Greatest Emulation Handheld Ever is a SEGA VMU
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ต.ค. 2024
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As a kid, I always dreamed of turning the VMU into a fully functional gaming handheld. Thanks to modder KiteRetro, that dream became a reality with his Circuit GEM kit. While the kit is no longer available for purchase, I was lucky enough to snag one back in 2020. In this video, I'll walk you through how it's made. Even though you can’t buy the kits anymore, you can still pick up fully assembled Circuit GEMs from Marky Pi (link below). It's hands down one of the coolest emulation handhelds out there!
// Where to purchase?:
► Pick up the Circuit GEM Here: markypigaming....
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Timestamps
0:00 Intro
2:22 Parts Overview
4:51 Installation Tutorial
12:44 Features
16:46 Pros and Cons
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// TOOLS AND GEAR I Use For Video Game Console Modding (Soldering Equipment, Flux,
►All other stuff I use: www.amazon.com/...
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Disclaimer: This video is only for entertainment purposes. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of tools, equipment, or from the information in this video is the sole responsibility of the viewer and is to be used at the discretion of the end user/viewer and not Macho Nacho Productions or Tito Perez. If you are uncertain about any step of the process or feel unsure about your skill level, seek a more authoritative source.
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#CircuitGEM #SegaDreamcast #MachoNachoProductions
The fact that it isn’t called VMUlation is hurting me on a spiritual level
OMG that’s fantastic. May need to update the title!
You my friend... are a marketing genius!!!
@@MachoNachoProductions Love it that you actually updated the thumbnail
@@MachoNachoProductionsYou should release a line of Vmu custom shells with that name
@@MachoNachoProductions amazing that you actually changed it I never thought it would get this popular. Thank you.
Hopefully the VMU guts will find themselves in an aftermarket shell so they can still be useful.
100%, I put it in one of the Video Games New York shell. It will not go to waste 😁
There's no way $260 is a fair price for an easy raspberry pie zero mod
Yeah, some of the prices these modders are charging now is beyond ridiculous.
Working in electronics myself for a living, it's always enjoyable to watch your soldering footage. You're one of the few TH-camrs who not only knows the right methods but also has the skill to properly demonstrate them.
The biggest con you didn't mention, was destroying the VMU..If it retained its originally functionality, I'd be more on board.
Yes its neat they can fit it such small package, but not retaining original VMU functionality would be a NO GO for me on this mod.
There was no way it would retain its functionality. You're just being whiny.
@@will_it_work The VMU talks over a serial bus, it could have absolutely been emulated through the Pi Zero to retain function. For 260-300$ for a complete kit it's a shame it's not there.
Brilliant video my friend and thank you so much for the shoutout!
(Side note - RaspberryPi needs a BIOS loaded to play well with GBA roms, so the Gem does support GBA and quite well! But not without the BIOS)
I know its your business, but any shot you make a tutorial for how to do this without the kit?
I've been waiting for this video! Always wanted to see how these rare gems were made.
Dang. I wish kits were available. I have 3 vmus i am not using. I would love to have them modified like this.
I feel that. Its a neat project but $300 for an already built one takes half the fun out of it, at a VERY high cost.
Me too! Hopefully they'll come back!
@@MachoNachoProductions Or at least the files, I think maybe the mainboard could be made using something like PCBWay service.
these devices are soft-brags that your eyes still work. Love your new dremel and the skills there.
The dremel has definitely been a game changer. Makes trimming more accurate and easier for many applications!
Never would've imagined that the VMU is big enough to hold a Pi Zero!
With some further modification (specifically just taking the chips that make the Pi Zero), maybe someone can make it dual purpose as a gaming device as well as VMU functionality in tact.
for the first time, i disagree with you. This is not worth it at all.
260 dollars for this is waaaay to much
You need to "kill" a VMU => No aftermarket shell right now
Not even 3 hours of battery
No GBA - Some emulation problems on Snes
i do support creators / modders, but the price is way to hight gor just a "bling bling".
Yeah, its small, yeah, its cute, i totally agree with that. The product is really cool.
But all the cons that i mentionned makes it not worth it for me.
And about the video: Awesome, as usual!
It’s one of those cute keychains you get and put in a box somewhere and find again in a decade when you’re moving.
