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LaserActive

{{short description|Video game console}}

{{Infobox information appliance

| logo = LaserActive logo.svg{{!}}class=skin-invert

| image = Pioneer-LaserActive-Set-FL.jpg

| caption = LaserActive CLD-A100 with the Sega Genesis PAC module installed

| aka = NEC LD-ROM² System

| manufacturer = Pioneer Corporation

| family = LaserDisc

| type = Converged device, home video game console

| generation = Fourth

| releasedate = {{Video game release

|JP|August 20, 1993

|NA|September 13, 1993

}}

| price = {{Unbulleted indent list

| {{JPY|89800|1993|round=0}}

| {{USD|970|1993|round=0}}

}}

| discontinued = 1996

| unitssold = est. 10,000

| unitsshipped =

| media = {{Unbulleted indent list

| Native: LaserDisc, CD

| With LD-ROM² PAC: {{nowrap|LD-ROM}} (LD{{nbhyph}}ROM²), {{nowrap|CD-ROM}} ({{nowrap|CD-ROM²}}), Hucard

| With Mega-LD PAC: {{nowrap|LD-ROM}} (Mega{{nbhyph}}LD), {{nowrap|CD-ROM}} ({{nowrap|Mega-CD}}/{{nowrap|Sega CD}}), Sega Genesis/Mega Drive cartridges

}}

| power =

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| storage =

| memory =

| display =

| graphics =

| sound =

| input =

| controllers = {{Unbulleted indent list

| Sega Genesis 6-Button Controller

| Turbografx-16 Controller

}}

| dimensions =

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| topgame =

| compatibility =

| predecessor =

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}}

The {{nihongo|LaserActive|レーザーアクティブ|Rēzā Akutibu|lead=yes}} is a hybrid LaserDisc player and home video game console released by Pioneer Corporation in 1993. Marketed as a high-end, modular entertainment system, it was designed to combine movies, music, and video games into a single unit. Out of the box, the base unit could natively play standard LaserDiscs and Compact discs, but support for video games required optional expansion modules known as PACs. Each PAC enabled compatibility with a specific gaming platform and its media formats.

With the Mega-LD PAC, the system could play exclusive Mega-LD discs (a proprietary LD-ROM format), as well as Sega Genesis/Mega Drive cartridges and Sega CD/Mega-CD discs. With the LD-ROM² PAC, it supported exclusive LD-ROM² discs, along with HuCard cartridges and CD-ROM² discs for the PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16. The LaserActive was the only system capable of playing LD-ROM game discs, which were not cross-compatible between PACs.

Pioneer released LaserActive model CLD-A100 in Japan on August 20, 1993, for {{JPY|89800|1993|round=0}}, and in North America on September 13, 1993, for {{USD|970|1993|round=0}}. An NEC-branded version of the player, the LD-ROM² System (model PCE-LD1), launched in December 1993 at the same price and was fully compatible with Pioneer's PAC modules.{{cite magazine |date=January 1994 |title=International News |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Sendai Publishing |page=94 |issue=54}} The LaserActive was discontinued in 1996, with approximately 10,000 units sold.{{cite web |date=2007-12-03 |title=Console Histories |url=http://www.pinkgorillagames.com/console_histories |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211202811/http://www.pinkgorillagames.com/console_histories |archive-date=2015-02-11 |accessdate=2014-08-12 |publisher=Pink Gorrilla LLC}}

Accessories

=PAC modules=

File:Pioneer LaserActive CLD-A100.jpg

Pioneer released several expansion modules, known as "PACs," which enabled the LaserActive to play software from other platforms and expand its capabilities. In each case, the Japanese model number is listed first, followed by the North American version.

;Mega-LD PAC (PAC-S1 / PAC-S10)

:Developed with Sega, this PAC enabled support for Mega-LD software as well as standard Sega Genesis cartridges, Sega CD discs, and CD+G discs. It included a LaserActive-branded 6-button Genesis controller (model CPD-S1) and retailed for {{USD|600|1993|round=0}}.{{Cite press release |title=Pioneer's LaserActive Arrives |date=13 September 1993 |publisher=Pioneer Electronics |url=https://www.cedmagic.com/tech-info/laseractive-press-release.html |access-date=22 May 2025}} It was the most widely adopted module among LaserActive owners.

