Phantasy Star save bug in PS Collection (GBA)

[Lady Jaye]

I sent an email to THQ regarding the save bug that occurs occasionally when saving in Phantasy Star 1 in Phantasy Star Collection for the GBA. Here's the answer I got from them today:

"In order to avoid this from happening, whenever you save in Phantasy
Star make sure the music is playing in full. If you try to save when the
music is looping this may cause the problem to happen."

I dunno whether this is really the source of the problem, but it could be. I'll try in a couple of days (I played so much Phantasy Star this weekend that I'll stay away from it for a while).

[NE146]

Yep this is sort of a well known issue and has been discussed quite a bit. That's interesting though as to how they say to avoid it. But still.. those bastards need to up their QA a bit more >:(

[Lady Jaye]

Especially when you consider how great the emulation is. Could it be that the PS1 save screen was added by THQ, not Digital Eclipse? It doesn't seem like Digital Eclipse to add a save screen that actually stops the game for a second, a bugged one on top of all!

[rbudrick]

I too have had this prob w/ my cart, but I don't understand the explanation. Playing in full? As opposed to what? Playing in half?

Also, all the music loops, soooo....just trying to make sense of this. Anyone have any further explanation?

-Rob

[CrazyImpmon]

I'd like to know about this as well. Particularly since I'm deaf and I couldn't possibly tell if it's the right time to save the game or not. What is THQ email address so that I could bug them?

[Raccoon Lad]

Gee, who'd have thought the company who gave us such amazing feats of programming skill as "Fox's Peter Pan & the Pirates" and "Rocky and Bullwinkle" on the NES would do something half-assed? :roll:

[Kid Fenris]

I haven't seen this bug for myself, but then, I haven't played more than a couple hours of Phantasy Star. I for one would like to know who came up with the remixed PS theme that you hear during the main title screen. It almost brought a tear to this longtime Phantasy fan's eye.

And TH*Q at least imported Ghost in the Shell for the PSX. It's strange how the best games in the company's history are imports.

[zektor]

I think they want you to quickly save the game while the music is sort of "in the middle" and not at the loop. Oh god. So if I want to make sure my save works, I should up the volume no matter where I am, and listen for the "right moment" to save the game? Screw that...I'll go back to playing the games on the SMS and Genesis.

[NE146]

By the way, that's not the only bug.. if you're in a battle, try speaking to the monster (using magic or whatever else does it). If it responds, you'll go back to the overworld walking scene.. but the fighting stat boxes will still be up! x_x

[Lady Jaye]

THQ's support page (which include a form for questions/complaining) is at http://www.thq.com/Support/Index.asp

I haven't encountered the talking bug, but it's true that I haven't used magic yet to talk to enemies.