Panzer Dragoon Saga + Action Replay + COMMS = :-(

[skyrunner]

Panzer Dragoon Saga is my favourite game, but as you know it's a very easy one. I've been trying to find an Action Replay/Gameshark code that could make it a bit harder (for example, doubling the enemies' hit points or limiting your dragon's experience). However, it seems you can't use an Action Replay cartridge with PDS due to the well-known message "Please remove the cartridge".

Yes, I know what you're thinking. "Use the boot code!" (www.thewilloftheancients.com/secrets/pds_action_replay_codes.php) "Use antime's patch!" (koti.kapsi.fi/~antime/sega/own.html).
And I did. Both methods work if you want to just play the game with an AR, but they won't if you start the game with COMMS, which is what you need to do in order to look for codes using your Comms-Link PC Card. Starting the patched game or the unpatched disc with the boot code and the option COMMS ENABLED will always show you the dreaded "Please remove the cartridge" message.

I'd appreciate any ideas I'll share my codes if I'm ever able to get past the Black Screen of Death.

[saturnworship]

does there are cheats for making it harder??

[skyrunner]

No, there aren't. There are no cheats whatsoever since the game prevents you from using the PC Comms Link card to look for them.

[chizzles]

Panzer Dragoon is more about being an easy game that you can master than a game that is a struggle to finish.

While it may not be challenging to get to the end, it's challenging to get top grades on everything and see every enemy!

Perhaps you should just try playing a harder game or something.

[grolt]

Apr 27, 2009 22:11:57 GMT @chizzles said:

Panzer Dragoon is more about being an easy game that you can master than a game that is a struggle to finish.

While it may not be challenging to get to the end, it's challenging to get top grades on everything and see every enemy!

Perhaps you should just try playing a harder game or something.

Yeah, I thought the developers did a great job at giving it an accessible difficulty rating, yet at the same time keeping enough stats on fights and enemies to make it tough to fully master. Unless you've gotten excellent on every creature (which is damn near impossible in a single go!) then you've still got your work cut out for you.

[skyrunner]

Believe me, I mastered it a long time ago. I can finish it without turning my TV on.

However, I did manage to create some codes using the earliest beta version (September 1997), since it doesn't check for the Action Replay cartridge. The problem comes when I try to use those codes on my original or patched PDS, even with the boot code on and COMMS off. "Please remove the cartridge, you pathetic hacker wannabe!", the screen shouts at me.

I never thought a game would make me cry. Apart from Sonic Unleashed, that is.

[superdeadite]

Well from my understanding the hack codes are loaded into RAM before the game boots. And the game checks the cart after it boots up of course. So, if you enter your codes, boot the game, then rip out the cart before the game detects it, it might just work. I know people that played import KoF'95 by booting with an import cart, then taking it out and inserting the ROM cart very quickly. Doing this is will put a lot of strain on your cart port though. (I'd never do it myself)