GameCube Memory Manager Flaw
Nintendo's memory card limitations creep up.
March 22, 2002 - Today we thoroughly tested InterAct's Mega Memory 16x. While doing so we ran into a problem. Whether you knew it or not (even we didn't) the GameCube only allows for 127 save files.
Turn to page 18 of your GameCube instruction booklet and you'll see it notes: "You cannot move or copy files...when you have reached the maximum of 127 files on the memory card that you are trying to move or copy a file to (Note: This limitation is only for future memory cards that have 127 or more blocks available to save files to)."
The notation is a bit confusing as it seems to accidentally swap the terms "files" and "blocks." We managed to use all 127 files for well over 1000 blocks, amounting to 8MB. We're willing to bet a bigger memory card could store more if you could store enough large files (i.e. 127 files of 295 block ASB 2003 saves.)
Needless to say, the limitation could pose problems for those interested in using larger memory cards. Furthermore, we have no idea how Panasonic's SD-Memory Card 59 adapter would behave with large cards such as 64MBs. We can only guess the 127 file limitation would be removed via software somehow.
We have no official word on the situation from either InterAct or Nintendo. If you're looking into purchasing a higher density memory card from a third-party, however, keep this in mind. It's not the memory card that limits your save space, but the GameCube's inherent design.
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