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When the Phillips CD-i was first introduced in 1991, it was not advertised as a gaming console, but as a multimedia product to promote the CD format, aiming to provide an all-in-one experience with a single system. Consequently, in addition to audio CDs and game discs, the CD-i included support for the following sub-formats:

• CD+G discs, a variant of audio CD with allows listeners to display low-resolution graphics on a monitor in time with the music.
• Video CDs, a precursor to the more successful DVD format, distinct from both CD+G and the CD/LaserDisc hybrid format CD Video. Video CD playback required the installation of a supplemental MPEG-1 decoder cartridge.
• Photo CDs, which allowed users to store and display uncompressed digital transfers of film photographs on a video monitor.

Low sales caused Philips to try promoting it as a game console three years later.
person Antwan calendar_month April 19, 2013
Archived web page documenting the history of the CD-i:
https://web.archive.org/web/20240203204503/http://www.philipscdi.com/history.htm

The 8-Bit Guy video about the CD-i:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxSCNhblC3g
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The CD-i started out as a CD add-on for the SNES, before being canceled. Before it was canceled, Nintendo gave Phillips the right to make games with their characters, which lead to the creation of three Zelda games, Hotel Mario (along with two canceled Mario games), and a canceled Donkey Kong game.