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Analogue 3D: Two-minute review
The Analogue 3D is finally here, and it’s one of the best retro games consoles obtainable in the marketplace. After multiple delays and what felt like an extended wait than these excruciating Christmas Eve sleeps as a child, Analogue’s tackle the long-lasting Nintendo 64 is in my palms, and I’ve been testing it totally during the last couple of weeks.
Analogue’s approach to hardware is one of true love for nostalgia, allowing gamers to recreate the memories of their youth by playing original cartridges in 4K through an FPGA chip. This implies the 3D is for the true fanatic, somebody who has a set of N64 video games and needs to expertise their childhood in one of the best ways potential.
Construct high quality is great, as you’d anticipate from the corporate that created the Analogue Pocket, and the console works with authentic N64 controllers in addition to 8bitdo’s fashionable recreation, which has been purposefully constructed to be used with the 3D.
The Analogue 3D is the quintessential Nintendo 64 expertise, and is a must-buy for these seeking to play essentially the most genuine recreation of the console of their youth on one of many best OLED TVs. That mentioned, it’s nonetheless an N64, so in the event you don’t have a bodily assortment or don’t have the required nostalgia to actually get pleasure from these typically dated video games, chances are you’ll need to go for a distinct period of retro gaming as a substitute.
Analogue 3D: Price and availability
- List price: $249.99 / £190 / $AU 385
- Comes in two colors (white and black)
- Currently sold out
The Analogue 3D is now shipping via analogue.co. The 3D first went on preorder in October 2024, and whereas it’s now obtainable, it’s at present offered out on the Analogue web site.
You should purchase the 3D in Black or White, and within the field you’ll get an HDMI cable, USB-C for energy, and an influence adaptor. The 3D has no controller within the field, and whereas you should use any of your outdated N64 controllers, third-party firm 8bitdo’s 64 controller is offered for $39.99 / £32 in black and white through Amazon.
There are additionally no video games included within the field, and no means to play titles from different consoles with cartridge adaptors, so that you’ll have to supply your individual bodily N64 cartridges.
Analogue 3D: Specs
|
Price |
$249.99 / £190 / $AU385 |
|
Dimensions (H x W x L) |
1.9 x 9 x 7in / 49 x 230 x 180mm |
|
Weight |
29.5oz / 837g |
|
Compatibility |
Nintendo 64 |
|
Connection type |
USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, SD card |
|
Battery life |
N/A |
|
Features |
HDMI Out 4K resolution, faithful CRT recreation for modern TVs, 100% compatibility with original N64 cartridges |
|
Software |
Native OS |
Analogue 3D: Design and features
- Plastic but sturdy enclosure
- Looks elegant under your TV
- The best way to play N64 cartridges
The Analogue 3D is gorgeous, just like the other products in the company’s repertoire. It feels like the N64 grew up, and while some people will be waiting patiently for limited edition color offerings, I’m a big fan of the black and white options here. There’s no toy-like plastic, no rattling parts, and no leftover design weirdness from the late 90s.
Instead, Analogue has built a console that feels dense and premium while looking great on a shelf and even better underneath a TV, where it blends in with modern consoles rather than sticking out as a relic – this definitely passes the “Can I put this in the living room?” wife test.
The finish reminds me of high-end audio equipment, with lines that are clean, subtle edges, and a color palette that is understated without losing personality. Even the cartridge slot has a satisfying firmness, and inserting a cartridge has that awesome “thunk” you used to love as a child.
Around the back, you get HDMI out, USB-C for power, two USB-A, and an SD card slot pre-installed with a 16GB card for storing screenshots, firmware, and all the other OS information. On the front are four original N64 controller ports that light up satisfyingly when you connect a Bluetooth controller.
The Analogue 3D provides everything you need for a modern N64 experience without clutter or additional converters. The console plays your original cartridges using FPGA hardware, which means no emulation and no guesswork. What you’re seeing is effectively the real hardware recreated with jaw-dropping accuracy.
