LaserActive


The LaserActive is a converged device and fourth-generation home video game console capable of playing Laserdiscs, Compact Discs, console games, and LD-G karaoke discs. It was released by Pioneer Corporation in 1993. In addition to LaserActive games, separately sold add-on modules accept Mega Drive/Genesis and PC Engine/TurboGrafx 16 ROM cartridges and CD-ROMs.
Pioneer released the LaserActive model CLD-A100 in Japan on August 20, 1993 at a cost of ¥89,800, and in the United States on September 13, 1993 at a cost of $970. An NEC-branded version of the LaserActive player known as the LD-ROM² System, or model PCE-LD1, was released on December 1993, which was priced identically to the original system and also accepted Pioneer's PAC modules. The LaserActive has no regional lockout, allowing software from any region to be played on any system. However, it is considered a commercial failure.

Accessories

PAC modules

In the headings below, the Japanese model number occurs first, followed by the North American model number.
;Mega LD PAC
;LD-ROM² PAC
;Karaoke PAC
;Computer Interface PAC

LaserActive 3-D Goggles

The LaserActive 3-D Goggles employ an active shutter 3D system compatible with at least six 3D-ready LD-ROM software titles: 3-D Museum, Vajra 2, Virtual Cameraman 2, Dr. Paolo No Totteoki Video, Goku, and 3D Virtual Australia, the last software title published for the LaserActive.
The goggles are also compatible with the Sega Master System, and are interchangeable with the SegaScope 3-D Glasses. They can also be used to view 3-D images from autostereograms.
A goggle adapter, packaged and sold separately from the 3-D Goggles, enables the user to connect one or two pairs of goggles to the CLD-A100.

Games

The standard LaserActive games were on Laserdisc encoded as an LD-ROM. An LD-ROM had a capacity of 540 MB with 60 minutes of analog audio and video.
TitleRegionLanguageRequired ModulesRelease DateCatalog Number
3D MuseumJapan, U.S.EnglishNEC or Sega, Goggles1994PEANJ1012, PEASJ1012, PEANU1012, PEASU1012
3D Virtual AustraliaJapanJapaneseSega, GogglesMarch 11, 1996PEASJ5042
Akuma no Shinban JapanJapaneseNEC1993PEANJ5003
Angel MateJapanJapaneseNEC1993PEANJ5002
Back To The EdoJapanJapaneseSega1994PEASJ5021
Bi Ryojon Collection JapanJapaneseNEC or Sega1994PEANJ5025, PEASJ5025
Bi Ryojon Collection II JapanJapaneseNEC or Sega, Goggles1994PEANJ5028, PEASJ5028
Don Quixote: A Dream in Seven CrystalsJapan, U.S.Japanese, English Sega1994PEASJ5022, PEASU5022
Dora Dora ParadiseJapanJapaneseNEC1994PEANJ5005
Dr. Paolo No Totteoki VideoJapanJapaneseSega, Goggles1994PEASJ5030
Ghost Rush!Japan, U.S.BilingualSega1994, 1995 PEASJ1018, PEASU1018
GokuJapan, U.S.Japanese, English NEC, Sega, Goggles1995PEASJ1010, PEANJ1032, PEASU1010
The Great PyramidJapan, U.S.BilingualSega1993PEASJ5002, PEASU5002
Hi-Roller BattleJapan, U.S.BilingualSega1993PEASJ1002, PEASU1002
HyperionJapan, U.S.EnglishSega1994PEASJ5019, PEASU5019
I Will: The Story of LondonJapan, U.S.BilingualSega1993PEASJ1001, PEASU1001
J.B. Harold - Blue Chicago BluesJapan, U.S.BilingualNEC, Sega 1994, 1995 PEANJ5017, PEASJ5036, PEASU5036
J.B. Harold - Manhattan RequiemJapan, U.S.BilingualNEC1993PEANJ5004, PEANU5004
Melon BrainsJapan, U.S.Japanese, English NEC, Sega, Goggles1994PEANJ1031, PEASJ1011, PEASU1011
MystU.S.Segaprototype
Pyramid PatrolJapan, U.S.EnglishSega1993PEASJ5001, PEASU5001
Quiz EconosaurusJapan, U.S.BilingualNEC1993PEANJ5001, PEANU5001
Road Blaster, Road Prosecutor Japan, U.S.BilingualSega1995PEASJ1033, PEASU1033
Rocket CoasterJapan, U.S.EnglishSega1993PEASU5013, PEASU5013
Space BerserkerJapan, U.S.BilingualSega1993PEASJ1003, PEASU1003
Steel Driverunreleased
Time GalJapanJapaneseSega1995PEASJ5039
Triad Stone Japan, U.S.BilingualSega1994PEASJ5014, PEASU5014
VajraJapan, U.S.EnglishNEC1993PEANJ1001, PEANU1001
Vajra 2JapanEnglishNEC, Goggles1994PEANJ1016
Virtual CameramanJapanJapaneseSega1993PEASJ5015
Virtual Cameraman 2JapanJapaneseSega, Goggles1994PEASJ5020
Zapping TV SatsuiJapanBilingualNEC or Sega1994PEANJ5023, PEASJ5024

Contemporary devices

In the early 1990s, a number of consumer electronics manufacturers designed converged devices around CD-ROM technology. At the time, CD-ROM systems were expensive. The LaserActive was one of several multipurpose, multi-format, upmarket home entertainment systems with software stored on optical discs. These systems were premised on early conceptions of multimedia entertainment.
Some comparable systems are the Commodore CDTV, Philips CD-i, 3DO Interactive Multiplayer, and Tandy Video Information System.

Reception

Computer Gaming World in January 1994 stated that although LaserActive was "a better product in many ways" than 3DO, it lacked software and the NEC and Sega control packs were too expensive.