I only use them for when I get stuck in a game and I absolutely can't get past a certain part. So, I'll look up how to do it, and then proceed to feel incredibly stupid for not having thought of that. For my case, I don't view them as cheating, just as a helpful hint.

Depends on the use. If a game sucks at letting you know where you need to go and you wander aimlessly on the over world for hours, then I don't consider it cheating. Otherwise, yes, I think it is cheating.

I would consider it a form of cheating if the game required large amounts of brain activity such as most point-and-click adventures, though if you use a walkthrough for one of them your mostly cheating yourself as I've always found part of the fun of a PaC game was the satisfaction of figuring out a puzzle on your own brain power.

In more typical adventure games such as Zelda I normaly only use guides as a last resort, or use them on a second playthrough in an attempt to get 100%, but then again it also depends on the game. I remember a last gen game called 'Sphinx and the cursed Mummy' which although it was an exellent game, was totally useless at providing any hints at where to go or what to do next and I had to use a walkthrough quite a lot. If a game has issues like these I would have total sympathy for someone useing a walkthrough for most or for the entire game.

If more of the challenge is in knowing what to do than actually doing it, yeah. I generally only buy guides or use walkthroughs for games that require a lot of exploration, or encourage preparation for battles.

RPGs, some platformers (like the 3D Marios), and Adventure Games

Now, for games that rely more heavily on puzzles, it is basically cheating (like Super Paper Mario, or some of the Zelda games)

I think most people use Walkthroughs as tips for hard parts of the games, or answers to annoying puzzles.

Last resort for me. I do my best not to touch them.

I guess you can call it cheating...

Playing an RPG without a walkthrough these days is like saying you only feel like playing half the game.

Reminds me of Tales of Symphonia where you'd only get certain titles between certain periods of time in the game when you had certain characters with you and when the sun, moon, and stars aligned.

I think cheating is the wrong word. Unless you are trying to claim some sort of game playing superiority, or get through the game in a shorter time than someone else, or there is some other competetive element then it isn't cheating. The only thing using walkthroughs does is diminish the sense of accomplishment when you finish the game.

Using a walkthrough to get a trophy or achievement seems like rather a hollow victory since you didn't get it through your own skill and intelligence. Having it sit there on your online profile is a constant reminder to you that you were incapable of reaching the heights of achiement on your own. It's also cheating if someone says "wow, you actually got that?" and you sit their letting them think you achieved all by yourself.

But how is using a walkthrough different to asking a friend how to get past a certain stage, or find all of the secret areas, or whatever, when that friend has played the game before you?

No, in general using walkthroughs is not cheating.

I'll use a walkthrough if the alternative is wandering aimlessly hoping to stumble upon the clue. That's just not fun.

I also generally read strats about strategy games, but not until I've played it enough to develop my own.

in single player games you only cheat yourself. in multiplayer games it is common knowledge. yes its cheating, but no one will be unfairly hurt.

ill use one if im frustrated or if something would take too long. although, for loz:ww i realized how stupid the triforce pieces were and gave up quickly.