3DO Console Review/History

[ReddMcKnight]

October 4th, 1993...The 3DO Interactive Multiplayer created by EA Co-Founder Trip Hawkins is launched in the US...for 700 Dollars!! Despite being a powerful console, and being named Time Magazine's "Product of the Year '94", this device's high price led to it's ultimate demise at the hands of Sony's Playstation. It was discontinued only 3 years after launch. To me, this was just not fair. The 3DO had some quality games, some of which top any Playstation 1 game you'll find. (Yes, I do hate Final Fantasy 7, but that's beside the point. Perhaps I'll explain that sometime in the future, but not now).

Hardware: Three different forms of the 3DO were released in North America, the Panasonic FZ-1, the Panasonic FZ-10, and the Goldstar. The FZ-1 and the Goldstar are physically similar, each using a front loading CD Tray to load games. The main difference is that the FZ-1 can play Backups and Imports with little to no trouble, while the Goldstar can play them with a LOT of trouble. In case you still don't get it, what I'm saying is that the Goldstar is the WORST model of 3DO. If you decide to get a 3DO, get an FZ-1, or an FZ-10. Now, the FZ-10 is the most reliable model of 3DO. It features a top loading CD Tray, as opposed to the other models front loading CD Trays. I have been playing backups, burned import games, and official games on my FZ-10 for a long time, and have yet to find any incompatible games. Take my advice: Get an FZ-10.

Software: The majority of 3DO Games feature FMV, but some feature regular graphics. Some examples of FMV Games, or those that feature it, are Crash 'n Burn, Night Trap, and Corpse Killer, while some examples of regular graphics games are Lucienne's Quest, Guardian War, and Slayer. Slayer is one of the console's best games, and if you get a Panasonic Model, go burn a copy of it and try it.

The Competition: Unfortunately, the 3DO had the displeasure of competing against Sony's Playstation and Nintendo's SNES, both of which were selling very well at the time. According to a GT Countdown Video, the 3DO was "completely crushed" by the Playstation.

The Demise: As mentioned above, the high price of this thing led to it's demise, but that wasn't the only problem. A limited library of games, lack of third-party support, and a refusal to reduce it's price until the end of it's lifespan helped kill the thing too.

What I like about it: It has some awesome titles, and it's a decent sized system, making it easy to put on one of your shelves. I also enjoy the fact that it has no regional lockout or copy protection, and this is because 3DO Games are scarce in this day and age.

What I don't like about it: It has limited space for saved games...VERY limited space. So far, I've saved 3 games, and half of it's memory is used up. Plus, I don't think the battery can be replaced easily once it dies. It's accessories are also model specific, meaning you can't use a Goldstar Light Gun on a Panasonic Model.

The Result: This is an awesome console, and I'm glad I purchased it. It only cost me 55 Dollars because it didn't include a controller, but I already had one anyway, and I acquired another one later on. If your looking for some obscure games to play, or trying to cure your boredom, try the 3DO. Just give it a chance, and I'm sure you'll find at least 1 game for it that you like.

Score: 8.8/10

[dlmvii]

The 3DO had some quality games, some of which top any Playstation 1 game you'll find.

Sorry, what? What 3do games do you think top the entire ps1's library? I think there were some good games for the system (Star Control II comes to mind), but the playstation had one of the best (if not THE best) libraries of any system.

[Hatta]

Road Rash 3D0. Best version of the best racing game ever made.

BTW, I have an FZ-10 too. It's a great machine, but every once in a while it will make an unusual rattle when reading a disc. It still reads the disk, so I'm not too worried. I just never had a 3D0 before so I don't know how it's supposed to sound when reading a disc. Do you get the same thing? Maybe I need to grease the rails or something. It would be nice to have an audio file of what these things are supposed to sound like.

Also, here's a tip. GameExpress has sealed copies of Zhadnost, which come packaged with a Logitech 3D0 controller. I got a couple, they're quite good, and it's cheaper this way than buying lone controllers on eBay.

[gtmtnbiker]

It would be nice if you highlight a few games and discuss the gameplay as part of the 3DO review. Some screenshots/video links would also be helpful.

[ReddMcKnight]

The 3DO had some quality games, some of which top any Playstation 1 game you'll find.

Sorry, what? What 3do games do you think top the entire ps1's library? I think there were some good games for the system (Star Control II comes to mind), but the playstation had one of the best (if not THE best) libraries of any system.

Perhaps I should have said "Some of which top even Final Fantasy 7". I REALLY hate Final Fantasy 7, and no, it's not because everyone else likes it. I hate it because my brother never stops going on about it, but that's another story for another day. Look, I really have nothing against the PS1 itself. It's a great system with great games, such as Azure Dreams and Tail Concerto. As for what I think, I think Slayer and Kingdom easily top Final Fantasy 7.

Road Rash 3D0. Best version of the best racing game ever made.

BTW, I have an FZ-10 too. It's a great machine, but every once in a while it will make an unusual rattle when reading a disc. It still reads the disk, so I'm not too worried. I just never had a 3D0 before so I don't know how it's supposed to sound when reading a disc. Do you get the same thing? Maybe I need to grease the rails or something. It would be nice to have an audio file of what these things are supposed to sound like.

Also, here's a tip. GameExpress has sealed copies of Zhadnost, which come packaged with a Logitech 3D0 controller. I got a couple, they're quite good, and it's cheaper this way than buying lone controllers on eBay.

I do hear a lot of sounds when I play it, but none of which sound like a rattle. Just the typical "Old CD Console" sounds. Also, you are correct. Road Rash does rule.

It would be nice if you highlight a few games and discuss the gameplay as part of the 3DO review. Some screenshots/video links would also be helpful.

Got'cha. I'll keep that in mind for my next review.

[RCBH928]

I personally like the 3DO for its nostalgic effect on me, I usually like anything from the 90's especially if it was advanced for its time.
I really think the 3DO was a good system that could have made it , given lower price and the right kind of marketing.

Maybe I will purchase one in the future

but you need to add at least screen shots for the review

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I'm surprised you didn't mention how heavy the 3DO is