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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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Snow Job

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£40.00
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£40.00

Murder. Drugs. Sex. Gangs. Guns. Welcome to the big apple. She's sexy, smart, savvy. No wonder she fills your dreams. No wonder she's number one on the hit list of a notorious drug lord. Tracy Scoggins (Dynasty, Lois & Clark) is New York DA Lara Calabreze - the long arm (and legs) of the law. One of 20 informants is out to blow her away, and you've got to save her. It's big. It's intense. Can you thwart a plot to murder the woman you still love? Or will you be too late? The cold sweat starts now.

Soccer Kid

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£14.00

An action packed side-scrolling adventure game on the 3DO platform! More than 25 levels of game play Vividly presented in 32, 000 colours. Look for hidden features and secret items. Over 30 minutes of original CD quality stereo music. Use your skills to perform slide tackles, bicycle kicks and other soccer moves to defeat your enemies.

Slayer

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£16.00
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£16.00

It's time you did something about these monsters under your bed. You're not a helpless kid any more. You've grown up and you've got Slayer, the first Advanced Dungeons and Dragons game available for the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer system. Now you're an AD&D game hero armed with weapons and magic, exploring dungeons filled with the deadly monsters of you're nightmares. Hack and slash away at these vile creatures, avoid treacherous traps, and solve mind bending puzzles.

Slayer Big Box

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£18.00
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£18.00

It's time you did something about these monsters under your bed. You're not a helpless kid any more. You've grown up and you've got Slayer, the first Advanced Dungeons and Dragons game available for the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer system. Now you're an AD&D game hero armed with weapons and magic, exploring dungeons filled with the deadly monsters of you're nightmares. Hack and slash away at these vile creatures, avoid treacherous traps, and solve mind bending puzzles.

Slam N Jam 95

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£10.00
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£10.00

Five-on-five fast break action puts you courtside for all the 3D thunder jams. Play large! in-your-face hoops with players twice large as 16 bit games. Rotoscoped moves give the twine scorching three-pointers an incredible sense of realism. Three roster substitutions, set screen and picks.

Shock Wave Operation Jumpgate - Big Box Version

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£12.00
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£12.00

The threat to planet Earth has been renewed, and the United Nations is counting on you to lead the assault. In five spectacular new missions you must face never before seen alien species and survive tense submissions. CD quality sound puts you in the middle of the action, joystick compatibility gives you ultimate control and all new video footage illuminates the action.

Shock Wave Operation Jumpgate

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£6.00
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£6.00

The threat to planet Earth has been renewed, and the United Nations is counting on you to lead the assault. In five spectacular new missions you must face never before seen alien species and survive tense submissions. CD quality sound puts you in the middle of the action, joystick compatibility gives you ultimate control and all new video footage illuminates the action.

Shock Wave Big Box

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£12.00
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£12.00

Earth's armed forces are crushed. Only you and your experimental F-1777 heavy fighter survive. Fly over photo realistic real-world locations and landscapes. Stunning 3D terrain: slice down valleys, around mountains, between skyscrapers. Twenty minutes of full screen video created using Hollywood movie making techniques.

Shock Wave

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£10.00
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£10.00

Earth's armed forces are crushed. Only you and your experimental F-1777 heavy fighter survive. Fly over photo realistic real-world locations and landscapes. Stunning 3D terrain: slice down valleys, around mountains, between skyscrapers. Twenty minutes of full screen video created using Hollywood movie making techniques.

Shock Wave 2

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Shock wave 2. Beyond the Gate sees you back in the hot seat with the fate of the human race once more in your hands. As the commander of a pirate hunting outfit operating on the fringes of known space you and your crew must take up the fight and protect human kid from a well known enemy that just doesn't know when to die.

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