The N64 Is Back in 4K (and Every N64 Fan Is Losing Their Mind)

GoldenEye at 4K60, with friends screaming on your couch. The ’90s, rebooted.

Remember screen-peeking during split-screen? Fighting over who got stuck with the loose-stick controller? Blowing into cartridges like it actually did something? The Analogue 3D just brought all of that back, except this time your dusty N64 games run in glorious 4K on your modern TV.

Pre-orders are shipping today after a year of delays. Both the black and white versions sold out instantly. If you missed it, you’re joining the waitlist with everyone else.

Here’s why this matters: Analogue didn’t build an emulator. They spent four years recreating the actual N64 hardware using FPGA chips, which means every single cartridge works perfectly. No lag. No glitches. No “this ROM doesn’t run right on my setup” excuses. Japanese imports? European exclusives? Pop them in. They just work.

What Makes It Different (The Specs That Actually Matter)

Here’s the quick breakdown:

• FPGA-powered (not emulation): Real chips recreating real N64 hardware. Every cartridge works.
• 4K/60fps output with HDR: Ten times the original resolution, with CRT simulation for pixel purists.
• Four controller ports: Original N64 chaos, but your TV won’t look like garbage.
• Region-free: Japanese imports, European exclusives, North American classics. No adapters, no confusion.
• Built-in WiFi & global power: Updates without fuss, works anywhere without voltage drama.

The real surprise? Star Fox’s opening crawl in razor-sharp 4K, but still as melodramatic as you remember. The only complaint? You can’t physically slap your friend for stealing the Golden Gun in GoldenEye, but you’ll want to.

Gadgeteer Pro-Tip: Don’t blow in your cartridges this time. Each Analogue 3D comes with actual cleaning tools. Your lungs (and your games) will thank you.

Remember Fighting Over the Loose-Stick Controller?

Analogue gets it. The console keeps four controller ports on front because couch multiplayer is the whole point. Your crusty old controllers still work if you’re feeling nostalgic, but let’s be honest: those analog sticks are loose and sad after 25 years of Mario Party stick-spinning mini-games.

That’s where 8BitDo’s new controller comes in. They took the N64 layout everyone secretly loved and wrapped it in a modern body that doesn’t require three hands to hold. Hall-effect joysticks mean no drift, ever. Built-in rumble. Wireless via Bluetooth or 2.4GHz. And it’s $39.99, which is less than “refurbished” originals on eBay.

Oh, and it works with Switch, PC, and Android too. So you’re not stuck with a single-purpose controller gathering dust between Mario Kart sessions.

What’s in the Box for $249.99

Black or white console, your choice (if you can actually get one). Box includes the console, HDMI cable, SD card, and those cartridge cleaners we mentioned. The Expansion Pak and Memory Pak functionality is built right in, so you don’t need to hunt down $50 accessories on eBay just to play Majora’s Mask or Perfect Dark properly.

It supports HDR for modern TVs, has WiFi for firmware updates, and works with any power standard worldwide. The console was supposed to ship in 2024, then Q1 2025, then July, then August. Tariff drama kept pushing it back, but Analogue absorbed the extra costs and kept it at $249.99.

Both colors sold out instantly. Pre-orders are shipping now (November 18), but if you didn’t pre-order last October, you’re on the waitlist with everyone else. These restocks vanish faster than a Mario Party friendship.

Quick Questions You’re Probably Asking

Can I play Japanese or European N64 carts?

Yes, region-free. Pop them in and go.

Does it require original controllers?

Nope, but it supports them. The 8BitDo controller finally fixes the drift problem, though.

Will it play EverDrive or homebrew cartridges?

Most do. Check Analogue’s firmware updates for compatibility details.

Does it have instant save states like emulators?

Not yet. This is purist hardware recreation, which means you’re playing the way Nintendo intended (for better or worse). Analogue might add features later via updates.

The Bottom Line

If you’ve got a stack of N64 games collecting dust, this is the best way to play them. Perfect compatibility, 4K output, wireless controllers that don’t have loose sticks. It’s basically the console Nintendo should’ve made 20 years ago when HDTVs became standard.

Both console colors sold out instantly. Head to Analog3D if you want in on the next wave. Just know these drops vanish in minutes. Set an alert, keep your credit card ready, and may the odds be ever in your favor.