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Those of you who are picking this up, be wary.
Borrowed from Edge Forums.
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Ok I got my Freeloader today and am extremely disappointed that it doesn't work like Datel says it will. I bought 5 import games and they all have various issues with them. I'm using the official RGB Scart lead for the NGC, and my TV can display 60hz.
Firstly there are 3 fairly similiar boot methods to boot up the Freeloader.
The first method invloves a direct boot for the Freeloader from power on of the Gamecube, taking the disc out on prompt when it loads, and inserting the import game.
Second method involves inserting the Freeloader disc after you switch the GC on, waiting for it to read it, then going into the Gameplay option in the GC menu and switching discs from there.
Third method involves booting the Freeloader like normal, when it boots up, you press Z on the controller to select the region of the disc you want to play (you can select from three flags (USA, Japanese and Austrailia). This method seems to be the most successful for me. Depending on which one I chose, I had varying degrees of success. Here are my results.
Resident Evil Zero (USA) -
This game has the biggest problem making it impossible to play currently. It will only run using the third boot method. When this game boots up after using the Freeloader, it is extremely slow and choppy, sound is messed up making it totally unplayable.
Metroid Prime (USA)
This game has various issues but is now perfectly playable for me. If I boot this game using boot methods 1 or 2 it will run, but the titles screen is completely blank with just the text and a black background. If you continue and start the game, it will be very choppy when you move Samus around. The screen moves very jerkily. Even though its playable like this, its not really recommended. Its like its trying to play it in 50hz, when the game wasnt designed to,be played like this. hence the strange choppiness.
Now when I first used boot method 3 on it, the game would load up, even having the full titles screen, but there would be one BIG problem. The colours of the game would be messed up completely, i.e. yellow is blue etc. However, (and this has completely baffled me) when I run the game using method 3 now, it runs perfectly, at 60hz with the right colours. I dont know why its suddenly started working with method 3. This just makes things more confusing.
Skies of Arcadia Legends (USA)
Game runs fine using method 3. Have yet to try the other two methods.
Super Monkey Ball 2
Only runs using method 3. Will not load at all using the other two methods. Also game crashed once when I was playing it.
Animal Crossing
Again, only works using method 3.
So it seems there are lots of problems with this Freeloader. Other people might have different experiences with these same games, but I am disappointed by it as I spent approx £150 on the import games, and I can't even play one of them. The problems also seem to be rather random which makes things even worse. Didn't Datel even test this properly? It's not like the games I tried are obscure and hard to find.
****
Borrowed from Edge Forums.
****
Ok I got my Freeloader today and am extremely disappointed that it doesn't work like Datel says it will. I bought 5 import games and they all have various issues with them. I'm using the official RGB Scart lead for the NGC, and my TV can display 60hz.
Firstly there are 3 fairly similiar boot methods to boot up the Freeloader.
The first method invloves a direct boot for the Freeloader from power on of the Gamecube, taking the disc out on prompt when it loads, and inserting the import game.
Second method involves inserting the Freeloader disc after you switch the GC on, waiting for it to read it, then going into the Gameplay option in the GC menu and switching discs from there.
Third method involves booting the Freeloader like normal, when it boots up, you press Z on the controller to select the region of the disc you want to play (you can select from three flags (USA, Japanese and Austrailia). This method seems to be the most successful for me. Depending on which one I chose, I had varying degrees of success. Here are my results.
Resident Evil Zero (USA) -
This game has the biggest problem making it impossible to play currently. It will only run using the third boot method. When this game boots up after using the Freeloader, it is extremely slow and choppy, sound is messed up making it totally unplayable.
Metroid Prime (USA)
This game has various issues but is now perfectly playable for me. If I boot this game using boot methods 1 or 2 it will run, but the titles screen is completely blank with just the text and a black background. If you continue and start the game, it will be very choppy when you move Samus around. The screen moves very jerkily. Even though its playable like this, its not really recommended. Its like its trying to play it in 50hz, when the game wasnt designed to,be played like this. hence the strange choppiness.
Now when I first used boot method 3 on it, the game would load up, even having the full titles screen, but there would be one BIG problem. The colours of the game would be messed up completely, i.e. yellow is blue etc. However, (and this has completely baffled me) when I run the game using method 3 now, it runs perfectly, at 60hz with the right colours. I dont know why its suddenly started working with method 3. This just makes things more confusing.
