Analogue Nt

Last updated
Analogue Nt
Developer Analogue
ManufacturerAnalogue Inc.
TypeHome video game console
Release date2015 (2015)
Introductory price$499.00 [1]
DiscontinuedBy July 2017
MediaNES and Famicom cartridges
CPU Ricoh 2A03 [2]
GraphicsRicoh 2c02 PPU
Input3.5mm microphone jack [1]
Controller inputUp to 4 NES controllers [3]
Dimensions1.7 by 9.7 by 5.7 inches (43 mm × 246 mm × 145 mm)
Marketing target Retro gamers
Backward
compatibility 		NES and Famicom game cartridges
PredecessorCMVS [4]
Successor Analogue Nt Mini

The Analogue Nt is a home video game console designed and manufactured by Analogue, [5] [6] designed to play games for the Nintendo Entertainment System and the Famicom.

Contents

History

In March, 2014 the system was announced. [7] Analogue began accepting pre-orders for the system on May 5, 2014. [8]

Pre-orders began shipping in June 2015. [9]

A limited run of 10 24 karat gold plated special edition systems were produced by April 2016, and were available for sale at a price of $4999. [10] [11]

In 2016 Analogue announced a followup system, the Nt Mini, a smaller model which includes RGB & HDMI output in the base model and uses an FPGA as a processor. [12]

By July 23, 2017, the Analogue Nt had been discontinued. [13]

Hardware

Instead of software emulation or an FPGA, the original Analogue Nt uses parts sourced from damaged Famicom HVC-001 systems. [3] [8] In particular the system incorporates a Ricoh 2A03 CPU and an NTSC [4] Ricoh 2c02 PPU, on a custom printed circuit board. [2] [14] [15] A notable original chip which was omitted included the lockout chip used on the NES. [3] The system was designed to be compatible with NES, Famicom, and Famicom Disk System titles. [2]

The default model was released with RGB (RGB, Component, S-Video, Composite, VGA, and SCART) video outputs, [1] with an additional "add-on" for 1080p HDMI output and other digital features.

The Analogue Nt's enclosure is solid aluminium unibody enclosure manufactured from 6061 aluminium in China, and assembled in the United States of America. [2] [3] [8] Casing could be anodized red, blue, or black for an additional fee. [1] The system dimensions are 1.7 by 9.7 by 5.7 inches (43 mm × 246 mm × 145 mm). [1]

Reception

The Analogue Nt received positive reviews, with critics praising performance on HD TVs, while noting an unusually high price for the system. Will Greenwald's PCMag review gave the Analogue Nt a 4/5, praising the graphical output of the system as "simply the best-looking direct feed of an NES cartridge I've ever seen.", while noting that the price of the console with HDMI output was "tough-to-swallow". [1] Vice praised the Analogue Nt's build quality and video quality saying, "the Analogue Nt is a gorgeous machine...The Analogue Nt makes NES games look phenomenal.", while also noting that NES games may have limited appeal to gamers not nostalgic for them. [16] CNET.com said "In an age where retro games just don't look right on modern HDTVs, the Analogue Nt is a magical piece of hardware." while noting that "At $500 the Analogue Nt is obviously not for everyone." [17] The high price of the system was noted by many, such as Kyle Orland of Ars Technica, who noted that "it's hard to recommend to anyone besides the most committed 8-bit retro gaming addict". [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Nintendo Entertainment System</span> Home video game console

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System, commonly shortened to Super Nintendo, Super NES or SNES, is a 16-bit home video game console developed by Nintendo that was released in 1990 in Japan and South Korea, 1991 in North America, 1992 in Europe and Oceania, and 1993 in South America. In Japan, it is called the Super Famicom (SFC). In South Korea, it is called the Super Comboy and was distributed by Hyundai Electronics. The system was released in Brazil on August 30, 1993, by Playtronic. Although each version is essentially the same, several forms of regional lockout prevent cartridges for one version from being used in other versions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SCART</span> 21-pin connector for audio-visual equipment

SCART is a French-originated standard and associated 21-pin connector for connecting audio-visual (AV) equipment. The name SCART comes from Syndicat des Constructeurs d'Appareils Radiorécepteurs et Téléviseurs, "Radio and Television Receiver Manufacturers' Association", the French organisation that created the connector in the mid-1970s. The related European standard EN 50049 has then been refined and published in 1978 by CENELEC, calling it péritelevision, but it is commonly called by the abbreviation péritel in French.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the Nintendo Entertainment System</span> Aspect of history

