3DO questions

[Inazuma]

I'm interested in buying a Japanese 3DO but unsure about which model is best and what kinds of video cables it supports. Ideally, I'd be able to use RGB. If RGB is not supported normally, is there an easy mod for it?

My other question is about controller extension cables. Do they exist? The 3DO would be like 10 feet away from me so it's crucial that I get a controller extension cable for it.

I know the 3DO is a rare and unpopular system but hopefully someone here knows enough to answer my questions.

[Ack]

I actually just wrote something on the 3DO. All 3DO models should come equipped to handle RF, composite, and s-video. As for controller extension cables, you can apparently use extension cables for the Sega Genesis/Megadrive, though the controllers do not work with a 3DO.

As for which model, the model put out by Sanyo was Japan-only, and has the best CD-ROM speeds of any machine, but it's also the rarest. There was also a model put out by Panasonic for hotels that can hold up to five discs, called the ROBO. For the most part there's no region lockout, but there are a couple of Japanese games and demos that have issues running on non-Japanese consoles since they require special kanji. But if you're definitely set on importing, that shouldn't be an issue. If you want to just go with the old-reliable, the Panasonic FZ-10's a top-loader version that has a better track record from the many front-loading 3DOs out there, and I'm pretty sure it was released in Japan.

[pepharytheworm]

I'm interested in buying a Japanese 3DO but unsure about which model is best and what kinds of video cables it supports. Ideally, I'd be able to use RGB. If RGB is not supported normally, is there an easy mod for it?

My other question is about controller extension cables. Do they exist? The 3DO would be like 10 feet away from me so it's crucial that I get a controller extension cable for it.

I know the 3DO is a rare and unpopular system but hopefully someone here knows enough to answer my questions.

Why are wanting a Japanese 3DO? For the most part the US system can play Jp 3DO Games except maybe 5 or so, mostly text heavy games and a lot of them have been ported to other systems like the saturn.

But if you have to get a JP 3DO I would get the Sanyo TRY 3DO or ROBO if only for the reason they were only released in Japan. The best worldwide is the Panasonic FZ-10 R.E.A.L. 3DO it plays cd-r better then the others, seems more reliable and as far as I know the only one that doesn't need a disc to accsess the memory manager. All the systems support S-video and composite and there is an extension cable but you can also use a FM Towns extension cable.



Here's a list of all the games that won't play on a US system:
Blue Forest Story (released for the PS and Saturn jp also)
Twinkle Knights
Sword and Sorcery (released in the US as Lucienne's Quest)
demo version of Alone in the Dark

If there's more I couldn't find it

[pepharytheworm]

I actually just wrote something on the 3DO. All 3DO models should come equipped to handle RF, composite, and s-video. As for controller extension cables, you can apparently use extension cables for the Sega Genesis/Megadrive, though the controllers do not work with a 3DO.

As for which model, the model put out by Sanyo was Japan-only, and has the best CD-ROM speeds of any machine, but it's also the rarest. There was also a model put out by Panasonic for hotels that can hold up to five discs, called the ROBO. For the most part there's no region lockout, but there are a couple of Japanese games and demos that have issues running on non-Japanese consoles since they require special kanji. But if you're definitely set on importing, that shouldn't be an issue. If you want to just go with the old-reliable, the Panasonic FZ-10's a top-loader version that has a better track record from the many front-loading 3DOs out there, and I'm pretty sure it was released in Japan.

Where did you read that the sanyo has a faster cd-rom speed they should all have a double speed drive. Its not rare in Japan it was released before the FZ-10 there.

With the Genesis extension you do have too round the edges to get it to fit easily in the 3DO.

[jp1]

The FZ-10 always felt cheap to me. Even with the more suspect track record I prefer the FZ-1 it just feels like a solid quality console. I have owned 3 of them and never had a problem from them.

Stay away from Goldstar.

[alienjesus]

I must say i'd be surprised to find a 3DO extension controller : The cables are already the longest of all the wired controls i own. unfortunately, they're not 10 foot.

P.S i own the panasonic FZ-1, mistreated it as a child, allowed it to live in a loft for 4 years and it still works perfectly. I would recommend that model.

[Ack]

I actually just wrote something on the 3DO. All 3DO models should come equipped to handle RF, composite, and s-video. As for controller extension cables, you can apparently use extension cables for the Sega Genesis/Megadrive, though the controllers do not work with a 3DO.

As for which model, the model put out by Sanyo was Japan-only, and has the best CD-ROM speeds of any machine, but it's also the rarest. There was also a model put out by Panasonic for hotels that can hold up to five discs, called the ROBO. For the most part there's no region lockout, but there are a couple of Japanese games and demos that have issues running on non-Japanese consoles since they require special kanji. But if you're definitely set on importing, that shouldn't be an issue. If you want to just go with the old-reliable, the Panasonic FZ-10's a top-loader version that has a better track record from the many front-loading 3DOs out there, and I'm pretty sure it was released in Japan.

Where did you read that the sanyo has a faster cd-rom speed they should all have a double speed drive. Its not rare in Japan it was released before the FZ-10 there.

With the Genesis extension you do have too round the edges to get it to fit easily in the 3DO.

I came across a magazine article discussing Sanyo's version of the 3DO in 1994 and their decision to release it only in Japan. They mentioned the Sanyo model having a faster CD-ROM.

[pepharytheworm]

I came across a magazine article discussing Sanyo's version of the 3DO in 1994 and their decision to release it only in Japan. They mentioned the Sanyo model having a faster CD-ROM.

Well either way hopefully what you are writing on the 3DO is another 101. If you are I wouldn't put it has a faster drive unless you find another source. I tried it and it seemed just the same as my FZ-1 speed wise, but guess it could be a miniscule speed upgrade.

By the way why isn't the Jaguar 101 under the retro gaming 101 link? I had to search to find it.

[Ack]

Yeah, we were doing a 3DO 101. I didn't mention the drive speed of the Sanyo model when I first wrote it, instead just mentioning it's considered the rarest. I did say something about it to Racket when he asked me later about possible differences, but I can email him back about that not being confirmed.

I should probably also him you have to cut down those extension cables and that the FM Towns cables work, and while I did find mention of most of those games, I didn't see anything on Blue Forest Story, so I'll let him know. You don't happen to know what games can lock up on the Goldstar model beyond PO'ed, Cyberia, and The Horde, do you?

As for the Jaguar 101, now that you mention it I don't see it either, or the Chanel F 101. I'll mention it to Racket.

[Inazuma]

Thanks for all the replies so far. Lots of helpful information here and I appreciate it.

My game collection is almost entirely Japanese and the 3DO won't be an exception. The only way I will consider buying a non-Japanese game is if it's not available in Japanese (for example, there are a handful of arcade racers not available on the Japanese N64, so I get the American versions) or if the Japanese version is inferior or unplayable (For example, Arad Senki for the Japanese PC lags and has IP blocks, so I play the American version).