;LD-ROM² PAC (PAC-N1 / PAC-N10)

:Developed with NEC, this PAC added support for LD-ROM² titles, along with HuCard cartridges, CD-ROM² discs, and CD+G discs. The Japanese model could also play Arcade CD-ROM² titles using an Arcade Card Duo. Like the Sega module, it sold for {{USD|600|1993|round=0}} and included a branded Turbo Pad (CPD-N1/CPD-N10). NEC also released a version in their branding called the PC Engine PAC (model PCE-LP1). Due to the TurboGrafx-16's limited success in North America, the PAC-N10 is significantly rarer than its Sega counterpart.

;Karaoke PAC (PAC-K1)

:This PAC enabled playback of the LD-ROM-based LaserKaraoke (LD-G) discs. It featured two microphone inputs with individual volume and tone controls. Retail price was approximately {{USD|350|1993|round=0}}.

;Computer Interface PAC (PAC-PC1)

:This PAC was equipped with an RS-232 port, allowing the CLD-A100 to be controlled with custom computer software. It shipped with a 33-button infrared remote (more advanced than the standard 24-button remote) and a DOS/Classic Mac OS program called LaserActive Program Editor on floppy disk, including demo programs for the Tenchi Muyo! LaserDisc series.

=LaserActive 3-D Goggles=

The LaserActive 3-D Goggles (model GOL-1) used an active shutter 3D system compatible with several LD-ROM titles, including 3-D Museum (1994), Vajra 2 (1994), Virtual Cameraman 2 (1994), Dr. Paolo no Totteoki Video (1994), Goku (1995), and 3D Virtual Australia (1996), the last official LaserActive release.

The goggles could also display 3D autostereogram images.{{cite magazine|title=Pioneer LD in 3-D|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=57|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=April 1994|page=60}} A separate goggle adapter (model ADP-1) allowed one or two goggles to connect to the CLD-A100.

Software

The LaserActive uses a unique disc format called LD-ROM (LaserDisc Read-Only Memory). Like the LV-ROM format on which it is based, the LD-ROM is an optical disc format that can store analog video, analog audio, and computer files (in a file system) on the same side of a disc. LD-ROMs do not use the same file system as LV-ROMs, however; also, an LD-ROM can store up to 540 megabytes of file data, compared with LV-ROM's 324. An LD-ROM can store up to 60 minutes of analog audio and video alongside the digital file system.{{fact|date=April 2025}}

The tables below list 31 software titles released on LD-ROM for the LaserActive; of these, 13 were released only in Japan. 23 of the 31 were made for the Mega LD PAC, and 15 were made for the LD-ROM² PAC. Only a handful of titles were released in both formats.

One additional title listed below, Myst, was never officially released for the LaserActive. Circa 1995, a game developer named Brian Rice (of Brian Rice Inc.) was leading the conversion of Myst to Mega LD. Conversion was almost entirely complete, and the game was to be published by Sunsoft. But, Rice encountered a major problem. Normally, an animated dissolve or wipe effect transitioned the view when the player moved between scenes in the game. Each transition animation had six frames. Yet in some circumstances, the animation did not stop at the sixth frame, but continued to shift the player's view to other scenes in the game. Rice ascribed the runaway animation to a bug in the LaserActive hardware. Development and publication were scrapped.{{cite web |title=Myst |url=http://www.cyberroach.com/new_laseractive_pics/usa/myst/myst.htm |website=The Virtual LaserActive Museum |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171125185245/http://www.cyberroach.com/new_laseractive_pics/usa/myst/myst.htm |archive-date=November 25, 2017}}

Another unreleased game, called Steel Driver, is rumored to exist.

class="wikitable sortable center"

|+ North American market

scope="col" rowspan="2" | Title

! scope="col" colspan="2" | Language options

! scope="col" colspan="2" | LD-ROM²

! scope="col" colspan="2" | Mega LD

scope="col" | Japanese

! scope="col" | English

! scope="col" | Release date

! scope="col" | Catalog number

! scope="col" | Release date

! scope="col" | Catalog number

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | 3D Museum

| {{No}} || {{Yes}}

| 1994 || PEANU1012

| 1994 || PEASU1012

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Don Quixote: A Dream in Seven Crystals

| {{No}} || {{Yes}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1994 || PEASU5022

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Ghost Rush!

