 | |
| Manufacturer | Namco |
|---|---|
| Type | Arcade cabinet |
| Generation | Fourth generation |
| Release date | Cancelled |
| Successor | P.O.D. |
The Over Reality Booster System[a] (O.R.B.S.) was an arcade cabinet in production by Namco. It was demonstrated at the 2001 Amusement Machine Show in Tokyo, Japan before it was quietly cancelled. The machine featured a globular mirror, a retractable seat, air blowers, and a Dolby Digital audio system. The rail shooter Starblade: Operation Blue Planet was the only game developed for the O.R.B.S., however a version of Rez is believed to have been planned.
Namco began designing the O.R.B.S. in 1999. Early sketches depicted the machine with a rotating screen that corresponded to movement performed in the game, similar to Sega's R360 machine. It supported Namco's System 246 arcade system board, which was based on the internals of the PlayStation 2, and was designed to be small and compact to free up space in arcades. Production was lead by Takeharu Kobayashi, the head of Namco's research and development division. While no official explanation was given for its cancellation, its high manufacturing costs are believed to have been the reason. Critics praised the O.R.B.S. for its technological capabilities, and showed lament towards its cancellation. Namco Bandai Games produced a successor, the P.O.D., for its Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs. series.