CD-i

[Giant]

I just bought a CD-i on ebay. It doesn't really come with much:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230246787287

I've been looking around online and I haven't found much solid info. What sort of cables do I need. I'm assuming its really important to get a DV Cart if it doesn't have one. Also what games should I get? I know there aren't a lot of great titles, but I figure I'll at least pick up the Zelda games(despite the first 2 lacking quality). Just looking for help...

[ghostangelofcky]

gratz on the find, I've been wanting one of those for a while now, vidgame.net is a ggod place for hook up info, as far as games I heard Hotel Mario is suppose to be good, and 1 of the Zelda games, sorry can't remember which one.

[namzep]

There are some (interesting) games for it. Some of the interactive non-game stuff is actually quite good. I have one game that teaches you how to do magic. I can take a look when I get home this evening and let you know what sort of cables you'll need to hook the system up as the 450 is the exact same one I own. I remember that the power cable is a giant plug in the back of the system (definitely proprietary) but I'm not sure about the video cables (they may just be standard A/V cables).

[MrSparkle]

i was always under the impression that the cd-i was the least worthwhile thing ever to be dubbed a game console. if there are any worthwhile titles for this id love to be clued in to that fact. maybe it can get bumped up in priority in my buy list somewhere past a goldstar 3d0 lol.

[bangtango]

I've never played a good game for the system. The versions of Space Ace and Mad Dog McCree are garbage. I do like some of the educational software, though. If you ever plan on showing off the system to friends, you could certainly get the Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia, which is full of assorted video and sound clips. Of course it is outdated, especially in the geography area, but it is nice to look at and surf around in. All I have left on the system is that and the Shark Alert disc. The latter is basically a dry educational disc about sharks.

There is some tennis game I used to own for it, I think the title is International Tennis Open. It probably isn't bad with 2 players but the one player mode is pretty rough.

[blissfulnoise]

Having owned a CDi since it's launch I feel the need to defend it some.

All three of the Zelda games are poor. Zelda's Adventure is generally thought to be the best of the bunch but it's pretty expensive if I recall ($200 - $400).

My favorite CDi games are Tetris, Mystic Midway, Escape from Cyber City, Defender of the Crown, Burn Cycle, and Voyeur. Probably in that order too.

Dark Castle is extremely fustrating to play on the standard "remote" controller, but I'm convinced there's a good version of that game in there somewhere.

Battleship, The Jokers Wild, Axis and Allies, and Pinball are all great little diversion games that can be had very cheaply.

Inca is also a very unique game that warrants attention. I've only ever played the PC version (though I own the CDi release) but in any form, its a pretty ahead of it's time release.

There are no real "triple A" titles on the system, but there are some pretty unique experiences.

[Bojay1997]

Having owned a CDi since it's launch I feel the need to defend it some.

All three of the Zelda games are poor. Zelda's Adventure is generally thought to be the best of the bunch but it's pretty expensive if I recall ($200 - $400).

My favorite CDi games are Tetris, Mystic Midway, Escape from Cyber City, Defender of the Crown, Burn Cycle, and Voyeur. Probably in that order too.

Dark Castle is extremely fustrating to play on the standard "remote" controller, but I'm convinced there's a good version of that game in there somewhere.

Battleship, The Jokers Wild, Axis and Allies, and Pinball are all great little diversion games that can be had very cheaply.

Inca is also a very unique game that warrants attention. I've only ever played the PC version (though I own the CDi release) but in any form, its a pretty ahead of it's time release.

There are no real "triple A" titles on the system, but there are some pretty unique experiences.

I don't think anyone would ever say Zelda's Adventure was a great game. It's just a bit uncommon which is why it commands the higher prices compared to the other two CDi Zelda games. The gameplay is crap.

There are actually a lot of good CDi games. Contrary to what some others have said, the CDi versions of Dragon's Lair, Space Ace and other FMV games used to be the best available since they utilized the DV expansion which made them much smoother than most other systems could deliver. Nowadays with the Bluray and HD-DVD versions, they look dated, but at the time they were really very good.

Defender of the Crown, Mystic Midway, Lost Ride, Max Magic, Voyeur and a lot of the gameshow games are really good. Considering how cheaply you can buy a CDi and a bunch of games, I think it's both a great bargain and a really good system.

