PalmOne PalmPak Games Card (m125, m130, i705 & m500 series) Reviews

• Fine games, but buggy and too few

  
  By A1EB4Q33UO8S59 on 2001-08-14
  The games themselves are interesting and fun to play; not all of them are outstanding, but they're all at least pretty good. I found Zap!2016 to be a lot of fun, Bubblet addictive, and SimCity really well done. The card is easy to use, although there is a slight delay when loading the menu in Apps or loading a game - normal when accessing a card.

  But potential buyers should be aware that there are problems with the software on the card that need to be resolved if the games are to work properly. Zap!2016 can eat up your main memory, and Vegas Slots and Klondike can stop functioning altogether. See the Palm web site for details and solutions. Fortunately these problems are fixable, but I wish that these games had been tested more thoroughly before this card was released. The patch for Zap!2016 takes up 124 KB of your handheld's main memory, which undermines one of the chief advantages of this product, namely, that it frees up handheld RAM.

  I would also have liked more games on the card. The card itself is a 16 MB MultiMediaCard, of which the games take up only 1.6 MB. The selection of games seems a little light and could be a problem if, for example, a buyer doesn't much care for a couple of games, such as the Vegas-style gambling games or the card games, and ends up using only a few games on the card. I personally would have liked a strategy game in the mix; others may find other reasons to quibble about the selection. Still, why so few games? Would more have pushed the price higher?

  In sum, this game card is satisfying - I do use it quite often - but I'm not entirely sure it's worth what it costs.
  
  

• Perfectly adequate - I'm now a gambling fool

  
  By A12W0YYV5KW9K3 on 2001-12-28
  I was surprised at the number of negative reviews here for this Game Pak - I just received it as a gift and have been playing the games frequently over the last few days, and I'm pretty satisfied. The card installed and ran the games flawlessly, and the games themselves are simple but highly addictive and entertaining. (Apparently there is a memory leak in Zap!2016, but I'll admit I haven't played that one enough to notice. Hey, I have a slot machine to beat here.)

  Let's face it - the Palm is not a high-end gaming platform, and even m505 owners should not expect a stupendous experience. The best games for this size screen are the simplest ones. Klondike is the same as always, with slightly nicer graphics but no scoring. Chroma is a nice three-in-one package of chess, checkers, and backgammon (great for 2-person games on long trips), Vegas Slots and Blackjack are faithful reproductions of their real-life counterparts and SimCity is very basic but contains the essence of the original (I imagine this one is much better in color).

  I had none of the technical difficulties of the other reviewers, and I have no problem with the fact that this card is a) only 10% full, and b) thirty bucks. A collection of games like this probably pays the developers a small fraction of the retail price, and we should be supporting people like them if we want better games in the future. I wish they could find a way to selectively unlock the SD card though, so the saved games would also live in there and the memory footprint of the whole pak (er, minus the patches) would be zero.

  Bottom line: It's a fine price to pay for a collection of fun, good-looking games. Not perfect, but still very much worth it.
  
  

• Just alright, no words of praise.

  
  By A3QI0S9V8MD3LW on 2001-07-04
  First, I would like to knock at least one star off of this review from Palm for making it so difficult to really see what games were actually on this card.

  Second, when I finally found out, I was a little disappointed, not by the quality of the games, but the quantity. Of all of the games, I play a couple regularly: Zap 2016 and Solitare.

  Come on Palm, I am sure that you could have rounded up a few more titles from the vast assortment of free and cheap Palm software to at least make the purchasers feel like they got something. After all, there was more room on the card.
  
  

• Don't waste your money

  
  By A2P4OXNWZ70P3K on 2001-10-19
  1. Most of the programs don't work. They either hose the PDA (m505) forcing a reset, or, in the case of SimCity, just tell you that "This version of SimCity is unregistered. . The whole reason I bought this card was to get SimCity--the advertising never disclosed that all I got was an icon and a banner advertising a product that I had to purchase separately.
  2. The card only uses 1.6M of the 16M card, but is write protected so you can't make use of the rest of it--or recycle the card when you realize what's on it is not worth the 1.6M it consumes. Your money is better spent buying a blank 16M card and downloading the same games for free.
  3. I have been unable to find any support for the card. The Palm web site sends you to the web sites of the individual program suppliers.
  
  

• Really F U N -- but is it worth the high price???

