Difference between revisions of "Dreamcast third-party Visual Memory Units"

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Revision as of 09:52, 20 July 2023

The Sega Dreamcast's Visual Memory Units are an interesting peripheral, but as memory cards they have several flaws. The built in-screen made them comparitively more expensive than memory cards found on rival consoles such as the PlayStation, and because of its design, a VMU is limited to about 128kB (1Mb) of storage - 200 "blocks" in Dreamcast terms.

Considering the original PlayStation matched this storage space in 1994, and the PlayStation 2 could offer a whopping 4MB (32 times more memory than a VMU) for less money, it was often considered a wiser idea to go down the third-party route, investing in memory cards which lack the VMU's exclusive features, but are significantly cheaper as a result. There are other reasons for this too - having a memory unit with a screen in the second controller port in a Dreamcast controller is a pointless exercise, as you'll not be able to see it, and cards without screens don't require their own batteries.

Dozens of memory cards were produced for the Dreamcast, usually 128kB (1Mb; 200 blocks), 256kB (2Mb; 400 blocks) or 512kB (4Mb; 800 blocks) in size. For cards larger than 128kB there is usually a switch to toggle between blocks of 200. Sega later produced their own 4x Memory Card in response to these ideas but these were not as widely released. The most notable card is the Massive Memory Card Plus, which contains 1MB (8Mb; 800 blocks) of save game storage.

This page lists all of the memory cards we know about. It is likely incomplete.

Box Name Brand Date & Price Images Documentation
MemoryCard3AGames4Mb DC Box Front Green.jpg
 4 Mega (512kB; green) 3A Games
(≥ 1999)


4 Mega (512kB; blue) 3A Games
(≥ 1999)
MemoryCard3AGames4Mb DC Box Front Blue.jpg
Memory FX Card 3D2
(≥ 1999)


4MegMemoryFXCard DC Box Front.jpg
 4 Meg Memory FX Card (512kB) 3D2
(≥ 1999)


Divide 4 (512kB) Be Art
(≥ 1999)


2 Meg (256kB) Bigben Interactive
(≥ 1999)


4 meg (transparent) CCL
(≥ 1999)


4 meg (purple) CCL
(≥ 1999)


DCMemoryCard DC Box Front Blue.jpg
 DC Memory Card (128kB; blue) Console Mate
(≥ 1999)


1MBMemoryCardEB DC Box Front.jpg
 1MB Memory Card (128kB) Electronics Boutique
(≥ 1999)


MemoryCardNexus4Mb DC Box Front Green.jpg
 Nexus 4 Meg (512kB; clear) EMS
(≥ 1999)
Nexus Green Front Back.jpg
Nexus 4 Meg (512kB; blue) EMS
(≥ 1999)
MemoryCardNexus4Mb DC Blue.jpg
Nexus 4 Meg (512kB; purple) EMS
(≥ 1999)
Nexus4Meg DC EMS Purple.jpg
Nexus16Meg DC Box Front.jpg
 Nexus 16 Meg (2MB; clear) EMS
(≥ 1999)


Nexus 16 Meg (2MB; blue) EMS
(≥ 1999)
Nexus16Meg DC Blue.jpg
1MBMemoryCard DC UK Box Back GAME.jpgNospine-small.png1MBMemoryCard DC UK Box Front GAME.jpg
 1MB Memory Card (128kB) GAME
United Kingdom UK: (≥ 1999)


?? (512kB) GAME
United Kingdom UK: (2000)
MemoryCard DC Back GAME.jpgMemoryCard DC GAME.jpg
?? Games Depot Accessories
(≥ 1999)
MemoryCard DC GamesDepot Back.jpgMemoryCard DC GamesDepot.jpg
DC Memory 2 (256kB; blue)
DCメモリーフォー2 		Gametech
Japan JP: (≥ 1999)
DCMemory2 DC Blue.jpg
DC Memory 2 (256kB; purple)
DCメモリーフォー2 		Gametech
Japan JP: (≥ 1999)
DCMemory2 DC Purple.jpg
DC Memory 2 (256kB; black)
DCメモリーフォー2 		Gametech
Japan JP: (≥ 1999)


DCMemory4 DC JP Box Front Blue.jpg
 DC Memory 4 (512kB; clear blue)
DCメモリーフォー4 		Gametech
Japan JP: (≥ 1999)


DCMemory4 DC JP Box Front Purple.jpg
 DC Memory 4 (512kB; clear purple)
DCメモリーフォー4 		Gametech
Japan JP: (≥ 1999)


DCMemory4 DC JP Box Front Grey.jpg
 DC Memory 4 (512kB; smoke gray)
DCメモリーフォー4 		Gametech
Japan JP: (≥ 1999)


DC Memory 4 (512kB; black)
DCメモリーフォー4 		Gametech
Japan JP: (≥ 1999)


Memory Card (128kB) Get into the Game
United States of America US: (2000)


