VMU

VMU stands for Visual Memory Unit. It was a memory card peripheral for the Sega Dreamcast video game console. Released in 1998, the VMU was unique in that it featured its own small LCD screen, directional buttons, and two trigger buttons. This allowed it to function as a secondary display for the game, providing additional information, mini-games, or acting as a portable save device.

The VMU could display various elements, such as the player's character, game stats, or maps, directly on its screen. It also supported downloadable content and allowed players to interact with their games even when the Dreamcast was turned off. This portability extended to the ability to download games from the Dreamcast itself and play them on the VMU, albeit in a simplified form.

Beyond its role as a storage device, the VMU's interactive capabilities made it a novel feature. Players could transfer their characters from a game onto the VMU and nurture them, engage in simple mini-games, or even trade data with other VMUs. The VMU could also connect to other VMUs wirelessly, enabling multiplayer interactions for certain games. Despite its innovative design, the VMU's popularity was somewhat limited by the relatively short lifespan of the Dreamcast and the cost of the peripheral. It remains a distinctive piece of gaming hardware history.