nesdev.org

Hello, now I'm curious about this: How do I make manuals for NES games?

Is there a template? Do I have to photoshop a random scan? Is there a certain size I should use?

Any answer for any of these questions are fine. Thank You.

First you need to clearly describe what the player is expected to do and how to control the game.

tepples wrote:First you need to clearly describe what the player is expected to do and how to control the game.

Don't forget to put the title of the game at the beginning as well.

Perhaps I came off too glib in my rush to get out the door. But my point is that you can work on the content and have that ready before you make the formatting final. For example, you can make the manual as an HTML document and then transform it into the paged medium once you decide on a page size.

Now about the page size in particular: If you're packaging your game in a plastic case, as with early Genesis games and every console from the PS2 on, the size of the manual slot in the case will dictate the size of your manual. If you're packaging your game in a cardboard box, as with NES, Super NES, late Genesis, and N64 games, you can use any size so long as it fits in the box. Does the instruction manual need to be the same size as the manuals that came with NES games?

tepples wrote: Does the instruction manual need to be the same size as the manuals that came with NES games?

Yes, that's kinda what I meant.

The manual of Dr. Mario is about 133.5 mm by 102.6 mm, plus or minus 0.3 mm. If you want to put a lot of information in your manual, consider making it as big as a Super NES or Nintendo 64 game's manual: 117.1 mm by 173.2 mm, same error bounds.