It just gets you pumped for the rest of the experience, like a movie trailer preparing you for the whole package. So much of gaming for us collectors is the whole presentation, the pictures, the background, even story elements. I completely agree with your lament here, MG. Unless, of course, you decide to purchase the Limited Edition version.
The glory days of the Video Game Manual have unfortunately come to an end. Still, I will miss my cherished compadre. Of course, this is a sign of old age coupled with dawn of the digital era. I find myself being pleasantly surprised less and less as the years go by. I miss the days of finding those hidden gems within that game packaging. Yes, I grant you that I may just be feeling nostalgic at the moment. I can't quite put it into words, but I could feel myself getting completely immersed in the game after studying a well produced manual prior to actually playing it. The joy of simply reading through that gaming goodness prepared me for the upcoming experience.
That being said, the instruction booklet is an integral part of the overall experience for this old school gamer and should not be the sacrificial lamb. I am all for utilizing technology to reduce manufacturing expense and the overall ecological footprint of production. Don't get me wrong - I want to save a tree as much as the next guy. Sadly, those magical moments are nearing its end.įinal Fantasy III really gave gamers a bang for their buck!!įor the most part, budgetary and environmental initiatives have basically castrated the Video Game Manual.
It was like opening up a box of Cracker Jacks as a kid. You never knew what might be encompassed within, or accompany, the instructions. Screenshots were showcased in addition to providing 'survival tips', background story, team rosters and sometimes even a game map. They took great pride in the production and content of their game manuals.
For the most part, the publisher did not disappoint. For my hard earned cash, I was eagerly expecting to be rewarded in some manner in addition to the game itself. Ripping into a new video game purchase was much the same. You did so in a very slow, calculated manner in hopes that this meticulous action would somehow ensure the ultimate payoff - song lyrics imprinted upon the album sleeve. high scores and the like?įor those old-timers out there, this anticipation was akin to slipping the jacket out of a new vinyl purchase. What surprises lay in store for me? Would it give me some secret tips in addition to that somewhat-mandatory "Notes" page to scrawl my cheat codes.
As much as the software itself, I was stoked to check out those glossy, colorful pages that would detail the various ins and outs for my upcoming gaming adventure. Not only did I finally acquire that cherished title, but I couldn't wait to check out its mandatory sidekick - the Video Game Manual. Though I was aware that the end was nearing ( Ubisoft), my old friend known as the Video Game Manual was at long last on its final legs.īack in the day, tearing open a new video game was pure exhilaration. Reading those dreaded words officially ended my naive hopes that my gaming partner would recover from the years of cropping and truncating. By August 2011, the game had sold over 5.5 million copies worldwide.The other evening I opened up NBA 2K11 and was presented with the following on page 1 of the miniscule documentation (4 pages in total): Positive comments were directed at the overall gameplay and presentation, as well as the introduction of the Michael Jordan-centric modes, while negative comments were concerning the presence of technical issues. NBA 2K11 received positive reviews from critics upon release. Online modes and quick play options among others are also available. Two new modes focusing on Michael Jordan are introduced, as are classic NBA teams. A mode called Association is also present, in which the player assumes control of an NBA organization, and simulates through seasons. In it, players create their own player and play through their career in the NBA. Players mainly play NBA basketball games in a variety of game modes with real and customizable players and teams. The game strives to realistically depict the experience of basketball, and more specifically, the National Basketball Association (and the NBA D League in association mode).
It is the twelfth installment in the NBA 2K series, it is the successor to NBA 2K10 and the predecessor to NBA 2K12. Former star Michael Jordan is the cover athlete of the game. It was released in October 2010 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii. NBA 2K11 is a basketball simulation video game developed by Visual Concepts and published by 2K Sports.
PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, Wii, PlayStation Portable, Microsoft Windows