Analogue Pocket

super_furry

Any idea how often they open up sales? Decided I absolutely need one now and missed out on the glow in the dark one because I couldn't complete a captcha quick enough.

o1s1n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121078330#Comment_121078330

After deadl0ck stuck that great deal up over in the sales forum my want for one has started growing again.

McDermotX

Best to just sign up for notification - although they tend to only get out to the majority a day or two after they are re-activated on the site, so I wouldn't be relying on them solely. Twitter or X or whatever you call it is generally the first place word tends to be announced, but I wouldn't be putting my own money down betting when that will be.

Last word was was that all Pocket orders made between July and end of August either are shipped or in the process of being shipped - certainly you could still pre-order them a month back, so if they claim to be on top of those orders, then the next production run would suggest a quick turnaround for anyone ordering when they open back up.

Can never tell with this lot though. They can sell what they make no doubt and the Pocket is a money spinner, but probably constrained in what they can choose to make/component allocation. Still need to get the Duos out before end of year.

Colonel Panic

General thoughts on this after a few decent evening stints with OpenFPGA and the build in cart support.

After updating to the latest firmware to enable the OpenFPGA stuff, sleep and wake it plain flakey on my legit Zelda LTTP cart and people on Reddit seem to have similar issues. Some people have zero issues, some have mixed success.

It's a little annoying as it's a feature I'd really make use of given how I tend to play games.

Memories, the GBA/GB save state feature I'm also paranoid about. I've used it so far as a belt and bracers approach to flakey resumes from sleep, it it states that applying a memory overwrites a cart's saves, which I am NOT crazy about given my experience with the software.

OpenFPGA is pretty cool. Battle Garegga is unplayable as a 3:4 game on a tiny screen. CPS1 games tend to work well.

The SNES core is nice, wherever it was ported from. Having a blast playing couch Super Aleste and doing a spin through Super Mario Allstars.

Not sure if it's the DPad or general ergonomics of the machine, but I'm a worse player on it. I mean dying on Super Mario Bros...

So I think it's good, but trying to decide if this fits in my life or not. I was all set to buy the dock, but my Mister and other consoles make that a redundant purchase!

super_furry

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121090621#Comment_121090621

If you’re looking to get rid of it, give me a shout, would take it off your hands.

Retr0gamer

More analogue pocket variants out:

https://twitter.com/analogue/status/1706322795158741344?t=u7jIN8Kjc_TBofwuAAwgaQ&s=19

Where's me neo geo pocket adapter!

o1s1n

Liking the Gameboy Color vibes these are giving off!

super_furry

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121046528#Comment_121046528

Just when I thought I was out, they pulled me back in.

Question is now do I go for the one I really want - the clear purple one - or one that might be a bit less popular?

McDermotX

No matter which one you go for (wouldn't be mad about a transparent one to begin with but the blue looks striking), just make sure you don't leave it sitting in your basket while perusing accessories.

Know what you want and if after accessories in the same shipment, immediately add them and get to the checkout. If not bothered with extras, just checkout as quick as possible.

Scalpers won't be far behind, but at least it's showing Analogue have a clearer line of production. You'd still want to be ready to go minutes beforehand.

super_furry

Well that seemed to go a lot smoother than the glow in the dark variant.

Managed to get a blue one with smoke and purple sold out and there were still red and orange ones about 10 minutes after the sale opened. Now to pray to the gods of import tax avoidance.

McDermotX

Nice. Aye....was casually looking at it and the least popular red and oranges were still up for grabs 10mins after the hour, so more variants (even limited amounts) did disperse buyers a wee bit. Granted if someone was set on one type only, they'd probably miss out, but certainly seems that they are finally getting on top of production........in their own constrained way anyway :)

McDermotX

Latest guff from Analogue

Colour could suggest a return to Neo Geo for them, not to mention the ties with 8bitdo's recent controller release (excellent pads BTW), with other suggestions like N64 a little more left-field IMO.

Of course, they could be trolling everyone with yet another limited edition Pocket......this time with a gold accent 🤣

https://twitter.com/analogue/status/1711785370499616966?t=n40NzLKfKQr3leWWVOGssQ&s=19

o1s1n

Yeah I'm definitely getting 'NEO GEO PRO GEAR SPEC' vibes from those colours alright.

