About to trade for a 3DO - Any buying tips?

[nixzero]

Like the title says, I'm looking at getting a 3DO. I'm not worried about value/price since I'm just trading some unwanted items for it. I'm more concerned about making sure that it works properly and what to look out for.

The one I'm eyeing is an FZ-1, it comes with 21 games (not sure if retail or CDRs), but no controller. I found a controller for $20, but I won't be able to pick it up until after the 3DO owner and I meet up. Is a controller necessary to test the CD drive and internal memory?

I was also curious as to how the battery backup differs between the FZ-1 and others. It looks like all 3 US versions of the console used a battery backup, but I remember reading that some models have more memory than others, some have longer lasting batteries, and some have batteries that are easier to replace. Can anyone set me straight?

[jay_red]

Cant help you with the controller question, but do not plug a Genesis controller into it, just because the plug fits. I have heard it can fry the console.

[nixzero]

Yeah, I've heard about that. Just one more reason why I wanted to fully test it first.

I found another thread from a guy who bought one without a controller. It worked fine, and before he got a controller he said it would load audio CDs and games. I guess he loaded Need for Speed and it gave him an "NVRAM Full" warning - a good sign. The 3DOs had very little memory and it was battery backup.

I suppose I'll just burn a copy of NFS before I meet the owner and see how it goes.

[flojocabron]

some discs/games come with a memory manager that can help you remove old files to free up memory.

I hear that the FZ-10 are more reliable than the FZ-1. Simply cause it has a flip top lid. FZ-1 consoles have the door tray and it may need some TLC on the gears. I dont own a FZ-1 so I cant vouch for this.

3D0 games look a lot like old PC games so you may get lucky in finding some games out in the wild. Just look for the symbol.

[nixzero]

Yeah, I would rather have an FZ-10, but the FZ-1 just fell in my lap. There's an FZ-10 in the area for sale, but the guy wants cash and I gotta save my money until I find a new job. If I did have some cash, I would hold out for the 3DO Blaster PC card and install it in my MAME cabinet.

In any case, I'll try to make sure the disc tray operates smoothly and the discs load up without making too much noise. It looks like I'll have to take my chances on the memory, but the worst case scenario there is that I'll need to replace the button battery.

[sheath]

I have an FZ-1 and I have to say it is a very solid console design. The tray might be more likely to break just because it is motorized, but it seems more solidly built to me than the Sega CD model 1 or the PS2's drive.

I haven't heard the rumor about Genesis controllers frying the console. I tested a six button pad on my 3DO once and nothing happened. I still use my Genesis controller extension cables with my 3-button, 6-button and Capcom Soldier pad.

I'm not sure about CDRs because I don't use them. The 3DO is supposed to be really good at playing them, but it is always going to depend on the quality of the dump, the brand of the disk, the brand of the player, the program used and the speed of the burn. That is too many variables for me to risk burning out a perfectly good optical drive.

[Breetai]

Is a controller necessary to test the CD drive and internal memory?

CD drive, no; internal memory, probably yes.

I was also curious as to how the battery backup differs between the FZ-1 and others.

The FZ-1 accesses it with programs built into most games. The other three models can access it via the system menu when you don't have a game in the drive.

It looks like all 3 US versions of the console used a battery backup, but I remember reading that some models have more memory than others, some have longer lasting batteries, and some have batteries that are easier to replace. Can anyone set me straight?

Not sure how to replace them, as I haven't ever opened my units up. Maybe some de-soldering/soldering is required, but I don't know.

Do not put Genesis/Mega Drive controllers into a 3DO. It could cause a short, as they are wired differently (I believe the ground cable is in a different pin, but I'm not sure if that's the exact reason a short is possible or not).

I've never had an issue with using CD-Rs on a console, and that is from 15 years of doing it. Goldstar models can be finicky with CD-Rs, but the Panasonic and Sanyo models seem just fine. All CD-Rs I've used were direct rips from discs I did myself. I've had all four models over the years, but currently just have an FZ-1; my favourite model.

[stickem]

download and burn you a memory manager cdr so you can access internal memory when you want