Which was the most expensive console ever released? 3DO or AES?

[Fandangos]

Last night listening to a podcast about games someone commented that the 3DO had it's release price at $700!

and I keep getting some misinformation on the AES release price at $400 up to $650.

Anyone have any memory on this?
Or any proof? Like magazine scans?

Also we are talking about US release values.

If you can think of any other system that could beat those two, please, post here.

 

[Pope Sazae]

When you add in games the AES cost more. System itself the 3DO cost WAY to much. I'm a big 3DO collector but fully admit the system should not have launched at more than a third of that.

 

[grimm]

The highest ive read the AES go for initially has been $650, the 3DO i know went for $699 (+ 0.99 in some cases) at launch in america. I picked up my first 3DO, a pal unit, in late 94 or early 95 used. Since then ive added a few more systems from various manufacturers. But yeah, unless someone can confirm AES at more than $650, the 3DO has it beat as launch price.

The games however were more or less priced the same as the competition, unlike the AES...

I enjoy collecting for both, but i only have a few AES titles, the most expensive ones being a sunfaded japanese KOF98, and a us SvC Chaos, which isnt sunfaded. The other games are maybe in the $20-50 range? I have some mvs titles as well, the most expensive probably being MOTW.

As for 3DO, i have the memory unit, both versions of the mpeg decoder, some rare clothing items, a incomplete store display thing for US long boxes, and the most expensive game i have would be Lucienne's Quest in complete and mint condition, my pride of the 3DO collection. Some 3DO titles are up there in the upper AES price range, but those are usually korean exclusive titles. If you can stand the owner of the only real active exclusive 3DO forum, it has a good wealth of knowledge, and some really serious collectors who can show you the rarest of things 3DO... Price can get ridiculous on some items...

 

[Kid Panda]

My first AES system was a Japanese Gold System with Samurai Shodown (US version, it was my choice), was $650.

 

[GohanX]

LaserActive wins.

Flawless Victory.

Fatality.

 

[Pope Sazae]

As for 3DO, i have the memory unit, both versions of the mpeg decoder, some rare clothing items, a incomplete store display thing for US long boxes, and the most expensive game i have would be Lucienne's Quest in complete and mint condition, my pride of the 3DO collection. Some 3DO titles are up there in the upper AES price range, but those are usually korean exclusive titles. If you can stand the owner of the only real active exclusive 3DO forum, it has a good wealth of knowledge, and some really serious collectors who can show you the rarest of things 3DO... Price can get ridiculous on some items...

What 3DO forum are you talking about? I looked for one a couple years ago but could not find anything. I would love to see some of the really rare stuff on there. I don't have nearly the amount of cool things you do for the 3DO, the closest to rare I have is a 2-player light gun (which barely got used as nobody wanted to play 3DO with me), most of the light gun games, and the 3DO mouse. Been wanting to pick up the 6 button arcade stick but I love to the Capcom 6 button pad way to much to justify the price of the stick.

 

[ChiefofSB]

Whoa i didn't know 3DO costed that much no wonder it never took off but i remember seeing the AES in the EGM magazines back in the day for like $600+ and the games was like $200

 

[evil wasabi]

Philips CD-i cost about $700 on release in 1991.

 

[evil wasabi]

Whoa i didn't know 3DO costed that much no wonder it never took off but i remember seeing the AES in the EGM magazines back in the day for like $600+ and the games was like $200

$650 in 1990.

 

[Kid Panda]

...... AES in the EGM magazines back in the day for like $600+ and the games was like $200

I know that the first couple lines of AES games at Babbage's were $199, at what point did the games go up? Was it to 250? or 300+?

 

[grimm]

What 3DO forum are you talking about? I looked for one a couple years ago but could not find anything. I would love to see some of the really rare stuff on there. I don't have nearly the amount of cool things you do for the 3DO, the closest to rare I have is a 2-player light gun (which barely got used as nobody wanted to play 3DO with me), most of the light gun games, and the 3DO mouse. Been wanting to pick up the 6 button arcade stick but I love to the Capcom 6 button pad way to much to justify the price of the stick.

I think its called 3DO Zero. type it into google and you will find it.

The official panasonic arcade stick is actually a great and heavy stick, especially for OEM, i would pick one up if i were you. I have the mouse too, but none of the guns as i dont like light gun games and i only collect what i will actually use, or if its a good price. Keep in mind my 3DO collection hasnt grown in many years, except for the 6 button wireless pads i finally found this year. I started in 94/95, and dont really have that much to show for it. I have a few select items that are considered rare, but i would not be considered a serious 3DO collector i think. I just got lucky on a few items along the road. bitrate on the forum i mentioned has a massive collection, but he is very touchy. Rub him the wrong way and he will take a stab at you when he gets the chance... He would be considered the most serious collector i know of though. He has many of the rare items sealed, as is evident by the Collection sub forums. Keeping much of it for trading purposes, or so he claims.

