We do our best to keep our Rare & Valuable series updated and useful, but we have been missing some of the more obscure consoles from our guides. Our first step to filling in the gaps is by tackling the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer. While there aren’t a lot of high-demand cult-classics on the 3DO like there is on more popular platforms, the console isn’t without its collectors and rarities. The 3DO game packaging also makes it a challenge for die-hard collectors. It is becoming harder to find complete 3DO games in their cardboard, longbox packaging (which gets damaged easily over the decades)
Below you will see two prices beside each title. The first is the average daily selling price, which is typically the going rate for the game with only its jewelcase. The second price is the highest price in the past three months which is usually the price for the complete-in-box or possibly a sealed game. The list is ordered by the balance of the two prices. Note that some of these games are not rare in the sense that there are not many available, but rare relative to demand, which makes the games expensive. In stark contrast to the Cheapest Games series, this series will round up the rarest and most valuable games for a given console or handheld so you’ll know what to look for whether you are buying or selling.
Special Thanks: I wanted to say thanks to the RB forum community for helping put this together, especially AgentBurnwood and pepharytheworm, who shared the most info
Treasured Standard Releases
Dino Park Tycoon: $300 – $645 Dino Park Tycoon is the single rarest US game release for the 3DO, but can readily be found for cheap on other platforms such as the PC and there is little non-collector demand for it on the 3DO. Resale values can fluctuate quite a bit on DPT — a CIB (complete in box) copy of Dino Park Tycoon, was recently listed with a BIN of $479.99 and did not sell at that price, however, other listings have sold for significantly higher than that. Shop for Dinopark Tycoon on eBay |
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Lucienne’s Quest: $90 – $400 Lucienne’s Quest is the second rarest US release- more copies of it were made for the 3do than Dino Park Tycoon but unlike DPT the 3DO was the only platform Lucienne’s Quest was released on. Combined with the fact that it is a well regarded RPG, and one of the best games for the 3DO according to those who have been fortunate enough to acquire a copy, the demand for Lucienne’s Quest usually exceeds any demand for Dino Park Tycoon. Shop for Luiceene’s Quest: on eBay |
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Plumbers Don’t Wear Ties: $50 – $140 This adult-themed FMV adventure game not only had laughably low production values, but it also had a very limited print run. However, PDWT may have recieved much of its attention in this Angry Video Game Nerd video where AVGN labels it “possibly the most hilariously bad game ever” Shop for Plumbers Don’t Wear Ties on eBay |
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D: $50 – $120 This survival horror adventure was originally developed for the 3DO before being ported to the PC, Saturn, and PS1. Even thought it used some good technology from 1995, it has not aged well. D featured pushed the limits of violence and horror in games in 1995 and resulted to some trickery to get it past censors in the US. And while it sold well in Japan, it ultimately did not do well commercially in the US. Shop for D on eBay |
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Snow Job: $50 – $120 FMV games were all the rage in the era of the 3DO and Sega CD (at least that what the publishers wanted you to think). And even though they get a bad reputation now, not all of them were horrible games. Snow Job was actually ones of those that weren’t bad. In fact those that don’t mind FMV games actually think Snow Job is one of the best games of the genre. It also happens to be an exclusive to the 3DO and rather hard to find. Shop for Snow Job on eBay |
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Robinson’s Requiem: $50 – $103 This suvival simulation puts you on an alien prison planet and tests your ability to make the best of your limited resources. While the game did have its weaknesses, it was quite advanced in terms of its originality and flexibility. The game was also released on the PC and the Atari Jaguar, but it remains one of the most sought-after titles for 3DO collectors. Shop for Robinson’s Requiem on eBay |
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Crash ‘N Burn: $40 – $93 This futuristing racer/shooter combo stayed an exclusive on the 3DO. While it does look rather choppy in terms of animation by today’s standards, it actually was quite impressive during the time of it’s release and is still an enjoyable game for fans of old-school racers. Shop for Crash and Burn on eBay |
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Braindead-13: $40 – $90 This adventure title is an interactive movie much like Dragon’s Lair and Space Ace. It started out as a PC title and was later ported to the 3DO, and most of the CD-based consoles of the day. Due to its relative success, it was actually brought to the iPhone as well. The 3DO version still remains as one of the superior and hardest to find ports of the game. Shop for Braindead-13 on eBay |
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Night Trap: $50 – $70 After getting caught up in the debate over sex and violience in video games in the US during the mid-1990′s, Night Trap became one of the most well-known FMV games. While much of the sex and violence in the game was blown out of proportion, Night Trap has gathered an interesting type of nostolgia with game collectors. And while the Sega CD version is the most well-known, the 3DO version remains the superior console version and also the hardest to find. Shop for Night Trap on eBay |
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Mathemagics: $50 – $60 Before the Nintendo DS and Brain Age made math puzzle games trendy, Mathmagics taught 3DO owners how to do cool math tricks. If you’re a wannabe math geek, Mathemagics may be just what you’re looking for. And if you’re just an average 3DO collector, this title isn’t worth skipping over either as it can easily illude you. Shop for Mathemagics on eBay |
Additional 3DO Games of Value
- Cannon Fodder: $40 – $54
- Endlessly: $30 – $50
- Star Control II: $25 – $60
- Flashback: $26 – $45
- Virtuoso: $20 – $66
- Phoenix 3: $16 – $80
- Putt Putt Goes to the Moon: $25 – $45
- Road & Track Presents: The Need for Speed: $20 – $58
- Wing Commander III: $22 – $44
- Star Fighter: $18 – $50
- Woody Woodpecker and Friends Vol. 1: $21 – $46
- Lemmings: $20 – $50
- Alone in the Dark 2: $15 – $44
- Love Bites: $25 – $60
- Immortal Desire: $25 – $60
- Strahl: $20 – $86
- Super Street Fighter 2: $ 19 – $$50
- Captain Quazar: $18 – $35
- Return Fire: Maps of Death: $20 – $45
- Mind Teazzer: $30 – $40
- Cyberdillo: $30 – $35
- Samurai Shodown: $8 – $40