The Return of Analogue: The Ultimate Retro Gaming Experience
Hey there, gamers! Guess who’s back in the gaming world with another exciting offering? It’s none other than Analogue, the company that prides itself on being the Rolls Royce of retro gaming. And this time, they’ve come up with something truly unique and niche – the Analogue Duo.
Now, Analogue has always been known for its machines that bring back the classics from the most popular consoles like the SNES, Mega Drive, and Game Boy. But this time, they’re targeting the hardcore gamers. Yes, the ones who take their retro gaming extremely seriously. And let me tell you, the Analogue Duo is designed with them in mind.
The main selling point remains the same – the FPGA technology that makes old games look stunning on modern displays. It’s like giving these classics a new life, preserving their glory for the current generation of gamers. But what’s different this time is the machine itself. The TurboGrafx-16, also known as the PC Engine, is the star of the show.
I know what you’re thinking – how many of us have actually played or owned a TurboGrafx-16? I’ll admit, it’s a pretty niche console that many of us may not be familiar with. And that’s precisely why Analogue’s boss asked if we even had games to test the Duo with. But hey, I’m an insufferable gamer, so I did have some games to try out. But I understand that not everyone does. And that’s telling – this one’s for a narrower audience.
But don’t think for a second that Analogue has taken a step back in crafting this machine. The Duo is a gorgeous, high-end device with a price tag to match ($250). It’s for those who want the equivalent of audiophile-quality sound in the world of retro gaming. You know, like vinyl records. You can either get a cheap turntable that connects to your bluetooth speakers, or you can invest in a high-end setup with bookshelf speakers and a premium turntable. The Duo is definitely for the retrophiles, the gamers who want nothing but the best.
From the moment you lay your eyes on the Duo, you know it’s a premium experience. The box itself is lovely, and as you slide it open, you’re greeted with a compact machine that takes its shape from the TurboDuo, the console that inspired it all. The ‘Duo’ in its name signifies its dual compatibility, allowing you to play both cartridge-style ‘Hucard’ releases and CDs. It’s a nod to the original machine’s architecture, which featured an 8-Bit CPU and a 16-Bit GPU working in tandem.
Under the hood, the Duo is built on FPGA technology, just like all of Analogue’s offerings. FPGA stands for Field-Programmable Gate Array, and it’s a fancy way of saying that the chip inside the Duo acts exactly like the original hardware. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill software emulation that tries to replicate the real thing. No, this is the real deal. Analogue claims 100% accuracy in all games, and while that might not be entirely true, it’s pretty darn close. In fact, I’ve become an FPGA convert over the years because it saves me the hassle of dealing with original hardware.
In my testing, the Duo proved itself to be another FPGA winner. Now, I’ll be honest – I’m not as well-versed in Turbografx stuff as I am in other consoles like the Mega Drive or Game Boy. But everything ran smoothly on the Duo, with no lag or bugs in sight. It’s as if the machine knew exactly what I wanted to play with just a couple of clicks in its user-friendly interface.
Of course, there are a few features missing at the moment, like save states. It’s frustrating, but Analogue has a track record of delivering on software updates, so I have faith that the Duo will live up to its promises. Right now, without save states, it feels closer to the original hardware experience. And speaking of the operating system, this is where some gamers might have a bone to pick with Analogue.
The Duo runs on Analogue’s proprietary operating system and doesn’t support OpenFPGA, which is a bummer for those who want to play games from SD cards and other sources. But fear not, because Analogue has the flagship OpenFPGA device, the Analogue Pocket, and they have plans for an Analogue 3D machine for N64 games. So, while the Duo might be limited in its functionality for now, Analogue has proven time and again that they’re committed to delivering the best experience for retro gaming enthusiasts.
Now, let’s talk about the price tag. Yes, the Duo is on the expensive side, and I won’t sugarcoat it. But here’s the thing – Analogue is not responsible for the rarity and high prices of the games themselves. They’re here to create lavish machines to play these games on, and that’s exactly what the Duo does. It’s compatible with original controllers, but it also has Bluetooth and WiFi capabilities to connect with wireless controllers. And I have to say, they’ve done a fantastic job replicating the original machine’s 3.5mm headphone jack and volume rocker. The attention to detail is impressive.
Sure, there are some downsides, like the lack of a menu option to mute the TV output when using headphones. And let’s not forget the slot-loading CD drive that can be a bit nerve-wracking. But when you hold the Duo in your hands, you can’t help but appreciate the quality and craftsmanship that went into it. It’s a truly lovely piece of hardware.
Now, I won’t deny that the Duo is a niche product. Without the ability to play games from an SD card, it caters to a specific group of gamers. But here’s the thing – Analogue is staying true to its roots, catering to the hardcore collectors. They’re not just going for the big, heavy hitters. They’re bringing back consoles like the TurboGrafx-16 and giving gamers a chance to experience their best games in a modern setting. And for those who appreciate the history and rarity of these games, the Duo is a must-have.
So, my fellow gamers, if you’re looking for the ultimate retro gaming experience, the Analogue Duo is where it’s at. Yes, it’s a bit pricey, and yes, it’s targeted at a specific audience. But if you’re a retrophile who wants the best of the best, the Duo is your ticket to gaming bliss. It’s time to embrace the classics, relive the glory days, and experience gaming like never before. Don’t miss out on this lovely curiosity. Get your hands on the Analogue Duo and let the nostalgia wash over you. Game on!