It's fair to say that the gaming public's interest in clones of vintage consoles hasn't diminished over the past few years; in fact, interest in such hardware is arguably on the rise. We've seen a raft of systems which aim to replicate the performance of retro hardware, including the Hyperkin Retron 5, the Cyber Gadget Retro Freak and the RetroUSB AVS, and there are more devices on the way this year - the most interesting of which has to be the modular Polymega. Clearly, imitating vintage systems is a steady and growing business, but as is the case with all sectors of the consumer electronics market, there's quite a varied selection when it comes to cost and quality.
In the early days, such devices relied almost entirely on software emulation, where a system's specs and performance are simulated using code. However, more and more modern examples are using Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) - a hardware-based solution which offers a degree of accuracy that software emulation can never hope to match. For the uninitiated, the FPGA approach replicates hardware at a low level without the use of code. These chips are being designed to act like another chip, so when a game is inserted it interacts with that chip just as it would with the original hardware. The benefits are obvious; FGPA allows for better accuracy and higher compatibility, but the downside is that it's a more expensive solution compared to traditional emulation.
Regardless of the costs involved, the use of FPGA tech is arguably the future of clone hardware, and nothing proves this better than the existence of the Analogue NT Mini. If you're a long-time follower of the site then you'll already be aware of Analogue and the amazing work the company has done over the past few years creating truly unique pieces of gaming hardware. Previous projects - such as the Consolized Neo Geo MVS and the original Analogue NT - took pre-existing internal hardware and placed it inside a bespoke casing to craft a truly unique product, but the NT Mini is the next exciting step. Original components are naturally no longer being made so there's a limit to what Analogue can do with existing parts; instead, the company teamed with Kevin Horton - creator of Kevtris and the HiDef NES mod which allows you to use your NES on a HDMI TV - to produce a new machine which would boast the same design aesthetics as the original NT but would use FPGA tech to replicate the performance of the NES and Famicom.
Horton - who has been praised for his efforts in the field of video game preservation - has spent over 5000 hours engineering the internals of the NT Mini to ensure that it offers 100 percent compatibility and 100 percent accuracy. What you get is a system which outputs RGB, Component, S-Video, and Composite signals, works with every NES and Famicom cartridge and is housed in a casing fabricated from a solid block of 6061 aluminium. The cost of such a system? You might want to sit down first. Things start at $449 for the standard silver model, with the black version costing another fifty bucks. That's a long way from being chump change, but is the NT Mini worth it?
Each Analogue NT Mini comes in a handsome, premium-feel black box which you'd be totally insane to throw away. Inside you'll find the console itself, an 8Bitdo NES30 controller (complete with a Retro Receiver), a multi-region power supply, a Micro USB cable for charging the pad and a HDMI cable. If you want to run any other AV connection you'll need to source those leads separately. Also included inside is a sheet of instructions which offer advice on how to pair the 8Bitdo controller as well as basic hints and tips for getting connected.
The NT Mini itself is a gorgeous piece of gaming kit. The aluminium casing is very weighty which gives the console some reassuring heft, but the underside is clear plastic, allowing you to gaze upon the bottom of the mainboard designed and engineered by Horton. The unit is 20 percent smaller than the original NT, and will slot effortlessly into most entertainment setups. The front is home to four controller ports - no need for a Four Score adapter here - while the top has NES and Famicom cartridge slots, complete with metal flaps that make a satisfying noise when opened and shut. On the back there's an array of connections, including HDMI, audio, USB and power, as well as an RGB / Component / Composite multi-port, a microphone socket (for Famicom games which require it) and a Famicom expansion port, which can be used for connecting peripherals manufactured for the Japanese system. The right-hand side of the system is blank, but the left-hand side has an SD card slot for installing firmware updates - as well as other neat things, which we'll come to later in the review.
The bundled 8Bitdo NES30 is an incredibly faithful replication of the original NES pad, but is totally wireless and has four face buttons and two shoulder buttons. Naturally, if you have some original NES controllers lying around then you can use those. The bundled Retro Receiver will also work with other 8Bitdo pads, such as the SNES30 and NES30 Pro.