The menu interface is simple in the best possible way. With the tap of a button, you can tweak video settings, swap filters, and overclock the performance to try and beat the abysmal framerates of the original N64. It’s clean, responsive and takes seconds to navigate.
It’s worth noting, however, that save states are not available yet on the Analogue 3D, and we’re not sure when they will be. On my Analogue Pocket, the save state feature is one of my favorite parts of the device, and Analogue even showed the feature on the 3D in its marketing. Hopefully, save states will be available soon, and I’ll make sure to update the review as soon as they are.
Support for original controllers is a huge win, and while I didn’t test one myself, I can imagine the impracticality of the original thumb stick would add to the charm of the 3D experience. Modern controllers work very well, and pairing them takes seconds. The system automatically detects what’s connected, so you can jump straight into a game, but I’d recommend waiting for 8bitdo’s grey variant, which has colored buttons, as the all black N64 controller confused me at times.
Analogue 3D: Performance
- Faithful FPGA hardware emulation of N64 games
- 4K image quality with gorgeous CRT filters
- 100% cartridge compatibility
This is where the Analogue 3D earns its price tag. Playing N64 games on FPGA hardware is a completely different experience to emulation, and quite honestly the best way to experience your favorite games from the late 90s. Everything responds instantly, with no input lag, and it very much feels like a product made by Nintendo for an adult gamer wanting to relive their youth.
I tested the console on one of the best OLED TVs, 65-inch Samsung S90D OLED, which is about as removed from a CRT as you may get. Someway, the Analogue 3D dealt with it with out exposing each flaw of the period. Colors seemed vibrant, edges have been cleaner than I’ve ever seen them on authentic {hardware} and the system held up superbly whether or not I used to be enjoying Mario 64, Mario Celebration 3, GoldenEye 007 and even WCW/NWO Revenge.
However be warned, this isn’t a console that transforms the visuals into one thing fashionable. It preserves all the pieces, flaws included, however that is the place the appeal lies: it is a 4k devoted restoration of the N64 and for those who love the awkward console, the 3D is a must-buy. Mixed with Analogue’s attractive filters which the corporate calls “a museum-grade restoration of analogue gaming’s most stunning show know-how”, the 3D actually cements itself as one of the best ways to play N64 on a contemporary TV.
There have been a few moments the place cartridges wanted a second insertion to register correctly, and naturally, I discovered myself blowing cartridges (even though’s not really helpful). Within the field Analogue offers some foam pads to assist clear the pins of your N64 cartridges, which is a beautiful addition in case you are having compatibility points.
Picture high quality on the 3D actually shines, however once more, in the event you’re anticipating to see an N64 sport with fashionable graphics, you may be disillusioned.
Polygon edges look cleaner, the scaling is clean, and the entire picture feels extra steady than the unique {hardware} ever managed. My Samsung S90D OLED made colors pop with out turning all the pieces into neon, and brightness ranges have been dealt with nicely sufficient that nothing felt washed out or overly crushed.
Like I discussed above, Analogue features a handful of elective filters. Including gentle scanlines gave Mario 64 a nostalgic softness, whereas GoldenEye 007 benefited from a cleaner look with out something layered excessive. It’s also possible to modify facet ratio, take away overscan, and tweak settings relying on the sport.
That is pretty much as good as N64 video games are ever going to look with out utterly remaking them, however the {hardware} can’t disguise the truth that some textures are muddy and a few 3D fashions are… nicely… horrible. That mentioned, the 3D does make these video games look sharper, extra constant, and extra nice to revisit.
Analogue has achieved a superb job with compatibility, with the corporate claiming 100% compatibility for the primary time ever. In my testing, all the pieces labored flawlessly, though I haven’t got essentially the most intensive N64 catalog. Mario 64, Mario Celebration 3, GoldenEye 007 and WCW/NWO Revenge all labored precisely as I remembered them, quirks and all.
