Will Analogue 3D be “the greatest multiplayer system of all time ?”

It has been rumoured for months, and the Analogue 3D is almost available to buy. But while Analogue has strong credentials in the FPGA-take on classic Nintendo hardware, it is making some lofty claims concerning its N64-based system, the Analogue 3D.

Will it really be as good as Analogue says?

I’ve taken the time to read as much as has been published so far, both in the gaming press and by Analogue’s PR team. The Analogue 3D looks very impressive, but making a big claim like “the greatest multiplayer system of all time” deserves a response.

Table of Contents

• The Analogue 3D is the N64 for the 2020s

  • Analogue 3D system specification

  • The importance of local multiplayer

  • When can you get an Analogue 3D?

• Game over!

The Analogue 3D is the N64 for the 2020s

As with Analogue’s previous releases (the Pocket and the Duo), this is an FPGA-based system that will play original carts. games can also be played with a new N64 controller from 8BitDo. However, it is closer to a GameCube controller than an N64 controller, but that shouldn’t put you off. The N64 controller is something of an oddity these days.

100% compatibility is promised, it is region-free, and features ports for classic N64 accessories.

The device ships with 1x HDMI cable, 1x USB cable, and a USB-C PSU (PD 3.0) with a USA/JPN plug type. Once plugged in an booted, you’ll see 3Dos, a new version of Analogue’s operating system specifically for the 3D.

In all honesty, the Analogue 3D looks amazing, and has been in development for 4 years. Analogue say this is because of the N64’s emulation issues, with 100% compatibility only recently achieved.

Analogue 3D system specification

The most important aspect of the Analogue 3D is FPGA. The field-programmable gate array is a programmable integrated circuit (commonly referred to as a chip), configured to run to a specification. In this case, to run like a Nintendo 64. In layman’s terms, this means hardware emulation, rather than software emulation (e.g. the Project 64 emulator for Windows).

You can plug a genuine N64 cartridge into the Analogue 3D and it will run.

Aside from that, the key features and specs are as follows:

The importance of local multiplayer

Promotional material accompanying the Analogue 3D announcement pays particular attention to the N64’s multiplayer library, noting: “Around 70% of the game library supports multiplayer…”

This is not an inaccurate statistic, but the claim is a problem. While the N64 was the device that many people first experienced local 2+ multiplayer (me included) in a home setting, it’s time as the “greatest multiplayer gaming system” ended with the release of the Nintendo Switch.

It’s as simple as that. The Switch has the library, the controllers, the flexibility, and in many ways, the same ethos, as the Nintendo 64. It is THE console for multiplayer, its controllers are inexpensive, and the choice of games that you can enjoy as as group is second to none. One of the things I’ve noticed about the Switch – a console I also consider to be the best retro gaming system around thanks to the vast library of classic titles – is that playing on it with other people reminds me of one other console, and that is the N64.

That claim aside, the Analogue 3D looks like a solid prospect. While its promo material might be somewhat po-faced and void of fun (“the creation of Analogue 3D is an act of defiance against the ephemeral nature of technology”) I expect this to be the pinnacle of FPGA retro systems for some years to come.

But please, Analogue, drop the sermonising! (“With Analogue 3D, we’ve woven the essence of the N64 into the fabric of the pursuit of authenticity.” Have you? That’s nice.)

When can you get an Analogue 3D?

Getting hold of one is going to be tricky, however. Analogue has a lot of fans, its previous hardware has been well-received, and I can honestly see this console having multiple runs (assuming a certain group of lawyers don’t attempt some ill-advised overreach).

Based on the specification and the FPGA and the controller and the vast compatibility that has been engineered into the console over the course of its development, you are probably wondering whether this is something you should buy.

This is where things get a bit complicated. You can pick up an Nintendo 64 second-hand four around £80 at the moment. Original controllers are often included and you might even get a game bundled in. The experience will be just as it was in 1995. While that might sound like a better option and is considerably cheaper than Analogue’s $250 asking price, original hardware does have a key shortcoming: it’s nearly 30 years old. If you’ve got an N64 that is still running, it’s probably a good idea to bring in a replacement – and that’s where the Analogue 3D comes in.

The Analogue 3D will be available to pre-order in black and white models on October 21st, at 8am PDT (that’s 4pm UK time) from the Analogue website. It will cost around $250, plus overseas shipping if you’re not in North America.

Game over!

I’ll be back with a news round-up soon. Until then, take it easy.