The Analogue Duo pre-order date has finally been announced

After what seems like years of waiting, we finally have a pre-order date for Analogue’s next retro home console, the Analogue Duo.

It seemed like years of waiting, because it really is He was years of waiting. We first heard about Duo in October of 2020.

But it is clear – epidemics, lack of chips, delays. You know how things have gone the past few years with technology and games.

Fear not, retro game lovers. Analog Duo has just been announced to start pre-ordering May 19th 8 a.m. PT. And the Duo’s retail price is set $249.

PC Engine and TurboGrafx-16

This new home console from the makers of Analogue Pocket will introduce the “Duo” concept, playing the original PC Engine and TurboGrafx-16 games.

For those unfamiliar with Hudson Soft and NEC’s 16-bit console, they’re basically one and the same thing. Much like the Famicom and Nintendo Entertainment System.

Japan had the PC engine and North America had the TurboGrafx-16. The main difference is in the name and external design.

Both consoles were able to take advantage of an external Super CD-ROM expansion as well.

Hudson and NEC released the PC Engine Duo in Japan, which combined the original PC Engine and Super CD-ROM expansion into a single unit.

Obviously, this is where the name “Duo” comes from in Analogue’s new home console.

“Duo” does not refer to the PC Engine and TurboGrafx-16; It stands for the dual game card and disc option.

analog binary

The Analogue Duo main console uses FPGA technology to run PC Engine and TurboGrafx-16 games.

Thanks to an FPGA chip inside (as is the Analogue Pocket), games should perform almost identically to the original hardware.

This new system will allow you to play HuCard media and CD game content.

DVD ROM playback is not an advertised feature for legal reasons. But the console also features an SD card slot. So we know what will open up there in the end.

And not just PC Engine and TurboGrafx-16… Once the community unlocks this thing, we’ll likely have a whole bunch of legacy controllers available on an FPGA chip.

The main Duo controller has a great design, as you would expect from analog. It comes in black and white.

Connecting a wireless controller to the Duo should be pretty easy, too. The console features Bluetooth and 2.4g connections for up to four controllers.

This means any 8BitDo Bluetooth or 2.4g wireless controller will connect without the need for a receiver.

Or, if you want to go old school, the Duo features native PC engine control ports or wired USB.

Really, this thing sounds like a perfect retro gaming machine once you figure out how to unleash its true potential. Just don’t tell Analogue that.

Analog diode specification

• Game Compatibility: HuCARDS & TURBOCHIP, CD-ROM, SUPER CD-ROM, ARCADE CD-ROM.
• Free Zone, Universal Compatibility (PSU: 50-60Hz, 100-240V)
• Original style hucard / turbochip cartridge slot
• Original style PC engine control port
• CD drive
• 2x USB for wired controllers and accessories
• SD card slot
• HDMI 1080p / 720p / 480p video
• 48kHz 16-bit digital audio via HDMI
• Headphone jack, 3.5 mm jack with volume wheel
• Bluetooth, 2.4G input and 2 USB
• Scanline and Scaler options, Landscape and Stretch, Portrait and Stretch
• 8BitDo TG16 Gamepad w/ 2.4g Wireless Receiver (included receiver not required for use with Duo)
• Dimensions: 177mm L x 267mm W x 34.7mm H

impressions

Looks like Analogue really delivered on Duo’s promise here. Analogue Duo talks a lot about options. You can do this or that. It covers everything.

I wouldn’t really call myself a PC’s biggest engine or TurboGrafx-16 fan. But when you make a home console this awesome, you might make a new fan out of me.

And the retro simulation community will obviously be very excited about the Duo, because basically it would be the perfect console for FPGA simulation.

So once again we have an amazing analog product that has huge emulation potential right after its release. This will be more than just a “Duo” once the community gets hold of it.

I definitely respect the hard work that Analogue puts into their products, and they never seem to fail at making something functional and beautiful.

I think you can now tell that the new Analogue Duo is truly a one-stop product for those interested in Hudson Soft’s game library.

And after a little while… an insanely capable FPGA simulation home console.