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3DO

The 3DO Interactive Multiplayer (most commonly referred to as 'the 3DO') was a line of video game consoles released in 1993 and 1994 by Panasonic, Sanyo and Goldstar. The consoles were manufactured according to specifications created by The 3DO Company, and were originally designed by Dave Needle and RJ Mical of New Technology Group. The system was conceived by entrepreneur and EA Games founder Trip Hawkins.

Despite a highly-promoted launch and a host of cutting-edge technologies, the system's high price ($699.95 USD at release) and an over-saturated console market brought 'the 3DO' to a speedy demise.

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The consoles had very advanced hardware features at the time: an ARM60 32-bit RISC CPU, two custom video co-processors, a custom 16-bit DSP and a custom math coprocessor. They also featured 2 megabytes of DRAM, 1 megabyte of VRAM, and a double speed CD-ROM drive for main storage, Up to 8 controllers could be daisy-chained on the system at once. In addition to special 3DO software, the system was able to play audio CDs (including support for CD+G), view Photo CDs, and Video CDs with an add-on MPEG video card (released in Japan only). However, few titles utilized the console's full potential.

A noteable feature of the console is that it is one of few CD-based consoles that feature neither regional lockout nor copy protection, scoring it points amongst import gamers and software pirates alike, though reports have suggested that the Goldstar model isn't particularly durable when used for either of those purposes.

It was often said that the 3DO software library exhibited many of the worst aspects of home video gaming at the time. This was the dawn of CD-ROM gaming, so cutscenes of pixelated video footage dominated many titles at the expense of good gameplay. The most well-recieved titles were commonly ports of games from other systems, such as Alone in the Dark, Myst, Out of This World, and Star Control II.

Other notable titles include Need for Speed, Jurassic Park Interactive, Crash N' Burn, Slayer, Killing Time, and the first console port of Super Street Fighter II Turbo, which exceeded the original with its CD-quality audio. Game series that started on 3DO by Electronic Arts, Studio 3DO and Crystal Dynamics established themselves on other 32-bit consoles.

In addition to the consoles, a 3DO Blaster ISA peripheral card for PCs which offered all the features of the home console was manufactured by Creative Technology.

The 3DO Company also designed a next-generation console called the M2, which was to use a PowerPC 602 processor, but the company abandoned the console business and sold the technology to Matsushita who never brought the system to the market.

By the early 1990s, the video game market had become overcrowded. Philips, Sega, Nintendo, Commodore, SNK, and Atari each had a video game system on the market. By 1995, most of these systems had fallen out of the loop and were discontinued. Nintendo's SNES and Sega's Mega Drive/Genesis were the most successful systems. Many consider the final blow to be the overwhelming popularity and affordability of the Sony PlayStation, which not only forced out other CD-based systems like the CD-i, but also laid Sega's Saturn to rest by the end of 1998.

Despite heavy promoting on the YTV variety show It's Alive, and the potential expandability behind the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer, third-party support was lacking, and the 3DO system was discontinued in 1995. The 3DO Company then became a software publisher, producing such games as the Army Men franchise, until it filed for bankruptcy and liquidated its assets in 2003.

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3DO Panasonic FZ10 Console Boxed

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Box: 
yes
£120.00
Manual: 
yes
£120.00

Panasonic FZ10 Console Boxed. The 3DO comes with great sound and more colours than any other console of its time. 32bit RISC CPU. Up to 16 million colours graphics power. 64 million pixel animation per second. Full screen, full colour digital video. CD stereo sound. Multi CD capacity. Double Speed CD-ROM. Two Expansion Slots. This console comes boxed with manual, controller & power supply.

3DO Goldstar Console Boxed

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Box: 
yes
£150.00
Manual: 
yes
£150.00

Goldtsr 3DO Console Boxed. The 3DO comes with great sound and more colours than any other console of its time. 32bit RISC CPU. Up to 16 million colours graphics power. 64 million pixel animation per second. Full screen, full colour digital video. CD stereo sound. Multi CD capacity. Double Speed CD-ROM. Two Expansion Slots. This console comes boxed with manual, controller & power supply.

3DO Goldstar Console Loose

Box: 
no
£60.00
Manual: 
no
£60.00

The 3DO comes with great sound and more colours than any other console of its time. 32bit RISC CPU. Up to 16 million colours graphics power. 64 million pixel animation per second. Full screen, full colour digital video. CD stereo sound. Multi CD capacity. Double Speed CD-ROM. Two Expansion Slots. This console is unboxed with AV leads, controller & power supply.

3DO Panasonic FZ1 Console Loose

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Box: 
no
£80.00
Manual: 
no
£80.00

The 3DO comes with great sound and more colours than any other console of its time. 32bit RISC CPU. Up to 16 million colours graphics power. 64 million pixel animation per second. Full screen, full colour digital video. CD stereo sound. Multi CD capacity. Double Speed CD-ROM. Two Expansion Slots. This console is unboxed with AV leads, controller & UK power supply.

Ice Breaker

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Notes: 
This is the big box version.
Box: 
yes
£18.00
Manual: 
yes
£18.00

Blast 'em. Smash 'em. Tick 'em. You alone can destroy all pyramids.

3DO Logic 3 Controller Loose

Box: 
no
£15.00
Manual: 
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£15.00

Third party 3DO controller made by Logic 3. This is a good sturdy replacement for the controller that comes packaged with your 3DO console. This item is loose and in good working order.

Stepdown Converter Boxed

Box: 
yes
£15.00
Manual: 
no
£15.00

A stepdown transformer to convert 240V to 110V, allowing imported games consoles to be used with a UK power supply. Can be used with any US or Japanese games console. This stepdown has UK plug connector type so it cannot be used in Europe without an adapter. Items is brand new and boxed.

3DO Nakitek Controller Loose

Notes: 
This item is brand new and unopened from it's bag
Box: 
no
£15.00
Manual: 
no
£15.00

A Nakitek 3DO Controller. This is an official replacement for the controller that comes packaged with the 3DO console, and has many more buttons and features than the normal controller. This item is loose and in good working order.

3DO Unbranded New RF Lead Loose

Box: 
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£6.00
Manual: 
no
£6.00

An unbranded but brand new RF lead that will substitute the one that came with your console. Connects your machine to the TV - an ideal replacement if the original one that came with your console is lost or faulty. Length is one metre. This item is fully tested and is brand new.

3DO Panasonic Controller Loose

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Box: 
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£20.00
Manual: 
no
£20.00

The Official Panasonic Controller. This is an official replacement for the controller that comes packaged with the Panasonic 3DO console. This item is loose and in good working order.

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