Best Instruction Manuals

[Nz17]

After just recently discovering the Internet Code feature of Beyond Good and Evil (and subsequently how to use it thanks to the Internet and a little research) I got thinking about how sparse the game's manual really is. Grayscale images, under twenty pages long, no significantly detailed world backstory, in-depth control descriptions, or mention of the official Web site's many integration features and extras. Then I started to think of the full-featured instruction books for Working Design's PlayStation RPG releases (LUNAR, LUNAR II, Arc the Lad).

So what do you say, citizens of DP: what are the best instruction manuals ever? All the other nicities included in some games are great (maps, item lists, strategy guides, soundtracks, puppets, button toppers, controller wrappers, stickers) but what instruction manuals are a treat unto themselves?

[GobopopRevisited]

EarthBound's Manual / Strategy Guide

Baldur's Gate II and Neverwinter Nights manuals are HUGE and stock full of everything you need to know. On the Console side, you don't get much better than Morrowind and Knights of the Old Republic for Informative Manuals.

Chrono Trigger... 72 pages of beautifulness.

Most non-exclusive Third Party titles (I'm looking at you EA and Ubi-Soft) get the Grayscale, Skimpy Manuals though... I never look forward to much.

[Cirrus]

WarioWare for the GBA had a terrific manual. It came with stickers, and was in full color. Top of the line.

[nildem]

The manuals for the few N64 Japanese imports that I own are works of art. Around 100 full color pages each, stories, character bios, etc. They're wonderful.

[Iron Draggon]

Well if PC games count, I think the manual for Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 is very nice. Actually, everything about that game is very nice, except all the bugs. From the 3D animated cover on the box to the spiral bound manual to the CD holder with the built in storage slot for the manual, it just oozes quality!

For the consoles, any Working Designs game for any system for sure, hands down. You just can't beat the production quality of all the materials included with their games, unless you look to Japan for imports. Working Designs rules!

[jdc]

Okay......NOT counting the Working Designs manuals, which easily kick the most ass....nothing else can even compete IMO.

Let's see.....

The manuals for Gran Turismo 1 and 2. How to drive like a race driver, in great detail. One manual wasn't enough for GT2....it came with two manuals. Strangely, they dropped the great manuals for GT3. I wonder why?

Nicest presentation goes to The Mark Of Kri.......another astounding PS2 game that everyone ignored. For shame.

Worst manuals? Nearly every single Dreamcast manual. Ugly and lame, whipped up as a useless afterthought, with the exception of PSO and Shenmue. They werent half bad.

[squidblatt]

I don't know what Working Design's manuals are like, but I crown Microprose as the King of Manual Goodness. They were history lessons, entertainment, and instructions all together. They were more like books than anything else and provided great background and context. Battle over Britain also had a great manual.

[Gapporin]

Any of Koei's instruction manuals. You could beat somebody down with those big books.

Also, I seem to recall Civilization's manual being pretty hefty as well.

Oh, and I can't forget Flight Simulator either. Big book.

[rbudrick]

I used to be pretty amused with Konami's back in the NES days....they'd put so many dumb jokes in there...

-Rob

[jslithy]

Well, if you count the overall packege, Infocom's games are the best I've ever seen. I've still got a complete Hitchhicker's Guide to the Galaxy, which came with a microscopic space fleet, destruction plans for Earth, a ball of fuzz, a "Don't Panic!" button and A pair of Joo Janta 200 Super Chromatic Peril-Sensitive Sunglasses. All of their games came with cool stuff, I guess it was a good way to prevent piracy.

The Ultima games came with good manuals, with a lot of information on the game world and cloth maps.

[Lady Jaye]

Time to revive this thread! I second Neverwinter Nights as a great manual: well-written, lots of info about playing the game but also about D&D for the D&D noob, and it has a spiral binding, which makes it practical to keep it open at the right page.

[Promophile]

My fav manual after the Earthbound one would have to be the Dragon Force one. Lots of useful info, bright color pictures, and it's made out of really good paper

[joshnickerson]

Uniracers had a frickin' hilarious manual. Also, when I was ten, I'd carry around the Super Mario 3 manual everywhere and read it constantly. I was a very disturbed little boy.

[boatofcar]

Leisure Suit Larry 3 (?) had a great manual/guide to the island. Funny and informative!