I know analogue is marketing “reference quality” or whatever, but if these are the things you care about I think you may be too discerning of a customer (as am I).
To me, their true market is people who don’t have OG hardware lying around that want to start collecting N64 again and aren’t going to bother with upscalers, mods, or CRTs. For those that need a retro kick and want something reasonably authentic, brand new, and supporting an HDMI connection out of the box, Analogue is a decent consideration.
Otherwise, they don’t really deliver much value when you consider that you can obtain a real N64 through much easier means.
a lot of that could be mitigated by more plentiful availability of their products
I’m not going to wear myself out trying to procure a Pocket for example for over a year, and I’m sure the more casual gamers are the same. they’ll just get one of those Anbernic or Miyoo devices and call it a day and be very satisfied
these are supposed to be more enthusiast-oriented, at least that’s how it looks to me, and maybe some who are a bit more casual but want to have an authentic experience (hence the “no emulation” marketing). the premium prices and scarcity (artificial or not I’m not sure) leave you expecting more than they deliver to be honest
For those who may not know, their earliest hardware was the hardwood Neo Geo consolized MVS and controllers. It was poorly made and glue gunned rather than soldered inside.
I didn’t get an NT, but I have everything since including a Duo on preorder. I’m probably not doing 3D because N64 is one of the least meaningful consoles for me specifically.
I definitely love their hardware. The designs are great and it’s such a nice plug and play option for all the games I already own.
It’s funny because I’m the opposite - the pc engine is a completely foreign console to me, but I’m a sucker for Japanese games or that era.
The N64 is such a fascinating piece of hardware - ahead of its time in many ways, but hopelessly antiquated in others. I don’t think it gets enough credit for its visuals. Solid 3D rendering with texture filtering and anti aliasing in 1996 was incredible. It’s absolutely bonkers they found a way to do it.
I am no fan of Analogue for their part in gentrifying the retro game market (as if it needed help!), but didn’t stop to think about 8bitdo.
The M30 is my favorite controller and I use it for just about everything 2D. Like @harborline_765 mentions, replicating the stick of the N64 has been difficult even for Nintendo to do so if they can nail an accurate, comfortable, wireless N64 controller that would be a big net positive from all this even if I do pass on the console in favor of the MiSTer core or Everdrive.
He does marketing for them, explains why 8bitdo compatible controllers always followed the console announcements. I think his role with them pretty well known, seen it mentioned quite a few times in various places.
Wasn’t really interested in the Analogue 3D until I saw this mentioned on a DF Direct, going to be interesting to see how this shakes out vs the mister N64 Turbo core.
I think the whole silence regarding the DAC makes this a whole lot less enticing, especially with the options that currently exist for N64 (including just a regular old N64 and stock cables lol)
