InterAct Dreamcast Memory Card - A Must Have
Written: Apr 25 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Simple to use, bonus storage case, low price.
Cons: Nothing ... yet.
The Bottom Line: InterAct once again dominates the video game accessory arena. Inexpensive, easy to use and a must for Dreamcast owners.
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| Freak369's Full Review: InterAct Eb Dreamcast Memory Card Basic |
Unless you are an extremely casual gamer, chances are you have at least one memory card for your Dreamcast system. However, with most games, existing without one is almost impossible. Let’s face it – who wants to start a game from the beginning each and every time? Recently I picked up another Dreamcast system [dirt cheap and brand new] when Wal-Mart marked them down [again]. With the Dreamcast game systems and accessories becoming increasingly harder to find new, I also took advantage of several of the different memory cards that were also marked down. You’ll hear nothing but rave reviews about the InterAct line of products from me – so get ready for a wave of video game, memory card and accessory reviews from this freak.
As I mentioned, Dreamcast items are getting harder and harder to find. When I came across the InterAct Basic Memory Card for a rock bottom price of $4.99 I was in utter video game bliss. I was so used to the Playstation memory cards that when I saw this card had the capability of holding 200 blocks of memory I was blown away. That is, until I realized that some games hog up 20 – 30 blocks. Crazy Taxi is guilty of filling up 23 blocks alone. Still, with the handful of titles I own for the Dreamcast, this card would be more than sufficient.
The Card
Again, I am a Playstation person. I am used to slipping the memory card into the deck and being done with it, instead I wasted about 45 seconds of my life looking at the front of the Dreamcast wondering where the memory card would fit. My youngest son was walking by and immediately recognized my look of confusion and picked up the memory card, took the controller off of me and slid it into the slot on the controller. From there things went as easy as pie. I loaded Crazy Taxi and without touching a single button, the Dreamcast set up a new program for me so that I could save my progress.
I’ve been using the memory card to save my progress on several games over the past week and haven’t had a single issue with any of the saves, loading of games or recalling what is on the memory card. To say that this is a no brainer is an understatement. You can get the details about how many blocks of memory are required for different games by reading the back of the jewel case. Some games only require a few while others get greedy. You can edit your memory card when you turn the system on. Easy to use prompts guide you through the process of deleting, moving or copy files. You can also see how many blocks you have available before you start playing a new game. In the event that you don’t have enough free memory to save a new game you will be given a message and offered the chance to delete the number of blocks needed to proceed.
The Case
Included with the memory card is a carrying case that will hold two Dreamcast memory card [regardless of manufacturer]. The case looks like a Playstation double CD case and is pretty sturdy. There are also a set of labels for the memory cards, a card index and a set of stickers for the outside of the case. You might want to check the case for security tags if you plan on taking the memory cards out of the house to swap with friends. I left the case in my backpack and completely forgot about it. Even though the security tag was cleared when I made my purchase, it did set off a few alarms at Sam Goody and Planet X.
This case is really a nice perk to get with the memory card. It helps to keep the memory cards safe, dust free and available at a moments notice. It’s also nice to have the case for shipping purposes – if something should happen and you need to return it to the manufacturer this will give it some extra protection during shipping.
Warranty
This is where I had to laugh. InterAct gives you a 90 day warranty from the date of purchase. This covers any type of defect in workmanship or material for that period of time. If it is defective in this respect, you have to ship the memory card to InterAct [postage prepaid] with a check or money order for $5.00 to cover processing fees and return shipping. If it only cost $4.99, wouldn’t it make more sense to just buy another one and retuned the defective one to Wal-Mart? Wal-Mart will accept returns only on defective video games and accessories - and in the case of video games they will only allow a full swap [no cash refund if the game is opened].
There is a small instruction card included inside the jewel case. The instructions are printed in English, French and Spanish. This is also where you will find the detail about the warranty as well as technical support, email address, web site location, precautions and how to operate the memory card.
Who Needs This
Anyone that plays any type of Dreamcast game that allows progress to be saved should have this, or a similar type of memory card. For those that don’t play video games – a memory card allows you to save your position in a game [weapons, lives, money, kills etc]. Without a memory card, each time you start the game you’ll have to start at the beginning – unless you are given a password or code. In that event you’ll be taken back to a position in the game but may lose crucial items or lives.
With the evolution of video games, having a memory card isn’t just a want or desire, it is a necessity. With the accessories getting scarce, if you own a Dreamcast system and have more than a few games, you might want to pick up a few of these while you can.
The Bottom Line
So far this memory card has worked perfectly. With most games you will experience a 10 – 20 second load time when you first start and about the same amount of time when you exit or make any saves to the game. If you are a person that only buying the name brand items when it comes to video game accessories you might find yourself out in the cold since official Dreamcast items are few and far between. I highly suggest that you give the InterAct Basic Memory Card a try – especially if you can pick it up on clearance. Be careful if you purchase a used card – even from a reputable source. You have no idea what might be saved on the card, the level of use it went through or if it is damaged.
The Stats
Product Name: InterAct Basic Memory Card
Storage Capacity: 200 memory blocks
UPC 41948 20316
Price $4.99*
Manufacturer Website www.interactaccessories.com
* Clearance price.
Since Epinions does not host a picture of the memory card or the storage box, you can visit the link below to see the page at the InterAct website.
http://www.interactaccessories.com/popup/popup_pics.asp?ProductID=P-20-
316E&Prefix=p_dc&BGColor=FFFFFF&TopColor=FF6633
As always, thanks for the read!
^V^ Freak ^V^
Recommended:
Yes
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