[tom]

i was always under the impression that the cd-i was the least worthwhile thing ever to be dubbed a game console. if there are any worthwhile titles for this id love to be clued in to that fact. maybe it can get bumped up in priority in my buy list somewhere past a goldstar 3d0 lol.

The CDi was never dubbed a game console, least by Philips. First and foremost it was a VCD (CDi movies) player, second a learning tool, as in Edutainment titles, and third as a multimedia console.

Nevertheless, the CDi features quite a lot of good games, The Apprentice, Pac-Panic, Tetsuo Gaiden, Micro Machines, Lemmings, Burn Cycle, Tetris, Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon, Tennis Open, Sargon Chess to name a few. Read all about both Zelda and Link titles in Retro Gamer issue 27, and it's coder Del Desharone of Spinnaker Software. Both titles have actually good gameplay (No worse than Zelda 2 on NES) and feature gorgeous background graphics. Overall, time and money were a major problem concerning these two CDi titles. Get some more info on good titles from the excellent Digital Press Collectors Guide Advance Edition, and go here for all your other questions:
http://www.cdinteractive.co.uk/forum/index.php?sid=985484c829a3226bf1a18d7a88031a10

[Giant]

The only problem is where can I get that power supply? and the DV Cart, cause it sounds pretty important.

[josekortez]

Yeah, Retrogamer 27 really turned me on to the CD-i, even though I found several complete CD-i games at a thrift store years ago. I recently got a complete one for about $70 off Ebay, and I can say I need the DVC and hopefully I can find an official controller. Other than trying out the games that came with it, I haven't really touched it but I wanted one for my birthday, so I bought it for bragging rights.

The CD-i was big in Holland where Philips originated, but it tanked everywhere else. However, if you get the DVC for whatever model you own (and there are different DVCs for differently compatible models), it is useful at least for watching the VCDs and playing Voyeur, among other titles that only work with the DVC.

[vintagegamecrazy]

The good games were listed. The best model to own is a 470, it's the 450 buy with a built in DVC. The power supplies are easy to find the thing to really search for is the din splitter for connecting multiple controllers to the console for two player games.

[Bojay1997]

The good games were listed. The best model to own is a 470, it's the 450 buy with a built in DVC. The power supplies are easy to find the thing to really search for is the din splitter for connecting multiple controllers to the console for two player games.

You're actually thinking of the 550. It's the 450 with a DVC added and a little plastic logo on the left side which calls out the upgrade. I don't recall the 470 being marketed here in the United States, although it's possible it was available direct from Philips.

[MrSparkle]

this thing strikes me as a cross between the nuon and a swiss army knife, it does ALOT of different things but isn't really great at any of them. current buy list status: somewhere way down at the bottom of my list(really only want it for the shoddy mario and zelda games to blow peoples minds).

[blissfulnoise]

The only problem is where can I get that power supply? and the DV Cart, cause it sounds pretty important.

The DV cart shows up on eBay ever so often. Some games require it; you'll need to research around to make sure that you're able to play the software.

It typically runs the full gambit from between 5.00 - 50.00 depending on completeness and who is hunting for it at the time. I got mine, new in box, about 2 years ago for $25.00.

However, don't let it be a deterrent. Only a few games have to have it to play (Mutant Rampage, Voyeur to name a couple. I think it's only recommended with Burn Cycle).

But, make no mistake about it, all three of the Zelda games are piss poor on the CDi. Comparing Faces of Evil or Wand of Gamelon to Zelda II is absurd. The side scrolling CDi Zeldas suffer from horrible hit detection, randomly spawning enemies, undodgable projectiles, and insufferably bad controls. Anyone that has played those games can attest to that. Zelda's Adventure is overhead but suffers from a lot of the above issues and tacks on massive load times in-between screens. Also, the playfield is zoomed in much closer than the other overhead Zeldas meaning you're going to take a lot of cheap shots from enemies coming out of nowhere.

They may be similar to Zelda II in the game play concept, but Zelda II plays excellently, the CDi Zelda games simply do not.

And yes, I own and have played all three, including beating Link: Faces of Evil when it was originally released.

Finally, see if you can find a download for the leaked Wacky Worlds CD. There's some pretty interesting stuff for any gamer but some essential "playtime" for Mario fans.

[Borman]

The Zeldas really arent THAT bad, played with a decent controller. They arent great or anything, but ignore the cutscenes, and they are still okay to play anyway.

[blissfulnoise]

The Zeldas really arent THAT bad, played with a decent controller. They arent great or anything, but ignore the cutscenes, and they are still okay to play anyway.

