Memo File

The Memo File, also known simply as Memo, is a way of temporarily saving game progress to the system instead of to a Memory Card. A key benefit of using the Memo File is it takes less time to save, however there is only one Memo slot available at one time. A Memo File can be loaded from the main menu after executing a soft reset or returning there after receiving a Game Over.

While the Memo File is often used as an alternative to saving on the Memory Card when at a Save Point, some games allow the Memo File to save progress at any point during the game. This can be exploited by Memo saving after every step, allowing a player to traverse an entire dungeon without technically encountering a random encounter since a soft reset would be executed every time this happens. It also allows the player to avoid contracting negative status effects.

The feature has appeared in many of the remakes of the earlier games in the Final Fantasy, but is less commonplace elsewhere.

Final Fantasy
The Memo File is available in the Origins version of the game. It can be used at any point in the field, unlike the Memory Card Save File which can only be executed at limited places in the game. A Memo option exists in the menu where a Save option would usually be found in other games. The player can quickly access the Memo section of the Menu by selecting the R2 button, or a button of their choice if they choose to customize the controller.

Final Fantasy II
The Memo File option appears in the menu in the Origins release of Final Fantasy II. It can be used at any point in the field, unlike the Save option which is only accessible on the World Map.

Final Fantasy IV
The Memo option is an alternative to selecting the Memory Card slots at Save Points or on the World Map in the PlayStation version of Final Fantasy IV. It is slightly faster and doesn't permanently overwrite the Memory Card data allowing the player to revert back to it if needs be, however the Memo file only lasts as long as the system's power isn't interrupted.

Final Fantasy V
The Memo option in the Anthology release allows the player to quick-save the game progress in a temporary file instead of saving it to a Save File on the Memory Card. It can be saved at Save Points or on the World Map, like the normal save feature. The Memo File can be loaded if the player receives a Game Over or uses a soft reset.

Final Fantasy VI
In the PlayStation version, players can select the Memo File option to create a temporary save file that stays active until the system is reset or switched off. The Memo option is a subordinate of the Save option on the menu. The Memo File can be loaded if the player returns to the Menu without a power interference with the system.