VMU emulators

VMU Emulators are software applications that allow you to run enjoy VMU ROMs, games, applications, and animations without needing the actual VMU hardware.

ElysianVMU

ElysianVMU is a cross-platform feature-rich emulator being developed alongside the Elysian Shadows Toolkit, with the goal of bringing Dreamcast-exclusive VMU content to all platforms supported by their engine. The team has decided to release the emulator to the Dreamcast scene. It serves as a gaming platform, VMU filesystem manager, and even includes development tools targeted at helping developers write custom VMU software.

• Official Page : https://evmu.elysianshadows.com
• Core Source Code : [1]
• Documentation : http://vmu.elysianshadows.com/index.html
• Developer by : Falco Girgis, Elysian Shadows Team
• Status : Active
• Compatibility: Very Good
• Platform(s) :
  • Full Support: Windows, MacOS, Linux, Web, PSP, Raspberry Pi
  • Partial Support: GameCube
  • Future Support: iOS, Android, Dreamcast
• Features
  • Supported File Formats:
    • ROM Images: .VMI/.VMS, .DCI,
    • Flash Images: .DCM, .VMU
    • Other: .BIN (bios), .LCD (VMU Animator)
  • Emulation
    • Save/Load State
    • Japanese + US Bios Support
    • Accurate Audio
    • Gamepad/Joystick Support
    • Analog Stick Support
    • Fullscreen and Pixel-Perfect Scaling Modes
    • Physically Accurate LCD Emulation (pixel ghosting, emulated grayscale)
    • Fast-Forward
    • Low-battery Emulation
    • Serial Communications
      • VMU-to-DC (using Maple over TCP/IP)
        • ESTk/Elysian Shadows Engine support (full)
        • DC Emulator support (WIP, pending someone willing to collaborate)
      • VMU-to-VMU
        • TCP/IP (partial support, WIP)
        • Serial/GPIO pins (Raspberry Pi only, WIP)
  • Filesystem Tools
    • File Filesystem Manager
    • VMU Animator File Playback
    • VMU Icon Ripping
    • VMU EyeCatch Ripping
    • Framebuffer Screenshot Capture
    • Record to Animated GIF
    • Convert/Export between file formats
    • Modify Volume Icon + Color
    • Jet Set (Grind) Radio Custom Graffiti Tool (WIP)
    • Lock/Unlock Extra Blocks
    • Defragmenter
    • File Checking/Repair/Debugging
  • Developer Tools
    • Frame-by-Frame Execution
    • Real-Time Memory Browser and Hex Editor (RAM/Flash)
    • Invalid Hardware Operation/Warning Log
    • Buzzer Tool (for audio composition/debugging) (WIP)

SoftVMS

The original VMU emulator, written by the man who helped to reverse engineer the platform and kickstart the homebrew scene.

• Official Page : [2](https://www.zophar.net/consoles/dreamcast/vms/softvms.html)
• Developer : Marcus Comstedt
• Status : Inactive
• Compatibility: Good
• Platform(s) : Windows

VeMUlator PRO

• Google Play : [3]
• Developer : MJaoune Software
• Compatibility: Unknown
• Platform(s) : Android

Visual Memory Emulator

• Google Play : [4]
• Developer : Kum
• Compatibility : Unknown
• Platform(s) : Android

DirectVMS

• Developer : Fallen Realm
• Platforms: Windows
• Latest release: 1.8, 09/24/2000
• Download Binary, Source Code