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Is The Nintendo 64 Coming Back? The 3 Shocking Ways The N64 Is Returning In 2025

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The question of "Is the Nintendo 64 coming back?" has been a recurring dream for retro gaming enthusiasts for years, and the answer, as of late December 2025, is a resounding and multifaceted "Yes." While an official, Nintendo-made N64 Classic Edition console remains conspicuously absent from the company's release schedule, the iconic console's spirit is not only alive but thriving through a combination of official digital releases, groundbreaking third-party hardware, and modern controller innovations. The current landscape of retro gaming shows that the N64's return is happening on three distinct fronts, each offering a unique way to experience the console's revolutionary 3D library.

This deep dive will break down the three major avenues through which the N64 is making a significant comeback, providing the latest updates on new hardware shipping dates, recent game additions to the Nintendo Switch Online service, and the best modern controllers designed to recapture that classic, trident-grip nostalgia.

The Official Return: Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack

Nintendo’s official strategy for bringing back the N64 is exclusively through the paid subscription service, Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) + Expansion Pack. This service acts as the modern-day Virtual Console, providing a growing library of N64 titles playable on the Nintendo Switch system. It is the only official way to access a curated collection of classic games, and it continues to expand with fresh content, confirming Nintendo’s commitment to the platform.

Latest N64 Game Additions (December 2025 Update)

The NSO library is not stagnant; Nintendo consistently adds new titles to maintain subscriber interest and expand the available classics. As of May 2025, the library contained 37 games, with new additions continuing to roll out throughout the year.

The most recent and notable additions, which became available in December 2025, highlight Nintendo's willingness to include beloved third-party titles alongside their own first-party hits. These new classics are:

  • Rayman 2: The Great Escape: A highly-regarded 3D platformer from 1999 that was a cornerstone of the N64’s non-Nintendo lineup.
  • Tonic Trouble: Another classic platforming adventure that adds depth to the service’s retro collection.

The continued release of games like these solidifies the NSO Expansion Pack as the official, albeit subscription-based, "N64 Classic" experience. It allows a new generation of players to experience the titles that defined 3D gaming, from *The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time* to *Mario Kart 64*, all on modern hardware.

The Unofficial Hardware Remake: The Analogue 3D

For purists who demand original cartridge support and superior video fidelity, the N64 is coming back in the form of the Analogue 3D. This is perhaps the most exciting and significant development in the N64's return, as it represents a true hardware revival—not emulation.

What is the Analogue 3D?

The Analogue 3D is a premium, third-party console designed by Analogue, a company renowned for creating modern, high-definition (HD) versions of classic systems. Crucially, the Analogue 3D is not an emulator. Instead, it uses an advanced technology called an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) to mimic the N64’s original hardware at the transistor level, ensuring near-perfect compatibility and performance.

  • 4K Resolution: The console's headline feature is its ability to output N64 games in stunning 4K resolution, a massive leap from the original console's blurry standard definition output.
  • Original Cartridge Support: It is designed to play original N64 game cartridges from all regions (US, EU, and JP).
  • Legal Basis: Analogue can produce this console because the core hardware patents for the original N64 have long since expired, circumventing legal issues with Nintendo.

Analogue 3D Shipping Update (Q4 2025)

The Analogue 3D has faced multiple delays, stoking demand and curiosity among retro fans. While originally slated for an earlier release, the latest information indicates that the console is set for a major shipping push in the latter half of 2025, with some sources mentioning restocks and rollouts in Q4 2025. This makes the Analogue 3D the definitive 4K N64 "remake" for the current year.

Modernizing the Experience: N64 Controller Innovations

No N64 comeback is complete without the proper controller. The original trident-style controller is infamous for its unique, three-pronged design, but modern gamers demand wireless connectivity and improved analog sticks. The good news is that the N64 is coming back with a host of modern controller options, both official and third-party.

Official and Third-Party Controller Options

For those playing on the Nintendo Switch Online service, the official Nintendo Switch Online N64 Controller is the most authentic option. It is a wireless recreation of the original design, sold exclusively to NSO subscribers.

However, the third-party market has innovated significantly to solve the original controller's ergonomic issues and analog stick wear. These are essential accessories for any N64 revival:

  • Retro Fighters Brawler64: Widely regarded as the best modern N64 controller, the Brawler64 redesigns the shell into a more traditional, comfortable form factor while retaining all the original buttons. A dedicated Bluetooth NSO Edition is available for Switch players.
  • 8BitDo N64 Controller: 8BitDo, known for its high-quality retro controllers, has released its own wireless Bluetooth N64 controller, which is also used as the basis for the Analogue 3D's official controller. New colorways are expected to roll out, keeping the design fresh.
  • ModRetro M64 Controller: This is the controller for a competing N64 clone console, the ModRetro M64, offering another trident-style, transparent option for those seeking a modern aesthetic.

These modern controllers—especially the wireless ones—significantly enhance the N64’s playability on modern displays and systems, making the retro experience far more accessible and comfortable than it was in the late 90s.

Conclusion: The N64 is Back, But Choose Your Path

The era of waiting for an official, mass-market Nintendo 64 Classic Edition is over. While Nintendo has chosen to deliver the classics digitally via the Expansion Pack with new games added in late 2025, the true hardware revival is being driven by passionate third-party companies. The N64 is back, but the choice of how you experience it is now yours.

Do you prefer the convenience and official support of the Nintendo Switch Online library? Or are you a purist ready to invest in the cutting-edge, 4K, cartridge-playing experience of the Analogue 3D? Regardless of your choice, the resurgence of high-quality N64 hardware and software in 2025 confirms that the console's legacy is stronger than ever, securing its place as a cornerstone of modern retro gaming.

Is the Nintendo 64 Coming Back? The 3 Shocking Ways the N64 is Returning in 2025
is nintendo 64 coming back
is nintendo 64 coming back

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