Analogue, the renowned FPGA console manufacturer, has unveiled an exciting addition for retro gaming enthusiasts: the Analogue 3D. This updated version of the classic Nintendo 64 offers a nostalgic yet modern take on the beloved console, complete with a 4K VRR-enabled upgrade. For those deeply invested in preserving classic N64 games without the pitfalls of PC emulation, the Analogue 3D presents an appealing proposition, as it operates entirely without emulation.
The term “FPGA,” or Field Programmable Gate Array, is central to understanding this innovation. Analogue has painstakingly recreated the Nintendo 64’s architecture using FPGA technology, ensuring full compatibility with the entire game library while maintaining precise performance metrics. This advancement is similar to their previous work with the Analogue Pocket, but this time, their focus is on the Nintendo 64.
Though the announcement might seem filled with marketing flourishes, there’s undeniable value in such hardware for fans of game preservation and retro gaming. Modding an original N64 for Bluetooth and 4K (VRR) functionality could cost a pretty penny—often more than the Analogue 3D’s $250 price tag—especially for those lacking the technical know-how to implement such modifications themselves.
Analogue 3D stands as a pristine modern version of the Nintendo 64. By eliminating region locking and ensuring perfect compatibility with every game in the N64 catalog—without the lag or fidelity issues common in emulation—this console is a prime candidate to grace the shelves of retro gaming aficionados.
An embedded tweet hints at the excitement surrounding the console: “Introducing Analogue 3D. A reimagining of the N64. In 4K resolution. Perhaps the greatest multiplayer system ever made. Analogue 3D ensures full compatibility with all original N64 games. It’s region-free, equipped with Bluetooth LE, dual-band WiFi, and four original-style controller ports.”
Beyond supporting wireless Bluetooth controllers, the console embraces accessories from the original Nintendo 64, like Memory Paks, allowing you to transfer saved game data effortlessly. Notably, Analogue has announced a complementary controller, the Bluetooth 8BitDo 64. This controller takes inspiration from modern Xbox design, tailored for N64 titles, and features durable hall-effect analog sticks that promise greater longevity than typical first-party controllers.
Additionally, Analogue highlights the console’s distinctive 3D OS. Users can enjoy Original Display Modes that replicate CRT and PVM displays on modern 4K TVs, enhancing clarity and smoothing out the inconsistencies of older N64 titles thanks to VRR support. While true CRT aficionados might eye these features skeptically, if they surpass existing CRT emulation filters, Analogue 3D will certainly impress. The success of Analogue Pocket’s display modes suggests promising potential here as well.
One crucial element is still unaddressed: Nintendo 64DD support. However, dedicated fans can work around this with devices like the SummerCart64 flash cart. Overall, Analogue 3D appears to be an optimal solution for enjoying N64 games on today’s high-definition screens, not to mention the growing sector of contemporary N64 game development.
Pre-orders for both the Analogue 3D and its paired 8BitDo 64 controller open on October 21st. The console will retail for $249.99, with the controller priced at $39.99.
A quick note from October 17, 2024, corrects earlier errors in the article: the device uses an “FPGA,” not “FGPA,” and the correct terminology is “Field-Programmable Gate Array” rather than the mistakenly stated “Field Programmable Grid Array.”
