Tariff Trouble: FPGA N64 Analogue 3D Pushed to Late August – Again!

Fun Fact: The original PlayStation was born from a failed Nintendo deal.
Sony was working with Nintendo to create a CD-based SNES add-on. When the partnership fell apart, Sony went solo and launched the PlayStation in 1994—changing gaming forever.

In today’s email:

• Tariff Trouble: FPGA N64 Analogue 3D Pushed to Late August – Again!

• Hear Contra & Simon’s Quest on Sega Master System—PSG Remakes That Blow Nostalgia Out of the Water

• Farewell to a Voice of Our Childhood: Pokémon’s James Carter Cathcart Passes at 71

Tariff Trouble: FPGA N64 Analogue 3D Pushed to Late August – Again!

Hey Retro Gamers!

If you thought the heat‑wave was making your N64 feel slow, wait till you hear this: the Analogue 3D, that slick FPGA-powered N64 reimagined in glorious 4K, has been delayed again. Yep, your next round of Mario 64 on modern TVs will have to wait…yet another month.

What’s Going On?

Originally announced for late 2024 and later shifted to Q1 2025, the Analogue 3D was then bumped into July. Now, thanks to sudden surcharges from U.S. import tariffs on Asian electronics, Analogue Inc. has pushed shipping to late August 2025.

What’s interesting? Analogue's telling us they’re absorbing the new costs so your preorder stays locked in at $249.99—no surprise fees at delivery. Good on them.

A Look Back at the Delays

Let’s break down the timeline:

• Oct 2024 — Preorders open

• Q1 2025 — First ship window, later missed

• March 2025 — Slipped into July

• July 15, 2025 — New delay announced, shipping late August

Why FPGA? What Makes Analogue 3D Special?

• Authentic FPGA emulation — no software emulation pitfalls like lag or glitchy rendering.

• 4K upscaling + CRT filters — nostalgia meets clarity.

• Original cartridge + peripheral support — everything from N64 games to thumbsticks and the Expansion Pak.

• Bluetooth & Wi‑Fi capable — plus support for 8BitDo’s slick N64-style controller.

• Four-player ready — perfect for Mario Kart mayhem.

Analogue CEO Christopher Taber said in 2023:

What This Means for You

• No price hikes – Analogue covers those new tariffs; preorders remain $249.99.

• August ETA – keep an eye out for shipping emails (~1 week before dispatch).

• Full refund anytime – Analogue’s “no questions asked” preorder cancellation policy still active.

• Still no official gameplay demos — some are still waiting for video proof from the company .

Three Tips While You Wait

1. Dust off your cart stack – now’s a great time to prep your N64 classics 🍄

2. Follow @analogue on social — they usually post shout‑outs, updates & promo art

3. Join the chat – Retro‑gaming subreddits like r/n64 and r/AnalogueInc are buzzing

TL;DR

• Analogue 3D—the FPGA-powered, cartridge-based, 4K-boosted N64—is delayed to late August 2025 because of new U.S. tariffs.

• Preorder price holds steady at $249.99, and they’ll eat the extra import costs.

• No extra fees for you, but you can cancel anytime.

• Still no gameplay video, but shipping news should come in the next 4–6 weeks.

Let’s Chat!

How are you feeling? Are you still pumped for the Analogue 3D or ready to hop ship (maybe to the new ModRetro M64)?

Hear Contra & Simon’s Quest on Sega Master System—PSG Remakes That Blow Nostalgia Out of the Water

Retro gaming fans, buckle up! A supremely talented musician named chirinea is crafting jaw-dropping Sega PSG (SN76496) renditions of classic tracks from Contra and Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest, imagining how these NES gems would have sounded if ported to the Sega Master System. The results? Absolutely mesmerizing.

This PSG Revival Hits Hard

In the current wave of fan-made retro ports, programmer Enrico Pallazzo and audio maestro chirinea are teaming up to bring Contra and Castlevania II to the Sega 8-bit universe. The collaborations are ongoing, but the demos already tease an incredible transformation:

• Contra gets a fresh coat of Sega-style paint: title screen, Jungle level, boss music, stages 3, 5, 6, 8, and end credits—all redone in authentic PSG sound.

• Castlevania II sees early PSG demos for “The Silence of Daylight” (town theme) and iconic “Bloody Tears” during daylight.

These reinventions are far from simple remixes—they’re thoughtful reimaginations that align with Sega’s sonic fingerprint: punchy, melodic, and full of retro flavor.

Hear It Yourself

Dive into the vibe of this project with chirinea’s YouTube demo:

If that PSG twist on “Bloody Tears” doesn't give you chills, your nostalgia meter might be broken.

The Audio Deep Dive

Understanding why chirinea’s PSG creations resonate so well involves a look back at hardware:

• NES APU: Rich wave and noise channels—but limited.

• SMS SN76496: Distinct tone channels perfect for twangy leads, clear bass, and sharp percussion.

Chirinea adapts NES tracks by:

• Reallocating melodies to fit tone channels.

• Using snappy duty cycles and white noise for rhythm that matches the master system aesthetic.

• Balancing authenticity with creativity—faithful yet fresh.

