Rare $20,000 3DO M2 Console Creates Chaos
In the world of retro gaming, rare consoles can fetch significant prices. However, things didn’t go so well this time. After putting the 3DO M2 FZ-21 console up for sale, gaming historian and content creator Video Game Esoterica faced such intense backlash that it announced it was withdrawing it from sale. Valued at around $20,000, the rare device was once again shelved due to harsh messages and accusations of counterfeiting against the seller.
3DO M2 FZ-21 Console at Center of Controversy
Video Game Esoterica, while planning to put its 3DO M2 FZ-21 from its collection up for sale, unexpectedly faced heavy backlash on social media and via email. Users claimed the device was fake, that the photos were generated by artificial intelligence, and that the price was a “rip-off” attempt. Esoterica denied these accusations and announced that it had returned the console to its storage.
The 3DO M2 was designed in the mid-1990s as a rival to the PlayStation, but never released. Developed by Panasonic, this device was produced in limited numbers for a few specific uses. The FZ-21, a prototype for the home version, is particularly valuable to collectors.
Considering that the FZ-35-S, the kiosk version of the M2, sold for $1,000 in 2023, the home version FZ-21’s value exceeding $20,000 is not surprising. Its physical rarity and place in gaming history make this device even more special.
Video Game Esoterica had previously stated that it planned to establish a new home and studio with the proceeds from the console’s sale. However, following recent events, it was forced to postpone this goal for the time being. Whether the console will ever be released remains uncertain.
Read More: Primitive War Trailer Released
