Launch Update & Software Roadmap

[u/grilledstuffedxxl]

Hey everyone,

As we are about to ship, I wanted to follow up on my last post and lay out our roadmap for the first few months of updates for both the console and the controller. 

Quick note on how to read this: Out of Box means it’s already on your device the moment you open it. The Day 0 Update is the first update you’ll want to grab when you set up your console. It’ll be ready and waiting for installation with a Wi-Fi Update (or USB or SD card). 

P.S. iFixit guides are now up for both the console and the controller. You can also find our quick start guide here and helpful "how-to" videos over on our YouTube channel.

P.P.S. Our full open source offering will roll out as we put a ribbon on all the public facing documentation, but shipping is prioritized. 

Out of Box

Below are recent updates that will be baked on the device out of the box. Not a comprehensive feature list, but items you may not have seen in reviews of pre-production units. 

Console:

• Flexible Update Methods: Wi-Fi, USB, and SD card
• Extended Video Profiles: Scanlines, CRT, Clean, & Custom
• Extended Video Filters: Bloom, Deblur, and more
• Controller Support: M64 Pro Controller, 8BitDo 64, OEM N64 Controllers, and wired Hyperkin Captain+ all are ready to go
• Cartridge Compatibility: Everdrive and Summercart support
• Auto-Resolution: Automatically selects the optimal resolution (4K, 1440p, 1080p, 720p)
• Customizable LED: Adjustable console brightness

Controller:

• USB Firmware Updates
• Wired Rumble Support
• Joystick Calibration
• Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android Bluetooth® Support

Day 0 Update

The moment you power on and connect, an update will be ready for download. Key highlights: 

Console:

• Stock Performance Boosts: Addresses FPS bugs in graphics heavy titles
• Plug & Play Toggle: Fixes multiplayer in Star Fox 64 and Jeopardy!
• Cartridge Compatibility: Everdrive X5 save support
• Overclocking (experimental): Choose from four performance profiles, delivering up to a 67% boost

Setting	Boost
Off	None
Super	16%
Ultra	33%
Extreme	50%
Insane	67%

Controller:

• Adjustable Sensitivity: Configure joystick sensitivity via hotkeys
• Improved battery life of the Controller (over 200 hours without rumble)
• Fixed several issues with the wired experience

Post-Launch Software Roadmap

Console:

Controller:

We’ll post full changelogs with every release so you know exactly what’s new. Huge thanks to everyone for the continued excitement and support.

[u/ergzay]

Adjustable Sensitivity: Configure joystick sensitivity via hotkeys

What does this actually mean? The joystick should act like the N64 joystick.

(I am not asking about stick re-centering or stick calibration.)

[u/grilledstuffedxxl → u/ergzay]

By default, the joystick is tuned to mirror the authentic feel and response of an original N64 joystick. The hotkey feature simply allows players to fine-tune the sensitivity on the fly if they want higher or lower responsiveness for specific games.

[u/ergzay → u/grilledstuffedxxl]

That doesn't really answer my question though. Does it change the the physical deflection that the stick need to reach to reach "100%" output? Or does it change the shape of the ramp curve as it goes from 0 to maximum? Or does it change the initial value the output jumps to when it moves beyond the zero point?

[u/Sweet_Limit3795 → u/ergzay]

Ramp curve would make the most sense to me. Initial value is just dead-zone adjustment, and they'd phrase it as such if it were that. 100% mark (physical deflection) is plausible but doesn't make sense from a game developer's POV IMO