Phillips CD-i

Release: 1991

The Phillips CD-i 16-bit multimedia platform was initially not promoted as a videogame system. Instead, Phillips (the company that owns Magnavox, manufacturer of the Odyssey) advertised the CD-interactive as being a home entertainment system. The system can play games as well as music CDs and Photo CDs. A digital video cartridge could play MPEG video.

Phillips' plan to create a universal system didn't work out as they planned. Gamers were turned off because it seemed that Phillips wasn't as dedicated to gaming as they were. In 1994, Phillips repackaged the CD-i to more resemble a game system and changed their advertising campaign. But with the promise of the upcoming PlayStation and Saturn, Phillips fell behind. The CD-i was discontinued in 1996.

Upgrades & Accessories

Digital Video Cartridge

Enabled the CD-i to play full motion video with MPEG-1 compression.

Modem

A modem was announced for release, but never came out. Phillips eventually released a TV-internet device, but it was not connected to the CD-i.

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