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1995 || PEASU1018

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Goku

| {{No}} || {{Yes}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1995 || PEASU1010

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | The Great Pyramid

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1993 || PEASU5002

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Hi-Roller Battle

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1993 || PEASU1002

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Hyperion

| {{No}} || {{Yes}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1994 || PEASU5019

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | I Will: The Story of London

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1993 || PEASU1001

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | J.B. Harold - Blue Chicago Blues

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1995 || PEASU5036

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | J.B. Harold - Manhattan Requiem

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

| 1993 || PEANU5004

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as Mega LD}}

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Melon Brains

| {{No}} || {{Yes}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1994 || PEASU1011

scope="row" {{Rh2|align=right}} | Myst

| {{No}} || {{Yes}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| colspan="2" {{beta|Unreleased}}

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Pyramid Patrol

| {{No}} || {{Yes}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1993 || PEASU5001

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Quiz Econosaurus

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

| 1993 || PEANU5001

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as Mega LD}}

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Road Prosecutor{{efn|Road Prosecutor is the localized title of Road Blaster (aka Road Avenger).}}

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1995 || PEASU1033

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Rocket Coaster

| {{No}} || {{Yes}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1993 || PEASU5013

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Space Berserker

| {{Yes}} || {{No}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1993 || PEASU1003

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Triad Stone

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1994 || PEASU5014

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Vajra

| {{No}} || {{Yes}}

| 1993 || PEANU1001

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as Mega LD}}

{{notelist}}

class="wikitable sortable center"

|+ Japanese market

scope="col" rowspan="2" | Title

! scope="col" colspan="2" | Language options

! scope="col" colspan="2" | LD-ROM²

! scope="col" colspan="2" | Mega LD

scope="col" | Japanese

! scope="col" | English

! scope="col" | Release date

! scope="col" | Catalog number

! scope="col" | Release date

! scope="col" | Catalog number

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | 3D Museum

| {{No}} || {{Yes}}

| 1994 || PEANJ1012

| 1994 || PEASJ1012

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | 3D Virtual Australia{{efn|name=ja-exclusive}}

| {{Yes}} || {{No}}

| {{Start date|1996|03|11|df=y}} || PEASJ5042

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as Mega LD}}

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Akuma no Shinban (Demon's Judgment){{efn|name=ja-exclusive}}

| {{Yes}} || {{No}}

| 1993 || PEANJ5003

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as Mega LD}}

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Angel Mate{{efn|name=ja-exclusive}}

| {{Yes}} || {{No}}

| 1993 || PEANJ5002

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as Mega LD}}

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Back to the Edo{{efn|name=ja-exclusive}}

| {{Yes}} || {{No}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1994 || PEASJ5021

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Billusion Collection: Minayo Watanabe{{efn|name=ja-exclusive}}

| {{Yes}} || {{No}}

| 1994 || PEANJ5025

| 1994 || PEASJ5025

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Billusion Collection, Vol. 2: Yuko Sakaki{{efn|name=ja-exclusive}}

| {{Yes}} || {{No}}

| 1994 || PEANJ5028

| 1994 || PEASJ5028

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Don Quixote: A Dream in Seven Crystals

| {{Yes}} || {{No}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1994 || PEASJ5022

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Dora Dora Paradise{{efn|name=ja-exclusive}}

| {{Yes}} || {{No}}

| 1994 || PEANJ5005

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as Mega LD}}

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Dr. Paolo no Totteoki Video{{efn|name=ja-exclusive}}

| {{Yes}} || {{No}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1994 || PEASJ5030

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Ghost Rush!

