The Analogue 3D, an N64 FPGA machine, with a Banjo-Kazooie cartridge in its slot and several other cartridges beside it

Nintendo 64 "Reimagining" Analogue 3D Delayed to 2025, First Look Revealed

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Published: October 16, 2024 11:40 AM

The Analogue 3D, a machine that aims to replicate N64 hardware without the need for emulation, has been delayed to 2025, but creator Analogue has also released the first images of the machine.

Analogue first revealed the Analogue 3D back in October last year; in fact, news of its delay comes exactly one year after its original reveal, which is somewhat poetic.

When the machine was announced, it was set to launch sometime this year, but according to a press release (via CNet), the 3D will now be launching sometime in the first quarter of next year instead.

A white version of the Analogue 3D with a GoldenEye cartridge in the cart slot
The Analogue 3D will come in both black and white.

Preorders for the Analogue 3D will open on October 21st at 8am Pacific (that's around 11am Eastern), so if you're looking to pick one up, make sure you're ready with your details when that time comes around.

Analogue has also revealed an 8BitDo controller intended for use with the 3D, and it's been designed to "retain the original size, sub-layouts, and feel" of the N64 controller. Don't worry, though; it won't replicate the awkward form factor of Nintendo's original hardware.

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.

If you're not familiar with the Analogue 3D, it's a machine that's intended as a reimagined version of the Nintendo 64. Analogue proudly states that the machine doesn't use emulation; instead, it uses an FPGA chip "for absolute accuracy".

A banner showing the Analogue 3D and the slogan "the greatest multiplayer system of all time".
Analogue is referring to the original N64 here, not its own 3D.

The 3D comes from the same company that made devices like the Pocket, and it's aiming to provide flawless compatibility with original N64 cartridges while still offering 4K upscaling.

Since the machine uses FPGA rather than emulation, you won't experience glitches like input lag, graphical inaccuracies, or frame rate issues; Analogue is promising "the N64 exactly as it was meant to be, without compromise".

If you want to read more about the Analogue 3D, you can head over to the device's official website right here. The 3D will be available for preorder via Analogue's store on October 21st.


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