8BitDo has announced that their N64 wireless controller, the “8BitDo 64 Controller,” will be up for preorder October 21, 2024. This comes alongside Analogue’s announcement that the Analogue 3D will open preorders at the same time.
Personally, I like the classic, awkward feel of the original N64 controller. Rumors of it being uncomfortable are unfounded by anyone who knows how to hold it properly. The stick is garbage, but I’ve long since replaced them (recently, with 8BitDo’s own Hall Effect N64 sticks). However, most games were built with its form factor in mind.
However, if you don’t dig the classic T-Rex foot, then you may want to check out 8BitDo’s take on the controller. It has an appearance not far off from their Ultimate Controller but with face buttons that better emulate the N64. Uh, I don’t see where the Z-button is. Is it a trigger on the back like it was on the original controller, or is it a second shoulder button?
No matter, the rest of the look is there. There are six face buttons (aside from Start, Select (-), home, and wildcard), which means that games that use the C-buttons won’t feel as awkward. There’s also a convex joystick with those weird circular ridges in the middle and a big fat start button. The placement of the joystick and d-pad will make the rare games that had controller modes using the left and central handgrips, but those were very rare, and I think that control mode was always optional.
It’s also not far off from RetroFighters’ Brawler64 controller. I wasn’t a fan of those controllers because the stick on the one I had abruptly stopped working on me. I question the build quality because there was an obvious glob-top visible on the circuit board through the translucent plastic. I have more faith in 8BitDo, but there is one issue with their take: it comes in white and black, and none of the face buttons have color. At least the Brawler64 controllers were color-matched to the N64’s lineup.
8BitDo’s controllers were made specifically for the purpose of Analogue’s upcoming Analogue 3D console; an FPGA recreation of the N64. As such, it’s wireless, which unfortunately means that it’s not compatible with the N64 without a Bluetooth receiver. More unfortunately is the fact that 8BitDo has yet to release an N64 receiver of their own, with their most recent being for the GameCube. Maybe there will be an announcement of one following the release of this controller, but I don’t know. I don’t have that information. I don’t even know where the Z-button is.
What I do know is that preorders for the 8BitDo 64 Controller open on October 21, 2024. They will run for $39.99 USD. No word on an estimated shipping date.
