Key Facts:
- The Analogue 3D machine, which aims to replicate N64 hardware without emulation, has been delayed from its original planned release this year to the first quarter of 2025.
- Preorders for the Analogue 3D are now open.
- The device comes in black or white.
Additional Information:
- Analogue has released first images of the machine.
- An 8BitDo controller is intended for use with the 3D, retaining the original size, sub-layouts, and feel of the N64 controller, but not replicating its awkward form factor.
- The 8BitDo controller will cost an additional $40 as it won’t ship with the Analogue 3D.
If you’re interested in owning a reimagined N64 experience with 4K upscaling, this could be the device for you. However, it’s worth noting that the release has been pushed back.
Will the $40 extra cost for the controller significantly impact your decision to preorder the Analogue 3D?
I did pre-order one, and two controllers. In 1990s dollars this is not really that expensive, is how I’m rationalizing it.
Seems neat, but I just wish N64 games were worth the effort. Don’t get me wrong, I was a huge N64 fanboy back in the day. But looking back on it, it just didn’t hold up like PlayStation did. Aside from Nintendo’s first party games and a select few third party, there isn’t much id want to play on it.
I broke out my N64 earlier this year and got myself an upscaler and cleaned up my controllers. Played some games for a couple months and then got tired of em again.
Unfortunately, said controller won’t ship with the Analogue 3D, so if you’re looking to play your N64 games with a controller that won’t cause your hand to go non-Euclidean, you’ll have to fork out an extra $40.
Does it not support other bluetooth controllers at all? You can only use the 8BitDo?
I think Analogue typically supports Bluetooth in the consoles generally, but is very cautious about whitelisting specific controllers that are officially supported.
What is the use in upscsling to 4k games that have very low res textures? Goldeneye is a great game but everyone is blocky and everything is angular with repeating texture images, what benefit is upscaling if the base is just not there?
They use filters to mimic the appearance of a CRT. This can make games that were designed for a CRT look significantly better than rendering them directly for modern LCD displays.
Some examples from a quick search:
Using FPGA is emulation, Analogue needs to stop spreading that lie.
I think if I were to be pedantic I would call software emulation “simulation” and hardware emulation “emulation.” Software attempts to match the characteristics of the game output. Emulation attempts to match the hardware .
Accurate softwareemulatoras try to replicate the hardware as well. Near wrote a blog post about it back in the day. Here’s an archived copy of said post.
