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The Analogue3D console is a faithful update of Nintendo’s N64

The Analogue3D console is a faithful update of Nintendo’s N64

Californian retro gaming specialist Analogue has announced its latest and most ambitious product to date, the Analogue3D. While the company’s previous console reboot, the Analogue Pocket, recalled and emulated Nintendo’s classic Gameboy, the Analogue3D boosts processing power to take on the powerful icon of ’90s gaming, the Nintendo N64.

The Analogue3D game console is suitable for original Nintendo N64 cartridges

(Image credit: Analog)

The original N64 was released in June 1996 after much anticipation and many delays. Although it wasn’t one of the 64-bit gaming consoles (an honor bestowed on the failed and now-iconic Atari Jaguar from 1993), it had the power of Japan’s largest video game company and some of the most iconic IP in gaming history and a ready-made audience of eager gamers who caught up with its predecessor, the 49 million-selling NES.

The Nintendo N64 game library included 388 titles

The Nintendo N64 game library included 388 titles

(Image credit: Analog)

Analogue’s reboot bills itself as “100% compatible with every original N64 game ever made” (though there were only 388 of them, compared to around 1,700 for the NES). The console features a cartridge slot, just like the original (one of the last major consoles to use cartridges rather than CDs), allowing only official, older games to be played. All are accurately rendered by Analogue3D’s special silicon, which not only faithfully represents every pixel, but also upscales the games to pristine 4K resolution, output via HDMI.

Analogue3D supports original controllers and four players

Analogue3D supports original controllers and four players

(Image credit: Analog)

As the company points out, that’s ten times the resolution of Nintendo’s original resolution of 320 x 240 pixels (the display maxed out at 640 x 480). Additionally, the hardware also emulates the N64’s original display modes, bringing the glow and flickering of cathode ray TV screens back to the most modern OLED TVs.

Analogue 3D console

(Image credit: Analog)

Perhaps most importantly, Analogue3D also duplicates the N64’s previously unmatched multiplayer capabilities – approximately 70% of N64 titles supported two or more players, and split-screen gaming allowed four people to race, fight and play at the same time explore. In addition to four N64 controller-compatible ports, the Analogue3D also has Bluetooth. Together with 8BitDo, the company has developed a wireless Bluetooth version of the original controller (sold separately), updated, improved and more robust.

A new Bluetooth controller was developed for wireless collaboration with the Analogue3D

A new Bluetooth controller was developed for wireless collaboration with the Analogue3D

(Image credit: Analog)

All of this is powered by 3DOS, a customized version of Analogue’s proprietary operating system. After four years of development, the system set out to overcome the intricacies and eccentricities of the original Nintendo system, whose complexities have baffled emulators for decades. Now modern gamers have no excuse not to revisit some timeless classics.

Analogue 3D console, available in black or white

Analogue 3D console, available in black or white

(Image credit: Analog)

Analogue3D, available in black or white, $249.99, 8BitDo 64 controller sold separately $39.99, shipping Q1 2025, Analogue.co, 8BitDo.com