It seems that you're using an outdated browser. Some things may not work as they should (or don't work at all).
We suggest you upgrade newer and better browser like: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera

×
Description from the website and staff:

All of you have heard of the famous failures of video games. The 3DO. The CD-i. The Apple Pippin, even. Amongst this hall of shame, however, there's a console that has managed to remain in relative obscurity.

The Pioneer LaserActive, which just happens to be the coolest failure you've never heard of.

The LaserActive was a modular Laserdisc-based console which utilitized the hardware of the Sega Genesis and the NEC TurboGrafx-16 for its games; the Sega or NEC hardware (depending on which game module was plugged in) would render the in-game sprites, while the Laserdisc quality video (encoded at a seamless 480i) would provide FMV background elements. The LaserActive was home to many arcade-perfect ports of Laserdisc arcade titles, as well as a slew of rather good original games. The console failed simply because of its absurd price: due to its modular nature, a complete LaserActive setup cost $2500+.

Due to the unique hybrid nature of the console, emulation of the LaserActive is highly unlikely. In addition, LaserActive hardware is failing at an alarming rate - if nothing is done, the console will soon be lost to time.

Which is where we come in.

We at the LaserActive Preservation Project (LAP Project) have dedicated our time, effort, and money to the next best thing - converting as much gameplay as we can to uncompressed digital video, in order for it to be preserved for the future.

To prove that we're serious, we've launched a cross-web campaign to raise awareness for the project - a web site, a Facebook group, and a YouTube channel (where all of our videos will be uploaded for the public to stream). In addition, all of our video recordings will be uploaded to the main site, in order for the video files to be circulated and preserved."

Website: http://laseractive.wordpress.com/

Games and Gameplay examples:

Pyramid Patrol: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1Z9VGjclLo

Rocket Coaster: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S7nfcykBcU

3D Museum: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF2Y6v6GXhE

I have to say...this is some really impressive stuff...we are talking about PS2 graphics here, the tech looks amazing for it's time

What do you folks think?
Mega CD?
Well, all of those games look rubbish.
Preservation is always good, but...$2500+ for a console? I wonder how many people ever owned one of those things.
I don't see why emulation would be out of the question. I bet there are already several fully functioning Sega Genesis and TurboGrafx-16 emulators around, meaning that only the emulation of the LaserAction-specific hardware would need to be developed from scratch. At least for these two videos, it seems that the way they are "preserving" this is by pointing a video camera at a TV that the console is hooked up to. Needless to say, this leads to less than stellar audio-visual quality.
Post edited February 20, 2012 by Wishbone
avatar
spindown: Preservation is always good, but...$2500+ for a console? I wonder how many people ever owned one of those things.
very very few, because of this I am assuming the whole project was made

regardless whether the games were good or not, the technology seriously impressed me and what it could do
avatar
Wishbone: At least for these two videos, it seems that the way they are "preserving" this is by pointing a video camera at a TV that the console is hooked up to. Needless to say, this leads to less than stellar audio-visual quality.
Those videos were recorded offscreen 5 years ago by someone unaffiliated with the project.

To be fair, the $2500 was for the full setup including the 2 modules, which technically comprised of 9 systems: Sega Genesis, Sega CD, Sega LD, Turbo Grafx, Turbo CD, Turbo Super CD, Turbo LD and Karaoke.
avatar
MonstaMunch: Mega CD?
Mega Mega CD. :p

They should talk to people involved in MAME. There's been efforts to preserve arcade laserdiscs already, so doing that for these shouldn't be that difficult. Just time consuming.

Also, these graphics aren't that special. They're basically running a video on the background. For example, on Pyramid Patrol, the only things being rendered are the bullets and space ships.
Post edited February 20, 2012 by Foxhack