Sadly, many of our CD-i players no longer have a working timekeeper. Some people have managed to fix this issue with skill and ingenuity (here, here and here), but for those people who are happy to keep their player as it is, without being able to save high scores, please note that certain titles that I’ve identified recently require you to set the time 🙂
I usually play Earth Command at Christmas! 2022 was the first year that my 740 player no longer had a working battery. For some reason, Earth Command wouldn’t play – I just had a blank screen. I realised that the game monitors how long you’re in post as Commander, and displays the date at the top of the screen – and this relates to the timekeeper! So you must set the time before loading the CD-i!!
But without a doubt, the most bizarre aspect relating to the timekeeper is that of trying to play Interactive Video Charts 1995. I first discovered these titles back in the early/mid 2000’s but for some strange reason, no 1995 discs would play on any of my machines – apart from the FW380i. Why? 1994, 1996 and 1997 discs all played fine! In the last month or so, I realised that, to play these 1995 titles, the clock must be set to the year 1995 🙂 So, if the timekeeper is still working, the CD-is won’t play! And if the time is not set, or is set to 2023, they also won’t work. Go back in time to 1995 though and, hey presto, you’ll be able to enjoy fantastic music videos from the ‘club classics’ era 😉
If there are any other CD-i titles that you know of that require setting the clock, please do let us know!
The game was first previewed in Philips Media CD-i Software catalogue 1995:
Christmas Crisis is a traditional platform game but with a superb 3D sleigh ride bonus screen, if you can negotiate the first 6 levels. Graphics here are incredible and it really does feel like you are flying 🙂 What I also love about this game is the ability to gain a special code to return to a particular level – ONLY if you collect enough points and decorations.
The other great challenge in this game is to find the 8 hidden reindeer. Each one you find opens a new bonus stage, where you can collect more decorations and 1Ups. I have found 4 of them – how many have you found?
I have completed this game, but many years ago. I play it every Christmas to see how far I can get from scratch. Note that if you use your code to return to a level late in the game, should you find a reindeer you’ll play the same bonus screen as the first reindeer you find.
Christmas Country is an award-winning platform game from Creative Media. Curiously, it has no in-game music but superb sound effects and an overall Christmassy feel 🙂
Did you know that there is a secret place to find, where you can access a level-select? Have you found it?
There are 16 levels to Christmas Country, spanning 4 Worlds. You must collect presents during your travels, which will be used in the bonus stage to deliver to homes – and collect 1UPs (if you can hit them!). You can also collect letters to spell out ‘SPECIAL’ – and earn a random bonus.
The game has bosses at the end of each World, and these are a good challenge. I love everything about this game – a classic platformer – and even gives a nod to Sonic in how you can run (by keeping your finger on button 1) and break through walls. My Christmas wish/dream is that Creative Media release Taco’s Toyroom Troopers and Tank Doodle, which are previewed in the instruction manual to Christmas Country.
BUT one lovely bonus that DIMA gave us was to release 2 levels of the sublime Joe Guard platformer. And what a pure joy it is to play these levels.
The game has a very Christmassy feel, which can be seen in the screenshots. As is with Christmas Country, there is no in-game music but again this is more than made up for by the brilliant SFX. When you reach an owl, you can return to the same spot (should you lose a life) and collect stars to boost your score.
I was overjoyed this morning when taking screenshots for this article, to discover a hidden area in level 1 featuring this fab snowman – can you find it? 🙂 Should you progress through level 1, and it is quite a big level, you are treated to a toy shop in level 2. What a game this is – if only a full version could have been completed….
A CD-i that is a must at Christmas, is A Christmas Songbook. Beautiful traditional Christmas songs come to life through wonderful festive scenes.
For the brave amongst you, you can sing along karaoke style 😉 (that certainly wont be me!). This for me is what makes Philips CD-i so special – as well as the fantastic games, there are beautiful discs like this to enjoy.
And finally, with thanks to our very own member Blazers, is this wonderful CD-i which comes with a snowflake Christmas card ”Seasons Greetings from Philips Media”. The disc contains a festive music video.
