Whatever happened to the VMU?

[Ziggy]

Don't forget that the Playstation and Xbox controllers from last generation didn't change at all (not counting wireless) and the fact that they didn't change is desired by most if not everybody. And since the Wii has a pretty odd controller already, this is the main reason why there are no VMU like devices in any current generation controller.

[Beak]

As much of a DC fan I am, I found the VMUs a little hokey, and, usually, they weren't implemented into the game at all.

What I did like about the little VMUs were the screen; I always kind of liked the little animations and what-nots that each game would put on the screen. I don't see that happening on today's controllers because the controllers don't have much space for such a screen. Looking at my PS3 controller now, I don't see anywhere they could easily put a screen without just substantially increasing its size.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I love the Dreamcast, but I HATE memory cards. The VMU was a gimmicky way to do a memory card and makes the controllers stand out even more, but the battery life was atrocious and storage capacity rather limited.

I'm glad we've finally moved on from memory cards. I remember not even being able to save for e the first few days I had my Gamecube or PS2. In both cases, I had to make return trips to the store to buy memory cards.

If I recall correctly, when I bought my PS2 slim, there was even a big bold message on the box that said "Don't forget to buy a memory card!"

What bullcrap.

[CRTGAMER]

I wish the VMU would have been utilized on more games. A great concept seeing stats hidden from the other players. Since I never enjoyed the simplified mini games, batteries not an issue here.

A trade off of limited memory card space which can be backed up to the PC hard drive, or game saves in a console hard drive that might get lost when a repair exchange might come up.

[ZeroAX]

If I recall correctly, when I bought my PS2 slim, there was even a big bold message on the box that said "Don't forget to buy a memory card!"

What bullcrap.

You know it really annoyed me that there wasn't a memory card included with the console. WTF is this the 80s where people don't save their games?

Also the storage they offered was way too little (8 Megabytes memory cards? WTF)

[Ziggy]

I'm glad we've finally moved on from memory cards. I remember not even being able to save for e the first few days I had my Gamecube or PS2. In both cases, I had to make return trips to the store to buy memory cards.

If I recall correctly, when I bought my PS2 slim, there was even a big bold message on the box that said "Don't forget to buy a memory card!"

What bullcrap.

Way back when it came out I got my PS2. I remember, for whatever reason, memory cards were completely unavailable in my area. You couldn't get them anywhere. I picked up Agent Under Fire and GTA3 as my first two games but wasn't able to save for the longest time.

I don't know about the N64 and PS1, but by the time the PS2 rolled around there was no excuse NOT to have internal memory for game saves. Especially since consoles had already done it (the Saturn for example). External memory card ports would be great for additional storage if needed, but they should have fit a memory card inside! Space wasn't an issue, and it's not like they cost that much. And let's just say it was impossible to include internal memory, then a card should come with the system, if only a small one. It was really just a way for them to make more money, bastards.

[MrPopo]

Well, don't forget the advantage that having an external memory card gives you; the ability to take your saves to a friend's house. With the SNES you'd just bring your copy of Secret of Mana so you both can pick up the level 30 party. So with the external card the PSX used you had the same capability. And if you're already going to support an external card then you have less of a reason to provide internal storage, which lets you shave money off the cost of production.

[Ziggy]

And if you're already going to support an external card then you have less of a reason to provide internal storage, which lets you shave money off the cost of production.

Right, which we're saying is complete bullshit. It's just a way for them to get more money! Some consoles were nice enough to give us internal AND external memory, like the Sega/Mega CD and Saturn.

[MrPopo]

And if you're already going to support an external card then you have less of a reason to provide internal storage, which lets you shave money off the cost of production.

Right, which we're saying is complete bullshit. It's just a way for them to get more money! Some consoles were nice enough to give us internal AND external memory, like the Sega/Mega CD and Saturn.

Except when you look at those examples external memory was practically required anyway, since the internal memory was so minimal. To me having external only is nicer, since it's very up front about needing it. That's what I hated about some N64 games; most of them saved to the cart with an option to use external but a couple were external only, which I'd discover AFTER I rented them.

[t0yrobo]

You know it really annoyed me that there wasn't a memory card included with the console. WTF is this the 80s where people don't save their games?

Also the storage they offered was way too little (8 Megabytes memory cards? WTF)

I don't have any proof to back it up, but I guarantee you memory cards were/are high margin items for retailers and probably for manufacturers. Stores don't make much money off of consoles so that would be to their advantage.