When we reviewed the Retro Fighters Brawler64 controller for the N64 back in 2019, we came away suitably impressed.
Described as a "next-generation" N64 pad replacement, it's comfortable to use and very responsive. While it has serious competition in the form of the Tribute64, it's still an excellent option for those of you who are looking for a new controller for your retro gaming sessions on Nintendo's 64-bit wonder.
Retro Fighters has just released a new version of the Brawler64 which gets rid of the cabled connection and uses a 2.4Ghz wireless link with a range of 30 feet. Battery life is rated at 10 hours per charge, too, while the pad is topped up using a USB-C port (a cable is included in the box).
Finally, it's worth noting that the wireless variant of the Brawler64 moves the memory card slot from the underside of the pad and places it on the dongle which plugs into the N64's controller port, making the pad even more comfortable to hold. The side-effect of this change is that the dongle itself is quite large, but you can't have everything.
The wireless Brawler64 is available in classic grey, green, red and blue, and costs just shy of £40 / $54.
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Comments (37)
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That is a lot of Money. NO
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@E1000 not really. It costs less than a normal physical switch release (zelda, oydessy, smash etc). If you want the cheapest 'pro controller' thats good I would go with power a
I never understood why so many people don’t like the original controller. It controls brilliantly in my opinion - I think some were confused as to how to hold it bizarrely. The control stick wears out which is its weakness. I keep a stash of brand new ones to last me out.
@andykara2003 It was revolutionary at the time, both in concept and in looks. I think the ergonomics of the controller weren't as good as modern two-pronged designs like this one, though. Having to switch the grip for using the DPad is still akward.
About this product, where's the Atomic Purple version?
I’ve got a wired one it’s decent. I struggled to aim in goldeneye at first as I found it too sensitive but I’m getting used to it now.
@71nk0 mine is smoke gray I think. See through black basically
The n64 is an iconic design. This butchers it. No thanks. Haters gonna hate.
@andykara2003 Agreed. I love the original.
The OG controller is nearly perfect for the console.
$50 is a lot of money? I must be rich, I have two switch joycon sets!
The day that Nintendo announce N64 and official wireless controllers for NSO, I'm all over that.
I think the price seems pretty decent for what it is, however I wouldn't want to risk buying one as I've been disappointed with every single alternative to the N64's original analogue stick I've tried. All the replacement analogue sticks I've tried including the GC-style ones have been terrible in GoldenEye.
The best solution I've found is replacing the plastic bowl in the analogue stick of an original controller with a polished steel one (from steelsticks64.com). I was genuinely shocked at how much range my stick had lost after wearing down the plastic bowl for years. Unfortunately they sell out very quickly.
@71nk0 I take your point - The games I played didn’t use the d-pad. But for games that just used the analogue stick I find it just as comfortable as modern pads. Just our of interest, which N64 games did you play that required you to switch back & forth between the analogue stick and d-pad controls?
looks cool! I wonder if it'll work on other platforms, probably not just wishful thinking
If (and only if) the controller is great, I think 50$ is worth it.
I remember being hesitant to take the Genesis/Megadrive controller "Joyzz" made by Krikzz, at 50$ (in sale 😅).
I finally bought it as every review was extremly positiv.
It's now my #1 goto controller for my Megadrive AND most of the MiSTer cores (Megadrive, Arcade, Neo Geo, Master System, Nes, ...). It's such a perfect controller 🤤
I might get 2 or more after trying the wired one you’ll never go back to the horrible original controller, people love it because Nintendo fanboys are super nostalgic but in reality it’s one of the worst controllers of any generation there’s a reason why this new controller exists
@andykara2003 The Dpad was seldom used in N64 games (I think you can use it for movement in the Goldeneye and Perfect Dark games), but that's besides the problem. If you need to change the grip of the controller to access different buttons, it's just poor design. The Gamecube Controller was better in this aspect, and the Switch Pro Controller (aside from it's Dpad accuracy problems) is even better.
