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Advanced Force Pack+
Score: 100%
Developer: MadCatz
Device Type: Miscellaneous



Function:

There is a single switch on the Force Pack+. It has three settings: Save, Low, and High. When the switch is set to Save, the Force Pack+ functions as a Memory Pak, allowing you to save your games as you normally would. When set to Low, the Force Pack+ acts as a Rumble Pak, with a comparable feedback to a normal Rumble Pak. When set to High, however, the Force Pack+ has a more powerful, enhanced rumble, which will put more ?kick? in your games. There is also a built-in light which lights up when the Force Pack+ rumbles. Due to the location, this is pretty much unnoticeable to the gamer.

The thing to remember is that according to Nintendo?s specifications, a Pak can only have one function. In other words, the N64 can only see a Memory Pak or a Rumble Pak - not both. The way that the Mad Catz Advanced Force Pack+ gets around this is by having the different functions all built into the same device physically, with a switch that?s used to select which function you wish to use. If you have the Force Pack+ installed and you want to save your game, the N64 will not see it as a memory card unless the switch is set to Save. This can be a rude surprise when your N64 tells you that you don?t have a Memory Pak installed, and you know it?s there. By the same token, if you want to use the Rumble Pak feature, when the game says to insert the Rumble Pak if you wish to use one, you simply flip the switch to either High or Low (wimp). As long as you remember that, there?s no problem. Oh - and if it doesn?t rumble, make sure you have good batteries in it.


Performance:

The Mad Catz Advanced Force Pack+ is a nice piece of work and is great for those of us who prefer our hands shaken, not stirred. This Pak provides that extra ?kick? you?ve been missing in your Rumble Pak compatible games. It does require two AA batteries, but since the batteries are only used for the Rumble feature, put in the two AA batteries, and your ready for hour-after-hour of earth shaking fun. If the rumble starts to be too much for you, you can always flip the switch back to the Low setting (wimp).

Features:
  • Built-in Memory Pak
  • Two Levels of Rumble
  • Lights Up When Rumble Feature is in Use
  • Requires 2 AA Batteries

Drawbacks & Problems::

There is only one gripe I have about the Mad Catz Force Pack+. It takes batteries. It requires 2 AA batteries for the Rumble feature to operate. In Mad Catz? defense, the increased power of the Rumble feature would probably be impossible without using batteries, and at least it wasn?t AAAs, or some more obscure type of battery. But there?s always this little sigh that escapes me when I see a piece of hardware that requires batteries. A Pak is one of those items which is supposed to just kinda be there and do its job, but the Mad Catz Advanced Force Pack+ seems to feel the need to show off a bit. This doesn?t hurt anything, necessarily, but the Force Pack+ is a little bigger and heavier than some other Paks. If you notice, however, the N64 controllers on the market are rather big and heavy already, so you may just find yourself resting it on your lap when you play. Either way, this isn?t something catastrophic - it's only worth mentioning.

-Geck0, GameVortex Communications
AKA Robert Perkins

Nintendo 64 Thunder Pak Nintendo 64 RF Max 900

 
Game Vortex :: PSIllustrated