Although that's true for the most part, it's obviously not true for all old game manuals--with the one made for the North American release of Nintendo's Balloon Kid being a notable case in point.
In fact, Balloon Kid's 14-pager includes a grand total of two things that make it at all interesting as far as game manuals go, and only one of those things could be considered a positive addition to the proceedings.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAoE74FYiH0X4XCkq9jRrY5ivNbpkecBft3QbycsUG8a_zi2UdUnuEIAsxoxcZzHKqXcv1s3VBafelh6rAFGhArlCTZYgiRsXzl2GYFhgfe2uYXTRoofIrdsClAv_ZuyMwgtTb/s1600/BalloonKid_GameBoy_manual_frontback.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUJfx3csaeXyUv581doNlw5AlOo0TKSvxF-iRlN08bTyG8b6zFLV9MtrUhKMN76oCylZqpS0GwuQ9UP36puOuWOSUTAcvR5rEsgWtmcNEUKr0GY7MAkcaG7uaS_O8kVsA04vF/s1600/BalloonKid_GameBoy_manual_pg12.jpg)
What do I mean? Click on the scan below, read through Balloon Kid's story and then you should be well aware of this manual's lone interesting-yet-negative (as opposed to interesting-yet-positive) feature.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hLIb58_mzjadfM5oEnXoB9qsl8ZDXUCLhAVVWL6E472c_Ks7PNWG5mxs316L2eG_E-HBiY6on219zVWoAmUfUxG0e9Jg8f9HLm0wlz9DE5PkcG-zfAsM3gX48yQr0abSUPf5/s1600/BalloonKid_GameBoy_manual_pg34.jpg)
Now, I don't want to be too harsh toward the people who were responsible for writing and editing this manual, but there are a surprising number of grammar errors in the "game story" above.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEg8AA0GI6tv-PndJCJUgmdSNHPxXTX5Hs85fw7GhpVhdMTe3oqE1dLXTYlxjGcfAfg3vlpc6MeDTre1TdTWgXtv3fFEWgQCAAltbjybk3ibsCnO6EXOGgIRsKfOm3Yo6iZ8ke/s1600/BalloonKid_GameBoy_manual_pg56.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUNgB7w9hcZvXoe-_N8VzHqy7E431vFzD-MOyb4s8xfX8dNZZrm4vnl2TYLk-aqmPAq_Ox3WX9z5kT7967EoAtW6oN_VGcARONGfAmBSunl5m6gzxo-Jxi8jaEruoZEck2rkH/s1600/BalloonKid_GameBoy_manual_pg78.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8fIejtUc4k4zwc5Lq5P6W4NkUvi50Z8b7lC8v6jfeaeDalJdJT6l9Awdo0FAH6JdishLPzgE7rH2P5CMjnH8OjZoZd2TXrPx-I4cMl-YL52_hxzxxHyEsZFpRxQjuLrRd1eD/s1600/BalloonKid_GameBoy_manual_pg910.jpg)
As for the other interesting element included in Balloon Kid's rather flimsy instruction manual, that would be the following pair of illustration-filled pages.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyKjKU_PhH279yMCKW9ed_GzdThKUxJJkXZR2wZft5Vub0ZtVAbRtTX3n1mGF8ItWSoMQmymEkyiE74rmmll4DbmSElGeLqaTuPuGaaiZuA2Qi8DGfmzl14s55e5dwLUk81eXs/s1600/BalloonKid_GameBoy_manual_pg1112.jpg)
Granted, there are a few awkward spellings to be found here, too--Buzzy Bee's?--but at least the drawings are cute (if kind of small).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1to097x7CAOlEJO0_DbExNwrHJuGE_3zwJ7JjIWET0nNw4z0SytIjFzV23GVeMn80ymv_aEcM3-rjjVF3bOiUgHx3FySgpFsPyxstnXnY_UlkOKswGJ-iQzkhNZ7V5DLCbIK/s1600/BalloonKid_GameBoy_manual_pg1314.jpg)
And there you have it--another thrilling edition of "Manual Stimulation." OK, so maybe that's not entirely true in the case of Balloon Kid's manual, but at least it showcases some giggle-worthy writing and a couple of nice illustrations, right?
See also: previous 'Manual Stimulation' posts
6 comments:
Oh wow. The construction manual version of Alice is so much more appealing than the box art version.
Oh, yes, you're right, Drew! I actually like the NA box art overall, but there's no question the design of Alice included on it is a bit ... suspect. It's really too bad NOA didn't use the art that's included on the label/sticker that was given to folks who bought the Japanese version.
I love Balloon Kid!! I was so excited for this game after first seeing it in Nintendo Power! Although I don't know what really drew me to it exactly. ^^ I agree with the poster below even as a kid I thought the box art was kind of hideous compared to what was in the manual. lol
I think this was the first GameBoy game I beat as a kid and I remember feeling so proud of myself! lol
Ha ha! Always glad to hear that someone else likes this game, Kaze :) I know exactly it drew me to it, by the way -- it was the graphics! There was something so ... inviting about them at the time, and that's still true today, or at least it is for me.
I also thought it seemed pretty innovative as far as platformers are concerned. I mean, the gameplay is centered around the use and abuse of balloons, and the action goes from right to left instead of left to right.
I actually kind of like the box art, by the way, although I too prefer the art in the manual to the art on the cover, I have to admit.
This is so cute. I'm so sad :-( we will miss you so much
Yes, Amy, it is very sad. I wish he could have found someone who could have helped him with his demons. Thank you for your comment.
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