Visual Memory Unit

Fast Facts on the Visual Memory Unit
Made By: Sega Made For: Sega Dreamcast Released in US: 1999 Released in EU: 1999 Released in JP: 1998

The VMU (short for Visual Memory Unit, not Virtual Memory Unit), also referred to as the Visual Memory or VM in Japan (ビジュアルメモリ) and Europe (though there have been sources that say VMS is the Japanese device name this is not confirmed by Sega's hardware lists or any of the associated merchandise), is the "memory card" for the Sega Dreamcast. While its most basic function is as a removable storage device, the VMU has other purposes as well. It can serve as an auxiliary display during normal gameplay and, through the use of additional software, it can act as a console independent of the Dreamcast.

In order to function on its own, a VMU requires two CR2032 batteries, which can lead to problems. It does not require batteries in order to function within a Dreamcast controller (when the controller is connected and the system is powered on), but if the VMU lacks power it will make a high pitched warning screech during the console's bootup to alert the user. Furthermore, when the system is turned off, the VMUs are not, and so operate on their own power source for a short period of time before automatically switching themselves off. This means that the VMU will run out of batteries quicker if plugged in.

Like the controllers and console, there are many different flavours of VMU in terms of colours. The colours vary depending on the market - in Japan there were many novelty VMUs, often inspired by games. In North America, translucent coloured VMUs were released, while in Europe very few coloured VMUs were sold.

Technical Specifications

• CPU: 8-bit
• Memory: 128 KB (200 blocks)
• Power source: Two CR2032 batteries with auto-off function implemented in later versions of the VMU
• Display: 48 dot Width x 32 dot Height, Monochrome
• Display size: 37 mm (1.46 inches) Width x 26 mm (1.02 inches) Height
• Case dimensions: 47 mm (1.85 inches) Width x 80 mm (3.15 inches) Height x 16 *mm (0.63 inches) Depth
• Sound: 1-channel PWM sound source
• Weight: 45g (0.099 pounds)

List of VMUs

Sega

Japan

Model No.	Description	Release Date	Product	Package	Notes
HKT-7001	Gather Godzilla ~Large Monster Set~ あつめてゴジラ〜怪獣大集合〜	1998-07-30			Price: 2,500¥
HKT-7002	Visual Memory ビジュアルメモリ	1998-11-27			Site: [1] Price: 2,500¥
HKT-7005	Mothra Dream Battle モスラドリームバトル	1998-12-23			Notes: HKT-7002 (with software) and figurine Price: ?
HKT-7006	Gamera Dream Battle ガメラドリームバトル	1999-03-25			Notes: HKT-7002 (with software) and figurine Price: ?
HKT-7007-03	Visual Memory Colour Version (Aqua Blue) ビジュアルメモリ･カラーバージョン （アクアブル）	2000-03-01 ?			Site: [2] Price: 2,500¥
HKT-7007-04	Visual Memory Colour Version (Lime Green) ビジュアルメモリ･カラーバージョン （ライムグリーン）	2000-03-01 ?			Site: [3] Price: 2,500¥
HKT-7007-05	Visual Memory Colour Version (Passion Pink) ビジュアルメモリ･カラーバージョン （パッションピンク）	2000-03-01 ?			Site: [4] Price: 2,500¥
HKT-7007-06	Visual Memory Colour Version (Smoke) ビジュアルメモリ･カラーバージョン （スモーク）	2000-03-01 ?			Site: [5] Price: 2,500¥
HKT-7007-16	Visual Memory Clear ビジュアルメモリ クリア	2000-12-01 ?			Site: [6] Price: 2,500¥
HKT-7007-17	Virtual Memory Sonic Team version ビジュアルメモリ ソニックチームバージョン	2000-12-21 ?
HKT-7007-18	SGGG (Segagaga) Virtual Memory SGGG (セガガガ) ビジュアルメモリ	2001-03-29			Note: See also Segagaga
HKT-7008-01	Super Inventor Boy Kanipan Playing Kid DCDC 超発明BOYカニパン あそんでキッドDCDC（デシデシ）	1999-04-22			Price: ?
HKT-7008-02	Giant Channel ジャイアントチャネル	1999-05-20			Price: ?
HKT-7009-01	Visual Memory US Blue ビジュアルメモリ USレッド	2001-11-01 ?			Site: [7] Price: 2,500¥
HKT-7009-02	Visual Memory US Red ビジュアルメモリ USブルー	2001-11-01 ?			Site: [8] Price: 2,500¥
DD	Visual Memory: Pearl White ビジュアルメモリ：パールホワイト	2000-08-31			Site: Announcement Price: 2,800¥
DD	Visual Memory: Pearl Blue ビジュアルメモリ：パールブルー	2000-08-31			Site: Announcement Price: 2,800¥ Notes: See also Special DC model Pearl Blue
DD	Visual Memory: Pearl Pink ビジュアルメモリ：パールピンク	2000-08-31			Site: Announcement Price: 2,800¥ Notes: See also Special DC model Pearl Pink
DD	Visual Memory: Pure Black ビジュアルメモリ：ピュアブラック	2000-12-21			Site: Announcement 1, 2 Price: 2,800¥ Notes: See also Special DC model Pure Black
DD	Visual Memory Clear Red ビジュアルメモリ クリアレッド	2000-11-30			Site: Announcement Note: Christmas Lottery (30-11~20-12) Might be the same as HKT-7009-02.
DD	Visual Memory Capcom version ビジュアルメモリ カプコンバージョン	2000-12-22			Site: Announcement Price: 2,800¥
DPB	Visual Memory: Camouflage ビジュアルメモリ：迷彩色	1999-03-01 ?			Price: 2000 DPB points
DPB	Visual Memory: Carbon Black ビジュアルメモリ：カーボンブラック	1999-03-01 ?			Price: 2000 DPB points
DPB	Visual Memory: Wood Grain ビジュアルメモリ：木目調	2000-09-01			Site: Announcement Price: 2000 DPB points
DPB	Visual Memory: Leopard ビジュアルメモリ：豹柄	2000-09-01			Site: Announcement Price: 2000 DPB points
DPB	Visual Memory: Marble ビジュアルメモリ：大理石調	2000-09-01			Site: Announcement Price: 2000 DPB points
DPB	Visual Memory: Strawberry version ビジュアルメモリ：イチゴバージョン	2001-05-17 ?			Price: 2000 DPB points
DPB	Visual Memory: Dolphin version ビジュアルメモリ：イルカバージョン	2001-05-17 ?			Price: 2000 DPB points
DPB	Visual Memory: Number version ビジュアルメモリ：ナンバーバージョン	2001-05-17 ?			Price: 2000 DPB points
	Sakura Wars bundle VM サクラ大戦 ?? 同梱	2000-05-25			HDR-0089 bundle Price: 6,800¥ (pack)
	Sakura Wars 3 bundle VM サクラ大戦 ?? 同梱 携帯キネマトロン型	2001-03-22			HDR-0148 bundle Price: 9,800¥ (pack)
	Di Gi Charat Fantasy bundle VM デ･ジ･キャラット ファンタジー ??	2001-09-06			T-46301M bundle Price: 7,800¥ (pack)
	Seaman ~Forbidden Pet~ ?? シーマン～禁断のペット～ ?? 同梱	1999-07-29			Site: Announcement Price: 34,800¥ (pack)
	Hello Kitty Dreamcast Set (Blue Skeleton) bundle Hello Kitty ドリームキャストセット (と"スケルトンブルー) 同梱	1999-11-25			Site: [9], Announcement Price: 39,800¥ (pack)
	Hello Kitty Dreamcast Set (Pink Skeleton) bundle Hello Kitty ドリームキャストセット (スケルトンピンク) 同梱	1999-11-25			Site: [10], Announcement Price: 39,800¥ (pack)
	Dreamcast model: Seaman Christmas package bundle ドリームキャスト model:SEAMAN クリスマスパッケージ 同梱	1999-12-19			Price: 34,800¥ (pack)
	Dreamcast CODE: Veronica LIMITEDBOX bundle Dreamcast CODE: Veronica LIMITEDBOX 同梱	2000-02-03			Site: Announcement Price: 34,800¥ (pack)
	Dreamcast Sakura Taisen model bundle ドリームキャスト サクラ大戦モデル 同梱	2000-12-01			Site: [11] Price: 25,800¥ (pack)
	Sakura Wars Contest VM

