|
Nintendo Digicard
Get the lowdown on Gamecube's version of the N64 Controller Pak.
September 8, 2000
Although the design isn't completely final, here is a quick glimpse at the Gamecube version of Nintendo's patented Controller Pak, called the Digicard. Interestingly, Nintendo chose to abandon controller-based memory ports and is going the PlayStation route with console based Digicard slots.
Like the Controller Pak, the Digicard is designed exclusively for Gamecube. Nintendo didn't reveal exact details about it at Spaceworld, but we know that it includes 4Mbits (about half a megabyte) of flash memory -- which is twice the memory of the N64 Controller Pak. The actual physical size of the Digicard is smaller than the Controller Pak. The choice of such low-capacity memory storage cards is a bit puzzling, especially since the competition offers a much higher-density memory card, but chances are the Digicard will cost less and perform more efficiently. For games that require more storage data, Nintendo will offer a SD adapter that lets the Gamecube save to 64MB memory disks manufactured by Matsushita.
How quickly the Digicard writes is unknown, but Nintendo promises that it's "highly efficient for playing games." The Digicard is thought to be made by Macronix, the company who currently supplies Nintendo with its ROM memory for the N64.
Interestingly, the current Gamecube design only features two Digicard slots due to cost reasons, slot A and slot B. This means that with four-player games like Perfect Dark, two players have to either share one card or swap to save. A minor inconvenience, but still worth mentioning.
Digicard pricing details are still unknown, but we'll have an update for you as soon as Nintendo announces them.
Click here for a close-up view of the Digicard and Digicard slot.
|
