Dreamcast Save Converter
Open a whole VMU image to take files off it as Nexus .DCI saves or .VMS and .VMI pairs, or open those single saves to put them on a VMU. Data saves go into the free blocks at the top of the save area, and VMU minigames go at the start, as on a real VMU.
Or drop them here. They are read on this device and never uploaded.
Which Dreamcast save formats does it convert?
A VMU holds 200 blocks of 512 bytes for saves, with a file table and a 13-block directory. A single save is one directory entry plus its blocks.
| Format | Files | Used by |
|---|---|---|
| VMU image | .bin .vmu (128 KB) | Flycast, Redream, VMU tools, DreamShell |
| Nexus card save | .DCI | Nexus memory card software, save sites |
| Web save pair | .VMS + .VMI | Dreamcast web browsers, save sites |
How to convert a Dreamcast save
Open your save
Drop a VMU image, .DCI files, or .VMS files with their .VMI files. A VMU image plus single saves gives that VMU with the saves added.
Check what was found
The converter names the format it found and lists the saves inside, with any problem it spotted in the file.
Pick the format you need
Press the button for the emulator or device you are moving the save to. The new file downloads straight away.
Copy it into place
Put the downloaded file where your emulator or device keeps its saves, using the name the game expects.
What is the difference between .DCI and .VMS?
A .DCI is the 32-byte directory entry followed by the save, with the bytes of each 4-byte word reversed. A .VMS is the save bytes alone; the matching .VMI holds the file name the VMU shows, a description and the date. You need both halves of a .VMS and .VMI pair.
Other save converters
- PS1 Save Converter: Memory cards (.mcr, .mcd, .srm), PSP and Vita .VMP, DexDrive .gme, PS3 .PSV and single saves.
- PS2 Save Converter: PCSX2 .ps2 cards, EMS .psu, Action Replay .max, CodeBreaker .cbs and PS3 .PSV.
- N64 Save Converter: EEPROM, SRAM, FlashRAM and Controller Pak saves, RetroArch .srm, EverDrive 64 and DexDrive .n64.
- GBA Save Converter: Raw .sav, RetroArch .srm, GameShark .sps and .gsv, Action Replay .xps, with resizing.
- DS Save Converter: Raw .sav, DeSmuME .dsv and Action Replay .duc / .dss, with trimming and padding.
- GameCube Save Converter: Single .gci, GameShark .gcs and MaxDrive .sav saves, and whole Dolphin .raw cards.
- Game Boy Save Converter: GB and GBC .sav and .srm, with the MBC3 real-time clock carried across.
- SNES Save Converter: .srm and .sav for emulators and flash carts, Retron 5 saves, resizing.
- Genesis Save Converter: Gens and Kega Fusion, RetroArch Genesis Plus GX, Retrode, MiSTer and MegaSD saves.
- Saturn Save Converter: Mednafen .bkr and .bcr, Beetle Saturn, Yabause and plain memory images, plus single .BUP saves.
Frequently asked questions
Does a .VMS work without its .VMI?
No. The .VMI holds the file name the game looks for. Without it the save cannot be placed on a VMU.
Will a save already on the VMU be replaced?
No. A file with the same name is refused, and the existing one stays as it was.
Does it work with Flycast VMU files?
Yes. Flycast's vmu_save_A1.bin is a standard 128 KB VMU image.