Anybody have a 3DO?

[Megatron]

So, I'm at the point where I am starting to collect systems that I passed on 20 years ago.
The 3DO is up next.

So there are 3 models:  The Panasonic FZ-1, FZ-10 (top loader) and the Goldstar models. - I am only interested in the US releases.

Does anyone have any of these?  And can anyone recommend which model may be the most reliable or overall preferred machine?  Or ones they have had problems with?

I know a little about them, and I keep hearing the Goldstar is the worst, but all 3 have their flaws.  The FZ-1 has an installed power plug (which if that goes, I'm boned), the FZ-10 has a cheap, flimsy top loader like the CD-i, and the Goldstar has compatibility issues.  Basically I don't want to spend $100+ for a system that is gonna crap out.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.  I'm also looking for some good game recommendations.

Thanks!

[Arseen]

I have Panasonic FZ-1, haven't played much with it but so far so good.

Power cable can always be changed.

[sheep2001]

Some good opinions here:
https://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?38224-3DO-which-model-is-best-FZ1-FZ10-Goldstar-Sanyo

[larryinc64]

I have a Goldstar, I got it at Goodwill for $35. It works fine.
The power cable is also hard wired into it. And I hear about compatibility issues, Not sure if it is an issue, forgot what games it was with. I would not recommend the Goldstar, unless you find it cheep, like me.
Digging around I heard someone say something about the Japanese FZ1 being good.

Lazy Game Reviewer (LGR) made a good review of the system as a hole, look it up on Youtube.

[Dr.Agon]

personally, id go for the FZ-1, looks the best, and is the most recognizable

[quickfingers818]

I've been using the FZ-1 model the past few years. They say that they have high failure rates but mine has been playing just fine with no problems. And good choice picking up a 3DO. Another one of those consoles that didn't get enough love but plenty of good games are on the system.

[Ozzy_98]

I just fired up my FZ-10 last night. It had a copy of Hell in it.  Even for the time, that was such a joke.  Technology issues is one thing, the choppy, out of sync actions were not caused by technical limitations.  The FZ-10 also looks a lot like a Turbo Duo

[TDIRunner]

Someone may have to correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the FZ-1 required a CD to access the memory manager BIOS, while the FZ-10 could access the memory manager simply by turning the system on with the lid open (like the PS1).  I only mention this because the CD was probably easily lost for most people and probably won't be included with most FZ-1 sales.  It would be another thing you have to find. 

With that said, I will still probably get an FZ-1 whenever I pick one up (I'm also looking for a 3DO, just not very aggressively).

[GamerX]

I have the FZ-10 model and it works great.  You do need a disc for the memory manager with the FZ-1 model.  If you loose the disc, you can use the Game Guru game enhancer as this also has a memory manager feature.

[Megatron]

Thank you all for the information! I really appreciate it.


It sounds like the FZ-1 is the way to go, IF I can get a memory disc.  If not, then I am glad to know the FZ-10 is a solid machine as well.  I guess now it will be whichever I can get my hands on first, for the cheapest amount.

[KalessinDB]

I actually have both an FZ-1 and an FZ-10... it's not that I'm that huge of a fan of the system, but I originally got the FZ-1 for cheap and then when the HDD (and later, USB) adapter came out for it, it was clear that the FZ-10 was going to work better with it because you could hide the USB  under the top-loader's lid.

I wouldn't worry too much about the FZ-1's attached power cord honestly.  If it ever frays, you can always just splice on a new one.  Might not look the absolute best, but if you're at all handy with electronics it's a very very easy fix.  Nor would I worry about needing a disc to access the memory manager, because the 3DO is from a pre-modchip time and happily plays backups.  Worth thinking about the fact that the tray could theoretically have a problem on it though, like you often hear with 1st model Sega CDs (though to be fair, I haven't heard that complaint much about it, but it's still theoretically possible)

The FZ-10 is nice in not needing the disc though if you're trying to go all original, and if you're looking to do the USB upgrade it's going to look much nicer than the Goldstar or the FZ-1, so that's something.  In my opinion too, it looks more like a game console.  The FZ-1 looks like stereo equipment, which makes sense given how they marketed it at the time, but to me I don't necessarily like it.

[Megatron]

So the 3DO plays burned games, and the memory manager can be burned?  I don't typically play burned games, but if I can't hunt down a memory manger for cheap, then this may be a worth while solution.  It's one thing for me to be a purest and only collect actual games, but when it comes to functionality, I will take what I can get.

That said, the USB function - does that expand the hard drive or something else?  I don't typically mod my consoles, so is that something that's an easy plug in, or are we talking soldering?

[Thom Grayson]

USB support on a console that came out years before the USB standard? Am I missing something?

[Megatron]

I assume he means something like this:

http://www.stoneagegamer.com/3do-usb-adapter-panasonic-fz-10.html


Which appears to be a mod.

[Vt102]

I bought my fz-1 about 20 years go. The thing still runs great.

Hand down is the best of all the versions produced (us or jp)