3DO is a video gaming hardware format created by The 3DO Company and developed by Trip Hawkins, the founder of Electronic Arts. The design specifications were originally made by Dave Needle and RJ Mical of New Technology Group. These specifications were licensed by other companies, and most of the hardware was sold as home video game consoles under the name Interactive Multiplayer. Panasonic produced the first models in 1993, and later models were made by GoldStar, Sanyo, Creative Labs, and Samsung Electronics.

The system used a 32-bit ARM60 processor and a special graphics chip. At first, it was promoted as a multimedia device, but this changed to focus only on video games within a year. Although the launch was highly publicized, including being named Time magazine's "1993 Product of the Year," the high cost compared to other consoles, a crowded market with many similar products, and mixed customer feedback limited its success. It could not compete with consoles from Sega and Sony, and it was discontinued by 1996. In 1997, The 3DO Company sold its "Opera" hardware to Samsung, and the following year, it sold its M2 hardware to Panasonic.

History

The 3DO format was created by Trip Hawkins, the founder of Electronic Arts (EA). While working at EA, Hawkins became frustrated with the difficulty of making software that worked on different, incompatible platforms. He was inspired by a cartoon he remembered seeing on a wall at his previous job at Apple Computer. The cartoon showed two vultures on a branch, with one suggesting they kill something instead of waiting to scavenge. Hawkins formed a team within EA to develop the 3DO platform. However, when the company was separated from EA and became The 3DO Company on September 12, 1991, no one was willing to lead it. Hawkins gave up his role as EA’s chief executive to oversee the company himself while remaining as its chairman.

The name "3DO" was short for "three-dimensional optics," but it also played on the words "audio" and "video." The company aimed to create a new, CD-based video game and entertainment standard. Partners and licensees would manufacture the system, and 3DO would receive a royalty for each console sold and each game produced. For game publishers, the low $3 royalty fee per game was more favorable than the higher fees required by Nintendo and Sega for their consoles.

The 3DO hardware was designed by Dave Needle and RJ Mical, who also created the Atari Lynx. They began planning the design on a restaurant napkin in 1989. Hawkins, who knew Needle and Mical well, believed their design matched his vision. He said, "Rather than start a new team from scratch, it made more sense to work with them and guide their efforts."

The company showed a prototype at the Winter Consumer Electronics Show in January 1993. Attendees were impressed by the console’s advanced graphics, which industry experts said were far better than those of other consoles and personal computers at the time.

The 3DO Company did not have the resources to manufacture consoles, so it licensed the hardware to other companies. Hawkins said they approached many electronics manufacturers, but their main targets were Sony and Matsushita (now Panasonic). Sony was already working on its own console, the PlayStation, and chose to continue with that project instead of joining 3DO. According to former Sega CEO Tom Kalinske, Sega had serious talks with 3DO but decided against it due to cost concerns. Matsushita agreed to partner with 3DO to support its investment in MCA Inc., which owned Universal Pictures. Matsushita launched the 3DO with its Panasonic FZ-1 model in 1993. Later, Goldstar (now LG) and Sanyo also produced the system. Samsung, Toshiba, and AT&T obtained the hardware license but never sold 3DO units. AT&T even built prototype units and displayed them at the January 1994 Consumer Electronics Show.

Licensing the hardware to independent manufacturers made the system expensive. Unlike companies like Sega and Sony, which sold their consoles at a loss to make money from software sales, 3DO manufacturers had to profit from the hardware itself. The 3DO was priced at $699, much higher than competing systems, targeting high-end users and early adopters. Hawkins said the system was originally launched at $599, not the higher prices often reported. He explained that while the suggested retail price was $699, not all retailers sold it at that price. Later models, like the Goldstar version, were cheaper, starting at $399. After six months, the FZ-1 model’s price dropped to $499.

Hawkins believed the 3DO could become a dominant standard, like the VHS video cassette format, by allowing multiple companies to promote it together. He thought this would help companies compete more effectively than if they had to attract developers to individual formats. He noted that this approach would be "tough for Atari and Sony." Hawkins also believed that NEC’s failure to establish its TurboGrafx system showed the challenges of entering the console market. He thought Sony, by following the business models of Sega and Nintendo, "would have had a better chance if it had partnered with others." Other systems, like the Atari Jaguar and Philips CD-i, were seen as less competitive. Both 3DO and Philips aimed to sell about one million units by 1994 and 1995.

Hawkins claimed the 3DO console was capable of supporting HDTV and could be used for a set-top box. The platform was thought to appeal to cable companies interested in providing digital interactive services, such as video-on-demand. A trial of interactive networking was planned with US West in Omaha, Nebraska, for the autumn of 1994.

The 3DO platform launched in October 1993 and received significant media attention as part of the "multimedia wave" in the computer industry. Games like Return Fire, Road Rash, FIFA International Soccer, and Jurassic Park Interactive were scheduled for release but were delayed until mid-1994 due to challenges with the hardware. The 3DO Company kept updating the console hardware close to the release date, causing some third-party games to miss the launch by less than a month. Only one game, Crash 'N Burn, was available at launch. Panasonic also struggled to produce enough units for the launch, leaving most stores with only one or two consoles. By mid-November, 30,000 units had been sold.

