I originally played imports by using the Freeloader but I got tired of swapping the disk every time I played an import game. I learned that NCS could switch my Cube from a message board on IGN and I sent it in for the button switch. Got it back in 4 days and now I don't have to swap anymore. Much much better. The Freeloader works but I just prefer the switch.
The Freeloader works good and I play imports with it but there is a possibility that F-Zero won't be the last game with problems. Datel has not fixed the problem yet and I would like an upgrade if they do make a fix.
I already had a modified Cube to play Japanese games but I got the European version of Doshin the Giant from Gameplay which didn't work in USA or Japanese mode (durrrr!) I asked for help on the message boards and got the Freeloader and the game loads good now. I would not have bought the Freeloader if I didn't have a European game but it works great. I still prefer a switch to avoid swapping but beggars can't be choosy.
Before I bought a Gamecube, I had a Dreamcast and I used a Utopia boot disk to play imports. Now that the games I like are on Cube, I got a Freeloader to play imports. It works good and is very simple and no hassle to use. Some people on IRC said that they were not able to get a few games to work but I think they were from Europe and trying to play USA games but that is no problem for me. I am born and bred in USA ROCKS. By the way there are three ways to play import games with Freeloader but I just put it in and play imports. Nothing special to do and it works for me.
I've noticed the scrambled text as well, but the real problem with this revision is the inability to save games in Drill Land.
The disc is easy to use and quick, but certainly not perfect. If you like Mr. Driller, you might want to pass on this.
I'm not sure how many other games might not work properly, but there is probably more than just this one. Time will tell.
Can I write to you? I didn't know girls played games. Shouldn't you be playing Barbie?
I also got the Freeloader but I can't read Japanese so it doesnt matter to me that the Japanese text is glitched. I guess it would be annoying to some people. It works good for me and I play Viewtiful Joe and Naruto with it. I am trying to find a place which has Doshin the Giant too. NCS doesnt have it on the shop :^<
Great and simple to use. When I first got it from NCS, I tried it with two of my Japanese games and they booted up easy and without a big hassle. That's how it should be. I love it!
I'm able to play Japanese imports on my USA Gamecube but the only problem is the Japanese text on some games is all scrambled. I can read some Japanese so it is an annoying bug that Datel should fix. I heard that this problem won't happen on a modified GC but I didn't want to send my Cube in for the NCS modification right now. Too addicted to Animal Crossing!
