Difference between revisions of "4x Memory Card"

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{{AccessoryBob
 
{{AccessoryBob
 
| accessoryimage=DC4xMC DC.jpg
 
| accessoryimage=DC4xMC DC.jpg
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| imgwidth=200
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| accessoryprogramscreen=
 
| title=
 
| title=
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| maker=[[Sega]]
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| maker=[[Sega Corporation (2000-2015)|Sega]]
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| type=Memory card
 
| madefor=[[Sega Dreamcast]]
 
| madefor=[[Sega Dreamcast]]
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| releases={{releases
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| releases={{releasesDC
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| dc_date_jp=2000-12-14
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| dc_date_jp=2000-12-14{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20200302045312/https://sega.jp/history/hard/dreamcast/devices.html}}
 
| dc_code_jp=HKT-4100
 
| dc_code_jp=HKT-4100
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| dc_rrp_jp=2,500 (''2,625''){{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20141227130204/http://sega.jp/dc/hard/mc_4x/}}
 +
| dc_date_jp_Phantasy Star Online=2000-12-21{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20010303024726/http://www.d-direct.ne.jp:80/shop/pc/camp/DDperi.asp}}
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| dc_rrp_jp_Phantasy Star Online=4,800{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20010303024726/http://www.d-direct.ne.jp:80/shop/pc/camp/DDperi.asp}}
 
| dc_date_us=2000
 
| dc_date_us=2000
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| dc_rrp_us=29.99{{magref|odmus|12|15}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
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The '''Dreamcast 4x Memory Card''', known as the '''Memory Card 4x''' in Japan, is the official alternative to a [[VMU]] for saving on a [[Sega Dreamcast]].
+
The '''Dreamcast 4x Memory Card''', known as the '''Memory Card 4x''' (メモリーカード ４Ｘ) in Japan, is the official alternative to a [[VMU]] for saving on a [[Sega Dreamcast]].
  
−
It is a device that holds 800 blocks of memory as opposed to the standard 200. The Dreamcast, however, can only understand memory cards with 200 blocks, so the data is divided into four. There is a switch on the unit used to access the other 600 blocks, and LEDs to inform the user which set of data they are currently using. Switching tricks the Dreamcast into thinking a different VMU has been inserted, but means you can only access 200 blocks at a time.
+
==Hardware==
 +
It is a device that holds 800 blocks of memory as opposed to the standard 200. The Dreamcast, however, can only understand memory cards with 200 blocks, so the data is divided into four "pages". There is a switch on the unit used to access the other 600 blocks, and LEDs to inform the user which set of data they are currently using. Switching tricks the Dreamcast into thinking a different VMU has been inserted, but means you can only access 200 blocks at a time.
  
−
There are some slight annoyances - due to its design, if a user saves on the fourth set of save blocks, he or she will be required to press the button three times shortly after booting up the console - it was always default to the first set. There is also no screen or buttons, so you take advantage of VMU-specific features. On the plus side, it does not require its own battery and so will never "squeak" when the system is turned on.
+
There are some slight annoyances - due to its design, if a user saves on the fourth set of save blocks, he or she will be required to press the button three times shortly after booting up the console, as the device will always default to the first set. There is also no screen or buttons, so you can't take advantage of VMU-specific features. On the plus side, it does not require its own battery and so will never "squeak" when the system is turned on.
  
 +
==Compatibility==
 +
===Incompatible games===
 +
A number of earlier Dreamcast games do not function correctly with the 4x Memory Card{{magref|odmus|12|17}}{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20010306143949/http://www.sega.co.jp/dreamcast/hardware/mc4x.html}}, with some crashing when attempting to access the device, and others failing to detect the card at all.
 +
 +
====Games which do not recognise the 4x Memory Card====
 +
{{multicol|
 +
*''[[Airforce Delta]]''
 +
*''[[Bikkuriman 2000 Viva! Festival!]]''
 +
*''[[Carrier]]''
 +
*''[[Dynamite Cop]]''
 +
*''[[F1 World Grand Prix]]''
 +
*''[[Kita e. White Illumination]]''
 +
*''[[Kitahei Gold]]''
 +
*''[[Maboroshi Tsukiyo]]''
 +
*''[[Nanatsu no Hikan: Senritsu no Bishou]]''
 +
*''[[Rayman 2: The Great Escape]]''
 +
*''[[Sakura Momoko Gekijou: Coji Coji]]''
 +
*''[[Sekai Fushigi Hakken! Troy]]''
 +
*''[[Spawn: In the Demon's Hand]]''
 +
}}
 +
 +
====Games which do not support in-game page switching====
 +
{{multicol|
 +
*''[[D-2]]''
 +
*''[[Death Crimson 2: Meranito no Saidan]]''
 +
*''[[Get!! Colonies]]''
 +
*''[[Hello Kitty no Lovely Fruit Park]]''
 +
*''[[Hello Kitty no Magical Block]]''
 +
*''[[Hello Kitty no Waku Waku Cookies]]''
 +
*''[[Marionette Company]]''
 +
*''[[Maken X]]''
 +
*''[[Memories Off Complete]]''
 +
*''[[Rune Jade]]''
 +
*''[[Sega Rally 2]]''
 +
*''[[Shenmue]]''
 +
*''[[Toy Commander]]''
 +
*''[[UnderCover AD2025 Kei]]''
 +
*''[[Zombie Revenge]]''
 +
}}
 +
 +
====Other issues====
 +
*''[[Frame Gride]]'' won't display the device, but will still save.
 +
*''[[Napple Tale: Arsia in Daydream]]'' requires a VMU in the other slot (the order doesn't matter)
 +
*''[[Virtua Striker 2 Ver. 2000.1]]'' requires two controllers to be plugged in
 +
 +
[[ASCII]]'s range of accessories, the [[ASCII Pad FT]], [[ASCII Stick FT]] and [[ASCII Mission Stick]] are not compatible as the 4x Memory Card does not physically fit.
 +
 +
==History==
 
There 4x Memory Card was rolled out across Japan and North America (including a ''[[Phantasy Star Online]]'' branded one for Japan). No official 4x Memory Cards made it to Europe but there are many unofficial alternatives.
 
