We’ve been following the story with Analogue’s 3D console very closely ever since it was announced in late 2024. Selling out extremely quickly upon its initial release, the retro-looking unit — which is 100% compatible with your old cartridges — dropped in black and bone shells, followed by the retro-style Funtastic editions a year later.
For its latest release, Analogue revives a series of five prototypes that never were — transparent colorways that were manufactured but never saw the light of day, until now.
NINTENDO’S LOST COLORS
Back in the ’90s, Nintendo of Europe conducted market testing for what would eventually become the Funtastic series, producing a handful of fully functional prototype consoles in colorways that ultimately got shelved. These weren’t concept sketches or mock-ups — they were real units with matching controllers that collectors later discovered tucked away in storage from former Nintendo employees. Extreme Green, Ocean, Ghost, Glacier, and Atomic Purple all tested well but never made it to retail, casualties of whatever internal decision-making happens at major gaming companies.
Now Analogue spent over a year perfectly color-matching these forgotten variants for the 3D, effectively finishing what Nintendo started three decades ago. Each of these five Prototype Limited Editions carries that unmistakable translucent aesthetic that defined late-’90s hardware, but with the modern backbone that’s made the 3D the go-to way to experience N64 games today.
WHY THIS BEATS EMULATION
The 3D’s FPGA-based architecture doesn’t cut corners like software emulation does. There’s zero input lag, no graphic inaccuracies, and no timing issues. This is a pure hardware-level recreation of the original N64 circuitry after four years of R&D. The console outputs at 4K resolution (a massive jump from the original’s 240p), supports authentic CRT display modes for that reference-quality warmth, and handles every cartridge in the library without compatibility issues.
Even Nintendo’s own Switch Online N64 emulation can’t touch this level of accuracy. The 3D renders polygons exactly as the original hardware intended, just upscaled to work on modern displays without the blur and grain that plagued our old CRTs.
The Prototype Editions also drop alongside color-matching wireless controllers from 8BitDo (sold separately).
SPEC SHEET
Model: Analogue 3D Prototype Limited Editions
Colors: Extreme Green, Ocean, Ghost, Glacier, Atomic Purple
Output: 4K HDMI with Original Display Modes
Connectivity: Dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth Classic and LE
Ports: 4 original controller ports, 2 USB-A, USB-C power
Storage: 16GB SD card (included)
Region: Region free, 100% cartridge compatible
Price: $300
Limited Edition: Yes, unspecified
PRICING & AVAILABILITY
The Prototype Limited Editions go on sale February 9 at 8am PT for $300 ($30 more than the black and white versions) in highly limited quantities. The atching 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth controllers drop the same day for $45 but won’t ship until April.
Recap
Analogue 3D Prototype Limited Editions
Analogue just dropped five new limited editions of its 3D console in transparent colorways that Nintendo prototyped in the ’90s but never released — Extreme Green, Ocean, Ghost, Glacier, and Atomic Purple. They go on sale February 9 for $300, which is $30 more than the standard black and white versions.
