I recently had another topic on this forum about the best controllers of all time. I apparently struck a raw nerve with many fellow gamers, by suggesting that the N64 controller was my favourite analog controller. I guess to each their own, but I'm still surprised it doesn't get more respect.

Hey, the N64 pad was the first to do rumble gameplay and the first to have keys dedicated to changing the camera angle in 3D games. Also, the inventive controller could be held 3 different ways. Plus, the "Z" button in the trigger spot is less akward than the GC and CC placement of the "Z" button.

So is the N64 controller worth honking for, or what?!

Although i'm a huge N64 fan, the controller was my only complaint. The only reason why is because some of the games required you to rapidly rotate the control stick. The N64 stick left me with HUGE blisters on my left thumb. Other than that, the controller was fine, so HONK!

Thanks for the first comment!

I never got blisters with this controller, I remember kind of hurting my hands with the old Atari 2600 controller as a kid.

Well, I have fond memories of the N64 controller, but it was a bit awkward compared to the other controllers of the day (such as the Saturn and PS1), so I'll give half a honk.

I don't think you "struck a nerve" with very many people, nobody really cares about everyone's preferences here.

Just as long as you know the N64 controller was one of the worst designed controllers ever shipped from the same company that made the console.

It's almost as if Nintendo didn't want people playing their games.

Honk! i loved that controller!

I know some people who refused to play an N64 because the controller was too weird or that it looked like it was made for aliens.

I thought it was quite comfortable and easy to use, personally. No other controller has gotten a joystick and a D-pad together and without making one or the other difficult to use.

But unfortunately that came at the price of aesthetic appeal, which should never be underestimated.

HOOOONK!
Playing Turok & Goldeneye & Perfect Dark, I'd use the c-buttons to walk and the analogue to look/aim. It was nearly as smooth as keyboard and mouse. Shame most people just used the stick to walk.

The analogue stick did my head in tho'! I got through so many controllers over the course of its life. Thank god they fixed that for GC.

Regardless I loved it, as it was 10x more ergonomic than that crap PlayStation controller (that they are still using).

When people say they don't like the 3-handled N64 pad, I instantly think of the Hori Minipad.

Here's a comparison:

Sadly though, I think they were only released in Japan.

That is the worst looking controller ever. Why would they think that would be a comfortable place to put the D-pad?

Yeahhh no.

I'm good with people having preferences but to say one is technically better than another gives me an open door and this door is huge.

Extra analog, more buttons, ability to press any button no matter the position of one's hands. There's a reason Sony can use the same controller over and over. They nailed it the first time.

Nintendo couldn't have gotten away with forcing that controller on another generation.

We disagree, i have always disliked the Playstation controller as I consider it lazy, good luck changing my mind.
I can't help it if my hands don't like it.

N64 controllers are god-awful. The analog sticks go limp after a coupla games.

/goes around pulling the horns off of all applicable user's cars

N suxty four controller.

eyem sao kreativz!!!!!1

I actually think that hori minipad owns though...D-pad placement/look aside....any chance for a pic of the back? Z placement and controller pack add on port

Just as long as you know the N64 controller was one of the worst designed controllers ever shipped from the same company that made the console.

It's almost as if Nintendo didn't want people playing their games.

Good old AlexSays. Always here to educate people. First he educated people not to spend their money on NPC games and now he has educated people of the fact that the N64 controller is bad.

I was about to 'honk' because I loved the N64 controller, but after reading the wise almighty AlexSays' post I discovered that my opinion was infact incorrect. Thanks AlexSays for taking away my ignorance on this matter .

I would have gone honk honk back in 1996-2001,but the N64 controllers are awful now. I know,because I still have them.

same here, one has a broken joystick and the other has a broken A button

I like it but, certainly the N64 controller wasn't the best, the placement of the buttons didn't matched Playstation's better design (proof: the GC controller is more like it), but I found N64's more comfortable to grab, and you can forgive its stick issues, as it was the FIRST controller to have one, also I honestly got more blisters from the NES d-pad, So HONK! for it.

I'm not sure where all the hate is coming from, considering this controller got us through so many amazing games on the 64, I could never dislike it as some appear to. Remember that this controller was designed AROUND Mario 64, and was a prototype for 3-D gaming. And it worked!

This is complete discriminatory towards Chicken Brutus! Chicken's can honk, the bock...

Edit: This is a truly pitiful excuse for a joke...(Hangs head down in shame)