A “game console specification” conceived by The 3DO Company, with actual systems being manufactured by a variety of vendors. With the first 3DO system releasing on October 4th, 1993 in North America, the 3DO was quite an advanced system for a short period of time around it's launch, but it quickly lost this status upon the release of the PlayStation and Saturn in 1995. Specifications-wise, the 3DO ran a custom 32-bit ARM60 CPU, with 2 MB of RAM, 1 MB of VRAM, outputting a resolution of 640x480i (or 320×240) at either 16-bit palette-based color or 24-bit true color.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3DO_Interactive_Multiplayer

A multitasking kernel with drivers for peripherals, a complete file system, and support for physical storage.

This comes default on all 3DO systems. Back then, it was claimed to be “unhackable”. It loads from the game CDs themselves, rather than the console.

https://3dodev.com/software/operating_systems (full snapshots of portfolio!)

http://users.polytech.unice.fr/~buffa/videogames/3do_faq2.4.html (4.1)

http://altmer.arts-union.ru/3DO/docs/DevDocs/ppgfldr/smmfldr/gspfldr/01PGS001.html

https://web.archive.org/web/20220309170848/http://altmer.arts-union.ru/3DO/docs/DevDocs/ppgfldr/smmfldr/gspfldr/01PGS001.html

https://github.com/trapexit/3do-bios

Whether these emulators support operating systems for these consoles is unknown; it must be looked into further. Consoles without meaningful OSes are not included.

Nintendo Entertainment System - lamenes "optimized" 6fps version + GitHub; lamenes <1fps version

Whether these emulators support operating systems for these computers is unknown; it must be looked into further. PCs without meaningful OSes are not included.

CHIP-8 – chip8-3do

add-on modem peripheral for 3DO. The AT&T modem will incorporate AT&T's VoiceSpan

This was going to give 3DO users the ability to play online and voice chat with each other, but it never released.

http://users.polytech.unice.fr/~buffa/videogames/3do_faq2.4.html (3.3)

For general information, see the Game Console Revisions Overview.

There are three versions of this console, arranged chronologically.

The original 3DO, easily identified by it’s four “columns” at each corner. This console’s front-loading disc tray might be a bit prone to difficulties due to the rubber belt - but replacement is easy. Some say it’s more reliable; some disagree. The MPEG hardware card isn’t extremely rare. Savegames require a memory manager disc to be altered or removed. Slightly highest cost, due to historical value. Production quality and “feel” may be somewhat superior to others. One revision exists, but it’s impacts are very minor. Installation of certain hardware mods is also easier in these. No detachable power cord.

DO NOT BUY

Typically recognized by the “GoldStar” logo on front, paired with the gray circle on the top of this system. These are notorious for having a DVD tray which frequently fails. Furthermore, some games will run into compatibility issues on this version. The one benefit is that the MPEG hardware card is easiest to find for these, supposedly. Still, they aren’t worth it, and that’s complicated by the fact that these are somewhat rare.

LOWEST PRICE

Can be identified by it’s top loading DVD tray and it’s “sleeker” console-esque design. Savegames can be managed directly on the console, requiring no disc. However, the build quality is commonly stated to be poorer, and the MPEG card is extremely difficult to find for these. Reliability statements vary, as some claim these are most reliable, while others claim these are “cheap”. It appears that newer accounts favor the FZ-10 more, so it may be a matter of age. One revision exists, which highly impacts ability to homebrew or hack. Detachable power cord.

There are 2 revisions within the Panasonic FZ-1, and 2 revisions within the Panasonic FZ-10.

Here, the top of the console is matte and rough. Furthermore, the console uses active cooling instead of passive cooling. The drives are understandably manufactured a bit earlier.

This 3DO has a top which is shiny and smooth, while instead using a passive cooling mechanism compared to the Matte Top’s active cooling. Lastly, the drive is manufactured a bit later.

These FZ-10 3DOs are easily the best of the two to purchase. On these models, all the system chips are separate and not “merged” together, which will come into play in a moment. Thus, it is easier to RGB mod these. Furthermore, some say that this makes homebrewing and hacking of these systems possible, which is not the case on “Anvil” systems. Some also say these were made up to August of 1995, but some say they were only made up to February of 1995. These probably have serial numbers which begin with 4.

DO NOT PURCHASE

Within this revision, the system chips have been merged together into one “Anvil” chip. This causes difficulty with RGB modding, and may also cause difficulty with homebrewing, hacking, and even game compatibility. For this, there’s no reason to get these. Some say these began production in March of 1995, while some say these began production in September of 1995. Their serial numbers probably begin with 5.

RECOMMENDED OVERALL and BEST RELIABILITY couldn’t be assigned.

https://gaminghistory101.com/2012/12/24/buying-guide-3do/

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/918744-3do/63092338

https://www.reddit.com/r/3DO/comments/ach07a/fz1_or_fz10/

https://www.reddit.com/r/3DO/comments/f86g0e/fz10_question/

https://www.reddit.com/r/3DO/comments/tsnrxq/best_3do_model_to_own/

https://www.reddit.com/r/3DO/comments/i0ribz/which_model_should_i_get/

https://www.reddit.com/r/retrogaming/comments/52lka7/3do_console_variants/

https://forum.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?142571-I-want-to-get-a-3DO-a-reliable-one

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

https://forum.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?143059-FZ-1-3DO-systems-Differences-between-PAL-NTSC (FZ1 revision)