Apple Bandai Pippin: History
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The Apple Bandai Pippin, stylized PiP P!N, is a multimedia technology console, designed by Apple Computer. The console is based on the Apple Pippin platform – a derivative of the Apple Macintosh platform. Bandai produced the ATMARK and @WORLD consoles between 1996 and 1997. It was sold at $599. The goal of the Bandai Pippin was to create an inexpensive computer system aimed mostly at playing CD-based multimedia software, especially games, but also functioning as a thin client. The operating system is a version of System 7.5.2, and is based on a 66 MHz PowerPC 603 processor and a 14.4 kb/s modem. It features a 4×-speed CD-ROM drive and a video output that can connect to a standard television display.

  • multimedia technology
  • 7.5.2
  • multimedia

1. Marketing

In Japan, Bandai produced Pippin-based systems called the Pippin Atmark (ピピンアットマーク, Pipin Attomāku). Most of the Atmark systems use the same platinum color used on many of the Apple Macintosh models at the time.

In the United States and most parts of Europe, Bandai named the system the Bandai Pippin @WORLD (pronounced "at-world"). The @WORLD has the same specifications as the Pippin Atmark, but runs an English version of Mac OS. Most of the western systems use a black color.

2. History

Bandai manufactured fewer than 100,000 Pippins, but reportedly sold 42,000 systems before discontinuing the line. Production of the system was so limited, there were more keyboard and modem accessories produced than actual systems.[1]

In May 2006, the Pippin placed 22nd in PC World's list of the "25 Worst Tech Products of All Time."[2]

3. Software

3.1. Japan

Very little software was produced for the Japanese version on release in early 1996. While some promised software may not have been released, the number that was released is fewer than 80 games and applications.[3]

3.2. United States

When Bandai released the U.S. version, it had only 18 games and applications sold separately, and six CDs that came with the Pippin itself. Upgrades to the Pippin Browser were released as a new CD over time, and so was an update to TV Works (a text and drawing program).[4]

3.3. Europe

When the console was released, barely any software was produced for this side of the world. Only 2 out of the 23 games were ever released in Europe. Not much is known about what happened to it in this region.

