@jeff As already mentioned by 1000 people before me, gaming back in the day began with the purchase of a game on the ride home in the bus/backseat.
The freshly opened game box on your lap and the booklet in your hands, and you sucked into it, sucking up every bit of lore it has to offer. You know you will have read it at least 3 times on the way home until you finally get to put it into your console ❤️

@theretrosven @jeff

This x 1000.

One of my clearest childhood memories is the ride home after buying The Legend of Zelda. It was Christmas time, 35 years ago, just before my 6th birthday.

The manual was amazing. The backstory, the art, the end with the bestiary, map and items.

I was so pumped up by the time I got home.

As a kid who loved to draw, NES-era manuals were hugely important. Long after I stopped playing the games, I'd flip through the booklets to find inspiration to draw.

@crankyolditguy @jeff
Same for me, man what have I drawn all Mario and Koopas (Bowsers kids) characters of Super Mario Bros. 3, the manual was so wonderful.