Is there a quick reference somewhere of which games were eleased without manuals?

[Emperor Megas]

Hey guys, I was wondering the other day if there was some website of list somewhere of modern games (360, PS3) that never included a (paper) manual. I know that a lot of modern games don't include them anymore but I'd really like to know if the games I'm considering purchasing preowned are actually complete or not. The guys at gaming stores don't usually know any better than I do, and I'm too stubborn to purchase a game that may be incomplete if I don't know that it is. I'm sure I can Google each one, but it would be nice to have a reference list handy when I'm out.

BTW, the ones I was wondering about recently were HALO: Combat Evolved Anniversary, and God of War Saga. Neither had manuals, but I don't know if they ever did or not. :|

[Emperor Megas]

I guess not. :|

[Leo_A]

It's a Xbox release and I forget off hand the exact title, but I bought the Platinum Hits variety of either Need for Speed Underground or Underground 2 at Wal-Mart and it was without a manual despite being brand new and sealed like it should be.

So that must be one of the earliest attempts at cost cutting via elimination of the manual.

[bangtango]

Not certain it was standard procedure for those reissues but I remember buying the Majesco line of Game Gear games by the handful and though they were sealed, at least a couple were sans manual. Not sure those really count, however.

[Tanooki]

I think it would be a bit too hard to track especially given how cheap Sony, NIntendo and the rest have been in the last 3-4years slicing paperwork out of anything they can to cheap out and save a buck putting it on the disc(or card.) When it comes to the older stuff, it's not as easy to figure it out because like some said, re-issues could or could not have them in there since they're budget shovelware for dead and dying systems.

I think a sad but interesting one would be to track going forward who still includes a manual until they're all gone. It seems more are satisfied not just with placing barebones manuals in the games, but pleased to give all the good info to Prima or Brady so they can charge $20-30 for a book of essential information to squeeze us further.

[Rickstilwell1]

I don't have a PS Vita yet so I don't know for sure, but don't all PS Vita games come without a physical manual? I'd like to know before I buy Dungeon Hunter Alliance (first game I will want to get for it used at the end of the year)

[Gamereviewgod]

I don't have a PS Vita yet so I don't know for sure, but don't all PS Vita games come without a physical manual? I'd like to know before I buy Dungeon Hunter Alliance (first game I will want to get for it used at the end of the year)

I have about 12 games, and none have manuals inside. Some have slips of paper for DLC/online passes, but that's it. Manuals are often printed on the reverse of the cover art.

[Tanooki]

Hmm I had a vita early on and never had a manual either, just the slips as he said, but I never saw a manual printed in the inside of the case art either, but it could have been there and I just never noticed it. I just remember seeing bits of art where it would peek through.

[Rickstilwell1]

It would be good to make a list like this though because then people like me who always pass on games that don't have manuals in used games stores won't accidentally pass up something good that wasn't even supposed to have a manual in the first place.


Another good list to make is a list of old games that come with extras. Maps, cards, letters etc. Not as many people worry about the posters, ads and precaution manuals that came with games because they either came in every game or they just weren't as interesting to the people. These usually end up staying on people's walls after they sell the games or got thrown out. Still there were more modern games that came with these kinds of posters including all 3 Sonic Advance games, Dragon Ball Z: The Legacy of Goku for GBA, and Dragon Ball Z: Budokai for Playstation 2.


There are so many false completes out there you have to know about these things or else you'll be missing out on getting a copy that is worth more or gives you more to look at. You can buy Dragon Warrior complete with cartridge, box and manual; but when you turn around to sell it once you don't need it anymore, you're going to get hounded with people whining "but it's missing the map and explorer's handbook" - things that only came with later retail copies of the game.

[jonebone]

This list would be a nightmare nowadays... I bet there are almost as many, if not more, games without manuals than games with manuals. In the current and prior (X360/PS3) generations at least... Wii excluded (most Wii games have manuals).

I just look at a title on eBay if buying it secondhand and see what the "completes" show. If you browse through a dozen or so "Complete" listings and none have the manual, it probably didn't come with a manual.