The result? Tracks feel like hidden Sega Master System originals, not translations.

What’s in Development

While the Contra and Castlevania II exchanges are just demos, they're more than proof-of-concept—they represent a full remix pipeline:

1. Extract classic melodies.

2. Convert them to PSG format using tracking software (like Furnace).

3. Integrate into homebrew SMS ports (thanks to Pallazzo’s engine groundwork).

Demos are downloadable via SMS Power, letting fans experience playable scenes driven by these tunes. Think: run-and-gun Contra sequel on an 8‑bit Sega deck. Neat, right?

Why We’re Buzzing About This

• Nostalgia unlocked: It’s a love letter to NES classics with a twist.

• Audio Innovation: Pro-level PSG work pushes retro audio boundaries.

• Collaborative spirit: Two niche homebrew legends diverging into fan-service magic.

• Major share potential: Fans are ready to hear and discuss.

Get Involved

• Subscribe to chirinea’s channel – Stay up to date with new PSG tracks & demo releases .

• Download demos on SMS Power – Explore playable snippets of both games and hear how PSG transforms them.

Retro gamers, collectors, and audio snobs—this isn’t just a jam session. It’s a sonic bridge across consoles. Expect updates soon as this project builds momentum. Hit that subscribe, download the demos, and let chirinea’s PSG magic sweep you into a reimagined retro dream.

Farewell to a Voice of Our Childhood: Pokémon’s James Carter Cathcart Passes at 71

When we think back to Sunday mornings lost in the world of Pokémon, certain voices are impossible to forget—especially those of Team Rocket. On July 8, 2025, fans around the globe lost one of those iconic voices when James Carter Cathcart—also affectionately known as Jimmy Zoppi—passed away at the age of 71 at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx, New York.

A Career That Hit Every Nostalgia Note

Cathcart’s legacy in the English‑dubbed Pokémon world is legendary:

• Voiced Fan-Faves: Team Rocket’s James, the streetwise Meowth, Professor Oak, and rival Gary Oak

• An Unmatched Legacy: His presence filled more than 700 episodes and 15 films, shaping the franchise from the late ’90s through the 2010s .

• Beyond Pokémon: His vocal talents extended into other beloved franchises, voicing Weevil Underwood in Yu-Gi-Oh!, Vector the Crocodile in Sonic X, and more.

Before that, Cathcart was even the lead vocalist for the 1970s band The Laughing Dogs, opening for names like Blondie and Patti Smith—music was in his bones long before he entered the booth.

Battling Illness and Retirement

Diagnosed with throat cancer in 2023, Cathcart retired shortly after finishing work on Pokémon: Ultimate Journeys. He fought courageously but passed peacefully in early July. In a heartfelt update posted to Facebook, his wife Martha Jacobi thanked fans for the “joy” James brought to their lives—and noted that funeral services are planned for early August in New York, with proceeds benefiting a charity close to his heart.

Tributes from Friends, Fans & Fellow VAs

Fellow voice actor Erica Schroeder—the voice of Nurse Joy and Wobbuffet—paid a beautiful tribute on Instagram:

The gaming and anime communities have flooded social media in mourning. On r/pokemon, a fan wrote simply:

These sentiments echo across forums, tweets, and fan groups—everyone reminiscing about the laughs, emotional moments, and iconic lines his voice gave life to.

Why This Matters to Retro Gamers

1. Nostalgic Immersion: For many, Cathcart’s voice was the soundtrack of their childhood Pokémon adventures—he brought charm to every quip Team Rocket made.

2. Cross-Generational Influence: Unlike many voice actors tied to one franchise, Cathcart spanned universes—from Pokémon to Sonic to Yu‑Gi‑Oh!, making him a staple of classic ’90s and early‑00s fandoms.

3. Behind the Curtain: He didn’t just perform—Cathcart adapted scripts, lent his musical talents, and helped shape the tone and humor of the English dub from behind the mic.

What’s Next for the Pokémon Community?

• Funeral & Memorial Plans: Services are scheduled for early August 2025 in New York. Details—and ways to contribute to a meaningful charity—will be posted via Martha’s Facebook fan page.

• Rewatch & Rediscover: Now feels like the perfect time for a Pokémon marathon—especially key episodes featuring James, Meowth, Oak, and Gary.

• Share Your Stories: Encourage your audience to share their favorite Cathcart‑voiced moments on social platforms. Use hashtags like #ThanksJimmy or #CathcartLegacy to build community and engagement.

Share & Connect

• Facebook announcement from Martha Jacobi – find it in James Carter Cathcart’s fan group

• Instagram tributes from Erica Schroeder and other voice actor peers

• Reddit discussion on r/pokemon – fans reflecting on their first Team Rocket memories

Final Thought

James Carter Cathcart didn’t just voice characters—he became part of our childhoods. His impact on Pokémon’s nostalgic soundscape is enduring, and his work will keep people smiling for years to come. To retro gamers everywhere: let’s celebrate his talent with a marathon, share our favorite memories, and honor his legacy in style.

We hope you tune back in for our next issue, where we'll dive deep into more retro gaming news!