Overview

Full Name: Computer and Video Games Issue 170
Issue 170
Date January 1996
Region: UK
Barcode: 9770261 369079 01
Cover Disc No
Notes:

News

Editors Notes (Page 6) - In the note about what they are looking forward to most in 1996, M2 appears claiming to be more powerful than the Nintendo 64, and are planning on releasing game footage in April. Also mentions further down as the "Unexpected" about Sega and M2 coming together.
Christmas Buyers Guide (Page 9) - 3DO section in the Christmas buyers guide on what games to get for Xmas: 1- Need for Speed, 2- Space Hulk, 3- Road Rash, 4- Fifa Soccer, 5- John Madden Football
3DO Sell M2 to Matsushita (Page 10) - Article giving details of the fabled $100m sale of M2, the article also claims Japan was tough for the M1 machine, as well as Studio 3DO are working on a "range of titles" for M2s launch later in 1996
The Incredible M2 (Page 11) - Article covering more of the known tech specs for M2, it does state that with the M2 programming tools, new software developers can produce M2 titles faster and more easily when developing for other consoles.

Reviews

Game Title	Publisher	Reviewer	Pages	Pg No(s)	Rating
Killing Time	Studio 3DO	Ed Lomas	2	42-43	79%
BladeForce	Studio 3DO	Tom Guise	2	40-51	71%

Killing Time

A clever blend of FMV and 3D shooting. Won't appear to everyone. Though it'll last a long time for those who get into it. Atmosphere and original ideas make this one to consider.

BladeForce

BladeForce had the potential to be a wild futuristic shootathon, packed with crazy ideas. In reality it's a monotonous 3D maze blaster.

Adverts

Retail

Special Reserve - Massive retail list with basically all platforms, 3DO section has about 15 games, and a FZ10 for £199.99 (Page 45)
Raven Games London - Retail list with small 3DO section asking to call for prices for US/Jap/UK machines, games and accessories (Page 49)
Games FX - Small retail advert with various systems for sale, 3DO for sale is used for £299.99 and they also stock "Brand new and used" 3DO games (Page 49)
Torc - Small retail advert with just names of consoles (presumably for sale) (Page 49)
Trico Consoles - Small retail advert that more focuses on a list of Saturn games, but mentions they sell 3DO along with other consoles (Page 49)
Gameplay - Full page ad with lots of listings, 3DO section has about 20 games (Including 11th Hour) as well as all 3 UK released consoles, same price of £199.99 (Page 99)

Letters

Chronicles of a 3DO Consumer - Consumer writing in and basically moaning on his experience (Page 97):

Dear CVG,

I've just recently flogged my US 3DO and by the time you print this letter I will be a proud owner of a Sony PlayStation. The purpose of this letter is to warn readers out there who wish to purchase the 3D0, to take careful consideration. Obviously we all know software is the main attraction to convince people to buy their hardware and no doubt the 3D0 has some excellent titles, but the word "some" has been dragging on since its release two years ago.

There are probably a majority of worse titles than good ones and possibly the only way consumers can convince themselves to buy a particular title that's worthy of its price is to read a full review or try before you buy method. This is how unreliable the 3D0 is, to pro- duce decent software consistently and which brings me to the point why it's called the next generation console.

I know the 3DO is beginning to show more potential with games like Wing Commander 3, and Slam 'N' Jam '95, but these games are one offs and it certainly doesn't justify the 3D0's £400 price tag. You may think I am exaggerating, but one thing that really frus- trated me as a 3D0 owner was the inadequate game gun. After purchasing the superb Mad Dog 2, the slow and unresponsive controls on the joypad convinced me to buy a game gun which I obviously expected to be excellent considering it was developed by Laser Games. Unfortunately I was wrong, the aiming control was inaccurate and basically I spent £45 to get the worst out of the game. I can't understand why ALG never correct- ed this fault, so 3D0 owners out there who expect the same excitement given by ALG coin-ops to your machine, are in for a real disappointment.

I'm not writing off the 3D0 completely. I hope it does succeed. With the arrival of the forthcoming M2, hopefully 3DO can learn from their mistakes and in time Trip Hawkins can proudly call it his wonder machine.

Steven Pierro, North London

CVG: Steven raises a number of points here, the main one being that a big name

with even bigger promises Is seldom guaranteed to deliver - at least on time, 3DO Is definitely worth considering now f especially since the price has been slashed to £200. But, like Steven says, the games have taken a while getting there. We've already answered a question about pricing, and usually this shouldn't be an Issue. Stuff costs what It costs. However when shelling out large sums of money, you expect the Investment to have been worth It Neither does It help when the kinds of peripherals launched are poorly supported, and, In fact, poor In general. How many people paid In excess of £100 for a Super NES Superscope? We suspect Steven Isn't the only 3 DO early adopter to have felt very let down by that particular market All we can say Is bad luck', and 'M2'. Oops.

Other 3DO mentions

Page 74 - Doom Playstation review - Mention of a 3DO version planned

Cheats

Ballz the Directorz Cut

These cheats should be entered during a fight. We've short- ened them by writing Left as 'L' Right as 'R', Up as 'U' and Down as 'D'.

Big Ballz - BALLLARDBALL Transparent Ballz - BALLBLURBALL Small Ballz - BALLRADARLULU Black and White Opponent - BALLBU\CBALLU Black and White Self - BALLDRABBALL

Road Rash

Tommy Cox's favourite game this month has got this great weird happening in it. On the Peninsula track, level 2 or above, race through to 6.6 miles in. Now cross the barrier on the right and drive along into the cows to make them stand up and pose! Funnily enough, these are the only cows in the game that do this!