Retro gaming - Panasonic 3DO

[stevesuk]

Hi all,

Having a sort out in the loft at the weekend, and found a Panasonic 3DO games console, which I think was from around the early 1990s.

To my surprise, I plugged it in and everything seems to work fine.

I do remember playing it back in the day - mainly Test Drive and Road Rash. Back then the graphics seemed so realistic, it was as if they would never be surpassed. Looking at Test Drive through the lens of 2024, it doesn't seem quite as futuristic anymore I have a bunch of other games (FIFA soccer, Streetfighter II, Pebble Beach Golf, Themepark etc.) which I need to check/test.

Anyway, it's not something I want to hang on to myself, as I'm not really in to retro gaming or video game nostalgia.

I looked on eBay, and they seem to go for fairly good money. However, just wondered if anyone had any experience of offloading a retro system like this one? Is eBay the best place?

Thanks,

Steve.

[blue_haddock]

I'd look at CEX to see what they would offer then whack it on ebay with the cex price as reserve.

At least selling to CEX means your not likely to be messed around unlike with ebay.

[dundarach]

Not sure CEX take them, however don't be ripped off, contact https://www.retrocollective.co.uk/ and ask their advice, might be worth an email

[stevesuk]

Thanks - yes, I think I tried searching on CEX, and there were no matches. From memory, the 3DO was a bit of a flop commercially, so I think they're quite rare/niche.

Will check out that link and see if they can help.

[Jamescrs]

If going the eBay route you will need to be very careful with your descriptions and take plenty of images of all angles and be prepared for some weird questions about specifics because retro games collectors can be a very geeky bunch, especially something like a 3DO which is more niche than most.

CEX do deal in retro games and consoles now but I don't think they bother with 3DO

[paul99]

I wouldn't be too concerned about selling on eBay. Just make sure you take plenty of pictures, honest description and pack it really well. You'll likely be dealing with collectors rather than dodgy types.

CEX may buy it but they will give you a pittance compared to what you'll get on eBay. I really rate the 3DO, it was just very expensive when new and a bit too close to the Playstation launch to ever have a real chance of success. It has some really good games (Mainly EA titles).

[vindaloo79]

stevesuk said:

Hi all,

Having a sort out in the loft at the weekend, and found a Panasonic 3DO games console, which I think was from around the early 1990s.

To my surprise, I plugged it in and everything seems to work fine.

I do remember playing it back in the day - mainly Test Drive and Road Rash. Back then the graphics seemed so realistic, it was as if they would never be surpassed. Looking at Test Drive through the lens of 2024, it doesn't seem quite as futuristic anymore I have a bunch of other games (FIFA soccer, Streetfighter II, Pebble Beach Golf, Themepark etc.) which I need to check/test.

Anyway, it's not something I want to hang on to myself, as I'm not really in to retro gaming or video game nostalgia.

I looked on eBay, and they seem to go for fairly good money. However, just wondered if anyone had any experience of offloading a retro system like this one? Is eBay the best place?

Thanks,

Steve.

Ring games Temple in Leeds. My mate will beat CEX on price time and time again if he thinks he can shift it.

https://g.co/kgs/4U2gFNs

[lauda]

I shifted a lot of retro games and consoles on eBay a few years ago and got very good prices for them.

As others have said, the buyers tend to be serious collectors and are prepared to pay decent money for things they want. I ended up selling a few mint Gameboy Advance game boxes to a guy for way more than the cartridges or complete games in less good condition were going for at the time.

Take lots of good pictures, write a decent description and be prepared to put some effort into packaging it up for shipping so that it arrives in good condition.

[Lucas Ayde]

stevesuk said:

Anyway, it's not something I want to hang on to myself, as I'm not really in to retro gaming or video game nostalgia.

I looked on eBay, and they seem to go for fairly good money. However, just wondered if anyone had any experience of offloading a retro system like this one? Is eBay the best place?

Thanks,

Steve.

Look around for specialist retro games shops - see what offers they will make. 3DO is a pretty sought-after console due to its relative rarity but high profile.

This might be useful locating shops - though it won't be anything like an exhaustive list:

http://retro.directory/

[minky monkey]

A fellow 3DO owner! I've owned mine since new, it's in my parents loft still. God knows if it works, still have quite a few games for it.

I took was surprised at what they fetch

[stevesuk]

I tested the small pile of games I had, and they all work apart from Road Rash, which has a deep scratch on the disc. Quite a surprise for something that's probably 30 years old. Taking my time before deciding how to sell it.

Some of these retro games go for crazy money. I also used to have a ZX Spectrum. Some of the old cassette games seem to fetch really good money. A shame that most of my collection was probably sold for pennies (or binned) years ago.

[CarlosSainz100]

I flogged my mint condition boxed as new Sega Mega drive for a fortune a few years ago via eBay. It turned out that one of the games I had was super super rare. I had no idea. It had been sat in my loft for 30 odd years and worked perfectly.

In the end I sold it to a nice bloke from the Czech Republic who paid all the extra postage. He was overjoyed with it.

I think the rare game was called Probotector which Id bought as a student for £2!

[welshjon81]

A bit off topic but I have a Phillips CDI in perfect condition with a few games too, but I am going to hang on to it. I think they were pretty similar machines and released around the same time.

I think Nintendo had their fingers in both Panasonics and Phillips's pies at the time and asked both companies to develop CD systems for them.

[hungry_hog]

CEX trade in prices are awful, and from their point of view it will be hard to sell / niche, making it worse. They may even just turn you away.

I'd go the eBay route

Try and have the auction end Sunday evening when people are at home!

[hungry_hog]

CEX trade in prices are awful, and from their point of view it will be hard to sell / niche, making it worse. They may even just turn you away.

I'd go the eBay route

Try and have the auction end Sunday evening when people are at home!