M2 (Platform)

M2

PLATFORM» M2

The M2 was a console developed by The 3DO Company. It was originally intended to be an add-on to the 3DO console, but later transitioned into a full-on successor before Panasonic (Matsushita) canceled the project in 1997. The hardware was later implemented in other appliances.

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Overview

Originally announced in 1995 as an an add-on accessory for the 3DO (Platform), the M2 console was developed by The 3DO Company (Company) as a competitor to the PlayStation (Platform). After multiple public appearances including E3 1995 (Concept), The 3DO Company sold all rights to the M2 to Panasonic (known as Matsushita in Japan). Panasonic attempted to strike a deal with Sega (Company) to use the technology in their next console, but the deal reportedly fell apart at the last minute. The console did not making a showing at E3 1996 (Concept), where a Panasonic spokesman said they were reevaluating the console's future in games. In mid-1997, the project was officially canceled.

Panasonic later used the hardware in multimedia players, ATMs, and vending machines.

Games

At the time of the M2's cancellation in 1997, Ultra Game Players magazine reported that up to eighty games had been in development for the console. While obviously no games were released for the canceled console, several games were shown publicly in various stages of development running on the M2 hardware.

ClayFighter III (later renamed to ClayFighter 63 1/3)
D2 (Game)
Descent (Game)
IMSA Racing
Ironblood (later renamed to Iron & Blood: Warriors of Ravenloft)

Other games that were confirmed to be in development for the M2 included:

Battlesport (Game)
Escape from L.A.
NFLPA Superstars
Power Crystal
Return Fire 2 (Game)

Konami

Konami (Company) also briefly used the M2 hardware in arcade machines.

Games view all →]

IMSA World Championship Racing (Game)