Hey, I was wondering if you could do a video about the Wii HDMI base. There's not too much about it on TH-cam and I think it would be wonderful to know stuff like the pros and cons and the way you make your videos as they are so clear and easy to understand. Thank you and I love your videos.
Definitely need to look into that!
Oh man!
These need to make a comeback. Everyone wished their VMUs did this.
With how much you have to modify the shell internally, I think you might as well just 3D print at that point. Especially for those who who don't have the precision tools for all the coin battery slot.
Plus the VMU is needed for the Dreamcast. Which makes sacrificing one a deal breaker for me.
I think you missed 1 con, and that is that each one of these emulator machines requires destroying a finite resource to get one. Seems needlessly wasteful given that aftermarket shells are available. Is the vendor just throwing away the VMU guts after taking it's shell?
This. I think it's fine if its a stand-alone project for personal use, but when people start mass producing modded units, it becomes more of destroying hardware for profit, than appreciating it. Making a PCB kit for hobbyists to assemble themselves makes much more sense, even if some people could complain its gatekeeping folk with no electronics skills. VMUs arent exactly cheap these days either, so it doesnt help that people scavenge grey markets and buy them in bulk to mod them for something completely different.
Did you even watch the video
@@kraftypk7283 You mean the part where he irreversibly destroys an original VMU shell, while mentioning there being new aftermarket shells he could've used, but decided not to?
He literally said you can use an aftermarket shell but he chose not to. There are also many dead VMUs out there.
@@wryyyy yeah.... One unit.... His.... Because he wanted to.
Even before i clicked the video, i knew that it is going a Raspberry Pi
What would be really cool if the back shell could have the back buttons be part of the shell itself
"Provided you have good vision" yeah that's a mod I'd like.
25 glorious years of Dreamcast. The Dream will never die.
It’s a great novelty but there are too many concessions you have to make to have this be a viable handheld. Price and battery life are the biggest issues. Still a neat little project though.
I play Game Boy Advance games on a Raspberry Pi Zero based device, suggesting it’s a firmware issue? That being said yours was running at 50°C in the menu, so it’s possible it’s throttling? Obviously with a Pi Zero 2 & ideally a copper shim on the CPU/RAM stack as a heatsink you’d be able to run GBA games without issue.
Interesting video, thanks.
Interesting that's good to know! I wonder if it is throttling that's causing the issue?
glad to open youtube and find you video first
Why am I suddenly craving nachos?
I've had mine for a few years. Its a cool device, I originally built with a white case but currently got it in a clear green case. For the L/R buttons you can actually fit them in the top mount screw holes, you'll see on the PCB theres a L1 & R1 pad just below the mounting posts, solder a tac switch to the pads and it'll line up perfectly. Makes the L/R buttons a lot easier to use, does require a little trimming of the top case but just the bottom screws hold it together perfectly!
You can also use a Pi Zero 2 on these, probably overkill but there was talk about a downclocked Zero 2 running cooler and more efficient than the 1 since there would be so much more head room. Did kinda make sense but as you cannot buy the kits any longer, not many have tried.
This is insane, I love it.
Imagine playing that VMU but using a Dreamcast controller or arcade stick (with the VMU plugged inside the controller). Would love to see it.
Thanks for sharing this hidden gem, looking forward to get a kit if they come up again at some point.
This is such a cool project! The VMU is so small and cute
I remember all the mini-games you could play on the vmu. A lot of people don't know power stone had actual vmu games you could download.
It would be neat if it was possible to use this with dream cast games and download those old mini games
Ah I got my morning fix of Macho Nacho
Nice to see Kite's work still!
Real bummer these kits aren’t available. At the very least, it would be nice if the PCB was open source so you could get one manufactured - this is a great way to revive old damaged VMUs!
Definitely for a niche crowd. I looked at this still dreaming to make my pi 3 portable.
These projects never cease to amaze me.
VMU looks cute as a gaming handheld!
I was ready to order the kit to do this project as I already have some Pi Zero W and VMUs sitting around until the bad news about said kit being unavailable.... for years at that 😟
I guess the good I got out of this, besides how awesome the completed project looks, is the reminder of buying the clear PocketStation on my eBay wishlist to go with my white and black.
While I might never get one, I do think the price they are sold at is pretty reasonable considering the amount of work needed for the plastic cutting on the shells. Very cool project either way.
