Won an original Link’s Awakening Game Boy manual on a Goodwill charity auction. Had to share the nostalgia.
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This makes me sad. Because this post is basically, “hey, if you weren’t alive at the time, this is what this iconic game manual looks like.”
And granted, I guess thats EVERY post on this sub…
Maybe I’m just having a sad day. Because I love the content. I don’t mean to imply I’m anti-this post.
I’m just like “yeah…it’s the manual…just like every game ever gets…”
And then I hear Jon Lajoie singing at me “BUT YOU WERE WROOOOOOOOOONG!!!”
Games today don’t get manuals, and I feel like an old man yelling at clouds…
I can smell it. I can smell now the difference between Nintendo booklets and Sega booklets and PC booklets (Christ, trying to type in the Age of Empires 2 cd key).
I have 1000 games on Steam, and I know a lot of them come with some sort of PDF, and I’m not saying things aren’t better, but I can miss that one aspect of the first half hour of experiencing a new game being reading, touching, smelling its lore and artwork.
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Whew. I hear you so hard. FWIW, I did actually win the cartridge in this auction as well, but since it’s just a cartridge and no box, I didn’t think many people here would appreciate a pic of a cart as much as they would a pic of the manual.
I’m also an old man yelling at clouds so I’m right there with you. Isn’t it crazy that we’ve found ourselves here so quickly?
And also, mad props for referencing Jon Lajoie. A very talented individual who doesn’t get enough credit. I love his work! For anyone reading this thread who has never heard of him, I encourage you to check him out. He has an awesome sense of humor!
I commiserate with you. The days of manuals are gone. And for what it’s worth, the Zelda material is super sad for me as well because my late baby sister and I bonded tightly over the Zelda games. So these games are just super bitter sweet to me as well for so many reasons. When I play these games, I hear her laughter and feel her next to me. The games mean more to me than most, I suspect.
You’re not alone. In fact, it sounds like you’re my favorite kind of people! Thanks so much for commenting. I wish it weren’t true, but the day of the manual has come to a close and you and I are the minority. But you are not alone. Let’s appreciate what we have left. The next generation will never be so fortunate!! Do not be discouraged. Sounds to me like you’re pretty rad!
We all have sad days. You are not alone!
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Thanks for the supportive and insightful reply. It sounds like your experience was similar to mine, as we also struggled through adversity together (our N64 was powered by a light socket and we couldn’t run the heater if we wanted to play it). Unfortunately she couldn’t overcome our childhood trauma, became addicted, and in the end decided to take her own life.
The Zelda obsession started with OOT for her. Eventually her love for the games led her to a degree in computer science and a hobby restoring consoles. I grew up, enlisted, and unfortunately we parted ways for the rest of her life. In spite of geographic separation, we always kept in touch and often shared the joy of the next Zelda products and rumors.
Whenever I play the games, hear the timeless soundtrack, or see any Zelda artwork, I remember her laughter as Darunia burst into dance at hearing Saria’s Song, her groans of sadness as the Great Deku Tree passed away, her gasp of delight as Anju and Kafai were reunited, and even her grumbles of anger as the Skull Kid declared that he “got rid of” Epona.
Bittersweet memories, but no matter how much sadness I feel at her loss, the games ultimately remind me of the happy moments and warm my heart. I am happy to have had her as my sister, even if only for a relatively short time.
“The flow of time is always cruel… its speed seems different for each person, but no one can change it… A thing that does not change with time is a memory of younger days…”
It sounds like she was a great person, and I’m happy you’ve found peace. I’m sure she’ll rest well knowing that.
I know all too well that time holds no prejudice to anyone. Take care, friend.
The manual to A Link to the Past contains basically the franchise’s design document. Go read the little lore section at the beginning of that manual and tell me they haven’t been just pulling nouns out of it to make games out of for the last 20 years.
This is an awesome post. Thank you for sharing it. I really appreciated reading your comments, and I hope you’re doing well
Thanks! Just hoped that it would make someone out there smile!
And for all you manual lovers that wish new games came with them, there is a very talented artist who goes by the name “mbpuk” that makes some really awesome mini manuals that fit in the Switch game case!
