The GameCube is from an era of consoles that used memory cards to store user profiles and game progress. Nintendo released three different memory card models, and the console came with two ports for inserting these cards. Over time, you might notice that your GameCube memory card stops storing information or gets corrupted.
What are the reasons why Gamecube memory cards corrupt? It’s mostly a combination of bit rot and poor storage practices that accelerate the degradation of flash memory. Sometimes, it could also be an incorrect formatting of the memory card.
If you own a modified Nintendo GameCube, preferably one with the GC Loader mod, you can load games from and save progress to an SD card. But for those of you with stock GameCube consoles, a memory card is necessary to save games and controller profiles. These days, you can also buy 3rd party replacement memory cards with a lot more storage space than original Nintendo models.
5 Reasons Why GameCube Memory Cards Corrupt
Unlike older Nintendo consoles, GameCube uses optical discs. It doesn’t have cartridges with built-in save file storage. So memory cards are used to store game progress and user profiles.
This is one area where Microsoft led the pack. It had an HDD built into the original Xbox. So users could save games without the need for a memory card and download patches/ additional content using Xbox Live.
As a GameCube owner, you always have to worry about the flash storage in your old memory card dying. Fortunately, there are plenty of 3rd party replacement memory cards you can buy for under 20 bucks. But let’s take a look at why GameCube memory cards can get corrupted.
Bit Rot
Data is stored on your GameCube memory card in the form of bits. As with any digital media- you’ve got 1s and 0s. These bits are stored in the form of electrical charges, inside floating gate transistors.
Over time, the charge stored in these transistor cells degrades and leaks away. This is how certain sections of data get corrupted. The process normally takes 10 years at room temperature, assuming average humidity levels.
Higher humidity and temperature can accelerate bit rot significantly. Not using your memory card for long amounts of time means that the charges in each memory cell won’t get refreshed. So it’s a good idea to plug in your memory card every year or so.
Improper Archiving
Archiving is the process of stowing away your memory card for several years in a row. People who are collectors own hundreds or thousands of games. It is impossible to keep track of each one unless you store it in an orderly manner.
If you have that many games, you also have a few dozen memory cards lying around. These need to be stored properly, you can’t just leave them out to rust. If you don’t store your memory cards in a low-humidity environment under controlled temperature, they will rot away.
A plastic box with a lid is good enough, just make sure your cards are cleaned properly before you put them in. You also need to use a silica gel desiccant pack to keep moisture levels low in the box.
Physical Damage
I know Nintendo builds their memory cards and cartridges to very high standards. But sometimes, unfortunate mishaps can take place. Like a 10-year-old kid using his GameCube memory card as a bottle opener.
Even if the outer shell is cracked open, the card might still work. The memory chip underneath, and the metal contacts are what matter. If either of these gets damaged, your saved files are gone forever.
Dirty Contacts
Some folks don’t understand why their GameCube won’t read saved data, even though the memory card appears to be physically intact. Well, you need to check the gold-plated contact pins at the bottom for dirt and oxidation. Unlike a GBA or DS cartridge, these aren’t accessible from the outside.
You will have to unscrew the shell and take a look at the pins inside. If there is dirt or grime, wipe it off with a cotton swap dipped in some 99% isopropyl alcohol. If there is oxidation, you should use some Brasso polish on the contacts.
Botched Formatting
Occasionally, you will have to format your GameCube memory card to fix corrupted files. This is done from the console’s main menu. However, a failed format process (maybe your console turned off) can make things worse.
Which GameCube Memory Card Should You Buy?
At launch, Nintendo released three different models. The grey Memory Card-59 (512KB), the black Memory Card-251 (2MB), and the white Memory Card-1019 (8MB). The numbers in front of each model refer to the “blocks” of memory.
Each game uses a specific number of memory blocks (an amount of space assigned by Nintendo) to store progress and other user data. You can use this information to judge how many saves a particular memory card can hold. For example, Super Mario Sunshine requires 7 blocks.
If you play a bunch of games, you should get the largest capacity card you can afford. But you don’t have to buy the official ones. There are modern 3rd party alternatives like this one that provide 1024MB of storage for a very low price.
Can You Fix A Corrupted GameCube Memory Card?
It is possible by using the built-in format tool. Remove all inserted memory cards, then go into your GameCube’s main menu. Then, select the memory card option.
Insert the corrupted card, and choose the format option on your screen with the control stick. Press “A” to confirm. Make sure your console is connected to a reliable source of power so it doesn’t switch off while formatting.
Cleaning Your GameCube Memory Card
For this, you will have to open the memory card using a Y0 Tri-Wing screwdriver bit. Then, you’ll be able to see the circuit board underneath. Take a Q-tip, dip it in some 99% isopropyl alcohol (or Brasso), and clean the board.
Conclusion
I hope this article answered your questions on why GameCube memory cards get corrupted. There are many possible reasons, ranging from natural degradation to accidental damage. If you’re going to store your memory cards, do it right.Get a sealed box with some desiccant packs, and store the cards in a cool environment (around 20 to 25°C). If your old GameCube memory card is dead, there are plenty of 3rd party options that offer much more space for affordable prices.