What Is the Name of the SNES Game Manual

This article provides a definitive answer regarding the documentation packaged with Super Nintendo Entertainment System software, detailing the specific terminology used by Nintendo and collectors. It outlines the contents typically found within these booklets, distinguishes them from separate strategy guides, and explains their current value in the retro gaming market.

The printed material included inside the box of every Super Nintendo Entertainment System game is officially called an Instruction Booklet. While commonly referred to by gamers simply as the manual, Nintendo branded these documents as Instruction Booklets to emphasize their role in teaching players how to operate the software. These booklets were essential in the era before digital tutorials, providing critical information on control schemes, game stories, and basic gameplay mechanics.

Instruction Booklets varied in length and quality depending on the game and the publisher, ranging from small folded sheets to extensive multi-page magazines. Unlike the Nintendo Power Player’s Guide, which was a separate purchase offering deep strategies and cheats, the included Instruction Booklet was mandatory packaging designed to get the user started immediately. Today, these booklets are highly sought after by collectors, as a complete-in-box SNES game requires the original Instruction Booklet to maintain its highest market value.