Apple Bandai Pippin

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.

Pippin
The Bandai Pippin (Atmark Player) and wireless controller
DeveloperApple Computer
ManufacturerBandai
TypeMultimedia player, home video game console
GenerationFifth generation era
Release date
  • JP: March 28, 1996
  • NA: September 1, 1996
Introductory priceUS$599
Discontinued1997[1]
Units sold42,000[1]
MediaCD-ROM
Operating systemMac OS
CPUPowerPC 603 RISC (66 MHz)
Memory6 MB combined system and video memory,128kb NVRAM
Graphics"Taos"[2] (VGA/16-bit)
Controller input"AppleJack": control pad with embedded trackball
Connectivity14.4, 28.8, 33.6 kbit/s modems
Online servicesPSINet/@World
Mass4 KG
PredecessorPlaydia
SuccessorApple TV (4th generation)
Apple Arcade (for video games)

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[3] and a video output that can connect to a standard television display.

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.

History
Further information: Apple Pippin

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.[4]

In May 2006, the Pippin placed 22nd in PC World's list of the "25 Worst Tech Products of All Time."[5]

Software

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.[6]

USA

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).[7]

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 Developer(s) Publisher(s) Regions released
Japan Europe/PAL North America
Anime Designer: Dragon Ball Z Magic Mouse Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation June 18, 1996UnreleasedUnreleased
CineNoir DigiToy Entertainment Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation UnreleasedUnreleased1996
Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia:@World Edition Softkey Multimedia Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation UnreleasedUnreleased1996
Better Homes and Gardens Cool Crafts CD Vision Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation UnreleasedUnreleased1996
Exotic Sushi Electric Dreams Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation UnreleasedUnreleased1996
Gadget: Invention, Travel, & Adventure Synergy Interactive Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation 1996UnreleasedUnreleased
Gundam Tactics: Mobility Fleet 0079 DigiCube Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation March 1996UnreleasedUnreleased
Gus Goes to Cyberopolis Modern Media Ventures Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation UnreleasedUnreleasedDecember 1996
Gus Goes to the Kooky Carnival in search of Rant Modern Media Ventures Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation UnreleasedUnreleasedDecember 1996
Histoires d'Urologie MELOdY Éditions Médicales Pierre Fabre Unreleased1999Unreleased
Home Improvement 1-2-3 Multicom Publishing Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation UnreleasedUnreleasedDecember 1996
Katz Pippin Demo CD 2.0 ? ? Unreleased1997Unreleased
Movieoke DigiToy Entertainment Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation UnreleasedUnreleasedUnknown
Mr. Potato Head Saves Veggie Valley Duck Soup Productions and Turning Point Software Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation UnreleasedUnreleasedDecember 1996
The Journeyman Project: Pegasus Prime Presto Studios Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation UnreleasedUnreleasedUnknown
Power Rangers Zeo Vs. The Machine Empire CyberFlix Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation UnreleasedUnreleasedDecember 1996
Playskool Puzzles ImageBuilder Software Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation UnreleasedUnreleased1996
Play-Doh Creations Hasbro Interactive Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation UnreleasedUnreleasedUnknown
Racing Days Kitt Peak Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation March 1996Unreleased1996
Shock Wave: Invasion Earth: 2019 Electronic Arts Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation UnreleasedUnreleased1996
Super Marathon Bungie Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation UnreleasedUnreleased1996
Terror T.R.A.X.: Track of the Vampire Ground Zero Productions Bandai Digital Entertainment Corporation UnreleasedUnreleasedUnknown

Accessories
An AppleJack controller
  • 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)

Printers

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

See also

References
  1. Snow, Blake (May 4, 2007). "The 10 Worst-Selling Consoles of All Time". GamePro.com. Archived from the original on May 8, 2007. Retrieved November 25, 2007.
  2. "Hacking the Pippin". Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  3. "Pippin Debuts as Bandai's Power Player". Next Generation. Imagine Media (4): 30. April 1995.
  4. Assembler (via Archive.org). Apple Bandai Pippin. Retrieved March 21, 2008.
  5. The 25 Worst Tech Products of All Time: 22. Apple Pippin @World (1996) (Dan Tynan, PCWorld, May 26, 2006)
  6. The most accurate list of Pippin titles. Retrieved February 13th, 2018.
  7. "About the Apple Pippin. Retrieved February 13th, 2018". Archived from the original on November 9, 2011. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
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