Flawed design holds this accessory back from greatness.
Memorex, whose products I’ve reviewed before sent me a new gadget last month: the universal game Selector. Think of it as a multi-tap for DS and 3DS games—you plug up to three games into the slots, plug the unit into the system’s card slot, and then select the games on the system’s home screen with a little toggle switch. In theory, this is a great idea; perfect for travel, especially. It doesn’t add significant depth or weight to the DS or 3DS system, and its thin frame doesn’t stand out, aesthetically. Unfortunately, some significant design flaws undercut the Selector’s potential.
Pokemon games, I choose you!.First, it doesn’t really work on the 3DS. It claims to, and in fact it does, but not in any consistent way. Often, when I plug in the Selector and switch to a game, nothing shows up on the menu screen. You kind of have to get the Selector’s input plug in a sweet spot for it to realize it’s plugged in. It also feels a bit too soft and mobile in the 3DS’ card slot, and moving the thing accidentally while playing a 3DS game actually results in the game freezing, as if the card had been removed from the slot. So I can’t recommend this unit for 3DS gaming. Fortunately, if perplexingly, the Selector is much more secure in my DSi’s card slot, and switching between games on the home screen presents no issue. For older DS systems, you’ll have to turn off the handheld before switching games, of course (since DS Phats and DS Lites don’t support hot swapping).
Just don't move it...at all...while it's plugged in.Once you get your two or three DS games into the Selector, it’s shockingly difficult to remove them. You basically need to use your fingernails, and I always feel like I’m damaging the card when I remove it. I’m sure I’m not, but it’s not a good feeling.
The device works far better (but still not perfectly) in a DSi. There's even a notch where the stylus comes out!So while I applaud Memorex’s efforts to make a competent game switcher, I find that this peripheral probably needed some more time in R&D.
It's flooooating!
