Analogue are undoubtedly the Apple of the Retro Gaming world. Their website is as slick as their products; you've only got to look at the new Analogue 3D to determine that. I received mine (after an incredibly long wait) and love how it both looks and how it plays my favourite N64 games. Being able to mess around with the display settings to make Banjo-Tooie, look crisp and clean on my LG 4K TV is amazing.
One thing I knew that Analogue would do, however, is make us wait for ages to get the black and white variants of the 3D, and then drop coloured, Limited Edition variations that we all wish we'd bought instead. And guess what, that's exactly what's happened now with their new Funtastic Limited Editions collection.
Don't get me wrong, they look amazing, 8 colours all paying homage to the original coloured shells that Nintendo brought the N64 out in. They capture that feeling I get whenever I think about the clear iMacs and the translucent Game Boy shells, a feeling I like to call 'the peak of retro tech', and I'm all here for it.
But now I've bought my white one, I wish I could have the Jungle green one instead!
The new colours are a bona fide kaleidoscope. Choose from Jungle Green, Fire Red, Watermelon Pink, Ice Blue, Grape Purple, Clear White, Smoke Black, and Gold, which is the only non-translucent colour, but the one that would look the best with the Majora's Mask gold cart inserted!
These limited edition consoles cost $299, coming in at just $30 more than the standard white and black variants, all of which are available from December 10th now that Analogue has more stock. They've promised delivery in time for Christmas too, so if you didn't get a 3D the first time around, then you can put in an order for the designs that we all really wanted in the first place.
You can also get an 8BitDo controller in the exact same colour as your new Funtastic 3D, and you'll need one as the 3D doesn't ship with a controller.
I need to say it - I'm really disappointed that Analogue have done this again. Release the main variant, then release coloured variants a week later that are limited edition - it just doesn't seem fair. Most of these are going to get snapped up and put on eBay for twice the price, just like the limited variations of the Analogue Pocket. I would have loved to have had the option to buy Ice Blue or Smoke Black when we put our original orders in, and nobody needs two Analogue 3Ds in the house, especially when they already have an N64 too.
I know I sound like I'm ranting, but it's a view shared by the wider retro gaming community too. I've had tonnes of messages saying this exact same thing, and I couldn't agree more. Let's stop the limited edition variants and just give the people what they want from the get-go. ModRetro are giving customers the option to change the shell of the M64 whenever they want from the off, so why can't Analogue do something similar?
If you haven't picked up a 3D and are thinking about taking the plunge with the Funtastic range, then let me know which colour you prefer below!
