3do Video Games
3DO
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Video game consoles have been a form of entertainment since as early as 1972. They are digital, electronic, or computer entertainment devices that yield video imagery and provide controller interfaces. With game options that range from two-dimensional platforms to high-definition puzzle games, gaming systems are a staple in millions of households. In October 1993, Panasonic released the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer system. It is a console designed to play multimedia games with photorealistic graphics, full-motion video, and possessed 16-bit, 44-kHz CD-quality sound. The 3DO platform was the first next generation 32-bit game system introduced to the American markets. This allowed the 3DO to play Audio CDs, CD+G, Photo CDs, and Video CDs with an add on MPEG Video Card along with the 3DO Games. The 3DO supported up to 8 controllers which where daisy-chained from the first player controller. 3DO has major support from Electronic Arts, Studio 3DO and Crystal Dynamics which lead to the 3DO best and most widely.
The popular games available on 3DO such as Alone in the Dark, Myst, and Star Control II were made and it was compatible with PC only. The list of some other popular titles included The Need for Speed, Total Eclipse, Jurassic Park Interactive, Gex, Crash ‘n Burn, Slayer, Killing Time, Road Rash, and Immercenary. Years: 1993-1996 'The most advanced video game system in the universe' 3DO System History. The 3DO was a concept. 'Create the blueprints for a next-generation, 32-bit, do-it-all, set. The 3DO was an ahead of its time console that failed to gain ground against the multimillion dollar might of Sony’s PlayStation. Despite being seen by many as a failure, it has a stunning range of varied games that covers many different genres. Here we’ve put together our 10 personal favourites. Online shopping from a great selection at Video Games Store. Skip to main content. 1-16 of 426 results for Video Games: '3do' Skip to main search results Amazon Prime. Eligible for Free Shipping. Free Shipping by Amazon. All customers get FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon.
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- Years: 1993-1996
'The most advanced video game system in the universe'
3DO System History
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The 3DO was a concept. 'Create the blueprints for a next-generation, 32-bit, do-it-all, set-top system that is fully upgradeable and license the actual hardware manufacturing to some of the world's largest electronics manufacturers.' That's the 3DO. Trip Hawkins, founder of the 3DO company, joined forces with RJ Mical and Dave Needle to create the most innovative system of the '90s. The 3DO was originally designed to be the next step in home entertainment: Audi-o, vide-o, 3D-O. The creators hoped it would become as common as the VCR and as fun and entertaining as a TV, VCR, CD player, videogame system and computer combined. The idea was sound. Unfortunately, the execution of the idea was not.
Many companies obtained licenses to produce 3DO systems, including Goldstar, Sanyo, Samsung, AT&T, Creative Labs and the world's largest electronics company, Matsushita/Panasonic. With the idea that the 3DO was to become a multifunctional part of everyone's home entertainment centers, the unit was released in 1993 with an MSRP of $700 (and sometimes sold for even higher prices). Even though the system was touted as being a do-all set-top box of the future, most people saw it as an extremely expensive videogame system. With game system styled controllers, a lack of quality non-game launch titles and pack-in titles like Crash 'n Burn, the perception of the 3DO as a videogame system was planted in the consumer mind. At $700 to $800, most people steered clear of the 3DO and continued to purchase the much cheaper and more established 16-bit game consoles. Goldstar released their own version of the 3DO with a far lower price tag of $399. However, the 3DO never recovered from its initial reputation as a rich man's videogame system. This was very unfortunate as the 3DO could have easily competed with the Playstation, Saturn and future systems. Instead, because of constant delays to promised expansions like the M2 (see below), 3DO games and systems were placed in clearance bins starting in 1996, with the ultimate death of the system coming near the end of that year.
The 3DO sported some very innovative features. The fact that it is a CD-based system gave developers nearly limitless space to store their games and programs, something cartridge-based systems lack. There was only one controller port. However, this wasn't a problem since extra controllers (up to 8) could be easily daisy-chained as each controller has its own controller port. The original Panasonic controllers have a built-in stereo headphone jack along with a volume control dial. The system has its own internal memory to save games and other information. It has 2 expansion ports which were to be used for future upgrades such as memory cards, modems, digital video cartridges and the M2 system upgrade. Many of these features you won't find on any game system on the market today. The 3DO was definitely ahead of its time and designed for the long haul.
Games
Amazingly, for a system with such a short life span, there were hundreds of titles released worldwide. Of course the liberal licensing policy had much to do with this. The policy was both a blessing and a nightmare as the 3DO saw some of the finest games ever created and some of the worst trash that somehow escaped the incinerator.
The 3do Company Video Games
There are gems like Gex, where the hero is a gecko that climbs walls and uses his tail to fight enemies and break down walls, while collecting power-ups and other items with his whip-like tongue. Star Control 2 is a space RPG ported from the PC, upgraded with complete voiceovers for all of the text in the game and gameplay that worked much better on a console than on the PC it was originally designed for. Need for Speed and Road Rash need no introduction. Those two made their debut on the 3DO and were considered far superior to the Playstation ports. Captain Quazar is one of the best 3DO platform games--a fun story, coupled with excellent gameplay and lots of replay value made this a must-have game. Finally, 3DO has one of the most popular arcade games ever: Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo. It is probably the best port of the game on all the systems it was released on.
On the flip side, you'll find a neat pile a garbage. Plumbers Don't Wear Ties is a fine example of a bad idea gone very wrong. You are supposed to sit through a choose-your-own-adventure style of story, watching still photos while an extremely poorly acted story plays out. This is supposedly an adult game. However, there is less adult content than you would see on The Simpsons. Mazer was supposed to compete with Captain Quazar. Fortunately, angry consumers competed by trying to be the first to return this waste of packaging back to the store for a refund. Shadow: War of Succession must be the result of angry employees hoping to have their company, Tribecca Digital, go bankrupt. This fighting game is so horrible, some reviewers openly insulted Tribecca in their reviews.
Accessories
There were many accessories for the 3DO, some of them standard (like gamepads, wireless controllers and a lightgun). Then there were more unique items like the mouse, steering wheel, flight stick and the Super Nintendo controller adapters which allowed the cheaper Super NES controllers to be used on the 3DO. However, there were even more impressive items available that truly allowed the 3DO to stand alone.
Each system had its own version of the digital video cartridge, although the Goldstar version was the only one to be released in the United States. Both Panasonic versions were released in Japan, however. These expansion modules allowed people to play Video CDs or VCDs on their systems, effectively giving them most of the functions of a VCR. VCDs never caught on, however, and many Panasonic 3DO owners never had the chance to purchase these devices.
The Panasonic memory expansion module added 256k of much needed storage memory to the 3DO. The 3DO only had 32k of internal storage memory, and system owners soon clamored for this much needed accessory. Unfortunately, it was only released in Japan which made it very difficult to obtain anywhere else.
Regrettably, many highly anticipated accessories never made it out of the prototype stage. Most notable were the memory card add-on, the modem and the massively promoted 64bit M2 system upgrade module.
Emulation
3do Video Games For Sale
There are a small number of 3DO emulators, the most popular of which is FreeDO. In addition, Creative Labs released a PC card that plugs into your computer called the 3DO Blaster. This card requires a specific Creative Labs 2x CD drive to function which could be purchased separately or packaged with the PC card. This item could be considered an emulator, although it was really a 3DO system made for a Windows 3.1 PC.
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