In the last couple of weeks, the biggest news has been the release of the Analogue 3D, which has been featured in a multitude of different YouTube videos recently. Although from a different company, a separate N64 clone system has also been making waves. That being the ModRetro M64. Finally, there’s also some recent announcements of upcoming delistings for a few Yakuza games and Transformers: Battlegrounds.
Analogue 3D Released
Starting with the Analogue 3D, over the last week I’ve watched a number of YouTube reviews of Analogue’s most recent FPGA clone console. There’s a lot of positive things to say about it. For example, the compatibility of officially released carts is perfect, with 100% compatibility along with no input lag or graphical glitches.
Before going into my summary of what I’ve learned about it, know that initial compatibility for Everdrive cartridges was not the best. Multiple YouTubers such as My Life in Gaming, Game Sack, and Retro Game Corps all tested compatibility on that front. Both Game Sack and Retro Game Corps do a good job of explaining which version of Everdrive cartridges have the best compatibility. Madlittlepixel has also recently posted a video discussing a firmware update to an Everdrive cart that is linked below.
One thing that is mentioned in many of the reviews is that your cartridges need to be really clean to work in the Analogue 3D. Even more so than on a stock Nintendo 64. At least Analogue knows this, and provides a couple of cartridge cleaning pads to use if any of your games have issues running. If you have several dirty carts then you will find “Unknown” carts in the Analogue 3D OS after you put them in the system.
Another aspect that many reviewers are excited about is the new 8BitDo controller made in connection with the system. Instead of using the original trident layout, it looks more like a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, but with four C buttons on the right side. Some reviewers were extremely excited about this controller. Russ from Retro Game Corps shared this sentiment in his video. Having the C buttons on the face of the controller was almost like a revelation to him (he typically plays N64 games via emulation). Most everyone said how comfortable the new controller was and how effortless it was to pair it with the system. Others also appreciated that there were two Z triggers on either side of the controller, thus making some games easier to play.
Multiple reviewers also explored support for the rumble pak and ram expansion. These features can be turned on and off on a per-game basis. Graphical settings are also set up on a per-game basis. While individual settings was appreciated, it was also irritating; there was no way to set up a system-wide series of settings.
This is mostly a pain when one wants to force certain games to run as close to stock Nintendo 64 hardware as possible, while others play significantly better when overclocking certain settings. Speaking of which, the Analogue 3D even includes an “Unleashed” mode that makes many games run at a significantly better frame rate than a real Nintendo 64. Sega Lord X does a great job of showcasing this setting in his review, which is also linked before. The Analogue 3D also has a couple of “Enhanced” modes that speed up games to a lesser extent, and many video output modes. My Life in Gaming goes into great detail about these in their review (also linked below).
Speaking of output to modern televisions, nearly everyone I saw praised the system for the Analogue 3D being the first clone console from Analogue to natively output Nintendo 64 games to 4K. However, potential buyers need to be sure to temper their expectations. It isn’t like doing so makes the games look perfect.
Still, more than once I heard people being very pleased with the system’s output and how they were strongly considering making it their primary means of playing N64 titles. The only strong visual issue that I heard about repeatedly was how the Analogue 3D deals with interlacing, or the lack thereof. Joe at Game Sack especially didn’t like how this was done (please see 12:50 and later in his review). He also had issues with constant rumbling in Zelda: OoT when using the new 8BitDo controller (see 13:36).
I could say more, but that is a lot that stood out for me from watching the reviews.
Concerning its price, the Analogue 3D is $269.99, but that does not include a controller, and as of this posting, all versions of the system are sold out (as is typical of Analogue, sadly). If you’d like, you can request to be notified when they will be available again.
Please see the links below if you’d like hear more about the system!
Links:
My Life in Gaming – Review
Game Sack – Review
Retro Game Corps – Review
Madlittlepixel – Concerning the Everdrive 64 X7 update
Sega Lord X – Review
ModRetro’s M64 Pricing and More
In other N64 related news, ModRetro recently shared confirmation of the pricing for their upcoming N64 clone system, called the M64. In a recent post on X, they reiterated that the early-bird price for the hardware was still $199. However, they also shared that the price will remain the same for Black Friday and beyond as well. The $199 price isn’t just for early signups.
