Recently, Analogue made waves in the gaming world with the announcement of the Analogue 3D, a fresh take on the iconic Nintendo 64. Now, you might wonder, what makes this special? Well, for those die-hard fans committed to preserving the classic N64 experience sans the somewhat shaky reliability of PC emulation, Analogue 3D presents an appealing alternative because it completely sidesteps emulation.
The magic lies in its FPGA technology—short for “Field Programmable Gate Array.” Essentially, this means that Analogue has painstakingly recreated the Nintendo 64’s hardware capabilities without relying on emulation software. This approach guarantees that every game from the original system will play just as it did back in the day. It’s a promise of both nostalgia and authenticity. Previously, Analogue has impressed retro gaming fans with the Analogue Pocket, which catered to a range of vintage handhelds. This time around, the spotlight is on the beloved Nintendo 64.
Sure, marketing might occasionally sound like a bit of a hype train, but there’s genuine interest among retro gaming circles for hardware like this. To the purists who will go to great lengths—and costs—to mod an original N64 for modern niceties like Bluetooth support and 4K VRR output, the $250 price tag of the Analogue 3D might seem quite reasonable. Especially if you’re not inclined or skilled enough to do the mods yourself.
The Analogue 3D’s charm is its commitment to the past while embracing the present. It’s been crafted to run every classic N64 game with original precision—no added input lag or unpredictable changes that sometimes come with emulation. Plus, it’s all-region compatible, which is a big win for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Analogue’s Twitter announcement highlighted some impressive features: support for wireless Bluetooth controllers, backward compatibility with traditional N64 controllers and Memory Paks, allowing you to load those cherished old game saves with ease. To complement this, they’ve introduced an 8BitDo 64 controller, designed with a modern twist reminiscent of current Xbox controllers. This nod to the future includes the addition of hall-effect analog sticks, which should theoretically outlast traditional sticks found on many consoles today.
There’s another intriguing feature that could draw in the more tech-savvy among us: the 3D OS, which showcases “Original Display Modes.” These aim to emulate the classic CRT and PVM visuals on today’s 4K screens, smoothing out the visuals, especially when coupled with VRR support. Opinions will vary, though—especially among the purists—concerning the efficacy of these display modes.
Currently, the only thing missing in the Analogue 3D package is support for the Nintendo 64DD, but most ardent fans have avenues like the SummerCart64 flash cart to explore. All considered, the Analogue 3D seems to fulfill the yearning for an N64 experience on current hardware.
Mark your calendars, because pre-orders for the Analogue 3D and 8BitDo 64 controller start on October 21st. Priced at $249.99 for the console and $39.99 for the controller, they’re expected to attract quite a bit of interest.
In closing, a quick note: We’ve corrected earlier mentions of the technology used in Analogue 3D. It’s indeed an “FPGA”—Field Programmable Gate Array—not “FGPA,” as previously misreported.
