Those of us who grew up through the 1990s remember the video game manual being as much a part of the experience as the game itself. It was often the first tie to any title we’d set our hearts on playing and magic could be found within their pages.

Those leaflets contained epic backstories, descriptions of the heroes and their enemies, detailed instructions and even welcomes from the developers themselves. Reading them was a way of immersing yourself in the digital world before you’d even sat in front of your computer. And rather than the plastic cases we’re all familiar with seeing for today’s physical releases, games came in large cardboard boxes which ended up being piled high next to your CRT monitor like a badge of honour.

Every manual was different in terms of content and appearance, but something they all had in common was the blank notes…