Anywho, join the forum if want, it has some good and helpful people, and it has some outright arses, like all forums. It is however the only real source for 3DO these days, so check it out.

 

[grimm]

LaserActive wins.

Flawless Victory.

Fatality.

Agreed.. I had forgotten about LaserActive...

 

[GohanX]

By the way Pope, there are adapters to use SNES controllers on the 3DO, so you could use a SNES stick/pad on it. The Cthulhu multiconsole joystick PCB also has 3do support, although I usually use use a SNES pad when I want to play SSF2T.

 

[TikTekTak]

Agreed.. I had forgotten about LaserActive...

How much did that go for on release? More than 700?

 

[GohanX]

According to Wikipedia the main system was $970, with the Sega and NEC Pacs costing another $600 each.

 

[TikTekTak]

According to Wikipedia the main system was $970, with the Sega and NEC Pacs costing another $600 each.

Wow. That means a complete system was like over 2000USD? That is sick.

 

[grimm]

By the way Pope, there are adapters to use SNES controllers on the 3DO, so you could use a SNES stick/pad on it. The Cthulhu multiconsole joystick PCB also has 3do support, although I usually use use a SNES pad when I want to play SSF2T.

Or better yet, find the adapter that lets you use Sega megadrive controllers.. Mmmmm.... Sega D-pad... I found one after years of searching. Best purchase for my 3DO's ever..

 

[GohanX]

I didn't know that existed, I'd definitely go for that if I could find one.

I didn't even buy my SNES adapter. I got the 3DO flight stick off of ebay for some Wing Commander 3 action and the SNES adapter was in the box. I guess the seller thought it was part of the package.

 

[bubba966]

I know that the first couple lines of AES games at Babbage's were $199, at what point did the games go up? Was it to 250? or 300+?

I recall the games going up to $250 in late '92 or early '93. Which is why I sold my AES in summer of '93 as new games were $250 or more then.


And yes, as has been pointed out already the AES was $650 for a gold system on release. Gold systems on '90 came with 2 controllers and a game. By late '91 the cheaper priced mail order companies would give you two games, and you chose which ones, for the same $650 it was sold at in most stores. That was when I bought my AES. And how I got it with Fatal Fury & King Of The Monsters.

While the CD-i & 3DO were $700. But the LaserActive was worse. As has been said the deck, Sega, NEC, & Karaoke pacs would set you back about $2,500.

I really need to pull my LaserActive deck out...

 

[vincewy]

Wow. That means a complete system was like over 2000USD? That is sick.

Nope, RDI Halcyon, $2500 in 1985.

http://www.videogameconsolelibrary.com/pg80-rdi.htm#page=reviews

I know that the first couple lines of AES games at Babbage's were $199, at what point did the games go up? Was it to 250? or 300+?

Lowest prices available from NCS.

Up to $215 since Samurai Showdown 2 in Jan 1994.
Up to $259 since Fatal Fury 3 in April 1995 (first snap-lock case game, I wish they started with Super Sidekicks 3)
Up to $279 since Art of Fighting 3 in 1996
Up to $299 since Metal Slug 3 in 2000.

Wow. That means a complete system was like over 2000USD? That is sick.

Even more if you try to get all the games and accessories, like these and those by getting them at release. Luckily, I got everything cheaply (some nothing after reselling extras) by buying a whole batch and reselling others. With exception of Time Gal which I had to pay almost $1000 in 2010, and it was still not bad considering the rarity.

 

[Boredom]

Any idea how much the Nemo was going to go for? It was an unreleased console from the 80s designed for playing exclusively FMV games off special VHS tapes. Night Trap was originally meant to be released on it.

 

[bubba966]

Even more if you try to get all the games and accessories, like these and those by getting them at release. Luckily, I got everything cheaply (some nothing after reselling extras) by buying a whole batch and reselling others. With exception of Time Gal which I had to pay almost $1000 in 2010, and it was still not bad considering the rarity.

Very nice LaserActive collection you're got there.

My LA collection is much smaller. Have the deck, Sega/NEC/Karaoke PACs, and 15-20 games. Though it was all just given to me by a friend that just wanted it gone... Can't beat free.

 

[Pope Sazae]

How do PCE games look when played through the module on the LA? I've been curious if the device makes the games look better on the various PACs.

 

[ebinsugewa]

I don't have one, but FWIW here's lukemorse playing on one:

 

[HeavyMachineGoob]

Very nice LaserActive collection you're got there.

My LA collection is much smaller. Have the deck, Sega/NEC/Karaoke PACs, and 15-20 games. Though it was all just given to me by a friend that just wanted it gone... Can't beat free.

Curious... Have you gotten your PACs re-capped yet? BlueBMW consistently mentions the horrors of PACs that have died from capacitor self destruction.