CD BackUp RAM Cart

CD BackUp RAM Cart
Made for: Sega Mega-CD
Manufacturer: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
Type: Memory card
Release Date RRP Code JP 1992-03-20 ¥6,3006,300 G-2920 US 1994-10 $59.9959.99

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CD BackUp RAM Cart or Backup RAM Cartridge (バックアップＲＡＭカートリッジ) is a memory card designed for the Sega Mega-CD that plugs into the Sega Mega Drive cartridge port.

Hardware

It is for use with Mega CD games which require the user to save, as unlike ROM cartridges, there is no way of saving data on the disc itself. The unit contains 2045 blocks (1 Mbit) of memory for game saves.

For the North American version, the cart resembles a regular Genesis cartridge, aside from a blue edging saying "Sega CD", as opposed to the usual red edging found on standard Genesis cartridges. Some RPGs - most notably Shining Force CD - used this for memory, as there was often not enough space for the save files in the internal backup RAM. In the case of Shining Force CD, this cartridge allows the player to unlock the last story segment of the game, inaccessible without the backup cart due to the Sega CD's internal memory limitations.

Maximum capacity

While the only officially-released RAM cartridge for the Sega CD has a capacity of 1 Mbit (128 KB; 2045 blocks), the system actually supports up to 4 Mbit (512 KB; 8189 blocks). The memory size is specified by a 3-bit value mapped to Main 68000 address $400001. This value indicates the memory size as a power of two, multiplied by the base memory size of 8 KB.

Memory Size

3-bit Value @ $400001	Size (Kbit)	Size (KB)
000	64 Kbit	8 KB
001	128 Kbit	16 KB
010	256 Kbit	32 KB
011	512 Kbit	64 KB
100	1024 Kbit	128 KB
101	2048 Kbit	256 KB
110	4096 Kbit	512 KB
111	not present

Compatibility

• A-Rank Thunder Tanjouhen (1993)
• After Armageddon Gaiden: Majuu Toushouden Eclipse (1994)
• Aisle Lord (1992)
• Alshark (1993)
• Arcus I-II-III (1993)
• Bakuden Unbalance Zone (1994)
• Black Hole Assault (1992)
• Burai: Hachigyoku no Yuushi Densetsu (1992)
• Cyborg 009 (1993)
• Dark Wizard (1993)
• Death Bringer (1992)
• Detonator Orgun (1992)
• Dungeon Master II: Skullkeep (1994)
• Dynamic Country Club (1991)
• Egawa Suguru no Super League CD (1993)
• Eye of the Beholder (1994)
• F1 Circus CD (1994)
• Formula One World Championship: Beyond the Limit (1994)
• Gambler Jiko Chuushinha 2: Gekitou! Tokyo Mahjong Land Hen (1992)
• Genei Toshi (1993)
• Genghis Khan II: Clan of the Gray Wolf (1993)
• Heimdall (1994)
• Ishii Hisaichi no Daiseikai (1994)
• Jaguar XJ220 (1993)
• Jango World Cup (1993)
• Jurassic Park (1993)
• Lodoss-tou Senki: Eiyuu Sensou (1994)
• Lunar: Eternal Blue (1994)
• Lunar: The Silver Star (1992)
• Mahou no Shoujo: Silky Lip (1992)
• Mega Schwarzschild (1993)
• Might and Magic III: Isles of Terra (1993)
• Nobunaga no Yabou: Haouden (1994)
• Panic! (1993)
• Popful Mail (1994)
• Pro Yakyuu Super League CD (1992)
• Psychic Detective Series Vol. 3: AÝA (1993)
• Psychic Detective Series Vol. 4: Orgel (1993)
• Rise of the Dragon (1992)
• Romance of the Three Kingdoms III: Dragon of Destiny (1992)
• Seima Densetsu 3x3 Eyes (1993)
• Shin Megami Tensei (1994)
• Shining Force CD (1994)
• SimEarth (1993)
• Sonic the Hedgehog CD (1993)
• StarBlade (1994)
• The Third World War (1993)
• Thunderhawk (1993)
• Urusei Yatsura: Dear My Friends (1994)
• Vay (1993)
• Warau Salesman (1993)
• Wing Commander (1994)
• Winning Post (1993)
• Yumemi Mystery Mansion (1993)
• Yumimi Mix (1993)

Versions

Localised names

Also known as

Language	Localised Name	English Translation
English (US)	CD BackUp RAM Cart	CD BackUp RAM Cart
Japanese	バックアップＲＡＭカートリッジ	Backup RAM Cartridge

Magazine articles

Main article: CD BackUp RAM Cart/Magazine articles.

Physical scans

Mega-CD, JP
Cover
Cart Manual Label

Mega-CD, US
Cover
Cart Manual

External links

• Sega of Japan catalogue pages (Japanese): Mega-CD