Retro|Spective 218: Hardware

[Asura]

Aww, that's cute.

[Yakumo]

Hardware 49 - Bandai RX-78 Tele-Fever
A slightly earlier version of the console, this clunkier model comes in two parts



Classic retro design or clunky mess?

Pretty impressive joystick to be included. Do you think the inspired SNK with the NEO Geo?

[Neon Ignition]

Hardware 51 - Bandai Playdia
Ever the optimist, Bandai released the Playdia in Japan close to the launch of the PS1. The system only recieved 33 games in its two year life, mostly interactive movie titles and was notable for using infra-red controllers.



What are/were your thoughts on the Playdia and its design?

[Baseley09]

Tbh always thought the Playdia looked cool, nice design tbh.

[egparadigm]

Yeah, not bad, nice to see a splash of colour in a sea of grey. ☺️

[Neon Ignition]

Basically - The closer a console looks to being a Dreamcast, the better the design

[Neon Ignition]

Hardware 52 - Bandai Pippin
The company kept on fighting for a presence in the market, taking us to 1996 and the launch of the Pippin. With its PS3 prototype style shaped boomerang controller, the console saw sales fall even lower than previous efforts.




What are/were your thoughts on the design of the Pippin and the console itself?

[Asura]

Hardware 52 - Bandai Pippin

It's the Apple Pippin.

The only people that call it the Bandai Pippin are Apple fans who insist Apple has never made a failing product

[Baseley09]

Another cool looking system, can't deny the controller is badass, tho possibly mince in use.

[speedlolita]

I thought it was the Apple Bandai Pippin.

[Asura]

I thought it was the Apple Bandai Pippin.

That's also acceptable; it doesn't negate that Apple made a product that was a failure.

I worked with a person who I can only describe as an "Apple Casualty" years ago who said "Apple have never made a bad product", and I remember when I said "what about the Pippin" they spent aaaaages going on about how it was supposedly by Bandai.

[egparadigm]

What are/were your thoughts on the design of the Pippin and the console itself?

Hm… it’s not very Dreamcast shaped is it? 😉

And, whilst we’re talking comparisons, surely we should say the PS3 prototype Banana resembles the Pippin controller and not the other way around?

[Neon Ignition]

Hardware 53 - Bandai Apple Pippin: Black Edition
Less than 100 units were produced of this black variant of the system. Other than its colouring, the system is the same as the normal unit



A change for the better or worse?