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Gaming

Gamers Used Printed BradyGames Guides for JRPGs Before YouTube

Replies describe using printed guides, GameFAQs, and note-taking in bookstores.

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12 Sources, 31d ago, first seen 31d ago

TLDR

Users on X responded to a post about strategy guides by sharing their own experiences from the 90s and early 2000s. Several described buying or browsing BradyGames books, visiting GameFAQs forums that launched in 1995, and exchanging tips through friends or word of mouth. One user recalled carrying a notepad into Walden Books to copy solutions while stuck in a game. Others noted that printed guides and online bulletin boards were common before video platforms became widespread. The replies focus on personal habits rather than any single event.

Combined views

26.7K

12 Sources, first seen 31d ago

960 likes152 comments39 saves57 reposts

Combined views

26.7K

12 Sources, first seen 31d ago

960 likes152 comments39 saves57 reposts
How Gamers Beat JRPGs Before YouTube Walkthroughs

Sentiment

Positive88.1%11.9%Negative

Summary

Many accounts fondly recalled physical strategy guides and GameFAQs for their detailed help with games like Final Fantasy and Mystical Ninja, while some criticized video guides and the decline of printed manuals.

Based on 74 sentiment-bearing replies from 67 accounts across 3 conversations.

Sentiment

Positive88.1%11.9%Negative

Summary

Many accounts fondly recalled physical strategy guides and GameFAQs for their detailed help with games like Final Fantasy and Mystical Ninja, while some criticized video guides and the decline of printed manuals.

Based on 74 sentiment-bearing replies from 67 accounts across 3 conversations.

12 Sources

@TheDavidVincWe had these magical things called books. Perhaps you've heard of them?
@GamerFaceGaming@Lowedeltaa GameFAQs has been around since 1995. There were also a lot of forums phpBB or bulletin people would go ask for help there and get tips from the community. Fun times!
@KheapathicGameFaqs, Official/Professional Printed Strategy Guides that you pay for (quality is questionable), but most importantly... we had friends, and talked to each other. A lot of game knowledge spread via word of mouth, something current generations don't do.
@MugenLordWtf? My guy, it's called a strategy guide back in the day. If you had a PC in the 90's and 2000's, you went to online forums like game FAQs to search for guides and speak with other gamers. Mind you, this is the same generation that would call you a larp, when they've only started playing a game series at its most recent entry.
@210LG@MugenLord Bruh these people would die of boredom trying to read lol
@JeanGen09181213@Lowedeltaa Strategy Guides. That, and you just played the game and figured it out over time. Kids today.....
@Poop_GhostThey don’t know about going to borders to take notes from the game guides
@gol_miaWe had internet in the late 90s and 2000s...and strategy guides! It was pretty easy! Even further back in those days, you probably could find a strategy guide for cheap at a bookstore, or for free at your library if you were lucky. Now, the 80s on the other hand? Can't imagine.
@RexUmberleighWe literally had Gamefaqs
@sistaofpeace1Because we had strategy guides. And, not a JRPG, but…behold, the Nintendo Power strategy guide for Super Mario Bros. 3. (Yes I still have all the pages, as beaten up as it is…good times.)
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    12 Sources

    @TheDavidVincWe had these magical things called books. Perhaps you've heard of them?
    @GamerFaceGaming@Lowedeltaa GameFAQs has been around since 1995. There were also a lot of forums phpBB or bulletin people would go ask for help there and get tips from the community. Fun times!
    @KheapathicGameFaqs, Official/Professional Printed Strategy Guides that you pay for (quality is questionable), but most importantly... we had friends, and talked to each other. A lot of game knowledge spread via word of mouth, something current generations don't do.
    @MugenLordWtf? My guy, it's called a strategy guide back in the day. If you had a PC in the 90's and 2000's, you went to online forums like game FAQs to search for guides and speak with other gamers. Mind you, this is the same generation that would call you a larp, when they've only started playing a game series at its most recent entry.
    @210LG@MugenLord Bruh these people would die of boredom trying to read lol
    @JeanGen09181213@Lowedeltaa Strategy Guides. That, and you just played the game and figured it out over time. Kids today.....
    @Poop_GhostThey don’t know about going to borders to take notes from the game guides
    @gol_miaWe had internet in the late 90s and 2000s...and strategy guides! It was pretty easy! Even further back in those days, you probably could find a strategy guide for cheap at a bookstore, or for free at your library if you were lucky. Now, the 80s on the other hand? Can't imagine.
    @RexUmberleighWe literally had Gamefaqs
    @sistaofpeace1Because we had strategy guides. And, not a JRPG, but…behold, the Nintendo Power strategy guide for Super Mario Bros. 3. (Yes I still have all the pages, as beaten up as it is…good times.)
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