Nice video! I agree the CD-i was in no way a games console. I wouldn't have been able to resist peeling the protective film off, myself. I'm quite impressed by the apparent quality of CD-i video/FMV! That said, I feel like the 3DO eventually delivered more on the promises of the CD-i, despite its own commercial failure.
I used to have a CD-i back in 2016, but I don’t have it anymore as of 2022, I’d just stick to CD-i emulation now, and yes I only had it for the Nintendo games (I only had Hotel Mario and Zelda: Wand Of Gamelon though). In fact, the CD-i is also notable for being the first system to have games with the ESRB rating Adults Only (AO) too, it’s also pretty much the only time where a manufacturer (that isn’t Nintendo, Sony or Microsoft) even allows games with that rating on their console (yes I know it isn’t really a console thanks from what I learned in this video, but still).
I was searching a high cupboard last week and low and behold there was my CD-I, and games, last time i had this hooked up must have been way back in 2007.
If DVD existed and was mass producable at the same price point when the CD-i came out, and this had been the Phillips DVD. This might have had much more success and we'd have a different history. In that reality we would of never gotten Disney’s Cars on VHS.
I LUUV FMV games, so systems like the Philips CDI, Panasonic 3DO, Sega CD etc..have always fascinated me. I recon if FMV games were more marketed as interactive movies, they may get more traction as part of media libraries such as books, comics, audiobooks, magazines etc..as opposed to being games that have more in depth expectations.
I still have a CDi (among the old AV stuff in the loft) it's mainly audio/video equipment, and not really a console at all. It's still good for watching listening to the more obscure CD audio, video, and digital formats. It's probably the best platform if you like early FMV games. Dragons lair etc... There are some playable games, but a lot of rubbish games and interactive stuff. But you will need that cartridge! It always good to watch someone talk about the CDi that isn't just parroting the "Ha, ha, worst 'console' ever!" rubbish. Probably without ever actually seeing a real machine.. By the way, it plays 'Normal' CD, CDG (CD with embedded Graphics), VCD (Video CD, Movies), and CDi (Movies, Games, and FMV Games) formats. I'm a bit of a collector and the CDi isn't even close to being the worst console ever, on any level. So saying that is just wrong.
A lot of the problems with CDI-emulation, besides how janky it is to set up, is getting the correct BIOs.zip files as too many old or incorrect ones are out in the wild. Hopefully also there will be full 'DVC' support/emulation eventually and this system may start getting some respect if people are able to play many of its better big FMV games.
I got my slim model CDI. And eventrough the previous owner tested it not long ago but i only got a black screen once attempted booting it up with a audio cd in it,atleast the lights did blink, Trough it’s strange why on earth that cdi has 2 5 volt input, Alsoit blows my mind that the cdi was originally never designed with video games in mind but that somehow it just became possible with the right software & controllers (i guess sprites had to be all done trough software right!!??) Not only that but it blows my mind how philips later on did came up with a slimmer game consolized version of the cdi,as if they wanted to go 2 ways, But that unaccessible time keeping battery and not including a digital video card preinstalled into that console was an absolute dumb decision from philips,ouch🥲
Oh, and for anyone asking, the crisps were Pigs in Blanket flavoured.
Stay safe everyone ❤
I can't believe my microwave company made a video game console.
Nice video! I agree the CD-i was in no way a games console. I wouldn't have been able to resist peeling the protective film off, myself. I'm quite impressed by the apparent quality of CD-i video/FMV! That said, I feel like the 3DO eventually delivered more on the promises of the CD-i, despite its own commercial failure.
Calling the CD-i a games console is like calling my roku tv a games console just because it has a few crappy mobile games
@@Mr.Plant1994 Exactly!
I used to have a CD-i back in 2016, but I don’t have it anymore as of 2022, I’d just stick to CD-i emulation now, and yes I only had it for the Nintendo games (I only had Hotel Mario and Zelda: Wand Of Gamelon though).
In fact, the CD-i is also notable for being the first system to have games with the ESRB rating Adults Only (AO) too, it’s also pretty much the only time where a manufacturer (that isn’t Nintendo, Sony or Microsoft) even allows games with that rating on their console (yes I know it isn’t really a console thanks from what I learned in this video, but still).
I was searching a high cupboard last week and low and behold there was my CD-I, and games, last time i had this hooked up must have been way back in 2007.
May as well spend some time this weekend making sure it's all still working 😁 Your saves likely haven't survived but hopefully the rest should be ok.
I was thinking about our Family CD-I just an hour ago! I loved playing Solar Crusade.
Awesome! Dig it out if you've still got it. In the meantime, I'll see what Solar Crusade is like. Thanks for the suggestion!
If DVD existed and was mass producable at the same price point when the CD-i came out, and this had been the Phillips DVD. This might have had much more success and we'd have a different history. In that reality we would of never gotten Disney’s Cars on VHS.
DVD players were released around 1995 to 1996 the CDi was released in 1991 to 1992. So not exactly the same time.
I LUUV FMV games, so systems like the Philips CDI, Panasonic 3DO, Sega CD etc..have always fascinated me.
I recon if FMV games were more marketed as interactive movies, they may get more traction as part of media libraries such as books, comics, audiobooks, magazines etc..as opposed to being games that have more in depth expectations.
I still have a CDi (among the old AV stuff in the loft) it's mainly audio/video equipment, and not really a console at all. It's still good for watching listening to the more obscure CD audio, video, and digital formats. It's probably the best platform if you like early FMV games. Dragons lair etc... There are some playable games, but a lot of rubbish games and interactive stuff. But you will need that cartridge!
It always good to watch someone talk about the CDi that isn't just parroting the "Ha, ha, worst 'console' ever!" rubbish. Probably without ever actually seeing a real machine..
By the way, it plays 'Normal' CD, CDG (CD with embedded Graphics), VCD (Video CD, Movies), and CDi (Movies, Games, and FMV Games) formats.
I'm a bit of a collector and the CDi isn't even close to being the worst console ever, on any level. So saying that is just wrong.
A lot of the problems with CDI-emulation, besides how janky it is to set up, is getting the correct BIOs.zip files as too many old or incorrect ones are out in the wild.
Hopefully also there will be full 'DVC' support/emulation eventually and this system may start getting some respect if people are able to play many of its better big FMV games.
Hi , just pne qurstion, where i search links to download image of memory to emulator please?
8:14 oh speaking of cringe…
I got my slim model CDI. And eventrough the previous owner tested it not long ago but i only got a black screen once attempted booting it up with a audio cd in it,atleast the lights did blink,
Trough it’s strange why on earth that cdi has 2 5 volt input,
Alsoit blows my mind that the cdi was originally never designed with video games in mind but that somehow it just became possible with the right software & controllers (i guess sprites had to be all done trough software right!!??)
Not only that but it blows my mind how philips later on did came up with a slimmer game consolized version of the cdi,as if they wanted to go 2 ways,
But that unaccessible time keeping battery and not including a digital video card preinstalled into that console was an absolute dumb decision from philips,ouch🥲