• Data in italics is not official.
• Release dates with ? do not have a source.
• ?? means there is something supposed to be there.

US

The U.S. standard VM is undistinguisable from the Japanese counterpart. However, the colour series has slightly darker casing and has grey (instead of white) buttons (notice the starking difference between the Dreamcast inscription and the button colours). The US red and US blue Japanese VMs described above are a domestic release of their overseas versions, sporting the U.S. grey buttons and are only distinct by their different packaging.

Model No	Reference	Product	Box	Notes
MK-50120	Visual Memory Unit (standard)
MK-50121	Visual Memory Unit (clear blue)
MK-50122	Visual Memory Unit (clear green)			a similar (or same) is included with the Holiday Gift Pack.
MK-50123	Visual Memory Unit (clear red)			a similar (or same) is included with the Holiday Gift Pack
MK-50124	Visual Memory Unit (clear yellow)
MK-50125	Visual Memory Unit (clear black)

• Data in italics might not be accurate.

Europe

The standard PAL VM is different from the Japanese and U.S. devices as it does not have a spiral next to the Dreamcast inscription, and the inscription itself is made in a larger font.

Model No	Reference	Image	Box	Notes
MK-55120	Visual Memory (standard)

Sega Dreamcast Hardware
Dreamcast Variations	Special Dreamcast Models
Development Hardware	Dreamcast Dev.Box | Controller Box | Sound Box | GD-Writer | C1/C2 Checker | Dev.Cas | Dreamcast GD-ROM Duplicator
Console Add-ons	Dreamcast Karaoke | Dreameye
Game Controllers	Standard gamepad (Third party) | Arcade Stick | Fishing Controller | Light Gun (Third Party) | Racing Controller (Third Party) | Maracas | Twin Stick | Keyboard | Mouse
Third Party Controllers	DDR Controller | Densha de Go! Controller | Mini Twin Stick | Fighting Stick
Controller Add-ons	Jump Pack (Third Party) | Microphone | VMU (Third Party)
Online Services/Add-ons	Dreamarena | SegaNet | WebTV for Dreamcast | Modem | Modem Cable | Broadband Adapter
Connector Cables	Dreamcast MIDI Interface Cable | Dreamcast to Neo Geo Pocket Color link cable | SCART Adapter | VGA Adapter
Misc. Hardware	Action Replay | Kiosk
Unreleased Accessories	Dreamcast DVD Player | Dreamcast Zip Drive | Swatch Access for Dreamcast | VMU MP3 Player
Unlicensed Clones	Treamcast