Nintendo’s official Change-compatible wi-fi controller Nintendo 64 was introduced practically two years in the past however has been elusive to many. Provide appears to have lastly caught up with demand, with the pad presently nonetheless accessible to Nintendo Change On-line subscribers by way of Nintendo’s web site following a latest restock, however the coveted peripheral — primarily a contemporary model of the basic three-pronged gamepad with quality-of-life enhancements like USB-C charging and built-in rumble — has been notoriously tough to return by.
Supposed to be used with N64 video games included within the Nintendo Change On-line Growth Pack, the controller can solely be formally bought on-line straight from Nintendo for $49.99. For avid gamers like me who’re exterior of North America, Europe, Australia, or Japan, transport merely isn’t supplied.
However I used to be not going to let that cease me from taking part in basic N64 video games on my Change utilizing the controller they had been meant for. Although its unconventional design has lengthy divided opinion, the unique controller is for me the one method to play these video games. That choice is knowledgeable each by ’90s child nostalgia and the way unnatural it feels taking part in these titles on some other controller.
Regardless of being an expansion-tier NSO subscriber, I used to be compelled to show to eBay to snag an official NSO controller for a reasonably penny as a result of Nintendo received’t ship them to Singapore, the place I reside. However now, 8BitDo, the Hong Kong-based producer of wi-fi controllers and different retro gaming peripherals, has a extremely practical and doubtlessly less expensive choice on provide.
A less expensive various to Nintendo’s choice?
I not too long ago picked up an 8BitDo Mod Package for Authentic N64 Controller, which turns an unique retro N64 controller right into a wi-fi Change-compatible Bluetooth controller full with a chargeable battery, rumble results, and an non-obligatory ultra-precise Corridor Impact joystick. The equipment requires no soldering and is pitched as being comparatively straightforward to arrange, reworking your unique controller right into a wi-fi Bluetooth pad appropriate with Change and Android gadgets. The outcomes have genuinely exceeded my expectations.
As somebody with out the slightest little bit of modding expertise, the notion of cracking open a chunk of tech and tooling with its innards is a tall order. However after seeing tutorial movies of 8BitDo’s DIY answer, it regarded easy sufficient and a less expensive method of getting myself a second N64 controller for multiplayer use, with eBay choices nonetheless going nicely increased than MSRP earlier than transport.
For individuals who, for no matter cause, aren’t prepared or in a position to splash out on Nintendo’s official choice, the 8BitDo equipment can be a no-brainer. That is significantly true for those who already personal an previous or defective N64 controller. Modding is the right method to give defunct {hardware} a brand new lease on life, and doing so is actually very gratifying.
Whether or not it’s cost-effective or not is up for debate. 8BitDo’s Mod Package goes for goes for $29.99 with simply the substitute board and rumble pack, or $39.99 with the Corridor Impact joystick included, which is what I opted for, plus transport. Should you don’t already personal an previous N64 controller, chances are you’ll find yourself spending extra in complete than you’ll on the official pad, significantly for those who go for an unique color.
However the controller used for the mod doesn’t should be practical, which means you’re higher off shopping for a damaged one on a budget and restoring it. What you’ll want intact from the unique controller are the shell, buttons, and soft-pad membranes inside – and doubtlessly the joystick for those who choose to maintain the unique one for probably the most genuine really feel potential, which is all down to private choice.
Restoring a basic
I managed to discover a yellowing previous N64 controller domestically, which value me round $15. The very first thing I did was disassemble the controller with the magnetic screwdriver that conveniently comes included in 8BitDo’s mod equipment so that you received’t have to supply one. I took out the unique board and wiring, then washed and soaked the shell, buttons, and membranes in soapy heat water.
Reversing the yellowing on the shell was very simple. Exposing the plastic to hydrogen peroxide and UV gentle will get the job carried out. I actually rigged a pants hanger with plastic sandwich luggage to soak the shell in peroxide and hung it out my high-rise window. All it took was about three hours within the Southeast Asian solar, although it will range relying on how a lot daylight you get.
As soon as the shell, buttons and membranes are rinsed and dried, the meeting course of takes as little as quarter-hour, and 8BitDo has a video tutorial on-line (beneath) along with an Ikea-style instruction sheet. When you drop the brand new principal board in, the trickiest bit is positioning the boards for the shoulder buttons because the stiffness of the connector ribbons made them regularly come out.
A take a look at on-line critiques for the equipment prompt that others appeared to seek out it tough to reposition the board for the ‘Z’ set off, although I had no hassle doing so. The equipment features a rubber stopper that plugs the opening the place the wire had been, which neatly lights up in purple whereas charging.
As soon as the whole lot is the place it ought to be, it is as easy screwing it again collectively and plugging within the rumble pack.
8BitDo’s wi-fi transmitter is contained throughout the rumble pack and should be hooked up always. The attachment contains house and screenshot buttons, a pairing button, and a ‘ZR’ set off to open up within the menu within the NSO app, in addition to a toggle that permits the controller for use on PC and different gadgets by way of Bluetooth, which is a significant performance plus for those who intend to make use of emulators.
How does it evaluate to the official NSO pad throughout gameplay?
For individuals who aren’t prepared or in a position to splash out on Nintendo’s official choice, the 8BitDo equipment can be a no-brainer
Holding the top product in hand merely felt great. The controller synched to my Change seamlessly and is definitely recognised as an N64 controller, as if it had been an official NSO one. All of the UI quirks and button configurations work as they need to. Latency and battery life are on par with the official pad — round 8 hours — with the one draw back being that buttons can’t be remapped on Change (except you achieve this at a system degree).
To try it out, I fired up F-Zero X and was blown away by how nice it felt to manage utilizing the Corridor Impact joystick. Whereas conventional joysticks use a potentiometer to detect friction and deduce motion inputs, Corridor Impact sensors use magnets to ship extra exact controls and are purportedly extra sturdy than potentiometers, which may put on out over time and result in controller drift.
In comparison with the official N64 wi-fi controller, the Corridor Impact joystick is stubbier, extra akin to the Gamecube controller’s stick, and is much extra manoeuvrable. I recall having a minor thumb sore after a marathon session of Mario Tennis owing to the resistance of the official joystick. The Corridor Impact choice is certainly extra snug to play with for lengthy stretches.
Manoeuvrability additionally felt extra exact in Mario Kart 64, Pilotwings 64, and Tremendous Mario 64, significantly when the stick should be delicately pushed ahead in order to not wake sleeping Piranha Crops. I switched between the official wi-fi and modded N64 controllers whereas taking part in Uncommon’s masterpiece Banjo-Kazooie to check the general really feel, which was mainly indistinguishable, aside from the completely different joysticks.
Should you go for the Corridor Impact stick, your thumb placement will likely be barely decrease in comparison with the taller and stiffer stick on the official pad. Should you’re a purist, you’ll be able to choose to retain the unique stick, however I discover the 8BitDo’s Corridor Impact persist with be higher total. The one different distinction is that the official controller’s rumble feels ever so barely extra sturdy than the modded one.
Is the 8BitDo DIY Mod Package value it, then?
All in all, 8BitDo’s DIY Mod Package for the N64 controller is an outstanding various in case you are unable to get your fingers on the official product or if you have already got a defective N64 controller inside attain. The sheer satisfaction of dissembling and restoring an previous piece of tech can be not be underestimated. Doing so made me respect how a controller is really larger than the sum of its components.
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