GameCube Action Replay

Beware that the latest shipping version of the AR for GameCube (1.20) does not allow you to enter in new codes. This means no codes for new games which are relased after this AR, and no updated codes for existing games.

It also means NO homebrew!

If you expect to be able to update the codes or use the AR for homebrew on you Wii or GameCube, make sure you get a pre 1.20 version of the action replay disk. The disk version is printed on the ring on the back of the disk.

Also make sure if you buy an AR disk used, you get also the dongle, or have the ability to get the AR codes onto a GC memory card somehow. 1.20 does not require the dongle but older versions of the disk will not function without either the supplied dongle or a GC card pre-loaded with AR codes. Beware!

I am guessing the reason Datel disabled this feature on the 1.20 version is that they recently released the SD Media Launcher package. So if you want codes + homebrew you have to pay twice. Thanks for sticking it to me, Datel!

Frankly, I am surprised by the lack of disappointed buyers of this software. This is the second Action Replay I've purchased from Datel (the other being the Action Replay Max for PS2) and this is also the second time I am supremely disappointed.

First, I'll say the good things. This Action Replay is tremendously more friendly than the ARMAX for my PS2. While it is impossible to enter new games and codes on the ARMAX (or hell, even codes for games that are already there), it is very much easy to do so on the GameCube AR. The second is that the interface allows for easy access.

And that's pretty much it. That's all the good things I can say about this package. My first problem with this AR is that there is no easy way to enter codes. If you make a mistake, then you have to use the C-stick to go back, but the damn thing moves ridiculously fast. The other problem is that if you hold A, then the letter you inputted will repeat itself. Why put this in? There is no code to which this would be a useful feature.

Finally, my second and worst gripe is that there is no convenient way to input codes. I am NOT one of those guys who buys a cheating device and is content with the codes already there. I am an avid gamer who looks for the best possible codes, so I am constantly typing codes in. The problem here is that some of the best codes are extremely long. For example, the Resident Evil Inventory Editor code was 32 line long and it nearly killed me to put it in.

Next, the other problem is with the included memory card. It is completely unstable. When I first used the AR, I was so happy that putting cheats in actually worked that I made the horrible mistake of forgetting that I was dealing with Datel. By forgettng this, I had also forgotten to back up all the cheats I created. So what happens? The memory card gets messed up and I had to reformat it, thus losing all my cheats, including the 32 line RE code. I kept in mind what happened and decided to re-input codes for SSB:M (debug codes, of course). What happened? I forgot I was dealing with Datel again. What I was going to do was backup the codes after I was done inputting it. Well, when I was done, I immediately turned off the GameCube and turned it back on with the lid opened so I can backup on two other memory cards. My day was completely ruined when I discovered that the Action Replay memory card needed reformatting again.

Finally, my last gripe is that Datel has the worst code hackers I've ever seen. They have simple codes like infinite health, unlock everything, and stuff like that, but nothing truly special. By special, I mean codes like the Debug code. For those of you who don't know, debug codes allows you to have complete control over a game. For example, in Super Smash Brothers: Melee, you could use a debug code to play six players melee. And here is where the problems lies. You will NEVER see Datel input codes like that. This is why I recommend people to go to other Action Replay code sites, such as GSCentral or Action Replay Central. Don't bother using Datel's website, it is slow and useless.

Overall, Datel is probably content with what it has because it has a complete monopoly over the cheating device market on the GameCube. There is no CodeBreaker here to challenge its dominance. GameCube players are stuck. Datel also released the Action Replay MAX for GameCube (most people don't know this) on their website, but it sucks just as much as this one. The only difference is that it has newer codes.

I honestly wish that Pelican would release their awesome CodeBreaker device on the GameCube, but currently, there is no plans for that. I recommend the Action Replay ONLY because it is an excellent device to bring out the most out in any game, but I also recommend getting the MAX drive with it. The MAX drive will update your cheats quickly. Of course, this product is also made by Datel, so who knows? Not to mention it is also wildly expensive. If you plan on not buying the MAX Drive, then for the sake of your sanity, save your cheats on a regular memory card!

I recently bought a new version of the Action Replay for the Nintendo Gamecube I believe it is version 1.20 and I found out that you can not add new codes to the disc or anything. I am stuck with the old codes and no way to put new codes on there for my new fave game Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.. so if you are reading this than beware that you can not update it and Datel will not warn you..

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