New Neo system with Neo CD support? Might be a tad niche though..

Inviere

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121224087#Comment_121224087

Another machine that's basically a mister under the hood but takes original media? I've always had trouble reconciling those two concepts... I'm still at the stage of "it's one or the other, not both!"

McDermotX

Be unusual for them to be flogging stuff on a Monday, but who knows. Immediately think Neo Geo, but then this lot had a date for a press release about Analogue OS before.

I'd be happy if it was a confirmed release day for a firmware enabling the remaining cores, coinciding with the shipment of the Pocket Adapters. Then again. If they already have their adapters and Duos in manufacture/shipping by end of year, they're probably looking at their next cash cow.......Neo Geo for the niche, Analogue OS multisystem with cart adapters, gold-plated Pocket ?

McDermotX

Gone a bit left-field although given the strides the MiSTer core has made, it's the N64 this time around.

https://www.analogue.co/3d

A reimagining of the N64.4K resolution.Original Display Modes.

Reference quality recreations of specific model CRT’s and PVM’s.The first and only aftermarket solution supporting 100% compatility in every region. USA, EU & JP. Coming in 2024.

Doesn't support OpenFPGA though. Like the Duo

Not exactly everyone's favourite Nintendo box. Enjoyed the classics obviously, but it's a marmite experience these days in some ways.

Retr0gamer

It's one of my least favourite Nintendo consoles but in terms of nostalgia for it it's riding an all time high. It's goi g to be very popular.

super_furry

I mean maybe if there were PlayStation and Saturn cores then there’d be something worth playing other than the five decent N64 games, but at that stage, just get a Mister.

McDermotX

Oh aye. Lot of cartridges out there needing to be plugged in. Far bigger potential retro market than the likes of the Duo or a Neo Geo recreation would tap into.

Plus it's certainly possible, given what we've seen over the last few months on the open source FPGA dev scene. Think it was Hyperkin in the past who were pimping development of a clone - as in a proper clone, not a ROM dumper, but that seemed to disappear a while back.

Can be an awkward system to get the best visuals from, and some of the recent HDMI mods have prohibitive costs to say the least. One thing I loved about the N64 was that PSU module. Fierce handy to hook an import machine up.

It'll do well assuming a reasonable price level, not Pocket well, but there will certainly be a demand. Just a shame they didn't go down another CD-based option like the Saturn, but I'd be holding the disappointment until they can prove that level by getting the Duo out the door.

Inviere

It wouldn't be Analogue without obnoxious marketing...."The first and only aftermarket solution supporting 100% compatility in every region. USA, EU & JP. Coming in 2024."

They've literally no competitor, there's no fpga device that currently dumps original carts to ram to play them, so I don't get the whole used car salesman schtick.

The Mister core, at the rate it's developing, will likely make the above claim nonsense anyway. At least they left out "NO EMULATION" this time.

It'll be a lovely product, with Analogue's usual high quality feel to it, but it's not for me whatsoever.

Retr0gamer

Yeah it's not like the duo where the PC engines have dodgy caps and a cd drive thats garbage. N64 seem to be built to last until the sun goes supernova and are two a penny on the used market. Don't see any point in this since I've an RGB modded jpn console and an everdrive. A Duo on the other hand would tempt me if I had the money.

Colonel Panic

I've been playing the N64 quite a bit lately and it has some brilliant games, but they don't really look that great even via S-Video or RGB and I couldn't tolerate them upscaled via the RetroTink 5x.

I'm sure it'll be a great console though, when you wade through Analogue's wanky marketing.

Inviere

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121246916#Comment_121246916

Yeah agreed, it'll be a polished device that does exactly as advertised no doubt. If they're smart about this, the unit will feature an analogue out option, because with the quirks of the N64, modern display options don't tend to play to its strengths.

I've a fondness for the N64, and a very select group of games for it, so in that sense, it's great to have options like this. If you're the type to want to use original carts, and run them via fpga, this does seem great. As retr0 says, the N64 is riding high at the mo, so this will probably come at the right time for Analogue.

I would be surprised though if the Mister core isn't nigh on perfect by the time these Analogue units are in the hands of customers.

bugs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121246975#Comment_121246975

I'm guessing analog will be paying for that mister core or a port thereof. In the same way their NGPC core will be released for the pocket (when jotego finishes it).

