
alternative were turned off by a distinct lack of software support. In lieu of games, Philips initially pushed learning-based titles loaded with full motion video (FMV) that was all the rage back then. Unfortunately, most titles were expensive, buggy and just plain boring (e.g. Gardening by Choice and DISCoverBelgium, anyone?).
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Video CD- Precursor to DVD |
In 1994, they redesigned the machine’s exterior and
rebranded it a full-fledged video game console. An earlier relationship forged with Nintendo
was put to use as games were released featuring popular video game characters Mario
and Zelda. The CD-i also saw quality
first party releases in the form of Burn:Cycle
and The Apprentice (among others). Unfortunately, a new look and a handful of
games was not enough to save the console.
The FMV fad fizzled quickly, and the public was content to wait
patiently for the next big 32bit console releases from Nintendo, Sega (and
newcomer Sony). During its last days,
late night infomercials could be seen hocking the system’s benefits, but these
last ditch marketing efforts did little to improve sales. By 1996, Philips wisely discontinued
production and began the process of writing off nearly a billion dollars used
to design, market and manufacture the console.
With obsolete hardware and only a handful of memorable games, the
question remains: why collect the system today?
The answer really depends on
your motivation. Philips CD-i was an ambitious
product, one that tried to revolutionize home entertainment by merging aspects
of the personal computer, home video player and game console together into a
single unit. While it ultimately failed
to supplant any of these technologies, the design concepts Philips helped pioneer
eventually took hold in other, more popular devices (e.g. disc-based console
gaming, wireless controllers, DVD, etc.).
Exploring the console today is an interesting journey into what might
have been had the stars aligned. Additionally, Philips' partnership with Nintendo spawned some exclusive
Mario and Zelda titles that today fetch a hefty premium with collectors. While the games themselves aren’t very good (in
fact some consider them to be among the worst games of all time), it’s refreshing
to see someone besides Shigeru Miyamoto and Nintendo explore the properties.
For my part, I still remember my interactions with the
console while it was on display at department stores back in the early ‘90s. The salesmen usually left me alone to evaluate
the unit, having long since tired of besting each other in The Palm Springs Open (impressive considering the console’s high
cost). I was immediately taken with the graphics, which displayed animations far
more lifelike and fluid than anything I had seen before.
The wireless controller proved difficult to use, however, which quickly tempered my enthusiasm. I distinctly remember missing putts and parking
a lot of balls in the trees. Another
time they were demoing the CD-Video functionality by playing the movie Forest Gump. Like everyone else, I grew up with analog; it
was a real eye opener to see digital video for the first time. I remember the picture quality being better
than VCR, but the colors were somewhat muted and the video itself was pixelated
and compressed. I was impressed but not
blown away, having seen reference quality laserdisc before.
Of the consoles currently in my possession, I admit I do not
own a Philips CD-i. While it might seem
strange to buy software for a device I don’t own (yet), such is the nature of
collecting defunct technologies. I happen
to like Beverly Hills Cop anyway, so
it’s a good test disc to have around should I ever score one.
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