Booting up the NT Mini presents you with a menu from which you can perform a wide range of tasks, the most obvious of which is loading up an original NES or Famicom cartridge and playing. It's possible to alter aspects of the image to get the best picture on your TV, or even add CRT-style scanlines for a truly authentic feel.
It should come as no great surprise to learn that the NT Mini performs flawlessly when running software. The hardware-level replication of the original system means that vastly improved image quality aside, this is exactly how you remember the NES; there's no lag, slowdown or emulation issues to speak of, and we didn't encounter any games which failed to load (although some dusty cartridge connections were to blame for a few failed boot attempts, but the fault for that lies with our lackadaisical approach to game storage and not the NT Mini). Likewise, there was no noticeable input lag when using the wireless 8Bitdo controller, but for those of you who are quite particular about this kind of thing, the option exists to use wired pads.
Simply put, the NT Mini is the best way to replicate the performance of Nintendo's 8-bit system that money can buy; sure, you can augment the original NES with Horton's aforementioned HiDef NES and fix the terribly-designed zero insertion force cartridge slot to get a few more years of use out of it, but you're still missing out on support for western and Japanese games out of the box, as well as a myriad of other benefits - one of which we'll address in the next part of this review.
When you buy an expensive consumer product like a smartphone or games console the last thing you'd expect the manufacturer to do is suggest that you "jailbreak" it to unlock new features. Tinkering with the firmware on any device is a risky business at the best of times, but with the NT Mini things are a little different - the person who has cracked this console wide open is none other than Horton himself.
Horton wasn't merely content with engineering one of the most accurate NES clones in existence - he also wanted to fully exploit the unique nature of the system's FPGA-based internals. As a result, he has been diligently working on a jailbreak solution for the NT Mini which not only unlocks the ability to dump your original cartridges direct from the device, but also offers the chance to run ROMs from an SD card and install other "cores" so the unit can replicate the performance of a wide range of other vintage systems - including the Sega Master System, Atari 2600, Sega Game Gear, Game Boy, Game Boy Color and even the super-obscure Bit Corp Gamate, a Taiwanese handheld we have a twisted affection for here at Nintendo Life, for reasons we still can't adequately explain. The most amazing thing is that Horton has reverse-engineered all of these systems himself to ensure incredible accuracy, and his hard work turns what was an already remarkable system into one of the most powerful multi-game platforms available, complete with 1080p output and perfect performance.
Jailbreaking the device is easy, too - you just need to download the firmware update to an SD card, load it up and power on the console. It will automatically install the firmware and add in the new options. Horton is continually working on fresh features and the list of supported systems is only going to grow as time goes on, giving you even more reason to invest in this unique console. There's even talk of Horton creating adapters which will allow you to run original cartridges for some of the new formats.
Below you'll see a video which not only shows off what the jailbroken menu system looks like (it's very much like the original menu system, to be honest) but also contains footage of NES, Master System, Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Gear games in action. All of this footage was captured with an Elgato Game Capture HD60 and no post-production effects were used on the footage. Out of the titles shown, only Star Force has scanlines applied - all other titles are shown running in the default output settings the Analogue NT Mini ships with.
The response to the original Analogue NT was overwhelmingly positive, but the fact that it uses original components means that it will only ever support NES and Famicom games. The NT Mini's use of new hardware may cause purists to turn up their noses, but the FPGA architecture offers much more potential. A jailbroken NT Mini is basically an all-in-one 8-bit powerhouse with numerous classic formats supported - albeit via the use of ROMs, the procurement of which is something of a legal grey area.
Given how much Horton has achieved in a relatively short space of time it's not unreasonable to expect even more features in the future, which makes NT Mini ownership a very exciting thing indeed. However, despite the amazing performance of the console and its tantalizing potential, the cost is always going to be an issue; $450 isn't cheap by any means, and the fact that there are much cheaper alternatives - such as the RetroUSB AVS, which also uses a FPGA solution - should give you pause for thought when it comes to making a purchase. However, if money is simply no object or you feel you absolutely have to own the ultimate means of playing your dusty old NES carts, this is the best option by a country mile.
