Year of Release: 1993, stopped production in 1996
Quick overview: Spearheaded by EA co-founder Trip Hawkins, Panasonic’s foray into video game entertainment was the first game system to use CDs for content delivery. The resulting increase in data storage allowed developers working on the system to blaze trails in the realm of 3D graphics, getting game visuals that much closer to being able to portray the real world.
Best Game on the System: Super Street Fighter II Turbo
Capcom brought its beloved martial arts series to 3DO because the CD-based system allowed for better sound than in the arcade original.
Reason for Downfall?: Price, software and accelerated obsolescence
Panasonic tried to position the 3DO as a home entertainment device and said that consumers’ $700 was paying for Dolby Surround Sound and high-end graphics. But massive delays on big games like John Madden Football left owners regretting their purchases and newer, cheaper consoles like PlayStation rose up to outperform the 3DO.
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