  
  By A1GPGBHBI6T2HJ on 2002-12-17
  I plan to review each of the games included on this Games Card individually:

  It was by pure chance that I have this particular Games MMC card for my trusty Palm m130, and I played it virtually non-stop the first couple of weeks after I got it. First off I was absolutely GLUED to Sim City. I had never played the game before on my home PC, so I was in for quite a treat. I couldn't believe what the game could do! However, my passion for playing Sim City died out MUCH sooner than I had anticipated...but there were other games loaded on the card, so...4-stars.

  I switched to Bubblet...I had played the demo version of this for almost 6-months before and absolutely LOVED it. The graphics on the Games Card were a little fuzzy compared to the demo I had played, but it still performs great...a sure-fire winner of a game...5-stars.

  9-Ball is a Palm version of pinball...really haven't been interested in this particular game at all...1-Star.

  Chroma is a combination 3-games-in-1 combo which includes Backgammon, Checkers and Chess. I've never been much on Backgammon or Checkers, but I really love the Chess and the multiple game settings...3-stars.

  Klondike is basic Solitaire...another game that I have never really gotten into in my life, but once I started, I have been forever hooked. I am not all that pleased that 96% of the games cannot be won (at least by me) but when I finally win a game it really puts me through the roof!...5-stars.

  PXBlackjack is straightforward and simple...you can decide on your (fake) bet, and see if you come out a winner...I imagine the odd's right about the same as playing in a casino -- but a whole lot less expensive...2-stars.

  Zap!2016...This is the game I was the most excited about. I had been playing Zap!2000 for almost a year now and figured that 2016 was an upgraded version with different settings and levels and I was PROFOUNDLY disappointed that this is NOT the case at ALL. Essentially 2016 is EXACTLY the same as 2000 with just ONE MINOR difference: The Background. That's IT. The battle scenes and asteroids and alien ships are all IDENTICAL...they are even set in the exact same order, too. Basically, if you own Zap!2000 you already own Zap!2016 -- do NOT buy this Games card based upon the belief you are getting a new and improved version -- it ISN'T, pure and simple...4-stars.

  One other reviewer noted that this card is a 16mb card, but these games use up less than 2...so why so much extra wasted space? For the cost, couldn't you add a few extra games? Other than Sim City which separately is HORRIBLY over priced, you could buy all the games on this games card for much less, or get them FREE on various Palm Games websites. Over all, this card has supplied me with a HUGE number of hours of entertainment... and I probably sound more displeased than I actually am, but I just question the price of this card versus how many games are actually provided. Something to think about.
  
  

• It does what it says.
  By A9JSV6M5Q80Y5 on 2001-06-15
  I found this card to be easy to use. Other then the fact that it is tiny and I am always afraid of losing it, it makes things easy. The games are easy to access, takes no time to load it, and I dont have to worry about things like registering, download errors, or that it might make my palm crash. I had no technical problems. Of course, not all of the games were great and Sim City can get a little overwhelming with only the small palm window to look through, but overall I am impressed.
  
  
• A good deal!
  By AG42CYU5P8NVQ on 2002-03-18
  I have had not problems with the card! The games are good and I tossed the freeware versions I had on the palm.

  I am surprised at the bad ratings of others. Don't know why they are having problems.

  This was a good buy for me.
  
  

• Don't buy this unless you like to be outdated
  By A3KI56QU2P9VC2 on 2003-01-15
  Although the games on the card are good, most of the itmes on it, like Klondike and Slots are outdated. The games can not be moved off the card, and cannot be updated to the current version(s). You would be better off buying the games seperately.
  
  
• Some fun stuff on this card
  By on 2002-06-04
  My favorite games on this card are Chroma's Backgammon, Checkers, and Chess. Slightly buggy in that I think the computer cheated once or twice with illegal moves, but that's rare. The pinball game is okay, though I worry about wearing out my buttons and there is only one playing board. The slot machine is too mindless to be very entertaining, and blackjack is only a little better. Bubblet is very cool -- FreeCell fans should like this one, and maybe other people too. Klondike is a good implementation. Sim City is okay but I haven't played enough to figure out the point (if there is one). Zap!2016 is a nice arcade style game, but diffucult to see on the monochome display. More games would have been nice.
  
  
• Great in the Middle of the Night
  By A1EXDO435S1N1E on 2002-12-01
  I am very pleased with the game card. The choices of games are basic, but I'm not a huge video game lover and easily entertained. I especially like Klondike (Classic Solitare) and Bubble. These are similar versions of the ones that come with windows on your desk top. I have trouble sleeping at night so I play the games on my palm in the dark so as not to disturb my husband. (Make sure to turn off the sounds!) It is also a great way to pass time while waiting for appointments, etc. I have not experienced any glitches. The card has functioned flawlessly.
  
