Sony Memory Cards for PlayStation 2

A few years ago I picked up a double pack of memory cards around the time I purchased my Sony PlayStation 2 Slim (Silver) console.  I chose the double pack (SCPH-10410U)of memory cards because I liked the idea of getting two memory cards for the price of one as well as there being two separate colors packaged together (Translucent Red and Translucent Blue).

I was able to pick up the two-pack of Sony PlayStation 2 8MB Memory Cards from Sam Goody (now FYI) for only $14.99 which at the time they retailed for around $24.99 (and now the MSRP is up $10).  Buying a single 8MB memory card (SCPH-10020U) at the time was around $9.99; so I saved $5 when I bought the two-pack.

The Memory Card is essential and required to play almost every game on the Sony PlayStation 2 console.  I have had horrible luck with third party memory cards from Nyko and Pellican crashing and not storing all of the game data after the console is turned off.  I learned my lesson 10+ years ago with the original PlayStation console, so I only buy "Officially Licensed" accessories and peripherals.

The official Sony PlayStation 2 Memory Card holds up to 8MB (approximately 8,000 KB) of data, and for the most part it's sufficient for all games assuming you delete your data after you finish/beat a game; unless you like to archive data even after finishing a game like me.  I have a memory card dedicated to each game I have in my library since each game case features a slot to keep the Memory Card dust free and safe.  8MB is plenty for even the most involved RPG games.  Racing games like Gran Turismo 4 take up quite a bit of room on a Memory Card though...

Examples of Data Usage:

Dragon Quest VIII (177 KB)
Final Fantasy X (64 KB)
Gran Turismo 4 (2000 KB or 2MB)
Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams (311 KB)
Resident Evil 4 (127 KB)
Rogue Galaxy (130 KB)

For the last 4 years I have not had any problems with the Memory Cards and the data for each game has not been corrupted.  The only problem I have with the PS2 Memory Cards would be that they can't be used to save original PlayStation (PS1) games and you have to either buy new PS1 Memory Cards or hold onto the old memory cards you used to use years ago.  PS2 Memory Cards use "Flash Memory" while PS1 Memory Cards use "Block Memory".  Flash Memory allows the user to save only the space needed for a particular game.  Block Memory forces the user to have to use more space necessary because the memory is dived into "blocks" causing a small amount of data to use a whole block instead of only what it needs.  It "wastes" space.  Other than that, I am happy with this product.

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[PRODUCT]
Sony PlayStation 2 Memory Card (8MB) 2-Pack
SCPH-10410U

[MANUFACTURER]
Sony
Made in China

[RELEASE YEAR]
2003

[M.S.R.P.]
$34.99

[BATTERIES REQUIRED?]
n/a

[SPECIFICATIONS]

8MB Capacity (each memory card)

Flash Memory

MagicGate® Encryption Technology

Two Exclusive Colors (Translucent Red & Translucent Blue)

[WARRANTY]
90 Day Warranty*
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© COPYRIGHT 2010 Chris Billings

*Visit "www.us.playstation.com" for more information on the Sony PlayStation 2 Memory Card (8MB) 2-Pack warranty.

** This review is part of the February 2010 "Lean-n-Mean Review Challenge" here on Epinions.

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