There's been a lot of rage and indignation going around about all this Nintendo 64 stuff, including the fact that the games aren't playing well, the N64 controllers don't work with accessories, or connect to the PC. Safe to say it's probably not a great time to be dropping a ton of money on the Nintendo Switch Online Subscription Expansion Pack!
However, our lovely Jon Cartwright has put together a video about the N64 controller, or, as he calls it, "The Big Boy". There are a few new things, and a few different things, like the fact that the Rumble Pak is now included within the housing itself, and not as a separate, chunky attachment. RIP, Rumble Pak
Even better, though, the controller has secret dual analog sticks, with the C-Buttons functioning as a second stick in any non-Nintendo 64 game. Jon tries out Breath of the Wild, Demon Turf, Final Fantasy VII, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Dark Souls, and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in the video to demonstrate what's possible!
There are a few issues, of course — you can't remap the buttons, and there's no X or Y, which means that you just cannot access some things, like the sword in Breath of the Wild or the menu in Final Fantasy VII. It's still potentially doable, though, if you want to try playing BOTW with nothing but bombs. Or FF7 without healing. Or Dark Souls without Estus Flasks. It's a fun challenge!
(As a bonus: there is a small bit of Jon ASMR right at the start of this video. Enjoy.)
Have you been trying out the N64 controller? Are you disappointed, or just happy to finally be holding the world's best controller design again after decades? Let us know in the comments!
Comments 22
This is a RAW deal. Glad I am not the first Guinea pig to buy this first.
But how is it compared to the original?
Does it work with N64 games on NSO?
There is a ZR button on top of the controller. There’s also B. The controls missing are X and Y. The fact you can’t remap the controls is bloody ridiculous though.
@SwitchForce It works exactly as advertised though?
Smash Bros Ultimate has control remapping so you can actually set the c-buttons to jump like the N64 original
@nessisonett thanks!! I couldn't get my hands on the controller myself, so I can't check — though maybe that's a good thing, based on this video
I will take the controller off your hands if you don't want it.
Can't beat Breath of the Wild Master Mode with just bombs. Enemies heal too quickly vs the bomb app recharge.
Definitely could see someone beating the Normal Mode with just bombs though. I wouldn't want to try it, but I did take out the Hinox on Eventide Isle in my original file by bombing him from above on a cliff he couldn't get to. When I tried to do it in Master Mode he just soaked up the damage and healed it away…
In any case, I'm sure there are some games that you wouldn't need XY for. Maybe you could have fun with NES online using this control scheme, for example! Or any gameboy titles that have been ported to the system (Castlevania, Mana, etc). If Game Boy or eve Game Boy Advance games come to NSO, I'd consider playing them with the N64 controller - AB,LR,D-pad are all you need (and no LR for GB/GBC!).
Possibly the most flimsy Nintendo controller with the possible exception of... well, the joy-cons.
Smash and Mario Kart seem so ideal. Can't wait to test this out on Smash online!!!
It also works with PC which is where 90% of people who bought it will use it lol.
@Kilamanjaro Yeah, Smash Ultimate and MK8D seem to be the non 64 games where this controller would shine. All the other games there's a sacrifice that would make games unenjoyable.
I was using the SNES controller for MK8D and had a lot of fun with it.. except I couldn't get back to the Switch menu.
@Broosh It works exactly as advertised though?
How exactly? It's for NSO nothing mention on standard game play.
Has no one thought to try it with Mario 64 on Mario All Stars?
Don’t have time to watch the video, so don’t know if it’s in there.
@SwitchForce It's a controller sold to play the N64 games on NSO which it does like the original controller. I must be missing something.
Its does work on Mario 64 on the All Stars Collection.....except you can't punch.
Even if this had a better control stick, could be used flawlessly on a PC or phone, and could be effectively connected to a Controller Pak or Transfer Pak, I'm still not sure I'd want to buy this controller. Without those features, it's a total ripoff, especially since the buttons can't be remapped for better compatibility with non-N64 games, granted built-in rumble is a plus. Yeah, it does what's advertised, but what's advertised isn't worth $50, and no defense (much less insults to complainers) by hardcore fans is going to change my mind.
you could remap buttons in the settings of the switch itself or is that a no go with this controller?
New Horizons with a N64 controller like the OG N64 Animal Crossing in Japan 😎
or better New Horizons with the Sega Genesis controller!!😎😎😎
Wtf is wrong with Nintendo? The N64 controller is an amazing controller, and I would get this, if they just made button remapping. I would use it for everything.
Doesn’t the Switch allow for button remapping at the OS level?
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