# 3DO Pad
**Wikidata**: [Q105307005](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105307005)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/3do-pad

## Summary
The 3DO Pad is a gamepad designed for use with the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer console, released in 1993. It features a six-button layout and an infrared port for wireless connectivity, serving as the primary controller for 3DO systems. As a subclass of gamepads, it is held in two hands and uses finger inputs for gameplay.

## Key Facts
- Released in 1993 as the primary controller for the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer console.
- Manufactured by Panasonic (model number GZ-900) and other licensed companies.
- Features a six-button layout: four face buttons (A, B, C, D) and two shoulder buttons (Left/Right).
- Includes an infrared port for wireless use with compatible receivers.
- Connects via a 10-foot cable for wired gameplay.
- Designed by Trip Hawkins and the 3DO Company.
- Part of the gamepad class and subclass of video game controllers.
- Associated with the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer, a 32-bit home video game console.
- Sitelink count: 1 (Wikidata).
- Image available at [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/3DO-101M-Controller.jpg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/3DO-101M-Controller.jpg).
- Commons category: "3DO pad".
- Kultboy controller ID: 94.

## FAQs
### Q: When was the 3DO Pad released?
A: The 3DO Pad was released in 1993 alongside the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer console.

### Q: What are the key features of the 3DO Pad?
A: It includes a six-button layout (A, B, C, D, and two shoulder buttons), an infrared port for wireless connectivity, and a 10-foot cable for wired use.

### Q: Is the 3DO Pad compatible with other consoles?
A: The 3DO Pad is specifically designed for the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer and is not natively compatible with other gaming platforms.

### Q: What makes the 3DO Pad notable in gaming history?
A: It introduced early wireless functionality via infrared and featured an ergonomic design tailored for 3D gaming, reflecting the advanced technology of the 3DO console.

### Q: Who designed the 3DO Pad?
A: The controller was designed by Trip Hawkins and the 3DO Company, with manufacturing handled by Panasonic and other licensed partners.

## Why It Matters
The 3DO Pad is significant as the primary input device for the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer, a pioneering 32-bit console known for its 3D gaming capabilities. Its infrared wireless functionality and six-button layout were innovative for its time, reflecting the console's focus on advanced technology and user experience. The controller's design emphasized ergonomics and precision, setting a precedent for later gamepads. Despite the 3DO console's commercial failure, the 3DO Pad remains a notable artifact of 1990s gaming innovation, showcasing early experimentation with wireless connectivity and 3D gaming controls.

## Notable For
- **Early Wireless Connectivity**: Featured an infrared port for wireless gameplay, a rare feature in 1993.
- **Six-Button Layout**: Optimized for 3D gaming with four face buttons and two shoulder buttons.
- **Ergonomic Design**: Contoured shape for comfortable handheld use during extended gaming sessions.
- **Association with 3DO Technology**: Symbolized the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer's cutting-edge hardware and software ecosystem.
- **Licensed Manufacturing**: Produced by multiple companies, including Panasonic, under 3DO's specifications.

## Body
### Release and Design
The 3DO Pad was launched in 1993 as the official controller for the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer, a 32-bit home console developed by the 3DO Company. Designed by Trip Hawkins, the controller featured a curved, ergonomic design intended to fit comfortably in two hands. Its six-button layout—four face buttons (A, B, C, D) and two shoulder buttons—was optimized for emerging 3D games, distinguishing it from simpler controllers of the era.

### Technical Specifications
- **Connectivity**: Offered both wired (via a 10-foot cable) and wireless (via infrared port) options, though wireless functionality required a separate receiver.
- **Buttons**: Six total, including four primary face buttons and two shoulder buttons, supporting complex gameplay inputs.
- **Manufacturing**: Produced by Panasonic (model GZ-900) and other licensed manufacturers, ensuring consistency across regions.

### Historical Context
The 3DO Pad was part of the broader 3DO ecosystem, which emphasized technical superiority over competitors like the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo. Despite the console's high price and limited software library, the controller garnered praise for its build quality and forward-thinking design. Its infrared wireless capability, while underutilized due to cost barriers, foreshadowed later advancements in wireless gaming technology.

### Legacy
Though the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer failed commercially, the 3DO Pad remains a collector's item and a symbol of 1990s gaming ambition. Its focus on ergonomics and 3D gaming controls influenced later gamepad designs, particularly in the placement of shoulder buttons and the emphasis on comfortable handheld use. The controller's association with the 3DO brand also highlights the challenges of competing in the console market during the transition to 3D graphics.