There 4x Memory Card was rolled out across Japan and North America (including a ''[[Phantasy Star Online]]'' branded one for Japan). No official 4x Memory Cards made it to Europe but there are many unofficial alternatives.
  
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==Physical Scans==
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==Localised names==
 +
{{aka
 +
|en_name=4x Memory Card
 +
|jp_name=メモリーカード ４Ｘ
 +
|jp_trans=Memory Card 4x
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Magazine articles==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
 +
 
 +
==Photo gallery==
 +
<gallery>
 +
DC4xMC DC JP PSO.jpg|''[[Phantasy Star Online]]'' model
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
==Physical scans==
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
 
| console=Dreamcast
 
| console=Dreamcast
−
| region=US
+
| region=JP
−
| front=DC4xMC DC US Box Front.jpg
+
| front=DC4xMC DC JP Box Front.jpg
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| square=yes
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Dreamcast
 +
| region=JP (''[[Phantasy Star Online]]'')
 +
| front=MemoryCard4X DC JP Box Front PSO.jpg
 +
| back=MemoryCard4X DC JP Box Back PSO.jpg
 +
| spinemissing=yes
 
| square=yes
 
| square=yes
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
| console=Dreamcast
 
| console=Dreamcast
−
| region=JP
+
| region=US
−
| front=DC4xMC DC JP Box Front.jpg
+
| front=DC4xMC DC US Box Front.jpg
 +
| back=4X_Memory_Card_Back.jpg
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| spinemissing=yes
 
| square=yes
 
| square=yes
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{clear}}
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 +
==External links==
 +
* Sega of Japan catalogue pages (Japanese): [https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://sega.jp/dc/hard/mc_4x/ Dreamcast]
 +
 
 +
==References==
 +
<references/>
 +
 
 
{{Dreamcast}}
 
{{Dreamcast}}

Latest revision as of 11:55, 16 November 2024

DC4xMC DC.jpg
4x Memory Card
Made for: Sega Dreamcast
Manufacturer: Sega
Type: Memory card
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Dreamcast
JP 		¥2,500 (2,625)2,500 (2,625)[2] HKT-4100
Sega Dreamcast
JP
(Phantasy Star Online) 		¥4,8004,800[3]
Sega Dreamcast
US 		$29.9929.99[4]

The Dreamcast 4x Memory Card, known as the Memory Card 4x (メモリーカード ４Ｘ) in Japan, is the official alternative to a VMU for saving on a Sega Dreamcast.

Hardware

It is a device that holds 800 blocks of memory as opposed to the standard 200. The Dreamcast, however, can only understand memory cards with 200 blocks, so the data is divided into four "pages". There is a switch on the unit used to access the other 600 blocks, and LEDs to inform the user which set of data they are currently using. Switching tricks the Dreamcast into thinking a different VMU has been inserted, but means you can only access 200 blocks at a time.

There are some slight annoyances - due to its design, if a user saves on the fourth set of save blocks, he or she will be required to press the button three times shortly after booting up the console, as the device will always default to the first set. There is also no screen or buttons, so you can't take advantage of VMU-specific features. On the plus side, it does not require its own battery and so will never "squeak" when the system is turned on.

Compatibility

Incompatible games

A number of earlier Dreamcast games do not function correctly with the 4x Memory Card[5][6], with some crashing when attempting to access the device, and others failing to detect the card at all.

Games which do not recognise the 4x Memory Card

Games which do not support in-game page switching

Other issues

ASCII's range of accessories, the ASCII Pad FT, ASCII Stick FT and ASCII Mission Stick are not compatible as the 4x Memory Card does not physically fit.

History

There 4x Memory Card was rolled out across Japan and North America (including a Phantasy Star Online branded one for Japan). No official 4x Memory Cards made it to Europe but there are many unofficial alternatives.

Localised names

Also known as
Language Localised Name English Translation
English 4x Memory Card 4x Memory Card
Japanese メモリーカード ４Ｘ Memory Card 4x

Magazine articles

Main article: 4x Memory Card/Magazine articles.

Photo gallery

Physical scans

Dreamcast, JP
DC4xMC DC JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
Dreamcast, JP (Phantasy Star Online)
MemoryCard4X DC JP Box Back PSO.jpgNospine-small.pngMemoryCard4X DC JP Box Front PSO.jpg
Cover
Dreamcast, US
4X Memory Card Back.jpgNospine-small.pngDC4xMC DC US Box Front.jpg
Cover

External links

  • Sega of Japan catalogue pages (Japanese): Dreamcast

References

  1. ↑ https://sega.jp/history/hard/dreamcast/devices.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-03-02 04:53)
  2. ↑ http://sega.jp/dc/hard/mc_4x/ (Wayback Machine: 2014-12-27 13:02)
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://www.d-direct.ne.jp:80/shop/pc/camp/DDperi.asp (Wayback Machine: 2001-03-03 02:47)
  4. ↑ Official Dreamcast Magazine, "March 2001" (US; 2001-01-28), page 15
  5. ↑ Official Dreamcast Magazine, "March 2001" (US; 2001-01-28), page 17
  6. ↑ http://www.sega.co.jp/dreamcast/hardware/mc4x.html (Wayback Machine: 2001-03-06 14:39)


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