The history of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) spans the 1982 development of the Family Computer, to the 1985 launch of the NES, to Nintendo's rise to global dominance based upon this platform throughout the late 1980s. The Family Computer or Famicom was developed in 1982 and launched in 1983 in Japan. Following the North American video game crash of 1983, the Famicom was adapted into the NES which was launched in North America in 1985. Transitioning the company from its arcade game history into this combined global 8-bit home video game console platform, the Famicom and NES continued to aggressively compete with the next-generation 16-bit consoles including the 1988 Sega Genesis. The platform was succeeded by the Super Famicom in 1990 and the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1991, but its support and production continued until 1995. Interest in the NES has been renewed by collectors and emulators, including Nintendo's own Virtual Console platform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super 8 (video game accessory)</span> Unlicensed video game peripheral for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System

The Super 8, also sold under the title Tri-star or Tristar, is an unlicensed video game peripheral released in 1995 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System designed to allow the system to run games developed for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The Super 8 utilized an NES-on-a-chip integrated circuit to duplicate the functionality of the original NES hardware, and connected to the SNES's own cartridge slot.

A video game accessory is a distinct piece of hardware that is required to use a video game console, or one that enriches the video game's play experience. Essentially, video game accessories are everything except the console itself, such as controllers, memory, power adapters (AC), and audio/visual cables. Most video game consoles come with the accessories required to play games out of the box : one A/V cable, one AC cable, and a controller. Memory is usually the most required accessory outside of these, as game data cannot be saved to compact discs. The companies that manufacture video game consoles also make these accessories for replacement purposes as well as improving the overall experience. There is an entire industry of companies that create accessories for consoles as well, called third-party companies. The prices are often lower than those made by the maker of the console (first-party). This is usually achieved by avoiding licensing or using cheaper materials. For the mobile systems like the PlayStation Portable and Game Boy iterations, there are many accessories to make them more usable in mobile environments, such as mobile chargers, lighting to improve visibility, and cases to both protect and help organize the collection of system peripherals to. Newer accessories include many home-made things like mod chips to bypass manufacturing protection or homemade software.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricoh 2A03</span> CPU made by Ricoh for the Nintendo NES

The Ricoh 2A03 or RP2A03 / Ricoh 2A07 or RP2A07 is an 8-bit microprocessor manufactured by Ricoh for the Nintendo Entertainment System video game console. It was also used as a sound chip and secondary CPU by Nintendo's arcade games Punch-Out!! and Donkey Kong 3.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nintendo Entertainment System</span> Home video game console

The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) is an 8-bit third-generation home video game console produced by Nintendo. It was first released in Japan in 1983 as the Family Computer (FC), commonly referred to as Famicom. It was redesigned to become the NES, which was released in American test markets on October 18, 1985, and was soon fully launched in North America and other regions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super NES CD-ROM</span> Unreleased video game console add-on

The Super NES CD-ROM is an unreleased add-on for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) video game console. It was built upon the functionality of the cartridge-based SNES by adding support for a CD-ROM-based format known as Super Disc.

RetroN is a series of video game consoles created and developed by Hyperkin which allows users to play video games from consoles such as the Nintendo Entertainment System and the Super NES. Since the release of the RetroN 5, they have been connected via HDMI. The latest in the series, RetroN Sq, was released in 2021.

Analogue, Inc. is an American company that designs, develops, and sells video game hardware. Its hardware products include the Analogue Pocket, Analogue Mega Sg, Analogue Super Nt, Analogue Nt Mini, and Analogue Nt.

The Analogue Nt Mini is a video game console designed and manufactured by Analogue It was designed to play games for the Nintendo Entertainment System and the Famicom, like the original Analogue Nt. Unlike the former, the Nt Mini uses an FPGA for processing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyperkin</span> American video game company

Hyperkin is an American video game peripheral manufacturer and distributor, founded in 2006, based in Los Angeles, California. They distribute accessories for major gaming consoles, in addition to creating clone consoles that play retro games with modern resolutions and on modern devices, most notably the RetroN series of clone consoles. As with most other NES clones, Hyperkin's NES clones suffer from imperfect sound due to a design flaw in the sound hardware.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Nt</span> Home video game console by Analogue

The Analogue Super Nt is an FPGA-based home video game console designed and manufactured by Analogue It is designed to be compatible with games for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.

Kevin "Kevtris" Horton is an American electrical engineer known for his work with Analogue with the Analogue Nt Mini, Super Nt, and the Mega Sg.

