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The '''[[gametech:VMU|Sega VMU]]''', short for '''Visual Memory Unit''', is a [[Sega Dreamcast emulators|Dreamcast]] accessory that is stowed inside the gamepad, serving the purposes of second screen during gameplay, storage device and, when unplugged, pocket calendar and handheld game console. Its two first functions are implemented in many, if not most, Dreamcast emulators, but its qualities as a rudimentary handheld are left fully for standalone VMU emulators, which this article is about. It is also known as '''Visual Memory''' in Japan and '''VMS (Visual Memory System)''' in Japan and in PAL regions. It competed with the [[PocketStation emulators|Sony PocketStation]], a [[PlayStation emulators|PlayStation]] accessory launched one year later. Its 48×32 screen makes it one of the most low-res game consoles of all time, together with the GameKing (also 48×32) and also its competitor (32×32) and the [[Pokémon mini emulators|Pokémon mini]] (96×64). Its games were distributed as bonus features of Dreamcast games: they must be downloaded to the VMU when stowed in a controller.
It runs on a Sanyo LC8670 8-bit CPU and is equipped with 128 kB of flash memory, of which 28 kB are reserved for the system. The remaining 100 kB are divided into 200 blocks of 512 B. The VMU is also equipped with two 6V batteries, used not only to power the system — giving it a few hours of autonomy —, but also to maintain its real-time clock. It has the ability of coupling itself to another VMU for multiplayer features and transfer of save data.
