At GameFAQs (http://www.gamefaqs.com),visitors can easily scan the thousands of FAQ files divided by gaming platform or by using the handy search engine. Most of these game guides, cheats, and strategies are in text format so they're a cinch to download for reading offline. And talk about getting something for nothing-just one of the dozen or so Grand Theft Auto: Vice City FAQs is a whopping 125,000-plus Word document.
Speaking of cheat codes, if you can stomach the pop-up ads, the top free Web destination is Cheat Code Central (http://www.cheatcc.com). This site houses a mega-array of video game cheat codes, little-known tips, and downloadable saved games for more than 40 gaming platforms. These codes unlock hidden features in the game, such as invincibility, bonus levels, or access to all the weapons. Cheat Code Central also features GameShark codes for thousands of popular titles. Definitely worth a bookmark for either the casual or hard-core gamer.
But for those who prefer a walk-thru with step-by-step instructions on how to finish a game, click over to The Spoiler Centre (www.the-spoiler.com). This site houses complete spoilers (i.e., solutions) to hundreds of adventure, RPG, and action titles. Believe it or not, the Myst and Final Fantasy VII strategy guidebooks sold more than a million copies each at retail. Too bad more gamers weren't aware of this handy and free Web site.
Lastly, there are hundreds of secrets planted in your console and computer games. Called Easter Eggs, these features are buried deep in the code thanks to programmers and artists who want to challenge players to find a hidden video clip, mini-game, or message. The Easter Egg Archive (http://www.eeggs.com) reveals where to find them, such as a pig in a parachute in Microsoft's Combat Flight Simulator, turning Lara Croft from Tomb Raider into a giant dragon, or how to access a UFO that abducts your soccer heroes in EA Sports' FIFA 2000.-MS