Analogue, the folks behind the Analogue Pocket, has announced that they are paving the way forward for the Nintendo 64 preservation with their newest device, the "3D". With 4K resolution, true CRT emulation, and 100% compatibility with original N64 cartridges, Analogue3D offers a seamless blend of old-school gaming and modern innovation which is super cool.
All of this is through the efforts of openFPGA, which aims to preserve old video game software through hardware instead of the emulation layers we see in primary use today.
The device runs on Analogue's new 3D OS, which is an evolution on Analogue OS, allows for 4K signal output, wifi support for ease of updates, and a "features uniquely crafted for N64". Through the screenshots that we've initially seen of the OS, it looks like it will be very similar to navigate when viewed beside the Analogue Pocket OS. Check out an initial look of the OS below.
The console is using a 220k LE Intel Cyclone 10GX FPGA to do all the work and boasts the following features:
- Original N64 game cartridges
- 100% compatibility
- Region free
- Compatible with original accessories
- Original style N64 cartridge slot
- Expansion Pak support (built in)
- 2x USB ports / charging / wired support
- SD card slot including a 16GB SD card
- Dual-band WiFi with OTA wireless
- 3DOS updating
- Bluetooth Classic and LE
- 4 original-style controller ports
- Up to 4 players supported (wireless & wired)
- 8BitDo 64 Controller updating via Analogue3D System (wired)
Read on for more details from the Analogue company and let us know in the comments below if you're interesting in picking up an Analogue 3D. Analogue 3D will be available for pre-order on October 21 at 8 AM Pacific for $249.99 USD and will be available in both Black and White - we can't wait for the re-imagination of the funtastic color series. Orders ship in Q1 2025.
Quote From Analogue A reimagining of the N64. In 4K resolution. 10x the resolution of the original N64.* The first and perhaps greatest multiplayer system of all time. Analogue3D is 100% compatible with every original N64 game ever made. Region Free. Bluetooth LE. Dualband Wifi. Four original-style controller ports. Entirely new, next generation Analogue hardware featuring 3DOS. Engineered entirely in FPGA. No Emulation.
100% Compatibility. For the first time ever.
Analogue3D represents a milestone in video game preservation: its not only the world's first reimagining of an N64 - but the worlds first 100% compatible recreation of an N64. Analogue spent nearly 4 years engineering it in FPGA. No more incompatibilities found in software emulation like input lag, graphic/audio inaccuracies, timing/frame rate issues and more. For the first time, you can re-experience the N64 exactly as it was meant to be, without compromise.
The unmistakable Signature and Soul of the CRT. On your HDTV. In 4K. Unlike its 2D predecessors, the N64 wasn't just about pixels. The original hardware's distinctive approach to rendering polygons and textures depends on the CRT far more critically than simpler 2D systems. Even game developers had to leverage the interplay between the hardware and a CRT to achieve harmony.
While a very few modern upscalers have transformed the 2D era of video games with pixel-perfect clarity, the N64 demands something far more radical: the unmistakable essence of a CRT.
Analogue3D brings true CRT reference quality to your HDTV in 4K. Experience the N64 with unmatched authenticity and zero lag. It's the N64, reborn.
Analogue3D's Original Display Modes are meticulously reproduced, virtually indistinguishable recreations of CRT displays. Capturing the warmth, depth, and texture in every frame. The soft glow of phosphor and vibrant colors unite with immersive scanlines and shadow masks. This isn't just upscaling — it's an unprecedented transformation.
The Gold standard of multiplayer
N64 is perhaps the greatest multiplayer gaming system of all time. Around 70% of the game library supports multiplayer, it isn't just an option; it is the heart of the experience - when multiplayer was a bridge that connected us in a simple way. In person Multiplayer creates experiences that aren't just better together, it creates experiences that are only possible together. Analogue3Dis a revival of the very essence of Multiplayer, brought back to life with the soul of the N64 at its core.
We're Preserving Video Game History with FPGA Hardware.
Analogue3D was developed to achieve unparalleled compatibility. Engineered directly into a 220k LE Altera Cyclone 10GX, the most powerful FPGA Analogue has ever used in a product. We spent 4 years developing a perfect way to experience N64 in FPGA for absolute accuracy. N64 is infamous for its difficulties within software emulation. 100% compatibility has never been achieved. Until now.
Analogue3D is designed to preserve video game history, with the respect it deserves.
Comments
Can't wait for Nintendo to make a lawsuit on these guys and all of this amazing work will be all for nothing.
They should be safe. No proprietary code is being used with the circuitry and the intent is you need to own carts to actually use the product, so they are not promoting piracy. With that said, I know with the Analogue Pocket there are third-party cores that allow you to load dumped ROMs from the MicroSD card, but they're exactly that, third-party so this device is in the clear.
It is also an ancient system. If this "emulated" Switch, I could see them having an issue with it and finding a way to go after them. That's the beauty of old consoles though, their patents have all expired and they don't have complicated custom operating systems like the more modern hardware.
didn't Nintendo start a war with emulators lately (on last march for yuzu, citra, ryujinx etc. iirc). You were using dumped roms with third-party either for emulators too and citra was 3ds, not switch but they are addressed for like 2.5m for lawsuit and it is accepted. If they really want to make a thing like this, i don't think anything can stop Nintendo to make a lawsuit for these guys. It doesn't matter if you use third-party to use dumped roms for this product, you are openning a posibility to make people do that so Nintendo won't accept this.
I mean, their only reasoning is like "Because it is illegal", they can do anything to sell consoles, all those nintendo exclusive games arent released for anything but selling consoles. it is their only bussiness model. So if they see a market for this, i don't think this product will stand a chance to survive.
The Citra thing was interesting because Yuzu's developers were a part of both projects. Nintendo got quite lucky with that and so they were able to push them out of both categories.
I'm not worried about Analogue. No dumped bios stuff, and they are focused purely on old hardware that is out of patents. I'm assuming the 3DS still has several patents that aren't expired which may have helped here.