1. Unboxing & First Steps
Congratulations on your new Analogue ³D!
- Inside the box you’ll find the console, an HDMI & USB-C cable, the power supply, an SD card + cartridge cleaner.
- Before doing anything else: plug it in, connect to your TV via HDMI, and power it up.
- Important: Immediately check for the latest OS update. The manual emphasises updating right away.
2. Update the System Software (3D OS)
- Insert the included SD card or use the USB-C port to “Mount” the console to your PC (as described in the manual).
- Download the latest firmware from the Analogue support site.
- Copy the update file to the root of the SD card.
- Reinsert the card into the console, power it on, and follow the on-screen prompts. (If the UI looks corrupted, you may need the Force OS Update step in the manual)
3. Connect & Configure Controllers
- You can use the original N64-style ports for classic controllers, and also attach up to four wireless USB controllers (eg. from 8BitDo) directly.
- Note from the community: Bluetooth/wireless controller compatibility is still limited. > “Bluetooth controller compatibility is limited to 8bitDo 64 controllers … No other bluetooth controller works.”
- Tip: If you use original controllers, make sure the controller pak (memory) / rumble pak are supported. The manual lists these under “Compatible Original Accessories”.
4. Display & HDMI Setup
- Use an HDMI input on your TV that supports 4K 60Hz with 4:4:4 colour space if you intend to run 4K output.
- On LG TVs and similar: enable settings like “HDMI Ultra Deep Color” or “Enhanced Format” for that HDMI port. A user remarks:
“On LG TV make sure ‘HDMI Ultra Deep Color’ is activated … Input must support 4:4:4 colourspace.”
- If you see a yellow TV icon in the home screen bottom right – it means your TV input is not correctly reading 4K60. In that case you’ll fall back to 1080p.
- IMPORTANT: Many users report issues with HDMI-CEC (automatic control between devices) especially when using ARC/eARC sound systems. One user says:
“HDMI-CEC is broken as of version 1.1.0. … It includes ARC Audio.”
So if you have a soundbar or reciever connected via HDMI, you may need to:
- Disable HDMI-CEC on your TV or
- Use an HDMI-CEC blocker dongle or
- Use a separate HDMI connection for audio.
- Tip: Use the included power supply (9 V, 3 A via USB-C). If using your own charger, ensure the spec matches.
5. Game Media & Compatibility
- The Analogue ³D supports over 900 N64 cartridge titles across all regions. The expansion pak and controller pak support is built in.
- Game images can be downloaded frome here: https://github.com/retrogamecorps/Analogue-3D-Images
- Flashdrives are not all yet supported
- Everdrive 2.5: supported
- Everdrive 3.0: supported
- Everdrive X: Not yet, Krikkz working on a fi
- Summercart 64: supported
6. In-Game / System Settings
- Within the OS you’ll find settings for Display (resolution, filters) and System (region, save options).
- Most settings (filters, overclock, colour tweaks) are per-game. Adjust if you notice flicker, blur or de-interlacing issues. Community notes:
“De-interlacing for 480i is not great. You can try to remove the Virtual Expansion Pak to force 240p …”
- Make sure your TV is set to Gaming Mode (disable motion / image processing) otherwise the Analogue filters may not work as intended.
7. Clean Maintenance & Troubleshooting
- Regularly clean cartridges and the dust filter on the console. The manual covers this under “Cleaning Game Cartridges” and “Dust Filter”.
- If you experience a corrupted home UI or glitches: use the Force OS Update method described in the manual.
- If you experience audio/sync issues or HDMI anomalies, go back to the HDMI-CEC / port configuration checks above.
8. Checklist Summary
| Step | Done | Notes |
|---|
| Update OS to latest version | ☐ | Use SD card or USB-C mount |
| Enable correct HDMI input for 4K 60Hz | ☐ | Check TV settings like Ultra Deep Color |
| Connect controller(s) and update firmware | ☐ | Wireless support currently limited |
| Insert game cartridge fully | ☐ | Avoid “Unknown Cartridge” errors |
| Set TV to Gaming Mode, disable motion processing | ☐ | Improves filter and image clarity |
| If using flash carts, check compatibility list | ☐ | Many still report black-screens |
| Disable / workaround HDMI-CEC if audio issues | ☐ | Especially if using surround/ARC setup |
| Clean cartridge contacts & console dust filter | ☐ | Prevents faults and improves reliability |
🎮 Final Thoughts
Getting your Analogue ³D running smoothly is largely about firmware updates, correct HDMI/display setup, and controller/cartridge compatibility. If you tick off the checklist above, your system should perform at its best out of the box.
Keep in mind: some features (eg. full flash-cart support, broad Bluetooth controller support) may still be improving over time based on community feedback.
Enjoy your N64-era experience in modern 4K glory—and welcome to the club!
This post is part of the NewClassicGaming tutorial series.
