The Playdia (プレイディア, Pureidia) (developed under the codename "BA-X") is a fifth-generationhome video game console released exclusively in Japan in 1994 at the initial price of ¥24,800. It was intended for a young audience and, like many consoles of the era (such as the LaserActive and the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer), was marketed more as a multimedia home entertainment system than as a dedicated gaming console, with anime quiz software and edutainment making up most of the game library. The Playdia uses a single infrared joypad with simple controls. Bandai, the Playdia's manufacturer, was the only software publisher to support this console (except for VAP who published Ie Naki Ko - Suzu no Sentaku instead of Bandai).
Overview
The Playdia has a CD-ROM drive, and the software is on CD-ROM. The controller has two AAA batteries with infrared wireless that can be stored in the main unit. The target age group was set mainly for elementary school students as both the hardware and software were inexpensive for home games at the time.
The Playdia uses anime full motion video (FMV). Most are interactive learning experiences, but Bandai created a few video games with an interactive component based on its franchise series, including Gundam, Sailor Moon, Ultraman, and Dragon Ball . The FMVs involve little gameplay. As is typical for FMV games, the player directs playback by choosing from menu options. Playdia is the only 8-bit fifth-generation game machine, with its contemporaries having 32-bit and even 64-bit CPUs. The system relied heavily on Bandai's own intellectual property.
On the main body and software package, there is a logo of "QIS" and the notation "This software is dedicated to the QIS standard". QIS is an abbreviation of "Quick Interactive System" and indicates a high-speed access function to CD-ROM. There is no BIOS or menu when the user starts the console without a disc, all that shows is a blue screen.
The Playdia had poor sales, therefore for Bandai, the console was a failure. Bandai discontinued the console in 1996 and the unsold consoles were converted by Bandai subsidiary Banpresto into coin-operated Micha King machines that played anime clips in Japanese arcades and shops. Its successor was Apple Pippin that Bandai co-developed, which was also unsuccessful.
Playdia software
The list below includes 33 retail titles, comprising 28 games and 5 applications, plus six promotional or demonstration disc titles.
Rohm 6398FP - 4 Channel BTL Driver for CD Player motor
Toshiba TMP87C800F - 8 Bit Microcontroller (8 kb ROM, 16 kb RAM) - 8MHz Operation, can access 64 kb (TLCS-870 series which is based heavily on the Z80)
Sharp LH52B256 - 256 kb (32K x 8) Static RAM chip
NEC μPD78214GC - 8 Bit Microcontroller (16 kb ROM, 512 byte RAM) - 12MHz Operation, can access 1 mb (NEC 78K series)
Toshiba TC514256JAJ - 256K Word x 4 Fast Page DRAM Chip