  
• Only One Good Game
  By AJZPEEL1HULPU on 2002-12-27
  I bought this card for SimCity and Zap!2016 alone. The other games were good, but not great. I ended up playing mainly Zap!2016, because the other games were just too boring. They could have put more exciting games on it. I just don't think it's worth the money for only one good game. Some people said Zap!2016 had some bugs in it. I haven't noticed any. I recommend buying just Zap!2016 itself from the Palm Software Connection. You'll save some money and free up the expansion card slot.
  
  
• Works Just Fine, Great Entertainment!
  By on 2002-01-18
  I am suprised by what the other reviews are saying especially about SimCity. They MUST have a bad card. I have had the card since Christmas 2001, and I have to say that it works in my M505 flawlessly! I admit I don't play the games all the time...but it does help pass time when waiting in long lines and when you are simply bored!
  
  
• Aweasome!
  By A39T48KI2AEAMA on 2001-10-31
  This thing is aweasome. Works perfectly, NEVER HAD A PROBLEM! The only problem is there is extra space on teh card where your cities and Zap2016! saved games should be saved, but they are saved to your actual palm instead. This can eat up a little space, for me no more than 200k, but for you people who need to have like 20+ cities this could be a problem. Otherwise this is AWEASOME!
  
  
• good way to pass the time
  By on 2002-09-05
  I brought this card a year back, when i wanted something to do on a long international flight. Its a good time killer. The card (I think) was wasted as they could have included more games. The card is a 16mb card with only 1.6mb used. They could have atleast made the rest read/write so that it could be used as extra memory. SimCity has been the game I have played the most. Zap2016 is also fun to play, the card games are good to kill some time. Try it with the sound off when you are at a boring meeting or lecture.
  
  
• Worth every penny...
  By A2OBX7EZZVWIRI on 2003-02-07
  This palmpack card is worth every penny. I bought it mainly for travelling. We live in Europe and do a lot of long drives so this definitely keep us entertained. My dad played chess from Naples to Austria. My husband is highly addicted to Simcity, he wouldn't give it up!? and I personally liked bubblet. This will keep you entertained for hours. It's definitely better than the games in our cell phones! :)
  
  
• Good alternative
  By A3JV3WNI21NBCT on 2003-05-14
  I think that this was a good choice, because you can erase games of your Palm and free space. Remember, Palm is not a toy. You will not have a Gameboy Advance in your hands if you purchase this Game Card. But I am sure that this can keep you entertained in your free time.
  
  
• Not enough bang for your buck!!
  By A2M2UFSL9BDRDK on 2001-12-18
  I had high hopes for the card and the games that were on it. I was disappointed to say the least. If the price was 1/4 of what it is, I'd say buy it. I give it a thumbs down until then for those thinking of buying it.
  
  
• Disappointed
  By on 2002-03-25
  I am working on unlocking the solitaire and chess/checkers/backgammon. I have already tried resetting and exchanging the card. I hope to fix the problems but it has wasted a hell of a lot of my time. I would NOT recommend this to anyone.
  
  
• What i found about this card
  By A17KUQ5ATT3LNF on 2002-12-17
  First i have to say that i don't have this card, but i was thinking on buy one, what did stop me?, well first it says that have the game "zap 2016", that version of the game is only for 16 bits colored handhelds (i have a m500 handheld, as you know it is a grey, non colored handheld), after that i went to palm.com and try to find out a little more, and back there i saw all the games included on this card, i was dissapointed, it have really great games, like zap and simcity, but the others ones are not the kind of game i like the most, well, i also have to say that if you buy this card you will save money and you wont sacrifice any memory on your palm. Underneath it all it is a good product if you like casino's games, but be carefull, i didn't continue investigating about this card so i dont know if all the games will work on a non colored palm, maybe they will... or maybe not.
  
  
• Games work on Color, Greyscale, etc.
  By A380JIGPVFOEYX on 2002-12-25
  The thing I really like about this card is I bought it for my m505 and then I went to an i705 and all of the games still played the same, just in greyscale. I liked the fact that there was a variety of different types of games. Granted, I didn't like all of them, but some I liked, and some my wife liked. I sure saved a lot of money by buying all of these games like this instead of one at a time and taking up my memory!
  
  

• PalmOne m500 Handheld
• PalmOne m505 Color Handheld
• PalmOne m130 Handheld
• PalmOne m515 Color Handheld

• PalmOne Pack P10920U Productivity Card for Palm PDA's
• PalmOne P10914U Games Essentials Card
• Atari Retro (P10934U)
• Palm - Flash memory - PalmPak Game Card: Rayman - MMC
• PalmOne Sega Classics Card