Despite the increasing digitalization in the games industry, there is an unexpected movement that has won over players: the resurgence of physical manuals. This return comes despite recent fan frustration with mandatory digital releases, such as the “GTA 6” edition that only offered a download code and the “Nintendo Switch 2” strategy with digital keys on its cards. This positive trend indicates that many titles still receive physical versions, with printed manuals adding special value.
The return of physical manuals is already visible in several releases planned for this year, covering both large studios and independent projects. The collector’s edition of “Halo: Campaign Evolved”, for example, will come with an updated version of the original “Halo: Combat Evolved” manual, released in 2001. Konami will also follow the trend, including a manual in the physical edition of “Super Bomberman Collection”. Surprisingly, even the highly anticipated indie title “Hollow Knight: Silksong”, one of the most anticipated games of 2025, will have a physical manual in its non-digital edition.
At this stage in which physical editions have become true collector’s objects, the inclusion of a game manual serves more as a value incentive than as a purely practical tool. For enthusiasts, the possibility of having a tangible item that harkens back to the classic experience of unboxing a game is a powerful attraction.
The persistence of printed guides in the digital age
Physical manuals, which were once essential components in console and handheld game releases, began to be gradually phased out during the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 era. Major publishers like Ubisoft, which in 2012 announced the end of printed manual production in an effort to reduce costs and waste, were followed by other companies. Instructions began to be provided digitally within the games themselves, or through increasingly intuitive tutorials. Even Nintendo has adopted the practice of making its official manuals available online, especially for retro titles available in the Nintendo Switch digital library.
Faced with this scenario, dedicated fans took on the mission of filling the gap left by the disappearance of manuals and strategy guides. One notable example is Sandeep Rai, a writer and enthusiast who began producing and marketing physical manuals for recent PlayStation releases, including games from the PlayStation 5 era. Through his website and Etsy store, Rai capitalizes on the nostalgic joy and tactile experience of flipping through a manual. His initiative suggests a way for major publishers to consider returning manuals in physical releases, perhaps as an exclusive bonus for collector’s editions, as seen in the case of “Halo.”
In a scenario where the digitization of games is advancing at a rapid pace, the news of the return of physical manuals and the efforts of individuals like Sandeep Rai demonstrate that hope for the tangible format still remains alive and relevant for the gaming community.
