The company's CEO claims that Nintendo couldn't offer a more advanced version of the classic N64 than Analogue 3D

Announced last week, Analogue 3D, a N64-style console, offers the ability to connect to modern HDTVs, accepts original N64 cartridges from all regions, and comes equipped with four original N64 controller ports.

Christopher Taber, the CEO of Analogue, shared additional details about the console in an interview with Paste and claims that it will provide a much higher-quality experience compared to N64 emulation on Nintendo's Switch Online service.

"In my view, it's either this, or you'll have to buy an original N64 and a CRT," he stated. "End of story."

Analogue 3D is expected to have a broad release window in 2024, though the exact price is currently unknown. Taber suggested that their investment in the FPGA-based console, which he stated has been in development for over three years, was not inexpensive and resulted in "by far the most powerful and expensive" internal technology in the company's history.

"Reimagining the N64 with 100 percent compatibility and accuracy, and what I believe is necessary for it to be just like the experience we all had when we first played it in the context it was created for (CRTs, specifically), is not something anyone has achieved, not even close to," Taber said.

The CEO also expressed his belief that Nintendo couldn't significantly improve the emulation even if they were to release an "N64 Classic" mini-console similar to their previous classic systems.

"The nature of how software emulation functions with even the most powerful components - it isn't possible," he argued. "It will inevitably result in a subpar experience."

Analogue 3D is built on an FPGA platform and was designed to replicate the experience of the original console. Taber noted that developing 3D required "an order of magnitude greater amount of logical elements, speed, and more" compared to their previous systems.

This was necessary not only to authentically recreate the graphics of N64 games but also to upscale them significantly to 4K resolution, a task that he explained is much more challenging with 3D graphics.

"This generation of video games is where its context starts to really become important," he said. "All of the video game systems designed within this era were made to be played on a CRT. N64 games have mixed asset resolutions, amongst many other things. Scaling early 3D games for modern televisions is radically more complicated than 2D games."

He continued: "This is why 4K is so important for 3D games. FPGA plus 4K equals 100 percent control over everything, in every detail. Analogue 3D performs like a masterful orchestra - a symphony - because, again, everything is designed from scratch, in-house, with complete control over every dynamic.

"Therefore, every nuance is able to be calibrated to an unprecedented degree. To me, it's either this, or buy an original N64 and a CRT. End of story."

Taber also confirmed in the interview that Analogue 3D will support all N64 accessories, save states for games that require a control pak, and the option to turn off many visual effects, including anti-aliasing.

By default, Analogue 3D will run N64 games at their native speeds, complete with slowdowns, but optional toggles will enable "overclocking, running smoother, eliminating native frame dips," and more.