I love these! I still have a brand new Circuit Gem kit in the box and a new VMU to use with it! Probably going to sell the kit lol, no time for side projects with my streaming channel going now!
So basically it's not a Dreamcast memory card, but it is?
Got one of these from marky pi and love it.
Very nice. But this has mostly made me want a tiny emulation handheld which is fully designed as such. Is there one with a vertical screen? Would like to play some Donpachi on my keyring while waiting for the bus haha
Haven't seen one with a vertical screen
3:04 its the tiniest ips screen ever!
One day we're gonna be able to emulate Dreamcast on a VMU
This is really cool buy for that price it would be far smarter to just buy a Funkey S or RG Nano. This honestly kind of feels like a Funkey put in a VMU shell but the Raspberry Pi would be a bit more functional. Especially if you used the Raspberry pi zero 2. Shame this mod isn't more assessable. I used to actually carry a VMU around with a fan made mini game pack for a little while back in the day. Now I would recommend just getting a Miyoo Mini non plus.
The trend of projects that I have observed on this channel have proven to be too expensive for what it is worth in my opinion. Maybe this channel should be called "Mucho Dinero Productions" 🤪I mainly watch now for the entertainment.
I would love to see an Anbernic replica on this with more buttons or a Replica Shell. Not sure about taking the innards out of my VMU to turn it into a Raspberry Pi handheld. Though it still looks amazing. I think Sega should have made another handheld during that time. Like a Windows CE PDA Style handheld with Sega Saturn like graphics it would have been amazing.
This is going to be another great video
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
You always manage to surprise me with these brilliant finds.
The Game Boy Advance Micro is nice, but this VM+++ is downright fabulous. Too bad the components are so expensive.
A huge con of this is that it’s no longer a function VMU. Just a raspberry pie wearing a VMU as a skin suit.
I love enhancing old consoles, But disposing of an old console just for the shell seems a bit wasteful, Especially when there are Dozens of kits for similar new build Emulators.
I really wish Kite was still selling kits 😔
Pass. Its like 260-300 bucks for something the gpicase does better
I agree. As a novelty, or for nostalgia, sure. In general, portable gaming isn't very appealing to me. If I had a long public transit commute, or flew a lot, then I could see the appeal.
It's kinda nice as a curiosity to show off to friends, but it would have been super cool if it had kept the VMU functionality.
This is a cool project. Shame it’s not available for purchase other than prebuilt.
Sudomod itself is kind of dead now. There was a time for it and now that's passed. The later Pi based devices removed the need for the stuff. All of the mods and circuitry developed by the community was great. I have his circuit sword and the Aluminum case designed for it, but it is more of a historical artifact now with the RPi CM3 in it.
I thought kite stopped making all the boards because he's working on a new project
Really?
You're missing Start and Select for SNES the triggers are trash, and you it's not capable of being a memory card anymore?
That's just a waste of VMUs...
It'd be cool that it kept the VMU functionality
Next week on Macho Nacho, Tito mods a Pokémon Mini handheld into a temporal displacement portal mobile generator.
I wish this could be plugged into a dreamcast controller to use it's buttons instead
This is so amazing!!! Excellent video as always
Incredible!
It's too bad the VMU functionality is totally removed. That being said, someone may take this concept and improve it to do that as well.
Would love to see an improved iteration!
Very cool!
Thank you for your video 🤩
Too bad they dont sell the kits anymore, I would buy one instantly. I prefer building my own devices
lol…if I close one eye, I might enjoy playing this console
The price is ridiculous. It's also a shame that it doesn't play GBA games as that would probably look amazing.
I also think you undersold it a bit by showing text heavy RPGs. Would had been cooler if you showed some classic Game Boy games.
I think its a cool idea. But i VMU Screen just too small for those kind of games.
they took the mrmory card and put sawnic on it 😨😨😨😭😭
big price for a novelty. 50-70 pound diy kit without a donar vmu would seem reasonable imo
This is cool, shame they aren't available to build anymore. If I were to do it, I would remove the shoulder buttons and have A+B swapped to match nintendo and only use it for nes, gb and gbc.
I wish they had sacrificed using a pi voard gor something even smaller and maintained a controller compatibility or something.