Inviere

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121247180#Comment_121247180

I was wondering that, as in, they've hardly been developing a secret bespoke N64 core have they? I'd be surprised to see the fpgazumspass core being used in a boutique commercial product, especially when it could be argued that core has Patreon money behind it too.

There's been zero hint of a paid for port by Robert, the developer. I imagine it'd be trivial enough for him to do if they provided all the docs and I'd love to see him being rewarded for his amazing contributions....but the core isn't finished yet, and he seems to devote a lot of his time to it, so I don't know where the port would come from unless a third party with Roberts blessing?

Inviere

"At least they left out "NO EMULATION" this time."

I take it back, they said it once again 😔

"Analogue 3D is not designed using software emulation. It is designed using a specialty hardware chip called an FPGA, which operates on a transistor level implementation of its functionality."

^^ I'd be utterly amazed if this core was produced without the help of any software emulation knowledge or learnings.

Retr0gamer

It's kind of crazy how much love the n64 is getting, way more than the ps1 which was pretty much ubiquitous and also arguably the best console ever made.

McDermotX

Some more information direct from Chris Taber (Analogue founder, 8bitdo etc)

Usual marketing aims etc, so usual pinch of salt

https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/analogue/analogues-next-retro-game-console-is-a-4k-nintendo-64

Taber suggests an “early 2024” reveal of many more details about Analogue 3D. That includes the form factor, which Taber insists is complete and “in production.” For now, we did our best to corner Taber and squeeze out as many confirmed details about the N64-mimicking system as we can, all listed below:

● Anything that connects to the N64 via its cartridge expansion slot (cartridge pak, rumble pak, transfer pak, or even the very rare Bio-Sensor that came with Tetris 64 in Japan) will work with Analogue 3D, so long as players connect an original N64 gamepad to the system. Modern gamepad manufacturer 8BitDo is creating a wireless N64-styled controller in honor of the Analogue 3D, but it does not appear to include its own cartridge expansion slot.

● In the event that you need to save with a cartridge pak but don’t have one, Taber says that Analogue 3D will have your back in the form of “save states.” This computationally expensive feature isn’t always a given on FPGA systems, so it will be interesting to see how it works here.

● The relatively rare 64DD add-on, exclusive to Japan, will not natively connect to Analogue 3D. Taber suggests that “community developed” connection options will work instead.

● Analogue 3D will include a ton of gamepad options. Four original N64 controllers can connect via the system’s four built-in ports. On top of that, the system will include two USB Type-A ports and will support four additional wireless controllers via either Bluetooth or 2.4 GHz wireless. “Wireless controller support will be everything Analogue Dock supports and more,” Taber says.

● Select system-level visual effects can be disabled on a menu level if users would like, particularly the N64’s infamous anti-aliasing glaze.

● By default, Analogue 3D will run N64 games at their native speeds, complete with frame rate slowdowns (we’re looking at you, Goldeneye 007 four-player split-screen). Taber suggests that optional toggles will enable “overclocking, running smoother, eliminating native frame dips,” and other performance-specific tweaks.

● The N64’s optional 4MB RAM “expansion pak” will be built into Analogue 3D and enabled by default. Users can go into a menu to disable the expansion pak if they want to disable its features in select games.

● Analogue 3D will support the same firmware-update process as prior Analogue systems, via a microSD port. Taber suggests that “some new methods of updating” will be announced at a later date. (Analogue has never formally announced “jailbreak” support for its older systems, which have allowed system owners to load ROM files via microSD cards instead of physical cartridges to play games, but each has eventually received a jailbreak of some kind.)

● Taber says the Analogue 3D will only support “pure N64 and the original legacy ecosystem surrounding it, nothing else.” It will not include any fork of the “openFPGA” system found on Analogue Pocket

bugs

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121247283#Comment_121247283

Jotego's cores are funded by Patreon but are ported to the pocket and while I've only ever seen mention that these ports are developed freely for analog, I'm going to guess there is a return for the developer in some way or another.

Timing of this product seems a little too co-incidental, but perhaps someone else is working on it.

In the end though, if the core developers are getting more support and a wider audience is brought into the medium, I see no problem whatsoever.