Dream Card 4 Mega (512kB; red) GK
(≥ 1999)


Dream Card 4 Mega (512kB; blue) GK
(≥ 1999)
DreamCard4Mega DC GK Blue Back.jpgDreamCard4Mega DC GK Blue.jpg
2 Mega (256kB; blue) Innovation
(≥ 1999)


4 Mega (512kB; orange) Innovation
(≥ 1999)
4Mega.jpg
4 Meg Memory Card with PC Link Innovation
(≥ 1999)


4 Meg Memory Card with PC Link Innovation
(≥ 1999)


MemoryCardIntec DC Box Front.jpg
 Memory Card (128kB) Intec
(2001)
MemoryCardIntec1Mb DC.jpg
1MbMemory Joytech Black Box Front.jpg
 1Mb Memory Card (128kB; black) Joytech
United Kingdom UK: £12.9912.99[1][2] (2000)


1Mb Memory Card (128kB; orange) Joytech
United Kingdom UK: £12.9912.99[1][2] (2000)
1MbMemoryCard DC Joytech Orange.jpg
1MbMemory Joytech Blue Box Front.jpg
 1Mb Memory Card (128kB; blue) Joytech
United Kingdom UK: £12.9912.99[1][2] (2000)


4MbMemory Joytech Black Box Front.jpg
 4Mb Memory Card (512kB; black) Joytech
United Kingdom UK: £17.9917.99[1][2] (2000)


4MbMemory Joytech Orange Box Front.jpg
 4Mb Memory Card (512kB; orange) Joytech
United Kingdom UK: £17.9917.99[1][2] (2000)
4MbMemoryCard DC Joytech Orange.jpg
4MbMemory Joytech Blue Box Front.jpg
 4Mb Memory Card (512kB; blue) Joytech
United Kingdom UK: £17.9917.99[1][2] (2000)
4MbMemoryCard DC Joytech Blue.jpg
2M Memory (256kB)
2Mメモリー 		Karat
Japan JP: ¥2,5002,500[3] (xxxx)


4M Memory (512kB)
4Mメモリー 		Karat
Japan JP: ¥3,0003,000[4] (xxxx)


MemoryUnit DC Box Front MadCatz White128.jpg
 Memory Unit (128kB) Mad Catz
(≥ 1999)
MemoryCardMadCatz1Mb DC White.jpg
MadCatzMemoryUnitRed Box Front.JPG
 Memory Unit (512kB; red) Mad Catz
(≥ 1999)


MadCatzMemoryUnitBlue Box Front.JPG
 Memory Unit (512kB; blue) Mad Catz
(≥ 1999)
Memory MadCatz Blue.jpg
MadCatzMemoryUnitPurple Box Front.JPG
 Memory Unit (512kB; purple) Mad Catz
(≥ 1999)
MadCatzMemoryUnit DC Purple Back.jpgMadCatzMemoryUnit DC Purple.jpg
MemoryCard DC Box Front Naki Clear.jpg
 Memory Card (256kB; clear) Naki
(≥ 1999)


Memory Card (256kB; clear orange) Naki
(≥ 1999)
MemoryCardNaki DC Orange.jpg
NakiMemoryCardBlue.jpg
 Memory Card (256kB; clear blue) Naki
(≥ 1999)


Memory Card (128kB)
5375 		Nuby
(2000)


Memory Card (512kB)
5376 		Nuby
(2000)
MemoryCardNuby4Mb DC.jpg
Memory Card (512kB) Nuby
(2000)


JumboMemoryPakx2 DC Box Back Clear.jpgJumboMemoryPakx2 DC Box Front Clear.jpg
 Jumbo Memory Pack x2 (256kB; clear) Nyko
(1999)


Jumbo Memory Pack x2 (256kB; red) Nyko
(≥ 2000)


Jumbo Memory Pack x2 (256kB; yellow) Nyko
(≥ 2000)
JumboMemoryPakx2 DC Yellow.jpg
Jumbo Memory Pack x2 (256kB; blue) Nyko
(≥ 2000)
JumboMemoryPakx2 DC Blue.jpg
MemoryCardNyko2Mb DC Box Front Blue.jpg
 Jumbo Memory Pack x2 (256kB; blue) Nyko
(≥ 2000)


4x Memory Card for DreamCast (512kB) Old Skool
(≥ 2000)


