Analogue, the company behind the Pocket, Super NT, and Mega SG has finally shown off its next console — the Analogue 3D.
The Analogue 3D is an FPGA imagination of the Nintendo 64. Analogue’s history includes modernizations of the NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, and Turbografx-16 and CD. Before the popularity of the NT Mini, Super NT, Mega SG, and Duo, respectively, Analogue produced an FPGA reimagining of the Neo Geo, the Analogue CMVS.
Unlike the Pocket, the 3D returns to a single-system FPGA design. It is not utilizing OpenFPGA.
The company claims the 3D will have 100% compatibility will all N64 games across every region where the N64 was initially released. The console will also support upscaling to 4K; something other FPGA devices cannot do on their own, but rely on a device like the RetroTink 4K to achieve.
With support for 4K, the 3D will mirror a major selling point of the Pocket — 10x integer scaling. One of the Pocket’s main features was that it allowed for 10x integer scaling on Game Boy and Game Boy Color games.
The 3D will offer 10x integer scaling on N64 games at a resolution of 3200 x 2400.
8BitDo 64 Controller
The 8BitDo 64 Controller
Alongside the showcase of the 3D, Analogue announced it had been working alongside 8BitDo to create a controller specifically made for the 3D with a similarly simple name: 8BitDo 64.
Its design is similar to that of their 8BitDo Ultimate Controller but with an N64-inspired design throughout. It features the offset A and B buttons, and the formerly yellow C-buttons take place where action buttons would on today’s modern controllers.
The controller also features a seemingly new industry standard, Hall-Effect joysticks. This should quell any concerns about the controller falling victim to the loose joysticks that have infamously impacted the original N64.
Analogue 3D OS
Sneak peek of 3D OS
With the above announcements, Analogue showed off its OS made for the Analogue 3D. Aptly named 3D OS, it is a relative spin on the Analogue OS found on the Super NT, Mega SG, and NT mini consoles.
3D OS is rebuilt with 4K, and will have features exclusive to the 3D console, but information beyond that point has not yet been shared.
The company did however share screenshots of how the visuals may differ. Instead of everything being in a list view, it appears 3D OS will use tiles, and have native support for viewing screenshots.
Availability and Specs
The shared specs of the Analogue 3D and 8BitDo 64
The 3D boasts features that upgrade and enhance the ones found on the original N64. 4K as discussed above, region-free, built-in Expansion Pak game support, wifi for updating, and Bluetooth support.Even other Analogue consoles are lacking some of the features planned for the 3D, like updating via Wi-Fi and native 4K upscaling. The aforementioned 8BitDo 64 controller can also be updated by plugging the controller directly into the console.
Analogue has been mired with slight controversy over the past few years due to constant limited edition releases of its Analogue Pocket in insanely limited quantities. When a new color would be announced, its pre-orders would go out of sale within seconds of going live. Analogue has only once restocked limited edition colorways after their initial sale.
When it comes to consoles, Analogue will typically take preorders until launch, and when released, will begin taking normal orders. Those who pre-order get their consoles sooner, but the issue of scarcity has rarely been a problem outside of its decision to not produce more black and white Analogue Pockets.
The Analogue 3D will go on pre-order on October 21 at 8 AM PST for $249.99. It will be available in black and white.
The 8BitDo 64 is sold separately and will be sold for $39.99. It features Hall effect joysticks, rumble support, turbo, and official support for Windows, Switch, Android, and the Analogue 3D.
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