When you're shopping for a video game strategy reference from the print era, the first fork in the road is format: do you want a full book that walks you through one game, or a magazine that covers several games? The MDK Official Prima's Strategy Guide and the Tips & Tricks May 2006 #135 issue sit on opposite sides of that choice. One is a dedicated guide for MDK, the other is a periodical. Here's how to pick.
Quick Verdict
For a single game companion with level-by-level instructions, choose the MDK Official Prima's Strategy Guide at $18. For a magazine that costs less and covers a specific era, the Tips & Tricks May 2006 #135 issue at $14.95 is a solid pick, especially since it's sold by RetroGamePlanet.
Comparison at a Glance
| Product | Format | Price | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| MDK Official Prima's Strategy Guide | Book | USD 18.00 | Each level walkthrough, author Bart Farkas, 1997, Game Pro insert |
| Tips & Tricks May 2006 #135 | Magazine | USD 14.95 | Glossy pages, bagged and boarded |
The magazine is $3.05 less, so that's a real consideration.
Where the MDK Guide Wins
The MDK guide is the better pick if you want to follow one game from start to finish. A book gives you room for a detailed walkthrough, and the title promises exactly that: each level. You're paying more, but you get a robust reference for a single title.
Where the Tips & Tricks Magazine Wins
The Tips & Tricks issue wins for anyone who wants a lower price and a more casual browsing experience. It's the less expensive option, and a magazine is easier to flip through than a book. If you prefer a snapshot of gaming coverage, this issue fits the bill.
Product Notes
MDK Official Prima's Strategy Guide
The MDK Official Prima's Strategy Guide is a full book dedicated to one game, published in 1997 by Prima's and written by Bart Farkas. It covers each level with a walkthrough, so it's the kind of guide you keep next to you while playing. The used copy has a top right corner that looks like it suffered a burn, but the damage only touches the first few pages and doesn't hide any required text. You also get a Game Pro January 1998 insert. It's the higher-priced pick, but the depth for a single game is what you're paying for. The downside is the visible wear.
Tips & Tricks May 2006 #135
Tips & Tricks May 2006 #135 is a glossy magazine issue with a Kingdom Hearts 2 focus. It's a periodical, so you get a mix of strategy content rather than a single-game walkthrough. The magazine is the less expensive of the two, and the seller RetroGamePlanet sends it bagged and boarded, which helps preserve the cover. If you're a fan of Kingdom Hearts 2, this issue gives you that specific coverage in a magazine format. The tradeoff is that you don't get the level-by-level depth of a dedicated book, so it's a different kind of reference.
Final Choice by Use Case
For a dedicated MDK player who wants level-by-level guidance, the MDK Official Prima's Strategy Guide is the clear choice. For a Kingdom Hearts 2 fan who prefers a lower-priced magazine with a broader mix, the Tips & Tricks May 2006 #135 is the better fit.