Title Genre Developer(s) Publisher(s) Regions released
Japan Europe/PAL North America
@Card SD Gundam Gaiden Strategy, Card battle Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1997 Unreleased Unreleased
1995.1.17: The Great Hanshin Earthquake Non-Game, Documentary Keikakudo Planning House 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Action Designer: Ultraman Tiga Non-Game, Art editor Magic Mouse Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1997 Unreleased Unreleased
ad.hoc Medical Practice Quick Training Course Non-Game, Educational ad.hoc Co., Ltd. Japan Medical Insurance Association 1998 Unreleased Unreleased
AI Shogi Board game Something Good ASCII 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Anime Designer: Dragon Ball Z Non-game, Art editor Magic Mouse Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Anpanman no AIUEO-N! Edutainment Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Anpanman to Asobou! 1 Edutainment Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Anpanman to Asobou! 2 Edutainment Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1997 Unreleased Unreleased
Better Homes and Gardens Cool Crafts Edutainment CD Vision Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation Unreleased Unreleased 1996
Chibikko Club Edutainment Gakugei Gakugei 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Chisato Moritaka CD-ROM Watarase Bashi Non-Game, Music Oracion Oracion 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
CineNoir Non-game, Art editor DigiToy Entertainment Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation Unreleased Unreleased 1996
Circus! Edutainment Matra Hachette Multimedia Voyager Company 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
CombiPark Tonde Mat Rhythm game CombiPark CombiPark 1997 Unreleased Unreleased
Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia:@World Edition Non-game Softkey Multimedia Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation Unreleased Unreleased 1996
Dazzeloids Edutainment Center for Advanced Whimsy Voyager Company 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Densha Daishuugou: Driving Train Simulation Ongakukan Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Dinosaur Museum Non-Game Apollon Create Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
EGWORD Pure Non-Game Ergo Soft Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Exotic Sushi Non-game Electric Dreams Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation Unreleased Unreleased 1996
Fair, then Partly Piggy Non-Game, Book Studio Flagship Studio Flagship 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Fortullia Non-Game, Astrology Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Funky Funny Aliens Edutainment Amuse Amuse 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Gadget: Invention, Travel, & Adventure Adventure, Point & Click Synergy Interactive Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Gakkō no Kowai Uwasa: Hanako-san ga Kita!! Adventure Amuse Amuse 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Gokigen Mama no Omakase Diary Non-Game NanaOn-Sha Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Gundam Tactics: Mobility Fleet 0079 Strategy DigiCube Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Gundam Virtual Modeler Light Non-Game, Art editor Expression Tools Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Gus Goes to Cyberopolis Edutainment Modern Media Ventures Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation Unreleased Unreleased 1996
Gus Goes to the Kooky Carnival in search of Rant Edutainment Modern Media Ventures Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation Unreleased Unreleased 1996
Histoires d'Urologie Non-Game, Educational MELOdY Éditions Médicales Pierre Fabre Unreleased 1999 Unreleased
Home Improvement 1-2-3 Non-Game Multicom Publishing Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation Unreleased Unreleased 1996
Jungle Park Adventure, RPG Saru Brunei Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Kids Box Edutainment Aloalo International ASK Kodansha 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
L-Zone Adventure, Point & Click Synergy Interactive Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Le Livre de Lulu Non-Game, Book Ariadne Organa 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Mobile Suit Gundam: Zion Dukedom Military-File Strategy JVC Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1997 Unreleased Unreleased
Mobile Suit Gundam: White Base - The 13th Independent Force Strategy JVC Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1997 Unreleased Unreleased
Movieoke Non-Game DigiToy Entertainment Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation Unreleased Unreleased Unknown
Mr. Potato Head Saves Veggie Valley Edutainment, Adventure, Puzzle Duck Soup Productions and Turning Point Software Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation Unreleased Unreleased 1996
Music ISLAND vol.1: Peter and the Wolf Non-Game, Music Oracion Oracion 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Music ISLAND vol.2: The Nutcracker Non-Game, Music Oracion Oracion 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Music ISLAND vol.3: The Four Seasons Non-Game, Music Oracion Oracion 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Music ISLAND vol.4: Carnival of the Animals Non-Game, Music Oracion Oracion 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Narabete! Tsukkute! Ugoku Block Edutainment Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Nemurenu Yoru no Chiisana Ohanashi Edutainment Amuse Amuse 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Nobunaga's Ambition Returns Strategy Koei Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Ocean Life: Hawaii edition Non-Game Sumeria Sumeria 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Odotte AIUEO Edutainment Tom Create Emotion Digital Software 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
PEASE Non-Game Maki Enterprise Maki Enterprise 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
PEASE Turbo Non-Game Maki Enterprise Maki Enterprise 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Picture Book of Mission School Uniform Non-Game Shikanen Emotion Digital Software 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Play-Doh Creations Non-Game Hasbro Interactive Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation Unreleased Unreleased Unknown
Playskool Puzzles Edutainment, Puzzle ImageBuilder Software Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation Unreleased Unreleased 1996
Post de Card Non-Game SystemSoft Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Power Nazoler Edutainment Infortech Infortech 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Power Rangers Zeo Vs. The Machine Empire Action CyberFlix Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation Unreleased Unreleased 1996
Racing Days Racing Kitt Peak Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1996 Unreleased 1996
Randoseru Shougakkou 1-Nensei Edutainment Gakugei Gakugei 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
SD Gundam Wars Strategy Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1997 Unreleased Unreleased
SD Ultraman's Challenge! Maze Island Edutainment Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
SeesawC 1: My favorite things 120 Edutainment Ai Ga Areba Daijobu Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
SeesawC 2: My favorite places 400 Edutainment Ai Ga Areba Daijobu Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Shichisokusen Non-Game Media5 Media5 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Shock Wave: Invasion Earth: 2019 Action, Shooter Electronic Arts Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Super Marathon Action, FPS Bungie Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation Unreleased Unreleased 1996
T-Break Board game Infocity Infocity 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Tamagotchi CD-ROM Virtual Life 7th Level Productions Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1997 Unreleased Unreleased
Tarot Mystery Non-Game Visit Visit 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Terror T.R.A.X.: Track of the Vampire Action Ground Zero Productions Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation Unreleased Unreleased Unknown
Tetsuman Gaiden: Ambition of Great Game Edutainment Teichiku Teichiku 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
The Journeyman Project Adventure Presto Studios Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation Unreleased Unreleased Unknown
The Virgin Of a Legend Non-Game Aqua Stone Aqua Stone 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends Edutainment Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Tropic Island Action, Pinball Momodera's Brand Momodera's Brand 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Tunin'Glue Non-Game, Music NanaOn-Sha Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Ultraman: The Digital Board Game Board Game Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Ultraman Quiz King Quiz, Game Show Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Victorian Park Adventure JVC Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
With Open Eyes: Images from the Art Institute of Chicago Non-Game Voyager Voyager 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Yellow Brick Road I Adventure Synergy Interactive Synergy Interactive 1997 Unreleased Unreleased
Yellow Brick Road II Adventure Synergy Interactive Synergy Interactive 1997 Unreleased Unreleased
Yellows: Akira Gomi Photographs Non-Game Digitalogue Digitalogue 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Yellows 2.0: Tokyo 1993 Akira Gomi Photographs Non-Game Digitalogue Digitalogue 1996 Unreleased Unreleased
Zukkoke Threesome: Drama Murder Case Adventure Poplar Publishing Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1997 Unreleased Unreleased

4. Accessories

An AppleJack controller. https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?curid=1313715
  • AppleJack controller
  • AppleJack Wireless (IR) controller
  • Pippin keyboard with drawing tablet
  • Pippin Modems (14.4, 28.8, 33.6 kbit/s)
  • Pippin memory (2, 4, 8, 16 MB)
  • Pippin Floppy Dock
  • Pippin MO 256 MB optical disk
  • Pippin ADB adapter (for connecting Macintosh devices to Pippin)
  • Pippin to Macintosh (ADB) adapter (for connecting Pippin devices to Macintosh)

5. Printers

Pippin can use the Apple Color StyleWriter 2400 and 2500 series through its serial port.

The content is sourced from: https://handwiki.org/wiki/Engineering:Apple_Bandai_Pippin

References

  1. Assembler (via Archive.org). Apple Bandai Pippin. Retrieved March 21, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080321013705/http://assembler.roarvgm.com/Apple_Bandai_pippin/apple_bandai_pippin.html
  2. Tynan, Dan (May 26, 2006). "The 25 Worst Tech Products of All Time: 22. Apple Pippin @World (1996)". PCWorld. http://www.pcworld.com/article/125772/worst_products_ever.html?page=6. Retrieved January 5, 2021. 
  3. The most accurate list of Pippin titles. Retrieved February 13th, 2018. https://sebangulo.000webhostapp.com/Pippin/Game_Collection.html
  4. "About the Apple Pippin. Retrieved February 13th, 2018.". http://web.mac.com/sebangulo/Pippin/About_the_Pippin.html. 
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