Skip to product information
1 of 2

System 3 'Planets' Logo Beach Towel

System 3 'Planets' Logo Beach Towel

Regular price £24.99
Regular price Sale price £24.99
Sale Sold out
Taxes included. Shipping calculated at checkout.
Colour
Size

The Evolution of the System 3 Logo

1982: Data 70 Wordmark

System 3 was founded in 1982 by Mark Cale, Emmerson Best and Michael Koo. The original logo featured the company name written in the Data 70 typeface, a futuristic digital font common in early computing. This logo appeared on the first games such as Colony 7 and Laser Cycle, developed from a small flat in Wembley.

1985: Shield Logo

With the release of International Karate and Twister, a new shield-style logo was introduced. It was used on Spectrum and Atari 8-bit packaging. Although it offered a stronger shape, Mark Cale felt it lacked the distinct identity the brand needed.

1986 to 1987: Planets Logo

In late 1986, Mark worked with a designer named Gareth to create the first truly iconic System 3 logo. The result was the Planets Logo, featuring three orbiting spheres representing the original founders.

  • First appeared on International Karate for the Atari ST
  • Became widely recognised through the release of The Last Ninja in 1987
  • Featured on games such as IK Plus, Myth, Putty, Tusker, Fuzzball and Vendetta

The Planets Logo remains one of the most loved by fans, known for its symbolism and strong association with System 3's classic era.

Mid 1990s: Metallic Box Logo

As System 3 moved into arcade development with Atari, including titles like Bloodlust, the logo was redesigned again. This version featured a metallic box, with the word "System" aligned vertically and a large number 3 beside it. It was designed to match the industrial style of coin-operated cabinets.

2000s: Clean Wordmark

During the release of games like Ferrari Challenge and SuperCar Challenge, the logo was simplified to a modern wordmark, with just the name "System 3" in plain, clean typography. It was easy to use but lacked the character of earlier designs.

2003: Play It Value Label

In 2003, Mark Cale launched a new value label called Play It. The logo featured a single red ball, originally inspired by one of the planets from the Planets Logo. The design reflected simplicity and accessibility. The message was direct — play it.
Play It still remains the core logo for this value range today, with the red ball continuing to represent easy access to fun, family-friendly games.

2013 to Present: S3 Hexagon Logo

With the relaunch of Putty Squad on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4, System 3 introduced its most refined and enduring logo.

  • A bold hexagon containing the initials S3
  • Paired with a modern type treatment of the full "System 3" name
    This design has appeared on all major titles since, including Constructor HD, Constructor Plus and the full line of official merchandise.

The S3 Hexagon Logo has become a modern fan favourite, standing alongside the original Planets Logo as one of the strongest and most recognisable symbols in the company’s history.

Description

System 3 'Planets' Logo Beach Towel-UPDATE-08-07-2025

View full details