ModRetro also showed off three different colorways for their clone system. These include transparent purple, green, and white. One thing that makes the ModRetro M64 stand out is that its controller is more authentic to the original N64 Trident compared with the 8BitDo controller for the Analogue 3D. The M64 controller has a similar trident look, with the analogue stick in the center and a single Z trigger on the back.
Additionally, there will be an eject button for the cartridges. This has been confirmed by looking at the press kit available on M64’s website. There are images for each of the different colors, with one image for each highlighting the button behind the cartridge slot with the word “eject” in the image’s file name.
The text of the post on X reads,
“The ModRetro M64 hardware is getting a full reveal on Black Friday – features, colors, our incredible new controller, cutting-edge @AMD hardware, etc.
Much has changed since we launched early bird pricing at $199 earlier this year, things like inflation, component shortages, tariffs, and more. There was also uncertainty regarding manufacturing – would our super-efficient FPGA design reall work? Would our yield actually hit targets?
Now that we have answers to all those questions, some great news: ModRetro can keep the price at $199 not just for early signups, but for Black Friday and beyond. Get ready to see what a couple Benjamins can still buy you.”
Please see the link below for a little gameplay footage of the system in action as well.
Links:
Post on X
ModRetro’s M64 Page
Yakuza 0 and Kiwami 1 and 2 Are Being Delisted on December 8
As was shared by SEGA a couple weeks ago, the original versions of Yakuza 0 and Kiwami 1 and 2 are being delisted from Steam and other online storefronts beginning on the morning of December 8th. These delistings follow the release of Director’s Cut versions of those games. All three of them are currently on sale on Steam with a 45% discount, making each have a price of less than $11.00 per title. Additionally, the series is available on GOG for just under $62.00 as well, without any DRM (link below, but know that the offer ends in less than 48 hours as of this posting).
According to other posts I’ve seen online, other versions of these Yakuza games will also be delisted, such as on the PlayStation and Xbox stores. All of the original versions should be replaced with the more expensive Director’s Cut versions shortly thereafter.
I don’t know what’s going to happen to the GOG titles, but I presume they will be delisted as well. Below you’ll find part of the text of the announcement on Steam,
“…Changes to Existing Title and Bundle
Yakuza 0 will no longer be available for new purchases from December 8th at 08:30 am PST.
Those who get Yakuza 0 by 08:29 am PST on December 8th can continue to download and play the title.
Those who get Yakuza 0 by December 8th 08:29 am PST may also be able to upgrade to Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut for $14.99 (USD), a significant savings vs. the $49.99 (USD) everyday price. Pricing and availability vary by region and are subject to change.
Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut will also replace Yakuza 0 in the Yakuza Complete Series bundle from December 8th….”
Links:
Steam Page
Steam announcement post
The Yakuza Complete Series Bundle on GOG for less than $62 – By the way, this offer ends in less than 48 hours!!
Tranformers: Battlegrounds Is Being Delisted at the End of December
The last piece of news for today is another delisting announcement. This time it’s for a popular Transformers title, namely Transformers: Battlegrounds. As was recently announced on their Steam page, the game will be delisted from Steam at the end of December due to the end of their licensing agreement. There is no word yet on any final sale offer on the game. Hopefully there will be one before the end of the month. Likewise, I don’t know if the DLC is going to go on sale either. The current retail price for the base game is $24.99.
Although I can’t confirm this, I think the Shattered Spacebridge DLC is needed to 100% all the game’s achievements. Finally, for those who’d like to read it, here is the text of the announcement on Steam,
“Hi everyone,
We wanted to inform you that TRANSFORMERS: BATTLEGROUNDS is soon to be leaving Steam at the end of December, as our licensing agreement for the title has concluded.
If you already own the game, there’s no need to worry – it will remain in your library and will continue to be fully playable.
Thank you for your continued support!”
Links:
Steam Page
Announcement Post on Steam
Link to the Shattered Spacebridge DLC
Another blog article about this game, and others, being delisted
Cheap Retro Gaming 
Leave a reply to cadmando18 Cancel reply