First look: Analogue has unveiled updated versions of its Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis compatible consoles, adding wireless controller support and USB-C power to its cartridge-based hardware. The Super Nt Plus and Mega Sg Plus also let players power on the consoles using a gamepad and swap cartridges without shutting them down. The changes focus on improving ease of use rather than overhauling the technology that runs the games.
Both consoles cost $219.99 and will be available for pre-order this weekend, with shipping expected to begin in December.
The biggest connectivity upgrade is support for Bluetooth and low-latency 2.4GHz wireless connections on both consoles. Players can connect wireless gamepads without plugging a receiver into a controller port.
Analogue describes the 2.4GHz connection as low-latency, but its announcement provides no measurements or comparison with Bluetooth. It also does not specify which controllers or accessories support each wireless connection.
Analogue has retained support for wired controllers, making wireless connectivity optional. Players can also power on either console remotely using its primary gamepad.
USB-C replaces the previous power connector, allowing owners to use the same type of cable they use for phones and other mobile devices. Both consoles also add a USB-A port for peripherals. Analogue describes these changes as part of a "reworked industrial design."
The Super Nt Plus plays Super Nintendo cartridges, while the Mega Sg Plus supports Sega Genesis cartridges. Like their predecessors, both use field-programmable gate array (FPGA) technology to recreate the original consoles' functionality. Analogue is retaining this hardware-based approach rather than switching to software emulation, with the upgrades focused on connectivity and controls.
Both Plus models retain 1080p video output, unlike the Analogue 3D, which supports 4K output for Nintendo 64 games.
Analogue says players can swap cartridges without powering down either console, provided they first exit the current game through the system menu.
This distinction matters: Analogue describes swapping cartridges after exiting a game, not removing one while it is running. Players can leave the console powered on, but they must still exit the current game before changing cartridges.
With these revisions, Analogue is preserving its cartridge-based technology while updating how players interact with its consoles. The latest release puts convenience, rather than higher resolution, at the center of its pitch to the retro-gaming market.