The Analogue Pocket is an FPGA-based handheld game console designed and manufactured by Analogue; it was announced on October 16, 2019 and released on December 13, 2021. It is designed to play games for handhelds of the fourth generation of video game consoles and earlier generations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evercade</span> Handheld game console

The Evercade is a handheld game console developed and manufactured by UK company Blaze Entertainment. It focuses on retrogaming with ROM cartridges that each contain a number of emulated games. Development began in 2018, and the console was released in May 2020, after a few delays. Upon its launch, the console offered 10 game cartridges with a combined total of 122 games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nintendo Entertainment System models</span> Overview of NES model variants

The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), an 8-bit third-generation home video game console produced by Nintendo, had numerous model variants produced throughout its lifetime. It was originally released in 1983 as the Family Computer in Japan, with design work led by Masayuki Uemura. Nintendo intentionally redesigned it as the NES in North America in an attempt to avoid the stigma of video game consoles lingering from the video game crash the same year; while it was initially conceptualized as a home computer, it was ultimately modeled after a videocassette recorder (VCR) for its debut there in 1985. Nintendo subsequently exported the NES to Europe and Oceania via local distributors.

MiSTer is an open-source project that aims to recreate various classic computers, game consoles and arcade machines, using modern FPGA-based hardware. It allows software and video game images to run as they would on original hardware, using peripherals such as mice, keyboards, joysticks and other game controllers.

The Retroid Pocket 2 is an Android-based handheld video game console created in China by GoRetroid and released in September 2020. An emulation console, it is capable of playing games from various handheld and non-handheld systems, including all consoles up to the Dreamcast. As the device does not accept game cartridges or discs, the user must supply a ROM image of the games they wish to play. It is the successor to the Retroid Pocket, and has emerged as a prominent handheld console for retrogaming alongside the Anbernic RG351. It is priced at US$84.99, however, an second version, the Retroid Pocket 2+, was released in early 2022, featuring a touchscreen, stronger CPU and RAM, and higher-quality buttons, at a slightly higher price point of US$99. An third version, the Retroid Pocket 2S, was released in mid 2023, featuring even stronger CPU and RAM. Critics praised its low price and build quality, but its outdated Android version, front end interface, low battery life, and offset analog sticks were noted as points of contention.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polymega</span> Home video game console

Polymega is a home video game console developed by American company Playmaji, Inc. It is a retro gaming console offering backwards compatibility with several CD-based platforms: PlayStation, TurboGrafx-CD, Neo Geo CD, Sega CD, and Sega Saturn. It also supports cartridge-based platforms, including Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Sega Genesis, Sega 32X, Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), and Nintendo 64. It includes a built-in CD drive, while separate add-ons known as Element Modules provide support for cartridge-based games. It was announced as the RetroBlox in 2017, and faced numerous delays before being released in September 2021.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Greenwald, Will (September 28, 2015). "Analogue Nt Review". PCMAG. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Inside the $499 aluminum NES that's crafted like a Leica". 26 June 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Analogue Nt: Classic NES Reborn as a $500 Luxury Machine". Time. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  4. 1 2 "Behold! The upcoming $499 1080p NES remake". Eurogamer.net. 6 May 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  5. ↑ "Analogue Nt Information – Analogue". Archived from the original on 2016-08-21. Retrieved 2016-08-03.
  6. ↑ "If Jony Ive Designed The Original Nintendo, It Would Look Like This". 2014-05-05. Retrieved 2016-08-03.
  7. ↑ Hollister, Sean (13 March 2014). "The beautiful aluminum NES that Nintendo didn't build". The Verge. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  8. 1 2 3 "Building a perfect, no-compromises aftermarket NES... for $500". 5 May 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  9. ↑ McFerran, Damien (29 June 2015). "Analogue Nt Starts Shipping To Buyers, Pitched As "The Leica Of Home Consoles"". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  10. ↑ Macy, Seth G. (4 April 2016). "This 24-Karat Gold NES Is the Stuff of Retro Dreams". IGN. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  11. ↑ Matulef, Jeffrey (4 April 2016). "This is what a $4999 24-karat gold NES looks like". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  12. ↑ "Analogue Nt Mini – Analogue". www.analogue.co. Retrieved 2016-10-05.
  13. ↑ McFerran, Damien (23 July 2017). "Analogue NT Mini review". TechRadar. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  14. ↑ McWhertor, Michael (13 January 2015). "The $499 aluminum NES is pretty on the inside too". Polygon. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  15. ↑ Belland, Christian (June 26, 2015). "Take A Peek Inside This $499 NES". Game Informer. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  16. ↑ "We Asked VICE's Interns What They Thought of Video Games Released Before They Were Born". 16 October 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  17. ↑ "Analogue NT is 8-bit NES perfection - Video" . Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  18. ↑ Orland, Kyle (9 July 2016). "The Analogue Nt is the best NES that (a lot of) money can buy". Ars Technica. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.