Important Gamecube question! Please answer!

[Crush Crawfish]

Hello everyone, I just have a couple of quick questions i need answered ASAP. I'm planning to import the GCN game Naruto: gekitou Ninja Taisen 2, and needed to know this:

1. Can you save a japanese game file to a U.S. memory card?
2. can you use japanese controllers on a U.S. system? (I wanna get that control that looks like a SNES control)

Thanks for all your help!!!! :)

[slownerveaction]

1. I assume you're using a Freeloader to play imports, right? I use a Freeloader and I've found that I can keep US and Japanese files on the same memory card using that... but experiences do vary (Mr Driller: Drill Land in particular is known for having nasty save problems). If you want to be on the safe side, use a new memory card for all Japanese saves.

2. Yep. I have the Hori Digital Pad (the SNES look-a-like) and it works fine on my US GC.

[Aussie2B]

I haven't had any problem having US and Japanese files on the same memory card, but yeah, better safe than sorry. I only got one GameCube memory card right now, so I got no other choice. However, I only have one import for GameCube too, so it's not a concern for me...

I don't really like the SNES-style controller myself, but meh. It's better than nothing when you want a D-pad that you can actually use.

[Mayhem]

Through Freeloader, yes you can have saves from US and Japanese games on the same memory card. However if you use a switched machine like myself, then you need separate cards (the Cube formats the card differently for Roman and Japanese alphabets you see, but it's all the same when using Freeloader).

[Oobgarm]

That would be a YES on both accounts.

I highly recommend the Action Replay when it comes to the ability to play import games. F-Zero GX had problems when using the Freeloader, but worked fine with the AR.

Just a suggestion based on personal experience.

[anagrama]

I've got another quick question - will US/Jap controllers be OK with a PAL GC?
My flatmate bought a Cube last week, and I want to get 4 official controllers asap, but would rather not pay £20 each for them (especially when the Cube was only £39 by itself :) ) They seem significantly cheaper on ebay.com, and while I imagine they'll be fine, I'd rather not find out the hard way.

[Mayhem]

Yes, no problem, I've used regular and Wavebird controllers from Japan and the US on a PAL Cube. The only controller issue I've ever heard of was not being able to use US SNES controllers on a PAL SNES for some reason.