The Analogue 3D, a modern retro gaming console that plays original Nintendo 64 cartridges in 4K, has finally added save state functionality through a firmware update to 3DOS v1.3.0. This long-awaited feature allows users to save game progress at any point, a major convenience over the original hardware's reliance on in-game save points and battery-backed memory.

Many N64 cartridges used internal batteries to store save data, which degrade over time. With those batteries now failing after nearly three decades, players risk losing irreplaceable progress in classic games like Pokémon Stadium or The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The new Memory feature lets users back up and preserve that data digitally on the Analogue 3D system.

While Nintendo Switch Online offers some N64 titles, it lacks key features like Pokémon transfers in Stadium and doesn’t include many licensed games due to rights issues. The Analogue 3D provides a faithful alternative that supports original controllers and accessories. This update brings it in line with Analogue’s other products, such as the Analogue Pocket, which already offer robust save-state capabilities.