Retr0gamer

Computationally expensive save state.... Sure.

Inviere

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121248162#Comment_121248162

That is actually valid. Currently the Mister N64 core doesn't support them as they're being left until later on. Robert wants to finish the core first, and at this stage, isnt certain if the DE10 has enough physical space to support them.

This could mean a few things, the Analogue 3D is using a larger fpga than the DE10, the core is not simply the Mister core ported, or they're using some type of hybrid trickery for things like save states.

It'll be interesting to see what they're doing.

Inviere

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121247814#Comment_121247814

That's true re Jotego cores, good point. Are they compatible with a stock Pocket, or are they for OpenFPGA only? This new Analogue 3D isn't OpenFPGA compatible, so it'll be interesting to see what happens.

At this stage, I'm betting they've employed someone to develop their own N64 core. If you've been following fpgazumspass work on Discord, you'll see he's entirely focused on Mister. If it turns out he's developing for Mister and Analogue, I'd have to question his credentials as a mere human 🤔☺️

Colonel Panic

The JT cores live under the OpenFPGA menu on the pocket, but if your firmware is up to date, that menu option is always there, albeit empty unless you set up an SD card with the required files.

Inviere

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121248345#Comment_121248345

I see. I suppose then this situation is slightly different in that the Analogue 3D is walled off with only Analogue OS compatibility, meaning it'd be a bit rich to fence off community supported cores that way. Does that strengthen the notion that this N64 core has been privately developed? Possibly yeah. Completely their choice then with regard how they use it.

Retr0gamer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121248379#Comment_121248379

The analogue is is open on the pocket. I'd say they are just covering themselves and we will see all sorts of cores on the thing shortly after release.

CiDeRmAn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121247498#Comment_121247498

You seem to have made a mistake there, shouldn't that read "... way more than the ps2 which was pretty much ubiquitous and also arguably the best console ever made"

You're welcome!

Retr0gamer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121355578#Comment_121355578

It's why I said arguably. I'd include PS2 as arguably the best console as well!

Although that's more agreeably than arguably.

CiDeRmAn

Indeed, between them you can play both Legend of Dragoon and Firewarrior!

McDermotX

Another round of "Limited Editions" in a couple days on the 17th. Shipping a couple days after.

Where's me adapters ? Even pink ones

Colonel Panic

Oooh, the Indigo is a very satisfying colour.

McDermotX

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121372087#Comment_121372087

Aye....it's not too bad, but something I always think........how come they've still never gone with a proper DMG scheme ?

Saving that for the 'Limited, Limited Edition'

Inviere

Are those pass through adapters STILL not out?? I mean, they're literal passthroughs are they not? (Ie, some plastic and some connectors)

McDermotX

Not yet......still saying ships 2023 (New Years Eve I'd say, along with the Duos)

Still presume it's the underlying core (NGP specifically) that's the hold-up. Jotego has his own issues with a beta never mind something propping up a commercial product (or perhaps under direction from Analogue to extend the conspiracy theory🤨)....Either way, there's still no way to play NG

Inviere

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121372531#Comment_121372531

Yeah that'd certainly explain the NGP ones alright. Wasn't there other ones though, like GG?

McDermotX

Aye. The GG one came out the same time as the original Pocket shipments, and works great TBH. Think it's popped in and out of regular shipment since then.

Lynx, PCE and NGP are sold as a complete pack though, so while the PCE is already catered for via OpenFPGA, the other two are still unsupported.

Inviere

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121372801#Comment_121372801

Yeah, definitely seems like the NGP is the hold up here.

CiDeRmAn

How much did people get hit with, in terms of shipping and duty?

McDermotX

Someone who has got something more recent from them might have a better idea but I'd say you'll pay 350 euro or thereabouts.

230 plus for the Pocket, approx 70 and change for the duty, and they have a habit of going full whack for the UPS of 50. I know they realigned pricing for US deliveries recently, but Europe was always top dollar. Don't think its changed for us. But of course you only see the shipping when racing for the checkout (FWIW....60 dollars to ship out adapters. Expect the same for the Pocket).

Honestly though, I think it's worth it.

CiDeRmAn

Eight minutes and counting.

Bugger

CiDeRmAn

Great, now I'm €300 in the hole and expecting customs as well!

Woohoo!