Thats an amazing mod, I would love to have one but the price is way too high, besides the price and the fact that I already have a GKD Pixel makes it really hard to justify buying one of these
what be cool is if it work as a vmu when use on dream cast
While it's a shame you used a donor shell, what really matters is that the VMU circuit board is still working, as I do know of instances where the VMU circuit board died, so I bet there isn't too much of a tough time to get a replacement official shell for it.
i think maybe this works too for the memory card pocketstation's shell
A console for the heavily short-sighted
You always your video great my friend 😊
Thank you!!
The original vmu was both a great device and an awful one at the same time. It had potential and at times really showed it off but also had a major flaw, it drained the battery at a staggering rate. I remembering playing a mini game on it when the Dreamcast came out, within 72 hrs the battery was dead. And even when not playing as a standalone, the battery would maybe last 5 to 6 days. Just so much for what sega wanted to do with the vmu and what it just couldn’t do. Great idea but poorly designed in the end. Still fond of the og vmu.
I would probably be interested if the kit was still available, but a bit pointless as it isn't.
would you be able to swap in your analogue micro sd and continue playing a game? The dreamcast was my one and only sega console I owned and definitely one of my favorites
The kit is no longer available, and the finished ones are $300…
It’s a neat project but without the ability to DIY one most would be better off spending less on something else.
You can easily fit the Funkey S motherboard and play up to PS1 games
But the real question is: does it play Crysis? And where is the Doom port for it? All kidding aside, that would be useful for me as a kid, but as an adult my fingers can barely use the buttons on the VMU, and my eyes demand much bigger screens.
I dont understand... WHY STOP SELLING THEM?!
Hopefully they'll make a come back!
It's painful watching him destroy the OG shell
Send me the board so I can reverse engineer it 😂 jk. Super cool concept but yeah way too expensive. I’m an old school modder and still enjoy videos like this.
I made kite's circuit sword (Gameboy version). The thing is I am not fan of taking working original hardware and modifying it for this. I would I used aftermarket parts. While watching this I was looking for parts. I could not find replacement buttons at all. Considering its size, I am not feeling it. Its cool but this one is not for me.
i literally just bought a vmu lol
I wonder if the kit will be compatible with the Rpi zero 2 W for the extra cpu power vs the original zero w
If it's the same footprint, I don't see why not. The firmware would most likely need to be updated
@@MachoNachoProductions it is the same footprint, so I guess you'll be right about firmware. Power consumption and battery life might be another issue due to the more powerful cpu in the zero 2 w.
Wtf these mods getting out of hands 💀
It’s a shame you can’t play Dreamcast games on it
Woo!
I know it's your VMU and you can do what you want with it but I wish you didn't promote cutting original hardware. Otherwise great video. I really want one that's transparent. Very cool :)
Come on bro
@@JC-ji1hp Come on what? It's original hardware that hasn't been in production for 2 decades.
it always hurts to see these kinds of things get irreversibly cut, especially if the reason is something like "this has the dreamcast logo on it so i want to use it instead"
Jesus, all these comments are boring.
There were millions of these things made, honestly it's not that big of a deal. If they were extremely rare, sure, I get it.
This is epic!
It's cute, and your technique is impeccable as always, but I'm kind of disappointed. I thought it would at least have some kind of memory card function, but it's not so much a VMU mod as a completely unrelated product that just looks like a VMU. If you hadn't used the original shell, it wouldn't have any parts in common with a VMU at all; and it was kind of painful to see an original VMU get disemboweled just to preserve the logo. If this tutorial were for the benefit of someone who wanted to build one with a replacement shell, that would be one thing, but at the current moment this is functionally just an advertisement for a service in which you pay someone 260 USD to destroy a VMU shell for yet another avenue to play the first twenty minutes of Super Metroid. I feel like we've got enough novel ways to play compromised versions of old games these days without resorting to that.
It’s super cool but I’m too lazy I’ll just buy a miyoo mini
So in fact the Sega VMU doesn't emulate anything
Ikr?
Bro love the videos but I feel like you are losing your mind a little bit on this one. Couldn't catch me on a deserted island trying to game on something that small.
Another way to load games to the SD card is simply to mount it on another Linux system.
You need a BIOS file for GBA unless you change the emulator.
This is so stupid, I LOVE it! 😂