# Analogue 3D at First Blush After two years, my very own [[Analogue 3D Preview|Analogue 3D]] showed up Monday evening. I got it set up yesterday and it is, indeed, the real deal. I wanted to share a little update from the article I wrote about [[Analogue 3D is Shipping and Looks Very Good|all the review coverage]], so a "first blush" style article seemed [[Google Stadia at First Blush|like]] [[Xbox Series X at First Blush|an]] [[PS5 at First Blush|apt]] [[Nintendo Switch 2 at First Blush|fit]]. # The Console The console itself is smaller and lighter than I anticipated, even after watching the videos. It's got the right curves and is the *essence* of the original N64. I think more so than the recently revealed [M64](https://preview.redd.it/some-pictures-of-the-m64-v0-ebarcp44ya3g1.png?width=1080&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=155e3c9fd0723cca84be117f18790b24083bf1ab) from Modretro. It blends right into my console set-up, right where my childhood 64 sat. Updating the console wasn't so bad. I used a [spudger](https://www.ifixit.com/products/spudger) from iFixIt to pop out the custom SD card—much easier than a fingernail. I love the SD card and its custom design. I will say, the fans rev up during the update process.[^1] Thankfully, this is not the case when running the games. The UI is *fine*. Perhaps a better word is "serviceable." Without all the promised OS features, it feels barebones. We need to change the metadata, global options, better customization over the icons, and proper cart save backups to start. Hopefully, the OS updates come as quickly as this console sells out. I desperately want a boot animation again. Please bring back Phil Fish. # The Controller While the Analogue 3D does not include a controller, they always partner with 8BitDo to make one. Their [iteration](https://www.8bitdo.com/64-controller/) on the iconic N64 controller is quite good. I am fighting decades of muscle memory though. It's not so much the stick, which feels different, but good—it's the buttons. My right hand should be higher than my left. This makes the face buttons feel lower than they ought to be. It's this total subconscious thing, but as I always say [[The 2025 Controller Collection Update|controllers]] are *the* way fully experience a game. My brain will maybe, possibly, one day get over this imbalance. The console has a desperate need to expand its Bluetooth offerings, including the [NSO N64 controller](https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/nintendo-64-controller/?srsltid=AfmBOopTWbZ1vmP55ejWbQn8fMih5qNM1X4Gt-ffpjwyqoJD5XqN4WrG), which should become the de facto way to play the Analogue 3D. # Speed The boot time is longer than I would have expected. Once on screen though, everything is snappy. # Set-Up Super easy process, although make sure you push the HDMI cable in all the way. # Games Games load right up and have that clean [[My Game Library|game library]] aesthetic. I actually do like that the 3D logs all your carts so you can see them. > "Here's a little hot take on about the Library though: I don't think it is all that useful. Since the console is officially supported by cartridges only, the user will always know what game is on deck. Odds are that person knows the name and developer, maybe they even remember the release year. If that person is scrolling through the Library, all they would see (I assume) is their personal collection reflected on screen, which is neat, except for the fact you can't act on the information in the Library unless you get up and swap carts. The Library is a great idea for say, digital libraries. I really wish Analogue outright supported the backing up of games to play digitally on their devices." I thought this was pointless in my preview, but in practice, I like it. This will be much better when a jailbreak arrives and you can also boot them from the SD card. The carts definitely need to be clean though. I am glad that Analogue includes a pair of cleaners, but a little isopropyl alcohol and a Q-tip goes a long way. I am pleased to report that my unofficial repro of [[Castlevania - Legacy of Darkness|Castlevania: Legacy of Darkness]] [[251125_Analogue3D_CLoD.png|appears on and works with the 3D]]. I was quite nervous after all the EverDrive incompatibilities (which seem to have been [resolved](https://retrorgb.com/krikzz-releases-analogue-3d-everdrive-fix.html) already!) It is unbelievably fun to use the ***UNLEASHED*** mode to overclock games. The intro of *[[GoldenEye 007 (N64)|GoldenEye 007]]* is faster. *Diddy Kong Racing*'s intro runs at *60 FPS*. It is remarkable and funny and fun. I am also pleased to report that the dual analog cheat in *[[Star Wars Episode I - Racer|Star Wars Episode I: Racer]]* works flawlessly, even with the 8BitDo controller as one of the sticks. --- As it is on day one, the Analogue 3D was worth the wait. It's already replaced my original console in my setup (for space saving reasons). For once, Analogue *under*promised and *over*delivered. And yet...the software experience is the inverse. The hardware goes above and beyond thanks to the overclocking, but the software experience has no fat on it. Analogue needs to kick it into gear for this [[Analogue 3D Preview#3Dᴼˢ - A Fork in the OS Road|new OS]] and ship updates ASAP. But even if this never got another update, I would pick the 3D over my real console and a RT4K or the MiSTer core. I don't have to worry about modding hardware for digital out, I have access to features the MiSTer doesn't have, plus I don't have to mess with SNAC adapters to try and use a real controller or accessory. With the 3D, I don't have to think. My controllers work immediately and the way they should. Every accessory works, no fuss. I can plop in my carts and go. The filters, which I forgot to even talk about, are great. The performance goes beyond anything real or MiSTer could achieve without wading into the software emulation realm I don't particularly like to go in. This is the N64 refined and it is perfect for my set-up. [^1]: Reminds me of the loud disc drive on the [[PS5 at First Blush|PS5]] while I was installing a game.