Sega Genesis Game Manuals

Last weekend I went home and my mom handed me a plastic bag full of booklets, the Sega Genesis game manuals I had separated from the huge, space-hogging game containers. Where is my Genesis now? I don’t know…where are the game cartridges? I have no idea.

From left to right, top to bottom: Ghouls and Ghosts, Sonic the Hedgehog, Dynamite Duke, Verytex, Super Hydlide, Hellfire, Gavares, Thunder Force III, Tommy Lasorda Baseball, Strider, Street Smart, Super Masters, Elemental Master, DJ Boy, and Golden Axe.

What a cool surprise and instant trip down memory lane! Seeing these booklets, I remembered every game, every frustration I had, every satisfaction for each game I triumphantly finished. Here are some shots of my manuals.

Disclaimer: Before you try to date me/age me based on these games, they were hand-me-downs from my uncles. I had a Japanese Genesis that had no problems playing American cartridges. I will point out the American game manuals are boring black/white but the Japanese manuals are colorful and detailed/cute.

Cartridge Care and Handling

I’ll start of with the back of the manuals. The American versions basically say “Don’t bend, crush or submerge in liquid. Keep away from sources of heat.” The Japanese versions are a bit more interesting and cute.

Typical Care and Handling

Fantasy Theme Care and Handling

Sonic Theme Care and Handling

Elemental Master

This game is my second favorite Genesis game (after Sonic) due to gameplay, music, and story. I remember every time Techno Soft made a game for Genesis, it had incredible music.

Since this game and the manual was in Japanese, I had no idea what they were saying to each other, so I made up a story.

And the ending image, along with the music that played, was very sad to me. I’m such a sucker for tragedies. That was such a touching image.

Ghouls and Ghosts

I’ve always wanted to compare American manuals to the Japanese counterparts to see what (if anything) was left out. Would the story pages have images like these? (that Princess is SO pretty!)

Would it contain concept art for the game?

Golden Axe

I have to mention this game because it’s one of the few two-player games I had. My sister, the non-gamer, will remember this game as well as the frustrations she experienced with the controls.

The controls weren’t TOO difficult to master (to me). However, the guy, the hunk, the “Conan”, sucks as a fighter compared to the girl or the dwarf. His dash attack is a shoulder ram that is easily interrupted by a sword, whereas the girl’s boots or the dwarf’s horns were more invincible.

This is also the first game that I found exploits in the AI, causing the bad guys to rush over a cliff to their death, or something similar. I try to keep an eye out for exploits in future games.

Sonic the Hedgehog

Yes, this is my favorite Genesis game! Due to simple controls, him being badass, and because he’s blue. The manuals appears to have some stage designs.

And the monster designs look sooo cute! Check out the constipated-looking bomb!

Now, compare this to an American manual for Thunder Force III:

Well, that’s it for now. Hope someone else found this to be a brief trip down memory lane. =*)