The Analogue 3D has been delayed for a third time. The modernized Nintendo 64 was expected to ship before the end of August, but now it’s slated for Q4 2025. The retro console was initially scheduled to arrive Q1 2025 before being pushed to July and then August. The previous delays were tied to ongoing uncertainty with US tariffs, whereas the latest delay stems from an unexpected production issue.
The manufacturer’s statement notes that the new Q4 2025 window was “intentionally set conservatively.” Analogue didn’t cite the specific issue that caused the delay, but it did note that nearly every aspect of production is complete. “Analogue 3D has been in development for 4 years, obsessively. It’s at 99%. Hardware, system, packaging–the full kit–been set for months. The last 1% is where we’re focused.”
The Analogue 3D is an FPGA device designed to provide an authentic N64 gameplay experience in 4K resolution on modern displays. Preorders for the $250 console sold out shortly after opening last October. There had been speculation online about a potential price increase due to the tariff situation, but Analogue decided against that. If you were fortunate enough to snag a preorder before the console sold out, all you have to do is wait for it to show up on your doorstep later this year. That said, Analogue ended its latest delay statement by noting preorders can be canceled for a full refund.
The Analogue 3D supports all of the original accessories. It doesn’t come with a controller, but if you want to ditch your old three-prong N64 controllers, Analogue collaborated with 8BitDo on a reimagined Nintendo 64 wireless controller. The 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller released in late-July and is in stock for $40 at Amazon.
The upcoming console is designed to offer the “the essence of CRT” on a 4K TV. You can cycle through various display modes made to reproduce the effect of an old-school television set.
Check out the Analogue 3D’s design in the image slideshow below. The clean white and black color options appear to match the original white and black editions of the Analogue Pocket, the company’s superb modernized Game Boy.
Gallery
With certain display modes enabled, players can revisit their N64 game library in ultra high definition with faithfully reproduced scanlines, shadow masks, and other effects unique to CRT TVs. Analogue says the 3D offers 10X the N64’s native 320×240 resolution without lag. The console is region-free and supports the entire N64 library.
The custom-built Analogue 3D OS takes cues from the Pocket with its Library and Memories hubs. Library is a catalog that displays a list of your games; a new entry is added to the list each time you load a cartridge for the first time. Memories is where your save states and screenshots are stored. You can save your progress at any time and jump back in at the same spot through the menu system.
In addition to the four controller ports on the front of the console, the console has an HDMI port, two USB ports, and an SD card slot on the back that supports SDHC cards up to 16GB. The Analogue 3D comes with an HDMI cable, USB cord, and a USB-C power supply. It has built-in Dualband Wi-Fi for firmware updates and supports both standard Bluetooth and Bluetooth LE.
Analogue has spent over four years developing a perfect way to experience N64 in FPGA for absolute accuracy. Ideally, this should be a massive step up when compared to N64 emulators.
Here’s a closer look at all of the tech behind the Analogue 3D:
Compatibility
- Original N64 game cartridges
- 100% compatibility
- Region free
- Compatible with original accessories
- Original style N64 cartridge slot
- Built-in Expansion Pak capabilities
Video
- 4K HDMI output
- NTSC & PAL Support
- Lag-free, zero signal degradation
- Original Display Modes (CRT & PVM
- models)
- Variable refresh rate
Audio
Hardware
- Two USB ports / charging / wired support
- SD card slot including a 16GB SD card
- Dualband WiFi with OTA wireless
- 3DO S updating
- Bluetooth Classic and LE
- Four original-style controller ports
- Up to four players supported (wireless & wired)
- 8BitDo 64 Controller updating via Analogue3 D System (wired)
- 3DO S (4K)
- 220k LE Intel Cyclone 10GX
8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller
8BitDo’s 64 Bluetooth Controller is also compatible with Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, Windows, and Android. It has D-input and S-input modes. The controller features all of the N64’s inputs–joystick, C-buttons, an authentic D-pad, A/B buttons, R/L shoulder buttons, and two Z triggers. The extra Z trigger gives the controller better compatibility with modern games.
It also has a Hall Effect joystick with an original style gate, a marked improvement when compared to the infamous N64 controller joystick that was prone to stick drift and becoming “loose” over time. Like other 8BitDo controllers, there’ll be a high level of customization that you can access through 8BiDo’s Ultimate Software, allowing you to tinker with fine details.
If you’d rather play with original controllers, you can pick up preowned N64 controllers at GameStop. There are a bunch of third-party N64 controllers available for cheap on Amazon, but seamless performance isn’t guaranteed with clones like these. One option we’d recommend in this category is the Hyperkin Captain, a $20 wired controller that’s available in a handful of translucent color schemes.
Considering how many Nintendo 64 games had an emphasis on multiplayer, you’ll probably want to have a few extra controllers on hand to take advantage of the Analogue 3D’s four controller ports. The console supports four players total with wireless and wired controllers (or a combination of the two), so you could opt for multiple 8BitDo controllers and ditch the original controller altogether.
