The Analogue 3D is a Long-Awaited Nintendo 64 Revival

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Key Takeaways

  • Console fans nostalgic for the Nintendo 64 will soon be able to enjoy the Analogue 3D, a re-engineered version of the classic console.
  • The Analogue 3D uses FPGA technology to recreate the N64, allowing it to run any N64 cartridge seamlessly.
  • It also features a built-in upscaler, ensuring that all N64 titles look as good as fans remember them.

With the 3D, Analogue has reimagined the Nintendo 64, one of the first 3D-focused consoles, allowing retro gaming fans to play N64 titles without the complexity or compatibility issues of emulators.

The original Nintendo 64 console used an analog video signal designed for output to low-res CRTs. That’s why retro games often look terrible on modern high-resolution TVs and monitors, due to the differences in display tech.

Analogue has solved that problem with a built-in native upscaler which produces a “natively digital 4K signal with imitation artifacts and scanlines,” according to TechCrunch. That’s ten times the resolution of the original N64.

This means that N64 titles like Goldeneye and Super Mario 64 should look exactly as fans remember them. Bear in mind though that the technology isn’t improving the game’s “true” resolution or increasing the N64’s original frame rates of 20FPS to 30FPS, it’s simply rendering the output better than ever before.

A Modern Console With a Dose of 90’s Nostalgia

The Analogue 3D has Bluetooth LE and dualband Wi-Fi connectivity and is region free. It supports up to four wireless 8BitDo controllers and has an SD card slot to help gamers easily play ROMs.  There’s no support for OpenFPGA, the multi-platform system found on the Analog Pocket handheld, though.

For those who don’t want to deep-dive into the often complex world of emulation, the Analogue 3D is likely to be the best way to play N64 games today. It bundles modern connectivity and native upscaling with a healthy dose of 90’s nostalgia.

The Analogue 3D comes in black or white and retails for $250. Pre-orders open on October 21st at 11AM ET.