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Visual Memory Unit

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Title Screen

Visual Memory Unit

Also known as: Visual Memory (JP/EU/AU)
Developer: Sega
Publisher: Sega
Released in JP: July 30, 1998
Released in US: September 9, 1999
Released in EU: October 14, 1999
Released in AU: November 30, 1999


CopyrightIcon.png This console has hidden developer credits.
Carts.png This console has revisional differences.


The Visual Memory Unit, or VMU for short, was the memory card used for the Dreamcast, although a better description would be "a primordial Arduino".

Marketed as a memory card, it had a display that could be used for in-game features and basic memory management. With the help of extras inside game discs and the Dreamcast's bustling online scene, you could run games and applications on it.

The trouble was that the VMU loved clock batteries, so much so that the Dreamcast wanted to eat the cake and keep it whole. You better have batteries lying arou-BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP

Hidden Credits

Present at 0x14BE in the BIOS, alongside some build info.

Visual Memory Produced By or Under License From SEGA ENTERPRISES,LTD.
Version 1.004,1998/09/30,315-6208-01,SEGA Visual Memory System BIOS Produced by Sue

Hardware Revision

Hmmm...
To do:
  • Any other differences?
  • Upload the beeps in question

Newer VMUs have a shorter beep when powered on with a dead battery.