Summary:

11. Powers Kingdom
12. Road Rash
13. Canon Fodder
14. Captain Quazar
15. Star Control II
16. Alone in the dark.
17. Street Fighter II Turbo
18. D
19. Creature Shock
20. Lost Eden.

#11. Powers Kingdom. (US: Guardian Wars)

A tactical RPG. There is no story. Well – not much of one. So it’s all just RPG style battles. In, pretty impressive 3D engine. Cast your mind back to 1994. Sure, FFVI had a nice story on the SNES but the graphics were dated, the sound and special effects looked ancient. On the 3DO? Well, Microcabin were attempting to bring Japanese style RPGing to the West, to the 32Bit CD world and to 3DO owners. It’s a great little game, and there are dozens of copies out there. It’s one of my favourites.

#12. Road Rash.

Another action game. Gamers today seem to relish the idea of bad-mouthing Electronic Arts – but back in the day, when 3DO was the must have technology, Electronic Arts had the 32bit generation all sorted out. While many developers were still experimenting with CD, 24bit graphics and 3D, EA with this much upgraded version of the Sega Mega Drive classic, show they were at the top of their game. They had figured out when to use FMV, when to use mainstream music and how to push the next generation machines.

#13. Canon Fodder.

Again – no mouse control. It was there, I mean this game came from the Amiga right? A computer that had a mouse? So why no mouse support for the 3DO? Still – Canon Fodder represents another cerebral challenge that is absorbing rather than repellent. A cleverly balanced game, with a very British sense of humor.

#14. Captain Quazar.

If I can’t play horror games, then I want action games. However, an action game must occupy my entire mind. Too slow and it isn’t an action game. Too fast, and the game is trying to make you rely on luck. You know, I don’t want to wrestle with things outside of my control – I don’t want the action to let up. I want to feel pressured. That’s why Captain Quazar is here.

#15. Star Control 2.

This wasn’t entirely my cup of tea. And the only game in the top 20 that I put here because others would expect it to be here. Usually at this stage, I either hate a game or love it. No Wolfenstien see? But I want to love Star Control II. It promises journeys to distant galaxies, to collect esoteric objects and conversations with strange sarcastic aliens. What’s not to love? It’s a great game. Well OK, I know it’s a great game. I just need the time to play it.

#16. Alone in the Dark.

The most wonderfully atmospheric 3D horror game ever made. Another elegant 3D release from an era when the Intel 486 was king. If you look past the limited polygons, you enter a period built French mansion, re-splendid with Zombies and a Lovecraft inspired story. Not to mention a truly creepy sound track.

#17. Street Fighter II Turbo.

The only real killer application for the 3DO some say. Certainly one of the best reasons to buy a 3DO. This version of Street Fighter II, when used with either the Capcom pad or the Panasonic Arcade stick, is one of the best implementations of Street Fighter on a home console. And yes – that includes the SNES version. The 3DO version is a lot closer the arcade than the SNES version (although not exact) and just as fast.

#18. D.

Simply put one of the most ambitious games every made. The only interactive (horror) movie made worthy of the title.

#19. Creature Shock.

This is here because of the joy of exploration. Patience is rewarded with long forgotten caves and never seen monsters. It’s part of what retro-gaming is about. Going to places that aren’t often trod. Seeing the things only handful of people have seen. Look past the faults, and look at the achievements. This is a hell of a game.

#20. Lost Eden

Many games from the early 32bit generation were accused of being simply 16bit ports. This is one of them. Yet – there is something truly beautiful about the presentation, the style, the story and the music. Lost Eden is one of the best games on the 3DO. It captures the magic of the gaming period, it is disappointing in some respects but the marvels of the game outweigh these.