3DO

The 3DO Interactive Multiplayer was designed by The 3DO Company, founded by Electronic Arts’ Trip Hawkins. Instead of making the hardware itself, 3DO licensed the design to other manufacturers, and Panasonic, Goldstar and Sanyo all released their own models. The first, Panasonic’s FZ-1, launched in North America in October 1993.

The console was powerful for its time, with a 32-bit ARM processor, graphics hardware able to scale and rotate sprites, and a double-speed CD-ROM drive. It was named Time magazine’s product of the year in 1993.

Its launch price of 699 US dollars was far higher than other consoles, because manufacturers had to make a profit on the hardware while 3DO earned its money from licence fees. Sales were slow, and when the cheaper Sega Saturn and Sony PlayStation arrived in 1994 and 1995 the 3DO was quickly left behind. The 3DO Company cancelled its successor, the M2, and became a software publisher before closing in 2003.

The library includes Road Rash, The Need for Speed, Gex, Star Control II, Return Fire and Super Street Fighter II Turbo. For playing 3DO games today, the Phoenix emulator is the most compatible choice, and it needs a 3DO BIOS file.