modretro

ModRetro Enters FPGA Arena With N64 Console as Analogue 3D Delays Persist

Owen H

Owen H

— 1 min read
ModRetro Enters FPGA Arena With N64 Console as Analogue 3D Delays Persist

A new competitor emerges in high-end retro hardware as Analogue grapples with its latest postponement.

ModRetro’s Nintendo 64 Ambitions

Seattle-based ModRetro has announced plans for an FPGA-based Nintendo 64 console, teasing 4K upscaling and original cartridge support. The project, revealed via Retro Handhelds, arrives weeks after Analogue confirmed its delay for the Analogue 3D, now pushed to July 2024. While ModRetro hasn’t shared pricing or release windows, its entry signals growing competition in FPGA retro consoles – a niche dominated by Analogue since 2014.

Analogue’s Delay Dilemma

Analogue cited “last-minute manufacturing optimisations” for its latest 3D console setback, continuing a pattern seen across its NT, Pocket, and Mega SG launches. The company’s insistence on FPGA (field-programmable gate array) technology – which replicates original hardware circuits without emulation – often complicates production. By contrast, rivals like Polymega use software emulation for faster development cycles. The retro gaming market, valued at $2.3bn in 2024 (Statista), shows increasing appetite for both approaches.

Industry Perspectives on Timing

ModRetro’s reveal during Analogue’s delay has sparked debate about market dynamics. “FPGA projects live or die by developer expertise,” said hardware engineer Tina Nguyen in a 2024 GamesRadar interview. “New entrants face Analogue’s same technical hurdles, but consumer patience wears thin after repeated delays.” Analogue’s 3D pre-orders remain active, though some Reddit users have reported cancellations amid frustration over communication.

Safeguard your retro cartridges with RetroShell’s archival-grade cases. Stay informed on classic gaming trends with our weekly Substack digest, featuring hardware deep dives and industry updates.

Read more