8BitDo Releasing Mod Kit For The Original N64 Controller, Adds Switch Support

Oooh I actually have an old controller with broken joystick, so I’m definitely interested in this.

I'm honestly surprised it took this long for 8bitdo to come up with this.

Oh man, I can’t wait to play My Singing Monsters with an N64 controller. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.

Odd concept, given this replaces most the parts, including the entire board, why not just make a whole N64-like controller similar to their SNES-like controller, and just sell that?

I would probably get this just for the joystick.

Yes yes yes

Yes

@farrgazer I think the patent for N64 has only expired in the last 18 months, so maybe that's the reason.

@Tharsman Maybe not making the shell saves them a lot of money.

@Tharsman They do this for multiple retro controller, the idea is having the real feel (buttons + shell) of retro controllers by playing with your actual childhood one.
8bitdo has kinda step away from full retro controllers if you see the new releases but maybe a N64 is in the works in the future.

Too bad these don't work for real hardware.
You can get the joystick on its own, but I really wish they allowed you to get the Rumble Pak on its own as well. It would be nice to have a rechargeable Rumble Pack.

The fact that it comes with a Hall Effect Joystick makes this basically an instant buy! Especially since I don't have to solder anything

@neufel @Tharsman yeah, what better way to have the look and feel of the authentic thing, than using the shell and buttons of the real thing.

This also can give new life to an old broken controller, it’s pretty cool.

Edit: there. Preordered. It’s coming directly from China so I probably won’t see it in like a year, but it’ll be worth the wait since, evidently, Nintendo doesn’t want me to have one of their wireless N64 controllers, and the last imitation controller I got was really bad.

Seems kinda expensive for what it is

Years back I replaced all my N64 thumb sticks with Gamecube sticks, felt loads better

Wow 🤩 that’s awesome

Every review of the stick I've seen so far says it doesn't properly recreate the feel of the N64 stick. The range benchmark looks good but the response isn't right, which means things like GoldenEye and Wave Race won't play well.

It seems even Hall Effect sensors can't replicate the original optical sensors the N64 sticks used. I can't say I'm too surprised, I've not found a single replacement N64 stick that works like the original. They're all usually horrid to use. It's a pity there's no-one selling steel bowl replacements any more as those can be dropped in to an original stick and make them like new again.

Or just get a Retro-Bit Tribute 64 Wireless Controller for the same price. Works great on the Switch playing N64 games.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091QVBN73?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Hall effect huh? My n64 joysticks have far outlasted any on modern consoles

@Mariotag I just preordered the joystick only to replace and use with the N64. It's brilliant!

A new way to use the absolute worst controller Nintendo has ever made.

Now if the N64 is working order sticks this isn't so bad....

Great way to breath some life into my old busted N64 controller. Can't wait to do this and play Ocarina of Time again!

@Mariotag

You can buy such Joysticks :>
Think dragonbox had them

For those that are curious. This will work on original hardware paired with the blue retro reciever. 8bitdo says no but it does pair and work

https://youtu.be/cGLBmfL34Gg

@Tharsman I believe they made a wireless n64 controller with retrobit a long time ago but it’s hard to find

@Tharsman Perhaps because it would make less business sense to match all of the N64 controller colors.