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Damien has over a decade of professional writing experience under his belt, as well as a repulsively hairy belly. Rumours that he turned down a role in The Hobbit to work on Nintendo Life are, to the best of our knowledge, completely and utterly unfounded.
Is Field Programmable Gate Arrays the 2017 version of Blast Processing? Its sounding as such.
I read the article. I love hardware based retro systems. but the MOST IMPORTANT THING ON THIS ENTIRE ARTICLE IS: .. ... .... JOURNEY TO SILIUS. If you love brilliant mechanics, tough but fair levels, run and gun or action platformers, and incredible game music - you owe it to yourself to pick that game up. Originally supposed to be Terminator, but became something far more beautiful.
When they make a Super Famicom/SNES version I will be all over it!!!
@tonyhoro No. FPGA's have been around forever. It essentially just allows you to program a chip to behave the same way as the original hardware. During each boot, the instructions are flashed to the FPGA. This is how the Analogue NT is essentially able to get perfect accuracy across such a wide variety of consoles - it is loading instructions specific to each console onto the FPGA when you load one of the "cores."
Personally, and I understand I will get scoffed at for this by many, I love my Analogue NT mini. I know it is crazy expensive, but when you look at the cost of a new NES (Of which, I already have 3), modding them for RGB out (Or HDMI, if you need it), getting the correct adapters if needed (SCART), and purchasing the wireless adapter/controller, it adds up very quickly.
To me, the Analogue NT is totally worth it's cost. I am able to place my original NES I was using in storage for safe keeping, and I get a great 1080P out NES that is capable of playing just about any 8 bit retro console. The ability to load roms is a plus too, as I can keep my NES collection in storage safe and sound as well. To be fair, I do have a soft spot for the NES, as it was my first game console, but I think the Analogue is not so crazy if you are looking for a retro gaming device.
Once it supports SNES and N64 I will be all over it! My Gameboy is getting close to dying, my SNES pads are worn down and my N64 always gets so freakishly hot when playing for long sessions (it's because of that Expansion Pak without a doubt as it started as soon as I put that thing in...).
Something to replace those would be very appreciated ^_^
@NinjaSyao Unfortunately, I think you have a very long wait ahead of you. Jumping from 8 to 16 bit is extremely difficult when dealing with FPGAs.
I know Kevtris is working on a system he called the Zimba 3000, which is suppose to support 16 bit systems. However, he's also been pretty quiet over the last year or two since he started working with Analogue, since it took up a lot of his time, so who knows if or when that will ever come to fruition. Would be awesome if it did though.
@speedracer216: I'll second that. The best NES game I never played when I was a kid.
The NT stuff is really cool but I'm not in the market (or THAT market)....
I have the original Analogue NT and it is absolutely amazing. The video and audio quality is stellar. It was definitely an expensive investment but so was my catalogue of games and this is definitely the best way to play them today.
I really hope they can make a Snes version some day.
I just watched the cinemassacre video on this last week and was very impressed. Obviously not for everyone, but for those that want the absolute best from their older games and can afford it.
Jeez I just picked up the NES Retron 1 from Gamestop. Only $40. I wish Hyperkin would do an Atari 2600/7800 console that would take cartridges!! 5200 would be awesome too!! In fact: they should do something along the lines of the Retron 5. The "Retron Atari 5" supporting 2600/5200/7800/Lynx/XE/Jaguar Cartridges!! Whoops that's 6....ok scratch the XE 😁
A more-financially-viable solution is to purchase an RF Modulator for about $20, connect the Nes modulator into it, & it into your modern display. You could probably get fancier, & plug it into a tuner card, in your pc.
If it's low-level emulation, then it should be accurate. FPGAs sounds good, too.
I'm content using my top loader, connected in as I described above.