4 Meg Genuine DC Memory Card (512kB; clear) Pelican
United States of America US: $29.9529.95[5] (≥ 1999)


4 Meg Genuine DC Memory Card (512kB; black) Pelican
United States of America US: $29.9529.95[5] (≥ 1999)


4 Meg Genuine DC Memory Card (512kB; blue) Pelican
United States of America US: $29.9529.95[5] (≥ 1999)


MemoryCardPerformance Box Front.jpg
 Memory Card (128kB) Performance
United States of America US: $9.999.99[6] (≥ 1999)
MemoryCardPerformance1Mb DC.jpg
Memory Card (128kB) Performance
(≥ 1999)
MemoryCardPerformance1Mb DC Alt.jpg
Memory Card (128kB; Crystal Cloud) Performance
(≥ 1999)
MemoryCardPerformance1Mb DC White.jpg
Memory Card (128kB; Red Storm) Performance
(≥ 1999)
MemoryCardPerformance1Mb DC Red.jpg
Memory Card (128kB; Green Mist) Performance
(≥ 1999)
MemoryCardPerformance1Mb DC Green.jpg
MemoryCardPerformance1Mb DC Box Front Blue.jpg
 Memory Card (128kB; Blue Sky) Performance
(≥ 1999)
MemoryCardPerformance1Mb DC Blue.jpg
MegaMemoryCard DC Box Front.jpg
 Mega Memory Card (512kB) Performance
(≥ 1999)
MegaMemoryCard.jpg
Mega Memory Card (512kB; red) Performance
(≥ 1999)
MegaMemoryCard DC Red.jpg
Mega Memory Card (512kB; green) Performance
(≥ 1999)
MemoryCardPerformance4Mb DC Green.jpg
4MB Memory Card (green) Play-X
(≥ 1999)


4MBMemoryCard DC Box Front PlayX Blue.jpg
 4MB Memory Card (blue) Play-X
(≥ 1999)


?? (512kB) PowerTech
(≥ 1999)


?? (512kB) Simple Jet Technology
(≥ 1999)


DC 2M Memory (256kB; white) Skillz
(≥ 1999)


DC 2M Memory (256kB; yellow) Skillz
(≥ 1999)
SkillsX2M.jpg
DC 2M Memory (256kB; green) Skillz
(≥ 1999)


DC 2M Memory (256kB; blue) Skillz
(≥ 1999)


DC4MMemory DC Box Back Skillz.jpgNospine.pngDC4MMemory DC Box Front Skillz.jpg
 DC 4M Memory plus Transfer Cable Skillz
(≥ 1999)


D.C 4 Mega (512kB) Sniper
(≥ 1999)


DC 2M Speed Link
(≥ 1999)


Dreamsaver (256kB; white) Topmax
(2000)


DC 2MB Memory (256kB; purple) Topmax
(≥ 1999)


DC 2MB Memory (256kB; black) Topmax
(≥ 1999)


Dream Card 1M Topway
(≥ 1999)


Dream Card 2M Topway
(≥ 1999)
DreamCard2M DC.jpg
Dream Card 4M Topway
(≥ 1999)


Memory Card (512kB) Vortecx
(2000)


2M DC Memory Card (red) Xtreme
(≥ 1999)


2M DC Memory Card (green) Xtreme
(≥ 1999)


2M DC Memory Card (blue) Xtreme
(≥ 1999)


4M DC Memory Card (red) Xtreme
(≥ 1999)


4M DC Memory Card (green) Xtreme
(≥ 1999)


Memory Card X2 Yobo Gameware
(≥ 1999)


Game Mak DC 2MB (256kB) ??
(≥ 1999)
GameMakDC DC 2MB Green.jpg
GameMakDC4MB DC JP Box Front ClearRed.jpg
 Game Mak DC 4MB (512kB; clear red) ??
(≥ 1999)


Game Mak DC 4MB (512kB; green) ??
(≥ 1999)
GameMakDC DC Green.jpg
GameMakDC4MB DC JP Box Front ClearBlue.jpg
 Game Mak DC 4MB (512kB; clear blue) ??
(≥ 1999)


Game Mak DC 4MB (512kB; black) ??
(≥ 1999)


DC-16 (2MB; black) ??
United Kingdom UK: £39.9939.99[7] (2000)


4 Mega ??
(≥ 1999)
4Mega DC Blue Alt.jpg
DC Digital Memory Card ??
(≥ 1999)


References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Dreamcast Monthly, "May 2000" (UK; 2000-04-13), page 13
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Computer & Video Games, "August 2000" (UK; 2000-07-12), page 19
  3. ↑ http://karat-jp.com/products/dc/dc_2m/dc_2m.html (Wayback Machine: 2001-02-08 18:36)
  4. ↑ http://karat-jp.com/products/dc/dc_4m/dc_4m.html (Wayback Machine: 2001-04-28 08:02)
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 http://pelicanacc.com/search/display.php?platform=Dreamcast (Wayback Machine: 2000-11-19 09:29)
  6. ↑ http://www.interact-acc.com/console/dreamcast/p-20-316.shtml (Wayback Machine: 2000-07-09 06:31)
  7. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "October 2000" (UK; 2000-09-13), page 20


Sega Dreamcast
Topics Technical specifications (Hardware comparison) | History (Development | Release | Decline and legacy | Internet) | List of games | Magazine articles | Promotional material | Merchandise
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