VMU pro is up for pre-order! And Macho has done a video on it

[Amag0k1]

VMU 8-bit mods page for pre-order and cheaper then the VMU2

Also, check out macho nachos post on it!, and it is looking good!

 

[nobitakun]

Too expensive. I am so impressed on how western markets do not understand what are the needs of users. They prefer to skyrocket the price of things by adding useless stuff.

Until they don't release a simple VMU with just the features of an original VMU + microSD for saves for 30€, I won't waste any money on any of these. Specially knowing that dreamshell can do that for 10€.

 

[Amag0k1]

Too expensive. I am so impressed on how western markets do not understand what are the needs of users. They prefer to skyrocket the price of things by adding useless stuff.

Until they don't release a simple VMU with just the features of an original VMU + microSD for saves for 30€, I won't waste any money on any of these. Specially knowing that dreamshell can do that for 10€.

It is dead tech, so the person who made this is a maker, and they are selling it on 8-bit mods, and they want to recoup towards future projects. But you do not have to buy it, but posted for those who are interested.

For comparison

VMU2 is over 100 bucks and this is around 80 - 90, with color screen and plays emulators.

There is a free version which any one can make if bothered / brave enough to solder.

It is called USB4Maple, you just by a Rpi 2040, follow the diagram on the link below, and download the firmware which has been available free.

http://usb4maple.wikidot.com/

^simpler design which can be easily soldered on the zero model.

Total cost is like 25 bucks, with the pi 6 bucks, cable 5 bucks and the wires recovered from other devices as long as it is about 28 / 30 gage

I built one recently and it came out grate, looking to make a case for it and try and make it look nicer, as it is a title jancky. NOTE: did extra for debugging, as i want to modify the code a little so that i can add some additional support for some other controllers.

Re dreamshell, for sure, i have this also, but it is slower and i have had problems backing up saves with it getting corrupted at times. This is why i have multiple solutions, since my VMU has a max number of writes, so nice to have options. With the USB4MApple being a super cheap options with a little work.

 

[nobitakun]

Yeah, I was aware of the mod, it's a real piece of work, but that's exactly what I meant. Chinese only need to see it, buy the pieces to make it and mass produce it. Then sell it for 20€, because they will manage to make it as cheap as possible :)

 

[Amag0k1]

Yeah, I was aware of the mod, it's a real piece of work, but that's exactly what I meant. Chinese only need to see it, buy the pieces to make it and mass produce it. Then sell it for 20€, because they will manage to make it as cheap as possible :)

Why not, but why wait? Speaking as some one who is from close to there, all i can say is, if you can DIY why not?

 

[TruxtonTatsujin]

neat, but not something I'm interested in. For that money I'd rather just buy a few original units and do any repairs if needed.

 

[sneakyguts]

im interested in getting the blue colour one day

 

[nobitakun]

Why not, but why wait? Speaking as some one who is from close to there, all i can say is, if you can DIY why not?

There was a time I thought like you, doing things by myself, because even now I think it's a lot of fun. I repaired stuff, installed modchips, modified RGB cables and did other not so difficult mods because I enjoy tinkering with stuff, but nowadays I don't have the patience as there are tons of things I need to play / enjoy. Moreover, my job takes me a lot of time and I am also studying languages.

Life is limited, and if I have the money to buy something, I will buy it instead of doing it, as long as it is a fair price and the thing does what I want without being "flashy".

Being said that, from time to time I try to find some time to do some simple stuff as long as it is easy and it is not time consuming, but for this case, I can wait as I have alternatives to do the task and 3rd party memory cards.

 

[Amag0k1]

neat, but not something I'm interested in. For that money I'd rather just buy a few original units and do any repairs if needed.

The original units have max writes like any form of solid memory, same with all solid memory such as SD cards, usb memory sticks, SSDs, etc. So the alternatives, including he DIY option, allows for the event of a memory failure, to transfer your saves to another form of memory, and extend your save data life.

Remember, this was well before the days of cloud services (file servers) everywhere you can upload your data to, Which is included in things like PS +, Xbox Live and the like.

So, here the only option is to transfer the save some place, so you can maintain your progress, and revisit stuff you did not finish on the system.

It is a pain, but worth it since the games where just that good back int he day, and even though the dreamcast had a short life, it is still celebrated because of how good the games and aesthetics on that system where.

 

[TruxtonTatsujin]

The original units have max writes like any form of solid memory, same with all solid memory such as SD cards, usb memory sticks, SSDs, etc. So the alternatives, including he DIY option, allows for the event of a memory failure, to transfer your saves to another form of memory, and extend your save data life.

That's true, through to be honest it's never happened to the countless solid state formats that I've owned, and I always have spares if it ever where to. I've also never been one to keep my saves after I finish a game, so not that worried about losing them. Whenever I do return I usually just start form the beginning anyway.
a similar device I've been using is the Wingman SD. It's mainly a controller converter for the Saturn and Dreamcast, but it also has built in VMU units for saves. Supports up to 240 blocks.

 

[Waffles's iconWaffles]

Not interested, but I like seeing my favorite console still getting some love.

 

[PhaseJump]

Ordered one when they went live. I hope I still have a functioning Dreamcast by the time it ships.

 

[Amag0k1]

Ordered one when they went live. I hope I still have a functioning Dreamcast by the time it ships.

If you are having problems, i may be able to offer advice with it.