The reaction I've seen to the Nt mini has been somewhat negative or indifferent due to the high price. As far as I can see though, it's nearly a perfect NES remake with every feature it could possibly have! The more praised RetroUSB AVS looks like a sweet console too at a very attractive pricepoint, but it's going to have some shortcomings. The 720p output means some amount of delay and imperfect scaling up to 1080p on most displays. No analog out means you can't use your fancy PVM or play zapper games.
The reason the Analogue Nt mini excites me is that it's a zero compromise machine like the original Nt, and because it doesn't use chips pillaged from old Famicoms it can be produced indefinitely as a modern NES! Despite the price, it looks like the definitive high end NES. The features and price are even attractive next to the original Analogue Nt, if you can get over the merely psychological difference of playing on an FPGA clone rather than original CPU and PPU.
Edit: It looks like color palette options were just added to the AVS. I don't think that alone puts it on par with the Nts, but the fact that new features are still being developed is probably a good thing.
For the record, I own an Analogue Nt, have an AVS on order, and currently have no plans to buy an Nt mini.
| Analogue Nt | Analogue Nt mini | RetroUSB AVS | Kevtris Hi-Def NES | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internals | Famicom CPU/PPU | FPGA | FPGA | Installed in a real NES | |
| Resolution | 1080p | 1080p | 720p | 1080p | |
| A/V Output | RGB, S-Video, Component, Composite RCA analog audio HDMI w/upgrade |
RGB, S-Video, Component, Composite, HDMI Analog and digital audio |
HDMI | HDMI | |
| Famicom Expansion Audio | With HDMI upgrade | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Game Support | NES, Famicom, FDS | NES, Famicom, FDS | NES, Famicom, FDS | NES Famicom with converter |
|
| Controller Ports | 4 (incorrect spacing) | 4 (possibly incorrect spacing) | 4 | 2 | |
| Region Support | Region free Limited to NTSC PPU |
Region Free | Region Free | Region free with mod Limited to NTSC PPU |
|
| Other Unique Features | Machined aluminum case Famicom mic support w/HDMI upgrade: Adjustable color palette Speedrun timer In-game menu Under/overclock support Hotkeys Adjustable audio channels |
Machined aluminum case Adjustable color palette Speedrun timer In-game menu Under/overclock support Hotkeys Adjustable audio channels Famicom mic support Bundled with wireless controller |
Game Genie and Action Replay Online scoreboard support NOS Power and Reset buttons |
Adjustable color palette Speedrun timer In-game menu Under/overclock support Hotkeys Adjustable audio channels |
|
| Notable Negatives | First run units have sharp cart slot edges Incorrect controller port spacing Cart slot is loose and horrible |
Incorrect controller port spacing | Cart slot is loose and horrible | Requires pro installation for warranty | |
| Common Features | Zero/low latency scaling Compatible with all pirates and homebrew Adjustable scanlines Upgradable software |
Zero/low latency scaling Compatible with all pirates and homebrew Adjustable scanlines Upgradable software |
Zero/low latency scaling Compatible with all pirates and homebrew Adjustable scanlines Upgradable software |
Zero/low latency scaling Compatible with all pirates and homebrew Adjustable scanlines Upgradable software |
|
| Price | $499 for RGB $578 for HDMI $??? on Ebay |
$449 | $185 | $120-142 parts ~$85 for installation |
Update 9/8/2017: After a ton of experience with the AVS and original Analogue Nt, I've started using the AVS as my primary NES. The Nt definitely has better picture and is more flexible on a 1080p TV, but it's not really noticible in motion (my game room TV is 720p anyway). The annoyances of the Analogue Nt added up too much for me. The cart slot is loose and horrible. A stiff breeze, or more realistically, accidentally hitting the cartridge with your controller cord is likely to freeze the game. I've had problems with a few games including Family Feud (freezes shortly after start), Spot (weird graphics in ending scene), and King of the Ring (glitches out during action, and eventually freezes). King of the Ring was fixed with a software update making me think these are software related. The problems occur with a flash cart too, it's not my cartridges. The other things all piled up. Power button on the back. Can't use a Four Score with it. I actually ended up using the PAL support on my AVS too. I don't think the Nt is a horrible product because the output is amazing, but the design of the console itself really sucks.
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