Hi all, first time poster here

I’ve played Hydro Thunder since I was very young and upon finishing uni I’m back into it, and considering posting times soon, but I’ve always had a big problem where it can’t save my progress, I lose everything upon powering off. Most tracks need progressing before I unlock Blowfish, which I’ve driven now but earning it every time (is fun but) takes a while, but more critically I can’t save my lap times.

I now know that because I use a later PS2 (75003, v14 PAL/UK spec slim) with a PS1 disc (also is this allowed?) with a later BIOS version, this BIOS apparently removes save compatibility on some old games. If this is or isn’t the problem, does anyone have advice to how I can get around this? Someone online mentioned save states, or I have thought about emulation but never tried either. Thing is I’ve got the originals so if I can get it working that would be amazing. Family friends of mine do have a PS1 in their loft and I’ve always thought about making an offer for it, so that’s also an option.

Any help appreciated. Thanks in advance.

yo, welcome. yes, playing through ps2 is allowed

this is very strange...i've never heard of this happening with hydro thunder. i don't know at the moment what bios my 90001(ntsc-u) has, but it saved just fine when i played on it

does anything happen when you attempt to save? like does it mention failing to detect memory card or anything like that

Thank you for your response and your help

I don’t think I’ve ever seen an option to save in the game, the cards just don’t get detected…

So upon booting and after hearing “Hydrooo Thunderr” it flashes up ‘Looking for memory card in memory slot 1’ for around 1.5seconds, as normal I presume but then ‘No memory card in memory slot 1’. I’ve tried moving files between the genuine 8MB mem card and non-genuine 64MB card, and no difference with more free space on the Sony one.

I searched my PS2’s settings and couldn’t find BIOS info, could be on/in the console or I may have missed it.

It just doesn’t recognise the memory cards, there’s no error messages or stuttering from either the game or console, the game must be thinking they’re not installed. See attached a pic of the mem card menu.

i see the issue. you need a ps1 memory card