countries, it's just a lot more difficult (such as for Japan, most things are listed on Yahoo Auctions, and there's a language barrier, and of course, shipping costs if there's even the willingness to ship internationally), and I figure someone in Europe or Japan would be better off tackling those projects. Through some other forums I'm a member of, I know others in those regions have their own full sets, it's just a matter of them going on an insane scanning binge like I have :) For example, I know the individual that runs Satakore has a complete Saturn Japanese collection if I recall correctly.

Also, I do realize the hypocrisy in my own statement on non-US manuals, since my Neo Geo collection doesn't have a single US game. I basically scanned those for my own sort of digital backups (for easy access from my tablet).

OK, if you decide to do other systems I already have complete TG16 scans, NES, and I think gameboy. I may have others I need to check. I got them on Underground-gamer.com so I think they are pretty good quality.

I really appreciate projects like this, and manuals are very hard to find online. Would you be willing to sell a copy on DVD or CD-Rom of your set at this point?

[TSOLfan]

Uploaded 10 more Sega Genesis games, though, 6 of those are inside a single manual, the 6-Pak 70 page manual.

I also added some additional notes to the front page of ratigators.com to list how many I've scanned out of how many I have out of how many there are, and I've added a column to the linked spreadsheet to also include a scan column to note which ones have been scanned.

[TSOLfan]

I really appreciate projects like this, and manuals are very hard to find online. Would you be willing to sell a copy on DVD or CD-Rom of your set at this point?

No plans to sell anything. I'm not out to make any money on this (hence also the complete lack of ads or watermarks or anything on my site or files). My only goal is preservation.

I'm not opposed to eventually offering up a torrent of everything once I'm happy with things (such as, I'm still doing Dreamcast back inserts, still have to do Sega CD back inserts, still missing 1 Master System case insert and 3 manuals, etc). Though, until then, please let me know if you find any errors (such as missing pages, etc) to ensure things are as accurate as they can be.

[TSOLfan]

Time for another status update.

Finished scanning in the rest of the back inserts for the Sega Dreamcast, so now that section is entirely complete (manual scans and back inserts), just like Sega Saturn.

I also tracked down all missing Sega Master System manuals except for one, and those have all been uploaded.

I did also take another Sega detour, and since I already scanned in my Neo Geo collection, I scanned in my entire Super Nintendo collection and built out placeholders for my Nintendo 64 collection (neither are complete, just my personal best of set).

I'm working on Sega CD back inserts currently, and then will pick back up my Nintendo 64 manual scans before heading back into Sega world and continuing to scan Sega Game Gear and Sega Genesis manuals.

I'll also probably get around to scanning in my Gamecube collection, though, as with everything, no ETA's, just when I find the time.

[TSOLfan]

I finished up all Sega CD back inserts for jewel cases, and also scanned the digipack game cases, and the front/back of all of the original cardboard releases.

I also noticed that I never scanned the newspapers that came with the Sherlock Holmes games when I originally scanned their manuals, so I scanned in both of those and uploaded them.

So, that should wrap up a complete archive of US Sega CD art (covers, manuals, inserts, maps (for Vay), and supplemental books (the newspapers for the Sherlock Holmes games).

That adds to the also complete archives of US Sega Saturn and US Sega Dreamcast. I've got one Sega Master System game left to eventually pick up to also cross that collection scan off my list, then waiting for deals on 3 32X manuals to also cross those scans off.

As always, if anyone notices anything I missed or screwed up scanning, let me know.

[TSOLfan]

Finished uploading manual scans for my Nintendo 64 collection (including the Crusin' USA poster/manual), so here's a quick shortcut for those that want to skip the homepage to check them out:

http://www.ratigators.com/ui.asp?m=OTHER&c=NINTENDO64

Thinking I may tag some NES manuals from my NES collection (as I've done with my SNES and N64 collections) before heading back to Sega land for Pico, Game Gear and Genesis scans. At a minimum, scanning in the 3 Castlevania manuals for a Halloween themed update.