Prior to releasing their revolutionary controller with the debut of
Wii,
Nintendo had previously experimented with this in 1995 with the release of
Laserbirdie, a golf game simulator for the
Super Famicom. Though
Nintendo does own the bragging rights to be the first to actually implement motion-sensing technology into a game, the
Wii can not lay the same claim in regards to a console. That honor belongs to
SSD Company Limited with their release in 2004 of the
XaviX Interactive System (
XaviXPORT).
The
XaviXPORT was the first home video game console that fully utilized and required the use of full, wireless motion-sensing controllers. No games are included with the system - game packs, all sport/fitness related, are sold separately that include the game and a specialized controller shaped like the athletic equipment used in the respective game (i.e. golf club or tennis racquet). Besides being the first console devoted entirely to this new technology, the
XaviXPORT has a number of other unique features - some good, others not so much.
The
XaviXPORT makes the
Sony Playstation 2 slimline model look like a behemoth. This system has to be one of the smallest consoles ever made measuring 1.0" H x 7.0" W x 5.5" D and weighs less than 1 pound. The front of the simple satin-silver casing features two (2) push buttons to the left (power and reset) with the infrared receiver on the right. A stylish, clean
XaviX logo is featured front and center. The top of the system is more of the same - straight, easy to use features (four (4) up/down buttons flanked by an enlarged Rest and Enter button). The cool-olive colored game cartridge slot also resides here. Standard AV connection jacks, power and an AV Out port adorn the back of the system. This is as simple as it gets. The
XaviXPORT hardware mirrors the simplicity of the main console design.
The
XaviXPORT system, contrary to the innovations delivered in their game interface devices, harkened back to a method used in the 1970's of delivering gaming applications and processor in one medium - through the cartridge itself. I am not sure of the exact specs of the internal components of the
XaviXPORT (though I have read is of an 8-bit variety), though it is safe to say that some basic processors are included to process sound and video output along with the software bridge required to communicate with the cartridges. The premise here, as it was back with Pong-On-A-Chip technology (
PC-50x family), was to include the processing power onto the game cartridge to avoid having to keep upgrading the central system every time a leap in technology occurred. In theory, this is an excellent approach to keeping the games up to date and providing the gamer the best experience. Now to the important question - what about the games?
Interactive sport and fitness games are the only genre for this system. A total of eight ( 8 ) applications have been released for the
XaviXPORT from golf to baseball to fishing to boxing. I would have to say the graphics are somewhat similar to the
3DO - obviously not that great considering the year of its release. The games are fun though - physically demanding you to get off of your couch and participate. Correct positioning of the system is paramount for the optimal enjoyment because the game peripherals range does not seem to be that great (maybe 15-20 feet or so). If you are looking for a good workout, you will not be disappointed.
Overall, the
XaviXPORT is truly a first among video game consoles.
SSD Company Limited fully embraced wireless, motion-sensing technology and ran with it. Having to compete in the marketplace with the
Sony Playstation 2 and
Microsoft Xbox did not help their cause, nor did the lack of their brand name recognition. I rather view this system like
Worlds of Wonder release of the
Action Max - intriguing technology at the time, but too much competition to overcome.
The
XaviXPORT is still being sold in some select stores (both online and retail). A brand new system costs $80 USD, with games running approximately $50 USD (some higher). This is a recommended purchase for the gamer that likes to get a physical workout and fun game experience but is not necessarily addicted to cutting edge technology. This is also a recommended purchase for the console collector due to the place in history that the
XaviXPORT will have and the small library of readily available for purchase games.