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1994 || PEASJ1018

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Goku

| {{Yes}} || {{No}}

| 1995 || PEANJ1032

| 1995 || PEASJ1010

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | The Great Pyramid

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1993 || PEASJ5002

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Hi-Roller Battle

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1993 || PEASJ1002

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Hyperion

| {{No}} || {{Yes}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1994 || PEASJ5019

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | I Will: The Story of London

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1993 || PEASJ1001

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | J.B. Harold - Blue Chicago Blues

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

| 1994 || PEANJ5017

| 1995 || PEASJ5036

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | J.B. Harold - Manhattan Requiem

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

| 1993 || PEANJ5004

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as Mega LD}}

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Melon Brains

| {{Yes}} || {{No}}

| 1994 || PEANJ1031

| 1994 || PEASJ1011

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Pyramid Patrol

| {{No}} || {{Yes}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1993 || PEASJ5001

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Quiz Econosaurus

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

| 1993 || PEANJ5001

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as Mega LD}}

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Road Blaster

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1995 || PEASU1033

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Rocket Coaster

| {{No}} || {{Yes}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1993 || {{dunno}}

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Space Berserker

| {{Yes}} || {{No}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1993 || PEASJ1003

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Time Gal{{efn|name=ja-exclusive}}

| {{Yes}} || {{No}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1995 || PEASJ5039

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Triad Stone

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1994 || PEASJ5014

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Vajra

| {{No}} || {{Yes}}

| 1993 || PEANJ1001

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as Mega LD}}

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Vajra 2{{efn|name=ja-exclusive}}

| {{No}} || {{Yes}}

| 1994 || PEANJ1016

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as Mega LD}}

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Virtual Cameraman{{efn|name=ja-exclusive}}

| {{Yes}} || {{No}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1993 || PEASJ5015

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Virtual Cameraman 2: Phuket, Thailand / Pickup Compilation{{efn|name=ja-exclusive}}

| {{Yes}} || {{No}}

| colspan="2" {{N/A|Unavailable as LD-ROM²}}

| 1994 || PEASJ5020

scope="row" {{Rh|align=right}} | Zapping "Satsui"{{efn|name=ja-exclusive}}

| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}

| 1994 || PEANJ5023

| 1994 || PEASJ5024

{{notelist|refs=

{{efn|name=ja-exclusive|Released only in Japan.}}

}}

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.{{Cite magazine |last=Miller |first=Chuck |last2=Dille |first2=H. E. |last3=Wilson |first3=Johnny L. |date=January 1994 |title=Battle Of The New Machines |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=114 |magazine=Computer Gaming World |pages=64–76}}

See also

References

{{reflist}}

External links

{{commons}}

  • [http://www.computercloset.org/PioneerLaseractive.htm Pioneer LaserActive] at Computer Closet
  • [http://www.laserdiscarchive.co.uk/laserdisc_archive/pioneer/pioneer_cld-a100/pioneer_cld-a100.htm Pioneer LaserActive] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100810231539/http://www.laserdiscarchive.co.uk/laserdisc_archive/pioneer/pioneer_cld-a100/pioneer_cld-a100.htm |date=2010-08-10 }} at laserdiscarchive.co.uk
  • [http://laseractive.wordpress.com/ LaserActive Preservation Project]

{{fourth generation game consoles}}

{{Home video game consoles}}

{{Sega Genesis}}

{{NEC video game consoles}}

{{Portal bar|Video games|Electronics|1990s}}

Category:Pioneer Corporation products

Category:CD-ROM-based consoles

Category:Fourth-generation video game consoles

Category:Home video game consoles

Category:Karaoke

Category:LaserDisc

Category:LaserDisc video games

Category:Sega Genesis

Category:TurboGrafx-16

Category:Products introduced in 1993

Category:1990s toys

Category:Discontinued video game consoles

Category:Backward-compatible video game consoles

Category:Regionless game consoles