Memory Card - Gamecube

Nintendo GameCube Memory Card – Overview

The Nintendo GameCube Memory Card is an essential accessory used to save game progress, settings, and other data for GameCube games. Since the GameCube did not have internal storage, all game saves were stored on memory cards inserted into one of the two available memory slots on the console.

Specifications & Storage Sizes

Official Nintendo Memory Cards:

• Memory Card 59 → 4MB (59 blocks)

• Memory Card 251 → 16MB (251 blocks)

• Memory Card 1019 → 64MB (1,019 blocks)

• Memory Card 123 → 8MB (123 blocks) (less common official variant)

Third-Party Memory Cards:

• Often available in 16MB, 32MB, 64MB, 128MB, and even 512MB

• Block counts vary, ranging up to 8,192 blocks

• Some use compression, which may lead to reliability issues

Usage

• Insert the memory card into Slot A or Slot B on the GameCube console

• Save game data from GameCube games directly to the card

• Access and manage saved data via the Memory Card Manager in the system settings

Reliability

• Official Nintendo memory cards are highly reliable and fully compatible

• Third-party cards (e.g., Mad Catz, Nyko) may offer more storage but can occasionally experience data corruption or loss

• Frequent formatting or excessive rewriting may reduce the card's lifespan