Skies of Arcadia Legends (USA)
Game runs fine using method 3. Have yet to try the other two methods.
Super Monkey Ball 2
Only runs using method 3. Will not load at all using the other two methods. Also game crashed once when I was playing it.
Animal Crossing
Again, only works using method 3.
So it seems there are lots of problems with this Freeloader. Other people might have different experiences with these same games, but I am disappointed by it as I spent approx £150 on the import games, and I can't even play one of them. The problems also seem to be rather random which makes things even worse. Didn't Datel even test this properly? It's not like the games I tried are obscure and hard to find.
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I'm saying it lets you boot import games without a mod-chip, yes.
You do have to swap discs without pushing eject, but that's easily done.
You do have to swap discs without pushing eject, but that's easily done.
How I laugh. Just buy another Cube, like me. This Datel tack won't work because: surprise surprise: it's Datel. 6 month delays. G-FORCE. 16MB memory cards that never work.
Tack, tack, tack. Datel should just give up, or put some effort in for once.
Tack, tack, tack. Datel should just give up, or put some effort in for once.
Darwock wrote:
> Umm, yes there is. I've been playing NTSC-J GT3 and MGS2 using this
> disc for the past couple of weeks. But since you are so confident,
> I'll just leave you it.
So let me get this straight here. You are saying that you have a PS2 bootdisk that will boot import (US and JAP) games on a UK PS2 WITHOUT the need for any mod, and that includes the so called 'no solder' mods and Neo key etc.?
You just put the boot disk into a regular unopened PS2, load the bookdisc, swap to the import game and away you go?
Is this what your saying?
> Umm, yes there is. I've been playing NTSC-J GT3 and MGS2 using this
> disc for the past couple of weeks. But since you are so confident,
> I'll just leave you it.
So let me get this straight here. You are saying that you have a PS2 bootdisk that will boot import (US and JAP) games on a UK PS2 WITHOUT the need for any mod, and that includes the so called 'no solder' mods and Neo key etc.?
You just put the boot disk into a regular unopened PS2, load the bookdisc, swap to the import game and away you go?
Is this what your saying?
Echelon_vs_Lightforce wrote:
> A PS2 boot disk!
>
> WTF are you on about boy. There is no such disc.
>
> FACT.
Umm, yes there is. I've been playing NTSC-J GT3 and MGS2 using this disc for the past couple of weeks. But since you are so confident, I'll just leave you it.
> A PS2 boot disk!
>
> WTF are you on about boy. There is no such disc.
>
> FACT.
Umm, yes there is. I've been playing NTSC-J GT3 and MGS2 using this disc for the past couple of weeks. But since you are so confident, I'll just leave you it.
Latest from Datel:
Datel has been making import game enablers for some 18 years, so we're fully aware that there's likely to be a small number of anomalies. For people who are new to import game enablers, here is how they work.
FreeLoader's job is to make games run out of region - we can't guarantee how these games will perform when they're operating in an alien colour environment. We have never claimed that 100% of games will work 100% of the time, as that would be unrealistic for anybody who's familiar with an import game enabler to expect.
Three different loading methods are clearly detailed in the FreeLoader manual. Sometimes a game will boot using the quickest method, but it may actually perform better using another. Therefore we recommend that you try another method if your game crashes or you experience any other abnormal effects during gameplay.
Let's put this into perspective. We're talking about just one game here that may have issues with FreeLoader (Resident Evil Zero USA playing on a PAL GameCube). Don't forget FreeLoader is a universal product. When you look at the big picture, imagine a huge matrix containing Japanese, US and European games playing on Japanese, US and European consoles. The potential for incompatibility is huge, and yet only game has had reported problems.
We will be testing Resident Evil Zero USA, which as stated above is the only game that appears to have issues. If it transpires that there is a problem with this game, or indeed any game, then we will always try to fix it. We can't guarantee that further down the line that other newer games won't have issues - our experience in this market shows it would be sensible to even expect this. However FreeLoader is a constantly evolving product, and we will endeavour to improve the product whenever necessary.
For just £19.99 FreeLoader opens up another world containing dozens of new games. Many FreeLoader owners are now happily playing Animal Crossing, Metroid Prime, and many other GameCube games which they couldn't experience otherwise.