The system was released in Japan in March 1994 with six games. The Japanese launch was moderately successful, with 70,000 units shipped to 10,000 stores. However, sales declined quickly, and by 1995, the system was mainly used for adult content in Japan.

In January 1994, Computer Gaming World predicted that 3DO would soon have strong software support, unlike the Atari Jaguar and Pioneer LaserActive. The magazine said that if 3DO’s licensees could produce enough consoles and games, the system might become the preferred entry-level device for interactive gaming and a "plug-and-play solution" for people tired of dealing with complicated computer setups.

Licensed systems

The 3DO system was made by several companies. The most well-known and widely used versions were produced by Panasonic.

• Panasonic FZ-1 R·E·A·L 3DO Interactive Multiplayer (Japan, Asia, North America, and Europe) – This was the first 3DO system. It originally cost $699.99 in the United States (about $1,521 in 2025) and ¥79,800 in Japan (about ¥90,209 or $596 in 2024). The price later dropped to $399.99 in the fall of 1994 (about $869 in 2025).
• Panasonic FZ-10 R·E·A·L 3DO Interactive Multiplayer (Japan, North America, and Europe) – Released on November 11, 1994, this model was a smaller and lighter version of the FZ-1. It had a top-loading CD tray, an internal memory manager, and a smaller, lighter controller without a headphone connector.
• Panasonic N-1005 3DO CD Changer "ROBO" (Japan only) – A special version of the FZ-1 with a five-disc CD drive.
• GoldStar GDO-101 Alive 3DO Interactive Multiplayer (South Korea) – Released in mid-1994, this model looked similar to the Panasonic version.
• GoldStar GDO-101M 3DO Interactive Multiplayer (North America and Europe) – A version of the GDO-101 for international markets.
• GoldStar GDO-202 3DO Interactive Multiplayer (Korea and Europe) – An updated version of the GDO-101 with a CD-ROM drive similar to the FZ-1.
• GoldStar GDO-203 3DO Alive II (South Korea only) – Replaced the GDO-202 in late 1995 but was later stopped from being sold. It had a centered, top-loading CD tray.
• Sanyo IMP-21J TRY 3DO Interactive Multiplayer (Japan only) – Released in March 1995, this model had a CD tray with a pickup head (like a laptop optical drive). It was made in limited numbers and later stopped being sold.
• Creative 3DO Blaster – A PC expansion card that allowed compatible Windows-based computers to play 3DO games using a double-speed CD-ROM drive and a controller.
• Arcade – American Laser Games used 3DO-based hardware for several arcade games.
• DMB-800 – Made only for the Korean market after Samsung bought Opera hardware in 1997. This device could run 3DO software, play VCDs, and perform karaoke.

Hardware

The original version of the console, called the FZ-1, was officially named the 3DO REAL Interactive Multiplayer. It had advanced technology for its time, including a powerful 32-bit processor called the ARM60, a special graphics processor that worked with a math co-processor, and a custom 16-bit digital signal processor (DSP) with a 20-bit ALU. The console had 2 megabytes (MB) of main memory, 1 MB of video memory, and a CD-ROM drive that could read data twice as fast as regular CD-ROMs. It could also play CD+Gs, Photo CDs, and Video CDs with an extra module. The 3DO was the first game console to include a light synthesizer, which turned music from CDs into colorful patterns.

The 3DO used a special file system called Opera for its software. Unlike many other CD-based consoles, the 3DO did not have regional lockout or copy protection, which made it easier to use pirated copies or homebrew software. However, some Japanese games could not be played on non-Japanese 3DO consoles because they used special characters (kanji) that were not supported by the English version of the console. Examples of these games include Sword and Sorcery (known as Lucienne's Quest in English), Twinkle Knights, and a demo version of Alone in the Dark.

The 3DO had a 32-bit RISC CPU running at 12.5 million cycles per second (ARM60), with a native speed of 20 million cycles per second. It supported resolutions of 640×480 (interpolated) or 320×240 (actual) at 60 Hz for NTSC versions, and 768×576 (interpolated) or 384×288 (actual) at 50 Hz for PAL versions. It used either 16-bit palettized color or 24-bit truecolor. The console had a dual pixel engine that could create up to 9–16 million pixels per second, with support for scaling, rotation, and texture mapping. It also included a custom math co-processor inside the MADAM chip.

The 3DO had a 50 MHz bus that could transfer data at 200 million bytes per second (50 million words per second), 36 direct memory access (DMA) channels, 2 MB of main RAM, 1 MB of VRAM, 2 expansion ports, and 32 KB of SRAM. It supported 16-bit stereo sound, 44.1 kHz sampling rates, and 4-channel Dolby Surround sound. A custom 16-bit DSP with a 20-bit ALU was embedded in the CLIO chip, and it had 13 DMA channels for digital input.

