In spite of major bugs, it can be a lifesaver
Written: Jun 24 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great cheats, upgrades, virtual memory, card copy
Cons: Difficult interface for loading codes, virtual memory is fussy
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| QueenLyssa's Full Review: InterAct GameShark Pro PS |
There are game purists out there who cry foul at the thought of cheat codes. After all, it's cheating to use them. I, however, am not a purist. I'll play a game at least once without cheats in order to claim victory, but for replays and those occasions when simply being one heck of a powergamer is a necessity for stress-release, I hit the codes and blaze away.
The GameShark is a nifty little plug-in for your game console that enables you to use cheat codes, save games, download saved games from the internet, and copy memory cards. It's certainly not a perfect plug-in, rife with bugs even in the latest edition, but it does the job on a consistent enough basis to make me love it.
I'll get the downside over with first. Entering codes can be a mind-numbing experience, at least on the PSX. One is limited by the input device being the controller, requiring some rather complex and repetitive work to enter in lists of 12-digit codes using 16 digits (0-9 and a-f). Some of these lists can be enormous, especially for RPG games. The interface can leave you with a headache. However, once entered, you're good to go for the rest of the life of the game.
The virtual memory tends to get extremely fussy if you have multiple saves of different games on different cards. When this happens, the GameShark will claim the cards are full and won't let you switch to another card until you remove the data on the card giving it problems. This requires copying games back and forth until the problem is solved and the GameShark is happy again.
Sheeze, you say, why is she even recommending this product if it has these kinds of fundamental problems? Well, here's the upside.
First off, there's the codes themselves. GameShark has a ton of them and adds new codes regularly to their website, and other internet resources list every code you could ever want. While some codes come with a warning regarding the uncertainty of their compatibility with gameplay, I've never had one cause a problem yet.
Second, you can upgrade GameShark Pro. Simply plug it into your PC and you can download the latest version. Perhaps even the bugs will get fixed soon.
Third, in spite of the fussiness, virtual memory can be a real lifesaver. GameShark Pro stores the equivalent of 8 cards worth of game saves. It also makes copying games and entire cards a snap compared to the alternative of loading a game, switching cards, and saving again, a method which won't even work on some games that demand their original card for a save.
Fourth, the downloadable saved games are great. Lost your save? You don't have to go back to the beginning, just grab a saved game off the internet and get right back to work.
All in all, in spite of a few major bugs, I'd recommend the GameShark Pro to any games enthusiast. Increase your enjoyment and get the most out of your games with a few cheats here and there, I'm not going to tell anyone.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
QueenLyssa
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Member: Lyssa Jaraba
Location: Riverside, CA
Reviews written: 64
Trusted by: 19 members
About Me:
It's good to be queen.
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