Datel has been making import game enablers for some 18 years, so we're fully aware that there's likely to be a small number of anomalies. For people who are new to import game enablers, here is how they work.
FreeLoader's job is to make games run out of region - we can't guarantee how these games will perform when they're operating in an alien colour environment. We have never claimed that 100% of games will work 100% of the time, as that would be unrealistic for anybody who's familiar with an import game enabler to expect.
Three different loading methods are clearly detailed in the FreeLoader manual. Sometimes a game will boot using the quickest method, but it may actually perform better using another. Therefore we recommend that you try another method if your game crashes or you experience any other abnormal effects during gameplay.
Let's put this into perspective. We're talking about just one game here that may have issues with FreeLoader (Resident Evil Zero USA playing on a PAL GameCube). Don't forget FreeLoader is a universal product. When you look at the big picture, imagine a huge matrix containing Japanese, US and European games playing on Japanese, US and European consoles. The potential for incompatibility is huge, and yet only game has had reported problems.
We will be testing Resident Evil Zero USA, which as stated above is the only game that appears to have issues. If it transpires that there is a problem with this game, or indeed any game, then we will always try to fix it. We can't guarantee that further down the line that other newer games won't have issues - our experience in this market shows it would be sensible to even expect this. However FreeLoader is a constantly evolving product, and we will endeavour to improve the product whenever necessary.
For just £19.99 FreeLoader opens up another world containing dozens of new games. Many FreeLoader owners are now happily playing Animal Crossing, Metroid Prime, and many other GameCube games which they couldn't experience otherwise.
Darwock wrote:
The Dreamcast and PS2 boot discs work
> perfectly.
>
A PS2 boot disk!
WTF are you on about boy. There is no such disc.
A PS2 cannot play import games without a modchip of some sort. And this is where the 'boot disk' is sometimes used. If you have something like a Neo 2.2 then you need the 'book disc' (or an action replay) to load some games on the chipped PS2. But unlike the DC, which you could just put the boot disk in and load any game of any region and it would work on a standard machine, the PS2 must be modded internally first. FACT.
The Dreamcast and PS2 boot discs work
> perfectly.
>
A PS2 boot disk!
WTF are you on about boy. There is no such disc.
A PS2 cannot play import games without a modchip of some sort. And this is where the 'boot disk' is sometimes used. If you have something like a Neo 2.2 then you need the 'book disc' (or an action replay) to load some games on the chipped PS2. But unlike the DC, which you could just put the boot disk in and load any game of any region and it would work on a standard machine, the PS2 must be modded internally first. FACT.
No it isn't, I don't play on consoles that have restrictions as to what I can play :-P
I might change my mind if I see a cheap Japanese machine.
Btw, is it compulsary to be an arrogant S.O.B to own one of these machines?
I might change my mind if I see a cheap Japanese machine.
Btw, is it compulsary to be an arrogant S.O.B to own one of these machines?
Darwock wrote:
> Well, if it doesn't get sorted out I won't be buying a gamecube. It's
> that simple.
Idiot. Not buying a GC because the import disc doesn't work is the sign of a stinking cretinous moron.
> Well, if it doesn't get sorted out I won't be buying a gamecube. It's
> that simple.
Idiot. Not buying a GC because the import disc doesn't work is the sign of a stinking cretinous moron.
Afternoon Darwock.
And the comment "maggot" is only said out of love.
And the comment "maggot" is only said out of love.
Maggot?
Anyway, I never claimed freeloader would be wonderful, I was referring to importing in general. If Datel can't get their products right that's their problem. The Dreamcast and PS2 boot discs work perfectly.
I've seen that same post from Edge posted all over the place, I think it's a rumour that's getting out of control. General concensus seems to be there are 3 methods of booting, and only the 3rd one works 100% every time.
Well, if it doesn't get sorted out I won't be buying a gamecube. It's that simple.
Anyway, I never claimed freeloader would be wonderful, I was referring to importing in general. If Datel can't get their products right that's their problem. The Dreamcast and PS2 boot discs work perfectly.
I've seen that same post from Edge posted all over the place, I think it's a rumour that's getting out of control. General concensus seems to be there are 3 methods of booting, and only the 3rd one works 100% every time.
Well, if it doesn't get sorted out I won't be buying a gamecube. It's that simple.
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