Buying a video game strategy reference decades after its release means deciding what the book is really for. Are you trying to finish a game, admire concept art, or preserve a piece of gaming history? These four guides land on different answers, and the right choice depends on which goal matters most.
Quick take
If you're after a pristine collector's piece, the SimCity guide makes the strongest case. If display is your priority, The Art of World of Warcraft stands out. If you need playthrough help, the Resident Evil 6 guide fits. If retro completeness is the goal, the MDK guide has the niche appeal.
At a glance: listed price comparison
| Guide | Listed Price | Price Bar | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Art of World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade (2006, Brady Games | USD 19.99 | Art-focused collectible | |
| Resident Evil 6 Video Game Strategy Guide 2012 Capcom Brady Horror OOP | USD 18.99 | Resident Evil 6 campaign help | |
| SimCity: Prima Official Game Guide by David Knight and Prima Games Sealed (2003 | USD 10.95 | Classic strategy guide | |
| MDK Official Primas Strategy Guide Secrets Of The Games Each Level Walkthrough | USD 18.00 | Retro level-by-level guide |
Decision matrix
| If you want... | Pick this... | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A collector's copy of a classic reference | SimCity: Prima Official Game Guide by David Knight and Prima Games Sealed (2003 | From the 2003 SimCity release |
| A visual display piece | The Art of World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade (2006, Brady Games | Art collection rather than walkthrough |
| A hands-on playthrough companion | Resident Evil 6 Video Game Strategy Guide 2012 Capcom Brady Horror OOP | Covers the 2012 game's systems |
| Retro completion help | MDK Official Primas Strategy Guide Secrets Of The Games Each Level Walkthrough | Level-by-level structure for an older game |
Product notes
The Art of World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade (2006, Brady Games
If the goal is a guide that looks good on a shelf, this hardcover is the one to grab. The 2006 Brady Games release collects art from the World of Warcraft expansion, and the Like New condition means the cover and pages should present cleanly. Because it's an art book, it works as a gift for a WoW fan even if that fan never opens a walkthrough. The tradeoff is that this is not a strategy reference: it won't tell you where to quest or what to kill. You're paying for the visuals and the hardcover format, not for practical gameplay instructions. That makes it the choice when display value matters more than dungeon progress.
Resident Evil 6 Video Game Strategy Guide 2012 Capcom Brady Horror OOP
For someone actively playing Resident Evil 6, this Capcom/Brady paperback is the most practical option. It's a strategy guide for the 2012 game, so it should follow the campaign's chapters and systems. The book is in sturdy condition with light wear and no markings inside, which means you can flip through it without treating it like a collectible. The limitation is exactly that: it's in Good, not collectible, condition, so it won't be the crown jewel of a sealed collection. And because it's specifically a Resident Evil 6 book, it won't offer much if you're after art or history outside that one campaign. The out-of-print status in the title makes it a useful reference for players who want the original guide.
SimCity: Prima Official Game Guide by David Knight and Prima Games Sealed (2003
This is the one that gives a collector an unopened copy. The trade paperback comes sealed and in Brand New condition, a rare combination for a guide from 2003. It's a 320-page book with illustrations, covering the 2003 SimCity release in depth. The limitation is the seal itself: the moment you crack it open to use it, it stops being a sealed collectible. If you want a desk copy to flip through, you'd be destroying the very thing that makes this version special. So it's the strongest pick for preserving, not for daily use.
MDK Official Primas Strategy Guide Secrets Of The Games Each Level Walkthrough
This is the curiosity pick of the four. The MDK guide offers each-level walkthrough coverage for the MDK game, and it also comes with the game pro January 1998 insert that says "make mincemeat out of MDK." If you're hunting for retro game paperwork, that insert is a distinctive extra. The catch is condition: the strategy guide has some damage to the top right corner that looks burned, and even though it doesn't affect the parts that need to be read, it's clearly not a clean shelf copy. It's also in Good condition overall. For a collector who wants a pristine reference, that corner damage will be hard to ignore. For a player or a fan of late-90s titles who just wants the guidance, it's a fine, quirky addition.
Final recommendation
Now that the guides are laid out, the final decision comes down to your use case. Pick the SimCity guide if you want a collector's copy of a classic strategy reference. Pick The Art of World of Warcraft if display value matters. Pick the Resident Evil 6 guide if you're playing through the 2012 campaign and want a practical reference. Pick the MDK guide if a retro walkthrough is exactly what you need. All four have a home, just in different collections.
