The Analogue Pocket creators' newest project promises N64 nostalgia in a brand-new 4K package.
If you're a truly dedicated retro gamer, you've probably heard of the Analogue Pocket. It's a nifty little device that is sized and shaped like the Game Boy Colors of yore, and lets you play just about any of your retro handheld game cartridges, up to and including anything from the Game Boy Advance library. With original display modes, no less! But if your longing for the good old days didn't end there, Analogue have just announced another potential solution: A device similar to the Pocket, but for the N64.
Introducing Analogue 3D.
— Analogue (@analogue) October 16, 2023
A reimagining of the N64.
4K resolution.
The future is here.
64 bits of pleasure.
Coming in 2024.
Sign up to be notified when Analogue 3D is available at https://t.co/EoEWYYF6Dl pic.twitter.com/aoIAWmN44U
The announcement post on X (formerly Twitter) was posted on October 16, and a new dedicated web page reveals more details of the device, called the Analogue 3D. Similarly to the Pocket, it will be a reimagining of the N64, using modern hardware features to let you experience your favorite N64 games once again. And your rose-tinted glasses get to stay intact, because with 4K resolution support, original display modes and CRT filters, the games will look just like you remember them looking.
Analogue 3D - The Best Way To Play N64 Games?
The Pocket was a rather niche device meant for true enthusiasts, but the Analogue 3D might find an audience even among casual N64 fans. N64 software emulation is notoriously difficult and often more inaccurate than you'd like. Even Nintendo themselves ran into issues getting their N64 games to run at an acceptable quality on their Nintendo Switch Online emulator. Compared to that, dedicated hardware is a much simpler solution for the average user.
I wouldn't expect another miracle like the fan-made Ocarina of Time PC port for a vast majority of the N64 library, so if you were hoping to play, say, Diddy Kong Racing or Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon again, the Analogue 3D might be worth a look! Depending on its price, of course. The device doesn't have a price tag yet, but the Analogue Pocket didn't go for cheap, so don't expect their new product to have an especially modest MSRP either.
As for when you'll be able to actually buy the device, all the announcement offers on that front is "Coming in 2024". In fact, we don't even really know what it looks like yet. The official website only shows a corner of what is presumably the console itself, and a render of a controller with ominously dark lighting (which looks a lot less spiky than the N64 controllers I remember). The device is likely still a few hardware revisions away from being ready to be revealed in full, so we'll just have to be patient for now.
What games from the N64 era do you have nostalgia for? Would you be willing to buy a whole new console to experience them again? Or are you satisfied with the Nintendo Switch emulation offerings?