Analogue Super Nt+ and Mega Sg+ add wireless play to SNES and Genesis carts for $220

Analogue is going back to the 16-bit era. The company behind the Pocket handheld and the Analogue 3D has announced the Analogue Super Nt+ and the Mega Sg+, refreshed versions of its Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis consoles that first shipped in 2018 and 2019. Both cost $220, both play your original cartridges, and both add the one thing owners of the originals kept asking for: wireless controllers. Pre-orders open Monday, October 19, at 8 a.m. Pacific on Analogue's website, and the company plans to ship in December, according to Engadget.

If you have a box of old cartridges in a closet, this is the news you have been waiting for. If you do not, there are a few things you should know before you set an alarm for Monday morning.

What Analogue announced

The two consoles are the Super Nt+, which plays Super Nintendo and Super Famicom cartridges, and the Mega Sg+, which plays Sega Genesis and Mega Drive cartridges. Each one costs $219.99 in the United States, according to TechSpot, and Stuff reports the same $220 price for buyers in the EU and Japan, with local currency equivalents.

Like the originals, these are FPGA machines. Instead of running a software emulator that imitates a console, an FPGA chip is configured to behave like the original hardware at the circuit level. Analogue has built its whole brand on that approach, and it is sticking with it here. TechSpot notes the company chose to keep FPGA rather than move to software emulation.

Analogue says each console runs more than 2,200 games and is region free, according to Engadget. That means a Japanese Super Famicom cartridge and an American Super Nintendo cartridge should both work in the same machine, and PAL and NTSC games are both supported.

The key specs at a glance

• Price: $219.99 each, controllers not included
• Pre-orders: Monday, October 19, 8 a.m. PT
• Shipping: planned for December
• Wireless: Bluetooth and 2.4GHz built in
• Ports: USB-C power, plus a USB-A port
• Storage: SD card slot
• Video: up to 1080p, no 4K

Why the Analogue Super Nt+ matters to retro fans

The original Super Nt and Mega Sg were well loved, but they had a few rough edges that made them feel older than they were. You needed wired controllers or a separate wireless receiver plugged into a controller port. The power connector was not USB-C. And swapping games meant reaching over to the console.

The new models fix most of that. Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless are built in, so wireless gamepads connect without a dongle taking up a controller port, according to TechSpot. Engadget reports there is a dedicated pairing button on each console, and you can turn the system on and off from the primary controller. That last point sounds small, but anyone who has played from a couch across the room will appreciate it.

Wired controllers still work, so if you own original pads you can keep using them. That matters for people who care about the feel of a real Super Nintendo controller or a six button Genesis pad.

TechSpot describes Analogue's focus as ease of use and convenience rather than higher resolution or new underlying technology. In other words, this is a refresh, not a reinvention. If you already own the 2018 or 2019 versions and you are happy with wired play, there is less reason to upgrade.

The features that change how you play

Wireless controllers without the hassle

Analogue does not include a controller in the box. Engadget points to 8BitDo's M30, styled after the Sega pad, and the SN30, styled after the Nintendo pad, at $30 each. Stuff makes the same recommendation. So the real starting price for someone with no controllers is closer to $250.

TechSpot says Analogue calls its 2.4GHz connection low latency, but the company has not published latency figures or a comparison with Bluetooth. If you play fast games where timing matters, it may be worth waiting for early reviews before you ditch the cable.

Hot swapping cartridges, with a catch

Both consoles let you swap cartridges without switching the system off. There is a small catch. According to TechSpot, you have to exit the current game through the system menu first. The console stays on, but you should not just yank out a cartridge while a game is running.

USB-C, USB-A and an SD card slot

USB-C replaces the old power input. The new USB-A port can charge controllers, according to Stuff, and Engadget says it can also be used to connect CRT setups. There is also an onboard SD card slot. Stuff mentions that the slot can be used for ROMs, though Engadget frames the consoles as a way to play original cartridges without needing ROMs at all. Analogue's pitch, as always, is that you bring your own legitimate cartridges.

Extras for Sega fans

The Mega Sg+ includes a Master System adapter, so you can play those earlier Sega cartridges too. It also supports the original Sega CD add-on through a dedicated connector, according to Engadget. That is a nice touch for collectors who held on to that hardware.

Who should buy one, and who should wait

These consoles make the most sense for a specific kind of player:

• Cartridge owners. If you have a shelf of Super Nintendo or Genesis games and an old console that no longer looks good on a modern TV, this is the cleanest way to play them on a flat screen.
• People who want a lag free experience. Engadget says the FPGA design delivers lag free 16-bit games on a modern TV.
• Original Super Nt and Mega Sg owners who hate cables. Wireless play and controller power are the main upgrades.

You may want to hold off if:

• You do not own cartridges. Original games can be expensive on the secondary market, so the console is only part of the cost.
• You want 4K. Both consoles top out at 1080p. TechSpot contrasts this with the Analogue 3D, which outputs 4K for Nintendo 64 games.
• You already have an original model and play wired. The core experience is the same.

If you are weighing this against a handheld that plays many systems at once, our handheld gaming PC guide explains the trade offs between dedicated hardware and all in one devices.

How this fits the bigger gaming hardware picture

Analogue is launching into a busy fall for gaming accessories and hardware. Microsoft recently priced its Xbox Nano Controller at $50 with phone and TV support, and the conversation around the GTA 6 leak has kept gaming in the headlines. At the same time, rising component costs are squeezing the wider gadget market, as we covered when smartphone shipments fell to a 14 year low on memory prices.

Against that backdrop, a $220 console that only plays decades old cartridges is a niche product. But it is a niche that has proven loyal. These consoles are aimed squarely at people who want the real thing on a modern TV.

What to watch next

The first thing to watch is Monday's pre-order window. Analogue has not shared stock numbers, so it is unclear how many units will be available at launch. If you want one for the holidays, it is safest to order early, since December shipping leaves little room for delays.

The second thing is reviews. Early hands on reports will show how the wireless connection performs, how well the new OS works and whether the hot swap process feels smooth. Those details will decide whether the upgrade is worth it for current owners.

For more launches like this, follow our gadgets coverage.

Frequently asked questions

How much do the Analogue Super Nt+ and Mega Sg+ cost?

Each console costs $219.99 in the US. Controllers are not included, and 8BitDo's recommended wireless pads cost about $30 each.

When can I pre-order and when will they ship?

Pre-orders open Monday, October 19, at 8 a.m. Pacific on Analogue's website. Shipping is planned for December.

Do they need original cartridges?

Yes. Both consoles are built to play original cartridges, and they are region free, so games from the US, Europe and Japan should all work.

Do they support 4K?

No. Both consoles output up to 1080p. Analogue's 4K output is limited to its Analogue 3D console for Nintendo 64 games.