Physical instruction manuals for video games have largely gone the way of plastic cartridges, but one passionate fan has created one forMetroid Prime Remastered. As was the case with many releases in the Nintendo GameCube era, the originalMetroid Primeincluded a full-color instruction booklet that went over the game’s control scheme, listed the various power-ups that seasoned bounty hunter Samus Aran could collect during her latest high-risk mission, and even featuredsome background lore aboutMetroid’s ancient Chozoand the monstrous Space Pirates.
Alas, physical instruction booklets like the one included in the original GameCube release ofMetroid Primehave all but disappeared in the wake of countless internet forums devoted to cataloging every hidden tip and secret in a given video game – not to mention efforts from game companies to cut down on paper waste to be more environmentally conscious. As understandable as these reasons are, many gamers still miss the thrill of looking through a paper manual on the car ride home after buying the latest video game, and some have even dedicated themselves topreserving the instruction booklets of the pastin digital form.
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A few days ago, a Reddit user by the handle of RowanFN1 shared images of a homemade instruction manual they put together forMetroid Prime Remasteredon r/NintendoSwitch. This small, full-color booklet evokes the one from the GameCube original and fits nicely inside theMetroid Prime RemasteredSwitch case. Fans in the comment section have praised RowanFN1 for their work and have waxed nostalgic for the manuals of gaming generations past, as well as question why publishers don’t at least offer a digital PDF brochure or the option to order a physical one.
Lack of manual aside,Metroid Prime Remasteredhas been met with praise after it launched on the Nintendo Switch in late February, prompting players tolist other classic GameCube titlesthat they wish would follow in its footsteps. Much of this praise has gone towardMetroid Prime Remastered’s updated visuals and enhanced controls, and Nintendo has even struggled to meet the high demand for the game’s physical release. Just like the 2002 original,Metroid Prime Remasteredsends Samus to the derelict world of Tallon IV to uncover a sinister plot by the Space Pirates.
Sadly, while older Nintendo games will likelysee new life on the SwitchasMetroid Primehas, the paper manuals of past console generations are probably gone forever due to both modern technologies eliminating a need for them and efforts to conserve the resources used to make them. This makes the efforts of fans like RowanFN1 all the more impressive, with their custom-madeMetroid Prime Remasteredmanual serving as an impressive bridge between two different Nintendo eras.
Metroid Prime Remasteredis available now for Nintendo Switch.
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