After numerous delays that have tested fans’ patience, the Analogue 3D is finally entering its final phase. The FPGA console dedicated to the Nintendo 64 is expected to begin shipping on November 18, 2025, according to Analogue’s official announcement. This news brings an end to more than a year of waiting for the first preorders.

As reported by Time Extension, if you placed an order between October 2024 (when preorders opened) and today, you shouldn’t have to wait much longer. But as highlighted by Rom Game, the story of this console has turned into a saga whose twists and turns have ended up frustrating a large part of the retrogaming community.

Repeated delays that erode trust

Announced in 2023 with a release planned for 2024, the Analogue 3D sold out just minutes after preorders opened in October 2024 (with a price of $250). But the initial excitement quickly gave way to a series of disappointments.

Delays piled up, constantly pushing back the launch. In July, after a full year of postponements, Analogue promised shipments would begin in August. That promise went unfulfilled: in August, the console was delayed again by several months. Even more frustrating, the company has been extremely reluctant to share footage of the console in action, limiting communication to brief teasers.

This lack of transparency fueled growing skepticism. Many began questioning whether the final product would live up to the hype. Some frustrated customers even canceled their preorders in favor of ModRetro’s M64, a competing device priced at $199.99 with far more transparent communication.

This time, it might really happen

According to Analogue, the first units will leave the warehouses on November 18, allowing players to rediscover their Nintendo 64 library just in time for the holidays. Customers have until November 16 to update their shipping address. The console remains out of stock on the official store in both colors (black and white), meaning latecomers will have to wait for the next batch.

A faithful hardware reproduction of the N64

Analogue’s goal is to recreate the internal hardware behavior of the Nintendo 64 using modern components. Unlike software emulation, FPGA technology replicates the original console’s hardware logic, theoretically ensuring perfect compatibility and zero latency.

The Analogue 3D connects to modern TVs and outputs games in 4K. It offers full compatibility with the global catalog (PAL, NTSC-U, NTSC-J) and includes four controller ports in the original format, preserving the authentic multiplayer experience that made the N64 so iconic.

A risky bet

The company is betting big on this launch. The repeated delays have damaged its reputation, while competitors seem to offer credible alternatives. The coming weeks will be decisive: if the feedback is positive, the brand may regain the community’s trust — and that’s all we can hope for.