We still remember buying our very first PS1 memory card, which included a staggering 128 kilobytes of space. The console would present storage as “blocks”, and games like Gran Turismo could eventually bloat to filling the entire card. It was a different time back then, and you’d almost certainly need multiple memory cards if you planned to play a lot of games.
Fortunately, it’s now 2021, and if you’re still playing your PS1, there are solutions for you. Take the MemCard Pro by 8BitMods – it’s a “next-gen” memory card for Sony’s first ever console which allows you to connect a MicroSD card of any size and enjoy practically unlimited storage space. “Each gigabyte of storage on your MicroSD equals to a whopping 8,192 memory cards,” the blurb reads.
There’s more to this accessory than pure storage, however. It’s got a Wi-Fi chip and an LED display, so you can manage your data from a web browser on your computer or phone. Furthermore, future firmware updates are planned that will allow you to back up your progress both locally and through a cloud-based interface. No more corrupt data, then!
There are a few minor caveats: it doesn’t work with PS2 Slim models, or with the PS3 memory card adaptor. It also costs £59.99 which, admittedly, won’t break the bank – but it’s probably on the upper-end of what you’d want to pay for PS1 memory these days, and you’ll need to source your own MicroSD. Nevertheless, pre-orders are open now – you can grab your own through here.
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[source 8bitmods.com]
Comments 27
Um... cool...
I wonder if this might be used as a backdoor to run ps1 roms on real hardware?
the drippy Sony PS1 intro is still the best, don't even recall what 2 and 3 were
@JapaneseSonic watch the PS1 intro bit when you start the system, you'll know what I mean, well more tingly like raindrops
Well I clicked the link to the website come back here now its giving me an advertisement for this memory card on Push Square, they are watching lol.
@hi_drnick not through the memory card slot, it doesn't have access to the necessary hardware
I suppose this can be useful to backup your PS1 save files to a PC, that's about the only benefit I can think of for that price.
@Bad-MuthaAdebisi Sorry man, nothing can beat that PS2 intro
Well I'm glad £60 for a memory card on a near 30 year old console isn't going to break your bank but it certainly will mine. Is there seriously going to be demand for this?
I remember having a single card completely dedicated to Gran Turismo 1 and 2 lol. How far we've come!
“...later Slim models of PlayStation 2...” is a little non-specific. Is one to presume it works on earlier revisions of the Slim? Lack of further detail would suggest it’s related to all Slim models. Some clarification would be appreciated.
@Dandan1984
For avid collectors who are wary of the possibility of corruption occurring in decades old memory cards, potentially, yes. I would agree that it is rather pricey, but a lot of new peripherals for retro equipment seem to be overpriced these days.
I’m in sign me up
@Vacuumator I took the wording to mean the Slim isn’t supported at all.
@get2sammyb @Vacuumator I'd imagine it'll actually work on most slim models. Sony introduced a new Bios to remove a homebrew exploit using the memory card (possibly what this is using) but this wasn't until 2008. It's primary use is for PS1 and in particular with an ODE, so maybe that's why they haven't gone into detail at the moment
@Vacuumator
Yes to be fair I see what you mean about data corruption, I had a couple of cheapo ps1 memory cards that randomly deleted save data in the 90's. But £60, jesus...
Nah... I have ps2 slim with 2x 8MB 1x16MB and 1x32MB cards. it is enough.
SWEET! THANK YOU 8BITMODS!
Is it possible to transfer data from my old PS1 memory cards to this card?
I'd be tempted if it was a quarter of that price.
@Vorlon you should be able to plug in 2 cards at the same time and then transfer data from card 1 to card 2. If you have two old memory cards, you can test ist first.
I....already don’t need another PS1 memory card?
i've got a large ps1 and ps2 collection and both memory cards are hitting their cap but actually it forces me to play the games i'm halfway through and complete them so i'm fine with it.
@Dandan1984 Yea they wouldnt have developed it without talking to the community to see what they would like. Probably sell a few k units. Which isnt bad for the target market.
The pricing may seem high for what it is but with the relatively limited run they'll get out of it then they need to make their development time, associated costs and make some profit in the process.
@redd214
Lol I never had a dedicated card to one game on the PS1. I owned about four or five (all different colors) and had the games scattered across them.
Now with that said, I did have one GameCube memory card dedicated to one game. Phantasy Star Online had its own card because that game sucked space like crazy. All I had was the 59 block card at first so I ended up buying a 251 block card and using the 59 just for PSO.
What a strange thing. Mind you most of the PS1 memcards out there are 1mb ... but just how much ps1 games are people playing on original consoles these days? Those CD drives were infamous for dying.
Mine just sits on a shelf as a nostalgia piece. If I want to play a PS1 disc game on my hdtv, I'd rather use my PS3.
They will sell 4.
I’m in need of a new PS1 memory card. Not sure I’d like to pay £60, though. Anyone have any good (cheaper) suggestions?
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