Playstation - Memory Cards

"Things are more like they are today than they ever have been before"

Allright, you're fed up with the lame ass 15 memory slots a normal Sony PSX memory card can sustain? You want more space for storing all of your saves? Or perhaps you want to use the memory card as a small HD for serial transmissions? Well, either way there are several ways to go besides Sony's way.

You might have heard about the enormous 120, 240 and even 360 block-memory cards. These are the things we'll discuss today. First off, what's the difference between the two? Well, Sony's memory cards can save a maximum of 15 states and they generally cost a lot (somtimes as much as twice the cost) more than other non-Sony cards. The Mega-Memory Cards (they are called that) can store up to 360 states on a single card, a card that doesnt cost a cent more than a normal Sony-15-slots card.

"Then it's obvious which one to choose", you might say. Well, no. You see, all of Sony's cards has been vigorously tested and have got their stamp of quality or whatever it is called. Normally these stamps aren't worth the paper they're printed on but not this time.. You see page flipping (see below) causes tension in the memory card (non-sony ones) because the card stores the amounts of data through compression. This sometimes lead to corrupt save files, which we all know suck ass... NOT always though! My friend and I have used our Mega cards for a long time and they haven't failed use even once!

Some Hard Facts:
Even though the cards boast of 128 kb memory buffers, they only have 64. The rest is a sort of dubbelspacing.
The card can only save 15 states, but it supports several "pages" which can store 15 each.
Changing pages has been known to corrupt save games for some people. (not for me though)
The cards almost always cost less than a normal Sony memory card.
The maximum blocks I've ever seen is 720!!! Massive!

Page Flipping:
Now, if you've already bought your mega memory card and are one of those unlucky souls (like me!) that didn't get a manual with their card the page flipping sequence can be quite a hassel! It works like this:
On your memory card there is a digital display (99%), on it you see which page you are currently using. Each page contains 15 slots. When you run out of slots on the page you have to flip it. How? Well, here's the tricky part. You flip pages with TOP_LEFT+TOP_RIGHT+SELECT. This combo works on 90% av all cards. Some may require the START button to be pressed as well. It differs. On some cards, like mine, you have to press that combo and then: KEEP HOLDING DOWN TOP_LEFT and PRESS SELECT to go up one step. To go down one step press: TOP_RIGHT+SELECT. This combination may also vary from one card to another. Try a couple of times and you will find the correct combo for you card.

Some Mega-Memory Cards:
Allright, you might have went out searching for these great cards and have been met with row after row of cards all claiming to be "the safest, most reliable and fastest card on the market". Which one should you choose? Well, I have got an Innovate Mega Memory card, 320 blocks. Its on sale at Toys R Us for about 30$. At least in Sweden. I couldnt find any info about it but here is a few other cards that has been well documented on the net and that has sold a lot.

The NYCO Memory Card
Maximum support: 360 blocks (unsure, if you've got other info; mail me)
Appearance: 10/10 (just look at it! it's cool!)
Reliability: 8/10

The MEGA Memory Card
Maximum support: 360 blocks
Appearance: 6/10
Reliability: 6/10

The INNOVATIVE MEGA Memory Card
Maximum support: 720 blocks
Appearance: 5/10
Reliability: 9/10

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