Product Description

It`s much more than a memory card! For the first time, you can take parts of a game with you and play with them away from home. The VMU has its own microprocessor, screen, memory and controller and can act as a self-contained game machine. You can save information from your Dreamcast onto the VMU and modify/change/play with that data while you are away from your Dreamcast. For example, download characters from Sega Dreamcast games into the VMU, train them while on the bus, and then load them back into the Dreamcast game. Save special VMU-only games and play them at work or school. Even connect your VMU to a friend`s VMU and compete or trade game files! The VMU`s LCD screen can be viewed while it is inserted into a Dreamcast controller and creates a private viewing device that can be hidden from other players. Now, you`ll be able to select plays in NFL 2K without your opponent knowing what`s coming. The VMU adds a whole new strategic level of gameplay! 200 blocks of memory space for plenty of game-saving power. Built-in controller buttons and D-pad for standalone gameplay. Hi-resolution LCD screen. Complete with cap to protect connector pins.

• High-resolution LCD
• Built-in controller buttons and d-pad for standalone gameplay
• Display secret information during Dreamcast gameplay
• 200 blocks of memory space for plenty of game-saving power
• Easy to save, trade, and copy files
• Complete with cap to protect connector pins

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2370 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Sega
• Platform: Sega Dreamcast
• Number of items: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
Anyone wanting to play on the Dreamcast does really need a Visual Memory Unit (VMU) and if you are looking to play titles such as four-disc heavy Shenmue or NBA 2K it really is a must.

Although more expensive than its PlayStation counterparts the VMU units hold ample saves, as well as doubling up as a mini game portal for some games like Soul Calibur.

If you don't want the fuss of having to complete games in one go, and trust me you don't, then this VMU with display is a worthwhile investment. --Stuart Miles

Manufacturer's Description
It's much more than a memory card! For the first time, you can take parts of a game with you and play with them away from home. The VMU has its own microprocessor, screen, memory and controller and can act as a self-contained game machine. You can save information from your Dreamcast onto the VMU and modify/change/play with that data while you are away from your Dreamcast. For example, download characters from Sega Dreamcast games into the VMU, train them while on the bus, and then load them back into the Dreamcast game. Save special VMU-only games and play them at work or school. Even connect your VMU to a friend's VMU and compete or trade game files! The VMU's LCD screen can be viewed while it is inserted into a Dreamcast controller and creates a private viewing device that can be hidden from other players. Now, you'll be able to select plays in NFL 2K without your opponent knowing what's coming. The VMU adds a whole new strategic level of gameplay! 200 blocks of memory space for plenty of game-saving power. Built-in controller buttons and D-pad for standalone gameplay. Hi-resolution LCD screen. Complete with cap to protect connector pins.

Customer Reviews

Reliable and Multi-purpose!
Well what can you say about this? The official visual memory unit is used for storing your game saves, but during gameplay the screen can display useful information (ammo remaining, radar, stats of player etc.) which is very useful in some games. Some DC games allow you to download information to the VMU and play mini-games which can unlock secrets in the main game. So it's like having a mini-gameboy in that sense.
As for saving I for one have never come across any problems, such as corrupted data, with the official memory cards (and I have three!). Very reliable saving system.

If there's one gripe it's that the batteries wear down too quickly, but despair not - there is a trick to preserving their life. Keep the tiny plastic tag that is pulled out to start the VMU, and when not in use insert it again. This breaks the contact and keeps the batteries from draining!

To surmise, this is the best memory unit around and each DC owner should have at least one.

Excellent
You can save up to 15 games on the vmu and the LCD screen enables you to see additional game info whilst playing. You can also download games onto it and use use it as a tiny handheld console! More still you can personalise it with your own icon on the LCD screen. On the downside the batteries run out pretty quick, one tip - **always unplug the controller from the dreamcast when you finish playing** - this will conserve battery life. Still, it's more fun than your average memory card - thumbs up from me ;-D

Best mem card on dreamcast
The vmu is a great little device functioning as both a memory card and a portable games unit as well as a hidden screen in your cotroller (for example in nba2k you can change tactics using the vmu screen without your opponent knowing). However two annoying features about the vmu are that the memory capacity is to small (128k) split into 200 blocks for example putting a mini-game in can take up around three quarters of the memory which dosen't leave much room for anything else. The other thing is that the batteries don't last long either. At least it won't corrupt data like mem cards made by other companys.