I'll grant that I've never played them with the Philips gamepad (its probably the most expensive game/accessory/thing in the whole CDi catalog) and that it would certainly help ease the difficulty on Gamelon/Faces but those games are clearly, and definitively, broken per the poor design.

[Ze_ro]

Finding a power supply is not going to be easy. If you're handy with a soldering iron (or have a friend who is), you may be able to build yourself a power supply though. The end that plugs into the CD-i 450 is a standard RJ45 connector (same thing used on Ethernet cables).

The 450 has simple RCA jacks on the back for video and sound, so you won't have any problems there at least.

Obviously, you'll also need a controller. The CD-i 450 doesn't have an IR receiver built-in, so you won't be able to use the standard "remote-with-a-thumbstick" (and you wouldn't want to anyways). The 450 came bundled with a very simple controller that actually looks a bit like a wiimote, but it's pretty terrible for playing fast games, so I'd recommend you get one of these (http://cgi.ebay.com/Philips-22ER9021-Game-Pad-Control-Pad-CD-i-CDi-NEW-NIB_W0QQitemZ360046509297QQihZ023QQcategoryZ49230Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem). They're somewhat hard to find, and they're pretty much the only worthwhile game pad for the CD-i, so they're actually in some demand. I think I paid about $30 for mine when I got it off eBay. This gamepad (http://cgi.ebay.com/Philips-22ER9017-Touchpad-Control-Pad-CD-i-CDi-NEW-NIB_W0QQitemZ180236698283QQihZ008QQcategoryZ49230Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) will likely go for a bit cheaper, but they're not as good.

It's also possible to build an adapter to hook up a Genesis controller... there used to be a guy selling them on eBay, but I don't see any of them on there right now. Sadly, this option wasn't much cheaper.

As for a Digital Video Cartridge, it's not strictly necessary, but so many of the later (and better) games required it, so if you're serious about getting into CD-i, you'll need one. They actually show up on eBay pretty often, and usually for relatively cheap (you shouldn't have much trouble finding one for $20 or less). Be careful though, there are two different DVC's, so you have to get the right one! The 450 requires the smaller one (22ER9956).

$5.50 doesn't seem like such a bargain anymore, does it? Putting together a usable system is going to require some more effort and money I'm afraid. There are some interesting games that await you, though you will have to wade through some pretty poor ones, and a lot of weird non-game multimedia discs. Pretty much all the good games have been mentioned, so I don't have much to add to the list. You might want to check out this site (http://www.icdia.co.uk/) for more CD-i information... there's quite a bit of knowledge there.

--Zero

[Giant]

Thanks Zero, that was a really thought out response. I actually was starting to think "what have I done" about 5 minutes after the winning email came through. I should have just spent a little more on a complete system...The power supply thing I can probably get done, my dad used to make his own network cables all the time and I think he can read circuit diagrams.

[Ruudos]

Yeah, Retrogamer 27 really turned me on to the CD-i, even though I found several complete CD-i games at a thrift store years ago. I recently got a complete one for about $70 off Ebay, and I can say I need the DVC and hopefully I can find an official controller. Other than trying out the games that came with it, I haven't really touched it but I wanted one for my birthday, so I bought it for bragging rights.

The CD-i was big in Holland where Philips originated, but it tanked everywhere else. However, if you get the DVC for whatever model you own (and there are different DVCs for differently compatible models), it is useful at least for watching the VCDs and playing Voyeur, among other titles that only work with the DVC.


It's not hard to find here, but I won't call it "big" overhere.
Hote Mario is okay. I recommend The Apprentice. Alien Gate isn't that bad either, the credits at the end of this game are funny.

[extra_anchovy]

I would recommend the most sought after games on cd-i which are:

Atlantis the Last Resort
Braindead 13
Creature Shock
Crime Patrol
Drug Wars
Last Bounty Hunter, The
Lost Ride, The
Mad Dog II: the Lost Gold
Scotland Yard
Shadoan
Shaolin's Road
Solar Crusade
Whack a Bubble
Zaak van Sam, De
Zelda's Adventure

Some are only good from a collector's standpoint (because of rarity and value) but most of those are the best games that CD-i has to offer...

