Many of those who cut their gaming teeth on Nintendo's original 8-bit console still hold a candle for the Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES (released as the slightly-different but compatible Famicom in Japan). Retro-gaming hardware company Analogue Interactive is set to capitalize on this nostalgia with the Analogue Nt, an updated NES that boasts modern upgrades and is housed in a case made from a single solid block of aluminum.
Its modern looks notwithstanding, the Analogue Nt actually sports genuine Nintendo guts underneath. Analogue Interactive salvaged a large quantity of cosmetically damaged, but essentially sound, Famicom units and farmed the chips for its own console. Therefore, the Analogue Nt should offer a far more authentic and compatible gaming experience than emulation.
Under-the-hood upgrades include four-player support, an optional HDMI-out that can upscale from RGB to 1080p or 720p, upgraded sound, and an adjustable color palette. The console also has the original Famicom expansion port, so purists will be able to make use of lesser-known accessories like the Famicom Disk System.
As its Apple-like appearance suggests, the Analogue Nt doesn't come cheap, and each unit will set you back a minimum of US$499, not including controllers, games, or all necessary cables. Refurbished NES and Famicom controllers are available to purchase from Analogue Interactive, and instead of brushed aluminium, the console can also come in black, pink, blue, or red for an additional $50.
Pre-orders are open now, with shipping slated for summer (Northern hemisphere).
Source: Analogue Interactive