I’ve seen posts on-line from different reviewers stating EverDrive assist varies relying on mannequin, and it is not possible that Analogue will formally endorse flash carts. So in the event you plan to make use of a single cartridge for all of your video games, then I recommend doing all your homework earlier than shopping for a 3D.
After utilizing the 3D for a couple of weeks, I am shocked by my expertise. As somebody who loves retro gaming and actually appreciates what the corporate does for sport preservation, I discover this product means more durable to advocate than, say, the Analogue Pocket or the Modretro Chromatic, for instance. That could be due to my very own private nostalgia for the Recreation Boy period, however I feel it is extra to do with the truth that the N64 has aged very poorly in comparison with even older video games like these discovered on the SNES.
The Analogue 3D is a outstanding piece of {hardware}, however the N64 library itself hasn’t aged nicely. These video games are enjoyable, iconic, and traditionally vital, however the bounce from 2D to 3D was messy, and it exhibits. Textures are blurry, controls can really feel floaty, and body charges dip greater than you would possibly bear in mind.
Should you don’t have nostalgia for these video games, the Analogue 3D received’t magically convert you. It’s extremely a lot a time machine for individuals who grew up within the late 90s and nonetheless really feel emotional watching the boot brand seem on display screen.
If that’s you, the console is magic. If not, a SNES or GameCube could be a greater retro funding, and I feel sticking to the N64 library on Nintendo Swap On-line would most likely meet your wants.
Should you buy the Analogue 3D
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Also consider…
If you’re still not entirely sold on the Analogue 3D then check out these excellent similar products for comparison and consideration.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 |
Analogue 3D |
Nintendo Switch 2 |
Nintendo Switch OLED |
|
Price |
$249.99 / £190 / $AU385 |
$429.99 / £395.99 / $AU699.95 |
$349.99 / £309.99 / $AU539.95 |
|
Dimensions |
1.9 x 9 x 7in / 49 x 230 x 180mm |
10.7 x 4.5 x 0.6in / 272 x 114 x 15mm |
4 x 9.5 x 0.5in / 10 x 2.4 x 1.4cm |
|
Weight |
29.5oz / 837g |
18.8oz / 535g |
14.88oz / 421.84g |
|
Compatibility |
Nintendo 64 cartridges |
Nintendo Switch 2 / Nintendo Switch / Nintendo Switch Online (N64, SNES, etc) |
Nintendo Switch / Nintendo Switch Online (N64, SNES, etc) |
|
Connection type |
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, HDMI output |
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, HDMI output (in TV mode) |
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, HDMI output (in TV mode) |
|
Battery life |
N/A |
2-5 hours |
4.5 to 9 hours, depending on usage |
|
Features |
4k output, VRR, Lag free, zero signal degradation, NTSC & PAL Support, museum-quality filter accuracy to recreate CRT |
8-inch OLED multi-touch display (1080p resolution), 256GB internal storage, improved stereo speakers, next-gen dock with 4K output and integrated LAN port, reinforced adjustable kickstand |
7.0-inch OLED multi-touch screen (1280×720 resolution), 64GB internal storage, stereo speakers, enhanced dock with built-in LAN port, adjustable wide kickstand |
|
Software |
Analogue 3Dos, can play official Nintendo 64 cartidges |
Runs all Nintendo Switch 2 games, access to Nintendo eShop and online services |
Runs all Nintendo Switch games, access to Nintendo eShop and online services |
How I tested the Analogue 3D
- Tested for 2 weeks
- Compared it directly to the experience on Nintendo Switch Online
- Tested across game types
I’ve used the Analogue 3D for the past few weeks, and it has become my main way to play Nintendo 64 games at home.
I’ve tested the console with all of my original cartridges, including Mario 64, Mario Party 3, GoldenEye 007 and WCW/NWO Revenge.
Every game was played on my Samsung S90D OLED TV, so I could properly judge the image quality and performance on a modern display. I tried all of Analogue’s display filters as well as overclocking the hardware via the built-in menu.
First examined November 2025
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