Does it only work on an n64 or is it Bluetooth and so can be used on a phone or tablet or pc or mac or chromebook etc
Because for emulation, playing n64 games on an emulator, there's NO N64 controller you can use for that. I've looked, for years. And there's just no N64 controller with enough buttons. So you always have to end il doing something weird like use the right analogue stick for the 4 yellow C buttons which is really imprecise and for a lot of games makes them unplayable more or less
All I want is a Bluetooth n64 controller that works for emulation. 8bitdo tried to release one years ago, but it literally didn't work. Every single one of them was broken. It was a huge scam. Like everyone who got one, including myself, found that several of the buttons simply didn't work. They weren't actually connected to anything. The wiring inside wasn't there. It was completely disastrous. And everyone's analogue stick would be constantly drifting hard in one direction even though you weren't touching it
8bitdo stopped selling them because of how bad they were but never made a new one, that actually works. They're my favourite controller company. I own all their controllers. Please please 8bitdo or someone else, make a Bluetooth n64 controller so we can finally emulate n64 games properly
@71nk0 It’s only poor design if you have to switch between the two control methods mid game, which I don’t think ever happened - so your argument is moot.
Looks great to me, I've been wanting a wireless controller for my N64, I'll look into this one.
I have two of these, wired, one for my N64, one for my PC. They blow the original controller out of the water. The build quality is solid, it’s nice and lightweight and N64 games feel awesome while using it. The original controller is bar-none the ugliest thing ever produced, both in quality and in looks. Those sticks just don’t stand up well to the test of time.
VERY grateful to this company for making an affordable and high-quality solution to N64 gaming.
100% NINJA APPROVED
@AnorakJimi I have the wired one, it plays great. I use it with Project64, because RetroArch is absolutely maddening when it comes to setting up controllers. I’m very happy with it. The one in the picture looks like it’s for consoles, but I would check their website because they usually make both console and PC variants. I have one of each of the wired ones, and can’t say enough good things about them. Highly recommended.
NINJA APPROVED
@BloodNinja Quick preface to your comments: “In my opinion”.
@andykara2003 No, it’s not an opinion that N64 sticks break, and that the design is bad. There’s a reason that the design has never been replicated. Thank goodness we finally have an alternative, after all these years.
NINJA APPROVED
@BloodNinja You’re absolutely right, the stick degrades. I keep fresh brand new controllers to update mine every 5 years or so, so I take your point. I was referring to you saying that the original’s the ugliest thing ever produced, which is of course opinion.
P.S. please stop saying ‘ninja approved’ after every comment. It comes across as very juvenile. I see you’ve just joined - perhaps you are very young in which case that’s totally understandable. But if you’re over the age of 12, get a grip.
@andykara2003 Ninjas don’t care for online bullying. Newly joining a website is NOT a good way to verify another persons age. If you don’t like the comments, feel free to utilize the ignore feature. Nobody is forcing you to read or reply to me.
This website is for fun. We are ALL allowed to enjoy it in our own way.
NINJA DISAPPROVES OF ONLINE BULLYING
If I had the money for this and an Ultra64 HDMI mod, I would get both.
Don't have the money though.
@BloodNinja I apologise, I didn’t mean to offend. I wasn’t using the fact that you’ve just joined to say you’re young - that’s your interpretation - just that you might not be used to how things work. You’re very welcome here, I was just pointing out that your exclamations in capitals will be seen as a bit pushy & juvenile here. Of course, you can write what you want, I just thought you should know.
@andykara2003 "...how things work here."
LOL
This isn't the wild west, and judging by your lack of stars, you aren't a mod so there's no need to police the forums. Thanks for the laughs, bud, you were an easy ignore.
NINJA APPROVED
@BloodNinja No hard feelings, enjoy your time here.
@andykara2003
I like the N64 Controller.
But sometimes you need a new one and the Brawler is pretty good.
Got one at Christmas and i really like it.
Also have one from Retrobit (hori style).
I can recommend both.
Edit:
And the price is ok for a wireless Controller.
Maybe wait for a Sale or get the Wired
Use mine with an Extender Cable.
Edit2
for europeans, you can get the Controller at dragonbox
@Azuris Nice one - it sounds great, I’d like to try one.
@andykara2003
I especially like the Stick
Its more Fun to play Jump and Runs with it.
Oh and what should be mentioned!
Only original N64 Controllers work with the Gameboy Pack!
Memory Cards and Rumble Paks are working with third Party Controllers.
and where is the U.S. release of this controller or is it only available elsewhere?
@BloodNinja Bit touchy
@Mips Thank you for your vision.
NINJA APPROVED
@BloodNinja You're welcome.
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