Edit: Forgot to add, the redundancy of 2 modulators is because most, if not all modern displays, can't pick up the signal from the old hardware. Another modulator is needed to, if I remember correctly, boost the console signal to overpower the antenna/converter box signal. Honestly, I forget the specific technical reasons behind all this, but I believe that is it.
Anyway, this looks like a good option, for those that want something of this caliber.
@roadrunner343 I bought one too, and totally agree that it's the perfect retro console. The added bonus is that I can connect it to my TV via HDMI.
As for "expensive", that's relative.
Too rich for my blood. I hope this sells well and Nintendo is upset by this being made and sold. They deserve it for being moronic, lying jerks about their own product.
@joey302 I think AtGames is releasing an Atari clone which runs original carts this year?
@Tempestryke Nintendo obvious doesn't care, the NES patent had being expired for ages now. They had no reason to take these product down as there's no benefit for them to do so.
Like I say before, if you just want to play NES games or any games from any console, there are cheaper alternatives that offer similar experience. Only get this if you are a collector, love to waste money, loves shiny things, is rich, had won the jackpot lottery, and/or had just recently inherit your predecessors' asset.
i doesnt matter if this was 150 bucks, theres plenty of the community here that feels everything is too expensive. all the way back to wii virtual console games lol
@retro_player_22 This is exactly the kind of attitude I was attempting to address in my previous comment. There simply are not really any other "alternatives" if you actually value accurate playback. The multitude of emulation devices out there are just terrible when it comes to accuracy, especially sound. Of course, if that doesn't bother you, by all means play and enjoy them.
The only real competitor this has is the AVS, which is priced at $189. The Analogue, however, has far more options, outputs, better compatibility, can dump NES carts, aluminum chassis, included wireless controller/adapter, and can function as a dozen other retro consoles, not just an NES. Is it absurdly expensive? Sure, but you really do get what you pay for in this case.
It's definitely not a product for everyone, but it's certainly not just for "the rich". People have no problem paying $400 - $500 for brand new consoles, and there's definitely a niche market for high-end retro consoles. The games may be retro, but the tech packed into this thing certainly is not.
EDIT: And just to clarify, I'm not knocking emulation at all. I have a retropie setup as well as RetroArch on my home media PC, and they certainly have their uses, and you are right, they are certainly better options for most people. But that's not exactly a fair comparison to a non-emulated hardware solution.
@Damo not that runs carts that I saw no...all 3 flashback iterations on the website due this year are games that are built in. On a positive note they did add a good chunk of the Activision 2600 catalog!
@retro_player_22 You misunderstood my words. Nowhere did I say I wanted them to take this product down. I do hope it grinds their gears for being idiotic in their decision regarding their own product and that I hope this product sells really well.
If money was no object, I would get one of these. However, it is, so I find my AV Famicom more than adequate running on composite to a CRT. Obviously you don't get HDMI (unless you mod it, but you're in similar territory cost wise to this), but I don't get the appeal of playing 8 bit games on a massive HD TV anyway. Though one day there will be no CRTs left in the world, and all retrogaming will done on LCDs and OLEDs, a sad day indeed 😔 Anyway I digress, this is an impressive piece of kit, but the cost will always mean it's an indulgence for the hardcore retro gamer. Personally, I'd rather spend that money on more games!
I can totally see the strengths of this system, but for me personally I think I'd still just rather go with the NES Classic Edition (and 100% so if it had a proper length controller cord and easy way to skip back to the main menu), or I'd get the RetroUSB AVS or one of the other high quality but relatively affordable retro/clone systems.
I mean, I couldn't really justify the price of the NT Mini on any standard console to be honest.
Also, for that price--and let's imagine this was an actual real option--you could get NES Classic Edition, SNES Classic Edition, Master System Classic Edition, Mega Drive/Genesis Classic Edition, PC-Engine Classic Edition and more.
I love the original analogue NT, it is the ultimate version of the NES and I don't regret buying it at all. This one looks like a great alternative with added bells and whistles and I am tempted to get this one as well.
