The Most Over Hyped System in Console History?
The 3DO was the very first 32 bit game system on the market, and easily falls into the market of the most over hyped video game console in history. It promised to be so much more then simply a game console – in fact, it didn’t want to be referred to as a game console at all. The system was marketed as an ‘Interactive Multiplayer’, giving the user the ability to play audio, video, and photo disks in addition to video games.
It was the very first attempt to deliver an all-in-one machine, and a complete failure. It couldn’t even compete with the 16 bit machines out at the time.
Why Did It Suck So Bad?
Unlike all of the other consoles of its generation, 3DO never manufactured a single system. Instead, it licensed the hardware technology to Goldstar, Sanyo, and Panasonic, who each produced a slightly different version of the 3DO – one looked like a VCR, while another had a sleek, attractive design.
The major downside of this entire scheme was, of course, that those who manufactured the game systems had to make money from them, where as Nintendo or Sega could eat the loss of a system because they had software to sell instead. It’s known throughout the game industry that at least initially, you’re probably going to lose money on the console.
The console, which was released in 1993 and 1994, also had an extremely high initial price, which meant that for the casual gamer, buying a 3DO was out of the question.
One of the major flaws in the console itself was that it was equipped with only one controller port, while the other systems of the time – like the Nintendo 64 of that same generation – had more controller ports for multiplayer gaming. The controllers could be daisy-chained together, but this was extremely awkward.
The controller itself had five buttons, while almost all of the other controllers had six – the most popular games at that time needed six buttons, too.
While the fact that the 3DO could save high scores and your progress in games, was extremely nice, the fact that it had a very small capacity and wasn’t upgradeable made the point of it almost moot – why bother?
One of the worst flaws that the 3DO has, though, is that while all games made for the 3DO should work with all systems, no matter the brand, but some games didn’t run well – or at all – on certain systems. This was horrible for those who wanted to play something to find out that they spent ?350.00 on a console, and their game wouldn’t work.
People probably could have coped with the price, though, and other flaws, if the graphics for the system were great. But alas – they weren’t even 3D, and although they had sharp 2D graphics, most other consoles of the time supported 3D. Why would one spend so much money on a 2D console, when they could spend half that on a 3D one?!
Games or No Games… That Is the Question
The 3DO did produce some decent games, despite the bad rep it gets. It had great versions of Madden Football, Road Rash, Samurai Shodown, and even Need for Speed.
The unofficial mascot for the 3DO is without a doubt Gex. Gex was a surprisingly fun side scroller, staring the silver tongued gecko lizard. It was one of the best selling games on the 3DO.
However, it didn’t make a lasting impact on the games industry, even with a few good titles.
Designer System
None of the versions are particularly attractive, except for perhaps the Sanyo 3DO which was only released in Japan. They’re all black, with the more expensive models having a disk tray that ejects, and the cheaper ones featuring a simple pop-top.
The single controller port stands out on all the versions like a sore thumb, and is an unforgivable flaw that no gamer has ever looked past.
The controller design isn’t unique in every aspect. Only five action buttons (Two shoulder, and A, B, and C) made up an awkward number, so the entire thing looks out almost wrong, and as though it was a console for the fourth generation.
Also, the controllers are extremely cheap and not at all durable – the loose D-pad makes it all too easy to hit the wrong side accidentally. It simply wasn’t a hard-core gamer’s controller.
Superb, or Superbly BAD?
My vote falls with superbly bad. 2D graphics were the thing of the past when the 3DO came out, and fell far behind.
The 3DO went up against gaming giants like Nintendo and Sony, and failed. The console made no lasting impact on the console market at all, and it was, really, a pathetic attempt to sucker kids out of their money.
The 3DO was never very popular, and if you’re looking for a fun old system to play, look elsewhere.
