Yarborough's Full Review: InterAct Accessories 16MB Memory Card for GameCube
This is the first time I had to write an incomplete review. Sorry, I could not fully test this unit out. So you might as well head for that "Somewhat Helpful" button, because you will have to wait for one of my capable fellow Epinioners to write the WHOLE story. But regardless, I had to get the word out before you get surprised by what is written ON the box or advertised vs. what you would be getting IN the box. Here is my tale of woe.
I received the InterAct Mega Memory, 16 MB memory with Memory Management as a gift last week. It seemed like a good deal. Twice the size of the Sony 8 MB memory and only $30 too.
Here are the surprises
InterAct marketing boasts a 16 MB memory card for the Playstation 2. Their words, "it works just like any standard memory card". One would assume from this that you could plug it in a memory slot and go. Nope! It can not work on it's own.
InterAct promotes their Memory Manager software as a plus. In truth, the memory card can not work without it, therefore it is a necessity.
What this means is every time you want to use your new 16 MB memory card, you need to plug it in, turn on the PS2, open the disk tray and then do a reset with their CD-ROM in the drive. Once the Memory Manager software is loaded, you must then launch any game you want to play from the Manager. Then pull their CD out and put your CD game in. This sounds like a Royal pain to me. Quite a bit of loading to get your game going. They have the nerve to introduce the process above in the user guide using the word "simply". No, no, no. I'll tell you what "simply" is. Simply is shoving your memory card in a slot, leaving it there forever and having it work.
InterAct marketing boasts that you can get up to 5 times the storage on ANY memory card using their Memory Manager.
Yes true, BUT, this is done using file compression. You can not use the compressed game files. They must be uncompressed before use. Therefore, this 5X feature is only useful for archiving stuff you don't readily need.
What happen to me
I never got the Compact Disk to load the software. All I got was "Disk Read Error". I tried over 75 times with various techniques, including both horizontal and vertical PS2.
Mind you, all of my games, DVD and CD load fine. CD audio and movie DVDs load fine. I may have been unlucky enough to get a bad CD or this CD does not like the revision of my vintage PS2 purchased on launch day, October 26, 2000.
Needless to say, after reading the instructions and learning how this memory REALLY works, I didn't care to even try another copy offered by the store. I put my refund in my pocket to use for another official Sony 8 MB memory. Even if the CD had loaded, I would not have kept it.
Getting Physical
The 16 MB memory and Memory Manager CD come in one of those clear plastic packages that looks like it should pop open at the top, but no way. I practically destroyed the package and myself trying to get it open. This made for a messy return even though I tried to be careful. I tried to explain that my dog ate it, but the lady was not buying that.
Inside the package, the memory card floats around loose and there is an oversized CD jewel case that holds the software CD and the user guide. Speaking of oversized, the memory is shaped like the Sony 8 MB, but its about a 1/2 inch longer. So once again, just like the Mad Catz 8 MB PS2 memory card, don't try to store it in one of those nifty memory card holders inside the DVD game cases. It just won't fit.
If you are OK with the tedious task of using this 16 MB card, then go try one. If you are lucky enough to get your CD software disk to read, and remember that you WILL be reading it a lot, then you will be in a position to tell us "The Rest Of The Story". Oh, and don't scratch that disk or 16 MB worth of precious game saves will be garbage.
Yes folks, I can not tell you the electronic wonders that can be achieved with the miracle Memory Manager software from Ronco, I mean InterAct, and it's menu and screens that must surely slice and dice while at the same time provides for easy clean up.
Please be gentle, I had a bad day with this darn thing.
16MB memory card (251 blocks of memory) Comes with protective case One-year warranty, Platforms: No Operating System GameCubeMore at Amazon Marketplace
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