[Ed Oscuro]

All three of the Zelda games are poor. Zelda's Adventure is generally thought to be the best of the bunch but it's pretty expensive if I recall ($200 - $400).
I never understood that. Z's A looks like complete crap (aside from the great cover graphic), while the other (first) two titles have beautiful backdrops. The cartoon stuff ain't great, but what do you want from some guys working over the course of a few weeks in an apartment in a foreign country?

Those first two Zelda games have rather horrible controls, but they're designed for a two-button control. If you can get the hang of them, it allows you to do quite a bit that you don't see in your average NES title. Might as well get a proper controller for the system before "lols the controls are bad where's hotel mario" arguments are made, at that.

Speaking of Hotel Mario, I thought it sorta fell apart as soon as they introduced ice skating into the mix. Dear god no!


The best model to own is...
The tiny model I bought with a clamshell design and its own (primitive, but nice) LCD screen ;)

The only thing wrong with that one is that it gets too hot (and my particular unit might have some problem with the CD drive).

[extra_anchovy]

But, make no mistake about it, all three of the Zelda games are piss poor on the CDi. Comparing Faces of Evil or Wand of Gamelon to Zelda II is absurd.

I get tired of this constant zelda cd-i debate. if you compare them to other cd-i games than they are actually decent games. It is naive to expect them to be anything like the Nintendo titles since the budget was a lot less and also not made by Nintendo.


The side scrolling CDi Zeldas suffer from horrible hit detection, randomly spawning enemies, undodgeable projectiles, and insufferably bad controls. Anyone that has played those games can attest to that.

I can attest I have finished both WoG and FoE using the remote control in a few hours without too much hassle. So if anything they are too easy, your explanation of faults is exaggerated I did not find it difficult

[blissfulnoise]

I can attest I have finished both WoG and FoE using the remote control in a few hours without too much hassle. So if anything they are too easy, your explanation of faults is exaggerated I did not find it difficult

As I recall, enemies respawned if you moved the screen by retreating, some projectiles are shot at an angle where they cannot be blocked/avoided, and hit detection is extremely spotty.

I grant that I've never played them with a gamepad, simply the thumbstick remote controller. As a result, a lot of the difficulty may be a by-product of the poor controller. But if you're saying that you are able to beat the games with ease using the thumbstick remote than you're either lying or are some sort of savant in my book. I've never seen anyone be able to play those games with a great deal of success. And we put nearly two dozen people in front of them at a fairly recent classic gaming night.

Personally, I think that Zelda's Adventure is the weakest of a very weak bunch. Some people elevate it since it uses the top down play format making it more paletable to the average Zelda gamer. However, the insufferable load times makes it unplayable for me.

[rpepper9]

Is it just me or does the animation / cut scenes in Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon look like they were drawn in MS Paint?

[Steve W]

I've got a "Demonstration-Not For Resale" version of Wand of Gamelon, and I had a hard time playing it because I had a difficult time telling background graphics from foreground platforms and obstacles. I got to a point where I couldn't go any farther for some reason. I don't know if the real release versions help to delineate foreground from background better. Still, the in-game artwork is pretty good. Too bad about the animations...

[Ed Oscuro]

I've got a "Demonstration-Not For Resale" version of Wand of Gamelon, and I had a hard time playing it because I had a difficult time telling background graphics from foreground platforms and obstacles. I got to a point where I couldn't go any farther for some reason. I don't know if the real release versions help to delineate foreground from background better.
I haven't seen this one in action, but it should be just like the regular release.

And yeah, I also had that problem.

[extra_anchovy]

I grant that I've never played them with a gamepad, simply the thumbstick remote controller. As a result, a lot of the difficulty may be a by-product of the poor controller. But if you're saying that you are able to beat the games with ease using the thumbstick remote than you're either lying or are some sort of savant in my book.

I haven't either and I didn't use the thumbstick remote I used the "CD-i Commander" remote, it's a lot better. I can see why you would struggle if you used the thumbstick.


I've never seen anyone be able to play those games with a great deal of success. And we put nearly two dozen people in front of them at a fairly recent classic gaming night.

even with a control pad? it should be a breeze with a normal controller..


Personally, I think that Zelda's Adventure is the weakest of a very weak bunch. Some people elevate it since it uses the top down play format making it more paletable to the average Zelda gamer. However, the insufferable load times makes it unplayable for me.

I totally agree with you about that one. when I said the zelda games were decent I was referring to the other two. ZA is attrocious, why it sells for an average of £80 (~$150 US) is beyond my comprehension. the most I've seen one go for was £144 GBP!