4x Memory Card
From Sega Retro
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| 4x Memory Card | |||||||||||||||
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| Made for: Sega Dreamcast | |||||||||||||||
| Manufacturer: Sega | |||||||||||||||
| Type: Memory card | |||||||||||||||
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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.
Contents
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 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 small number of earlier Dreamcast games do not function correctly with the 4x Memory Card[2], with some crashing when attempting to access the device, and others failing to detect the card at all:
In addition, switching pages while playing Virtua Tennis or Zombie Revenge is also reported to cause errors.
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.
Magazine articles
- Main article: 4x Memory Card/Magazine articles.
Photo gallery
Phantasy Star Online model
Physical scans
| Dreamcast, US |
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   Cover
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| Dreamcast, JP |
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 Cover
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| Dreamcast, JP (Phantasy Star Online) |
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  Cover
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External links
- Sega of Japan catalogue pages (Japanese): Dreamcast
References