For those who say its too expensive, remember that it depends on your income...for some of us, $500 for a console simply isn't something that we need to think about, as our incomes are large enough to easily handle such a transaction. Repeatedly.
And Damo, as another user said on this page, great job on all the retro reviews, previews, etc...they are perhaps my favorite part of the site and I also love your varied contributions across all the video game media. You sir, appear to have a very cool job/career and I hope its just as much fun, despite all the hard work I'm sure is involved, as it appears to be.
@joey302 This one: https://www.engadget.com/2017/06/13/atari-2600-retron-77/
@subpopz I'm not sure if you read my post or not, but I have 3 NES. Two top loaders and a front loader. This still offers many benefits over the original NES. Getting an NES connected to modern TV's without it looking like garbage is not as cheap or easy as you would think.
Again, I know this product isn't for everybody. But it offers a lot, not only for NES, but for 8 bit gaming in general.
@subpopz That's a fair point. Though, remember, top loaders only had RF out, which complicates things further. My original plan was to do what you are talking about, and mod one of the top loaders for either RGB out or HDMI out, still undecided at this point. But considering that requires chopping up the NES case (Which hurts my soul) and costs $99 just for the HDMI board (Or more, depending on the one you buy) I decided the extra cost was worth it for the added features and build quality of the Analogue. I'll still mod one of them some day, I would imagine.
One thing I do love about the analogue, is I don't have to choose between HDMI and RGB. One day, I hope to have a game room with a PVM monitor, so it's nice knowing that I can use HDMI today, but still have the option of RGB out should I ever finalize my retro gaming room.
@Damo yes my bad I did see that! Stupid me! I stand corrected! Thx for the link! This will be in my radar!! And I'll be damned Hyperkin of course! Now they just need to do a 7800 one that plays both systems carts!! Thx again!
I wonder if they use off-the-shelf FPGAs? It would be awesome to flash one of these through Quartus II or the like. They probably keep the microprocessor design files very secret, though...
I'll stick to the excellent RetroUSB AVS.
The one real bonus this system has over the AVS is the whole jailbreaking/SD card stuff, but i don't think that's worth the extra $250+ when that sort of stuff can be done on a plethora of other systems and PCs.
@tonyhoro No, the concept is not even in the same galaxy. It's like saying "Is Field Programmable Gate Arrays the 2017 version of legos?" Because legos have nothing to do with it.
Though I find it interesting that legos was the word that popped into my head, since the concept of legos is a lot closer to FPGAs than blast processing.
I have the RetroUSB AVS and I love it. FPGA is simply phenomenal. I wish there was more comparison to the RetroUSB AVS because it seems like the biggest positives are also positives that for that. I'd be interested in a more direct comparison of how they handle different games against each other.
Add compatibility for SNES games and I'm all over it like a pitbull on a chihuahua.
This looks great and all but how would people deal with cartridges with batteries that are obviously dead?
I really love the retrousb AVS. Were money no object, I'd get one of these puppies, but the AVS meets my retro needs.
I've known about this for a while, since I'm on the the Analogue mailing list. And I love the idea behind it. But with the queen's £ so low against the $ it's become a bit too pricey. Perhaps in the future when things change and I have more disposable income.
That sucks, guess I'll just wait for somebody to hack the Wii U to properly display 4:3 aspect ratios on old crt tv's and use that for my retro games (yeah, my Wii U is now my collective retro games on TV, Wii U games on the gamepad console). The 4:3 setting is there, but it doesn't work as intended, making it so that you have to play with either a part of the game outside of the screen, or black bars. Nintendo never bothered fixing that >.<
@bls: Carts(cartridges) that have worn-out batteries are not such an issue. The cart just has to be opened, & the battery replaced.
Yes, it's very expensive...but it's made right here in the USA and the Altera FPGA alone is nearly half the cost of the console in quantity. And we have the handiwork of one of the most naturally talented electrical engineers in the country to thank for the design of the system and its software.
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