When you're building a video game strategy reference for a classic console, the first question isn't just which game you want to master-it's whether you want a deep single-game companion or a broad collection of tips across many titles. Two very different answers sit side by side in this price range: the Chrono Cross: Official Strategy Guide, and the 3DO Games Secrets Book Two. Each takes a distinct approach to helping you play better.
Quick verdict: If you own Chrono Cross and want a complete walkthrough, the official guide is the obvious pick. If you're exploring the 3DO library and want a mix of hints and tips across multiple games, 3DO Games Secrets Book Two is the more flexible choice. Both solve different problems, so your console and play style matter more than any single feature.
Here's how the two guides stack up at a glance:
| Feature | Chrono Cross Guide | 3DO Secrets Book Two |
|---|---|---|
| Price | USD 39.95 | USD 29.00 |
| Format | Paperback | Trade Paperback |
| Author | Dan Birlew | Zach Meston | J. Douglas Arnold |
| Published | 2000 | 1996 |
| Scope | Chrono Cross walkthrough | 3DO secrets, hints and tips |
Where each product wins: Where Chrono Cross wins is depth. It focuses entirely on one game, so you get a structured, complete strategy path instead of a light overview. Where 3DO Secrets wins is range. It covers a whole catalog of 3DO titles, making it a practical pick for collectors with multiple games. Neither book is a wrong pick, but they favor different priorities.
Chrono Cross: Official Strategy Guide
For anyone playing through Chrono Cross, this is the guide that maps out the whole journey. Published by Brady, it walks through the game's branching story, recruitable characters, and key decisions. The guide is in Good condition, which means the cover and spine may show some scuffing or edge wear, and pages may contain occasional marks. If you want a dedicated single-game companion, this gives you a structured path through one of the more complex RPGs of that era. The obvious limitation is its narrow scope: if you aren't playing Chrono Cross, the book won't help with anything else.
3DO Games Secrets Book Two
This trade paperback takes the opposite approach by gathering strategy, hints, and walkthroughs for a wide range of 3DO games. If you own several titles for that system, the broad coverage makes it a practical reference. It also costs $29.00, which keeps the entry point lower than the Chrono Cross guide. Because it is a compilation, individual games do not get the same deep treatment you would expect from a single-title guide. The copy is in Good condition and is inscribed, so you will want to be comfortable with a personal note inside if you pick it up.
Final choice by use case: If your current project is Chrono Cross, the official strategy guide is the clear companion. If your shelf is full of 3DO games and you want one book that touches on many of them, 3DO Games Secrets Book Two is the more flexible buy. Match the guide to the console you actually sit down with, and either choice becomes a useful addition to your reference collection.