The CD-ROM drive could transfer data at 300 kilobytes per second, with a 32 KB RAM buffer. The 3DO used a multitasking 32-bit operating system. It had an RF switch for older TVs without direct video inputs, composite RCA ports for standard connections, and an S-Video port for better picture quality on advanced TVs.

All 3DO consoles had built-in power supplies. Some models, like the Panasonic FZ-1 and Sanyo TRY 3DO, had hardwired power cords, while others, like the Panasonic FZ-10, used an IEC 60320 C7 "figure 8" power cord. North American models used 120 volts AC at 60 Hz and consumed 30 watts.

Most 3DO systems came with a standard controller, A/V cables, and a power cord. The controllers could be connected together in a chain, allowing up to eight controllers to be used at once. Some controllers, like those with the Panasonic FZ-1 and GoldStar (LG) models, included a headphone jack and volume control for silent play. Third-party companies, like Logitech, made additional controllers. An adapter from World International Trading Corporation allowed Super NES controllers to be used with the 3DO.

The only light gun for the 3DO was the Gamegun, made by American Laser Games. It used the same design as the Sega CD's Gamegun, an orange revolver. Some Gameguns had a port for daisy-chaining two guns for two-player games. Japanese versions of Demolition Man and Corpse Killer retained light gun support even though no official light gun was released in Japan.

Panasonic and Logitech released a 3DO mouse, which was identical except for branding. Fewer than 20 games supported the mouse, with Myst and Lemmings being the most notable. The Panasonic mouse was also included with Konami's Policenauts Limited Edition in Japan.

Home Arcade Systems made a steering wheel for the 3DO, used in racing games like The Need for Speed. The Panasonic FZ-EM256 was a 256 KB memory expansion unit sold only in Japan. The Panasonic 3DO Karaoke Mixer allowed users to play music CDs, lower the vocals, and sing using microphones. This device was released in limited markets.

Games

Some of the most popular games on the 3DO system were versions of arcade or PC games that other systems at the time could not play, such as Alone in the Dark, Myst, and Star Control II. Other well-known games included Total Eclipse, Jurassic Park Interactive, Gex, Crash 'N Burn, Slayer, Killing Time, The Need for Speed, Road Rash, and Immercenary. The 3DO version of the arcade game Samurai Shodown was the only version with accurate graphics for a long time, and the 3DO version of Super Street Fighter II Turbo was the first to include CD-quality audio.

The 3DO system was released around the same time as the rise of modern first-person shooter games, and it had some of the earliest examples of this genre as exclusive titles. These included Escape from Monster Manor, Killing Time, and PO'ed, as well as versions of Wolfenstein 3D and Doom.

However, the 3DO system also had some challenges common to home consoles at the time. It was one of the first CD-ROM-based consoles, and some early games on the 3DO used gameplay styles that relied heavily on full-motion video. These games used moving videos for most of their graphics, which limited how much players could interact with the game. Some games required players to follow a single sequence of events by responding to timed prompts. Examples of these types of games include Night Trap, D, Mad Dog McCree, and The Daedalus Encounter.

Reception

GamePro reviewed the 3DO and gave it a "thumbs sideways" rating. They noted that the 3DO was the first CD-ROM system to improve graphics, sound, and game design significantly. However, they questioned if the system would soon become outdated due to upcoming competitors like the Jaguar CD and "Project Reality" (later released as the Nintendo 64). They also said there were not enough games available at the time to justify buying the system and advised waiting for more games to be released. The 3DO was named the "Worst Console Launch of 1993" by Electronic Gaming Monthly. In a review in May 1995, Famicom Tsūshin scored the 3DO Real console 26 out of 40. Next Generation reviewed the 3DO in late 1995 and stated that its early release gave it more users and better games than the newly launched Saturn and PlayStation, making it a possible alternative. However, they doubted if the 3DO could stay competitive long-term because of the upcoming M2 system and the superior hardware of the Saturn and PlayStation. They called the 3DO hardware overhyped but still good for its time, especially praising its DMA engine. They gave it 2 out of 5 stars, saying it was a solid system with some good games but questioned if being a "good system" was enough.

In 2009, IGN ranked the 3DO as the 22nd greatest video game console of all time, citing a lack of exclusive games and a high price. It was ranked slightly higher than the Jaguar but lower than the Super NES, Genesis, PlayStation, and Sega Saturn. Yahoo! Games placed the 3DO among the top five worst console launches because of its limited initial game selection and high price. Gaming retrospectives also criticized the 3DO for having many low-quality interactive movies. Trip Hawkins' business plan for selling the 3DO was widely criticized by industry experts.

Legacy

The 3DO Company created a new type of video game console that was not released because of problems with business and technology. The M2 project, which was originally planned as an add-on for the 3DO console, would have used two PowerPC 602 processors along with advanced 3D and video technology. However, during development, the company decided to stop making console hardware and sold the M2 technology to Matsushita.

Since 2020, Piko Interactive has owned the 3DO logomark and manages the rights to produce games for the system. This allowed Limited Run Games to release a version of The Eye of Typhoon for the 3DO in 2022. At the same time, the MS-DOS version of the game was made available through DOSBox.