PocketStation, the US release of Final Fantasy VIII, and whether they're friends.

[aclbandit]

Two questions, in fact, shall arise herein.

First, the U.S. release of Final Fantasy VIII spoke of the PocketStation in the back of the instruction manual. I am left wondering, since it was never released stateside, whether a Japanese import PocketStation would work on the U.S. version of Final Fantasy VIII, as well as the U.S. console releases, such as PSX or PS2.

The second question: I don't have a PS2 anymore (though maybe I should re-get one?). Due to this, I'm left with a worry that if I should grab a PocketStation, I would be without a way to use it. Would the PocketStation work somehow through that memory card converter thing for my PS3? I have one of those, so if it would, that's no problem.

I've looked at these off and on on eBay for the past however-many-years since the release of FFVIII.

P.S.: I now officially feel a little old. Final Fantasy VIII doesn't feel like classic gaming. How disturbing!

[Icarus Moonsight]

Yes, a Pocketstation works with a US PS1 and a US copy of FF8. Believe it to work on a US PS2 also, never checked though.

I'm not sure about PS3. The memory card thingy just transfers data from the cards to virtual cards on the HDD. At least, as far as I'm aware. Don't have a PS3 or know anyone that does either.

[Oobgarm]

PS3 mem card reader is one-way, and only copies to the PS3. It doesn't act like a memory card slot in the traditional sense.

[Mr. Smashy]

PS3 mem card reader is one-way, and only copies to the PS3. It doesn't act like a memory card slot in the traditional sense.

Originally, it was one-way. Firmware update 1.80 allowed the PS3 to write to memory cards. http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/SystemUpdates/PS3/History.html

[Icarus Moonsight]

Cool beans to that... not to dance too far OT here, but could those units be used like a dex drive with a PC? Or just a PS3?

[aclbandit]

Originally, it was one-way. Firmware update 1.80 allowed the PS3 to write to memory cards. http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/SystemUpdates/PS3/History.html

Hell yes. That means I can probably use it ^^

In other news, in answer to the question about DexDrive-ness, I haven't been able to get it to connect, though I have tried.

[calthaer]

If you get the PC version of FF8, the ChocoboWorld game for the Pocketstation is included as a separate game that can run on your desktop. It automatically integrates the game with FF8. Probably a lot easier than the setup you're talking about, I would think.

[iloveguns]

i didnt know they made a FF8 on other console like pocketstation.. :confused:
Rinoa FTW!

[Kitsune Sniper]

i didnt know they made a FF8 on other console like pocketstation.. :confused:
Rinoa FTW!

No, the Pocketstation is kinda like a Dreamcast VMU - you can play minigames on it, and these minigames will affect your main game once you plug it back into the game.

[Oobgarm]

Originally, it was one-way. Firmware update 1.80 allowed the PS3 to write to memory cards. http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/SystemUpdates/PS3/History.html

Day has been made. Thanks for that, sir.

[aclbandit]

If you get the PC version of FF8, the ChocoboWorld game for the Pocketstation is included as a separate game that can run on your desktop. It automatically integrates the game with FF8. Probably a lot easier than the setup you're talking about, I would think.

I actually knew about this, but I'm sort of a purist when it comes to stuff like this; for example, for me, emulation is only a "try-before-you-buy" thing. I have a Famicom almost entirely because you could scream at bunnies in the original Zelda game (and, originally, because it has the "real" SMB2 on it).

I really would rather grab a Pocketstation and do it the "real" way than use the PC version's method. Same game, I know, but still... not as authentic.

[ClassicGameTrader]

I actually knew about this, but I'm sort of a purist when it comes to stuff like this; for example, for me, emulation is only a "try-before-you-buy" thing. I have a Famicom almost entirely because you could scream at bunnies in the original Zelda game (and, originally, because it has the "real" SMB2 on it).

I really would rather grab a Pocketstation and do it the "real" way than use the PC version's method. Same game, I know, but still... not as authentic.

Scream at bunnies?

[RPG_Fanatic]

Yes, a Pocketstation works with a US PS1 and a US copy of FF8.

I think it only works on the black label versions of FF8 not the greatest hits version for the mini games on the Pocketstation. I think I read that somewhere.

[RPG_Fanatic]

First, the U.S. release of Final Fantasy VIII spoke of the PocketStation in the back of the instruction manual.

It's only in the black label instructions not the greatest hits instructions.

[Jorpho]

I really would rather grab a Pocketstation and do it the "real" way than use the PC version's method. Same game, I know, but still... not as authentic.After you play it for an hour you will have had your complete fill of it, authentic or not. Save your money!


Scream at bunnies?The Pols Voices (the same enemies that could be defeated by the Ocarina in Link's Awakening) could be defeated by yelling into the Famicom microphone.

[Daria]

I want a pocketstation, just because I have a ton of games already supported by it.

[aclbandit]

It's only in the black label instructions not the greatest hits instructions.

Luckily, I'm picky as hell and would only buy the black-label version when I replaced my stolen one of the same condition, so it's still not a problem. I'll look into picking one up at some point in the future, now that I know it'll work.

Thanks a lot guys. I won't mark this as solved until I get around to trying it with the PS3, though.

[Giant]

I know I'm a little late here, but yay about the memory card reader. Apparently everybody has been whining about nothing :)

[fpbrush]

Wow, I had completely forgotten the US FFVIII supported the PocketStation. Anyone know of other domestic PS games which supported this fun little device?

[aclbandit]

Wow, I had completely forgotten the US FFVIII supported the PocketStation. Anyone know of other domestic PS games which supported this fun little device?

Wikipedia has a list which states which ones are Japan-only and which ones work domestically. Check it out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pocketstation#Compatible_games

[fpbrush]

Wikipedia has a list which states which ones are Japan-only and which ones work domestically. Check it out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pocketstation#Compatible_games

Great list, thanks! I never realized there were so many domestic (good!) games that supported the device.

Legend of Mana? Ape Escape?? Ok I have to get a PocketStation... I wanted one years ago when it came out but didn't bother because I figured since it was Japan-only I wouldn't really be able to use it!

[skaar]

Scream at bunnies?

No really, what?

I googled "Zelda Scream Bunnies" and got this:

http://www.actionext.com/names_p/pete_townshend_lyrics/zelda.html

[The 1 2 P]

I want a pocketstation, just because I have a ton of games already supported by it.

The only game I have that I would use it for is Fire Pro Wrestling G. But seeing as I've only played that once in the 5 years I've had it, maybe I don't need it after all. But on the plus side pocketstations are now super cheap on ebay.

[kupomogli]

Whenever Squaresoft actually had http://www.squaresoft.com, the FF8 PC demo and the Chocobo Pocketstation game were downloadable off the site. I played the Pocketstation game that way.

Other than that, Arc the Lad 3 had Pocketstation support, but seeing as we never actually received it, Working Designs actually emulated the Pocketstation game within the game. It was emulated at the same place you could download it from. It was kindof like that Pocket Pikachu, but actually cool since it had Choko and you could actually gain items from building her stats.