With the release of Super Mario 64 for the Nintendo Switch, you may well be dusting off your old 64 and wondering how to buy an N64 controller today.
Has the market changed? Do they even still make N64 controllers these days? Am I living in the Matrix?
Those are three example questions that you may or may not be thinking (I don’t have access to your brain), and luckily, we have all of the answers… except for that last one,
The original N64 controller is an iconic gaming remote that is instantly recognisable, but it wasn’t the most practical. I remembered describing it as looking a bit like a bunch of bananas as a kid, and it gave you some serious hand ache after long gaming sessions.
Still, if you are looking to play the best N64 games with the original remote for those old-school nostalgic vibes, then you can find out how below. Plus, you can discover some new and exciting models that will change the way you play forever!
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Where Can I Buy An N64 Controller?
It won’t be much of a surprise to learn that Nintendo has stopped making N64 controllers these days. The Console was discontinued in 2003, but its legacy lives on as retro gaming companies strive to keep this console both current and very much alive.
If you’re looking to replace the exact-same remote that shipped with your N64, then the best bet would be to look at N64 controllers on eBay. You can easily pick up one in good condition, and there are so many colours to choose from.
There are also companies that make new replica third-party models such as this iNNEXT Classic Nintendo 64 Controller. They’re exactly the same as the old remotes apart from they don’t have the original ‘Nintendo’ logo on the top.
How Much Does An N64 Controller Cost?
If you’re looking to get an original N64 controller in good condition, then you can expect to pay between $15 and $30. Boxed and mint controllers are selling for around $50.
You can pick up a new third-party remote for around $19, and the new premium controllers that we have featured below come in at around the $35-50 mark.
What Condition N64 Controller Should I Buy?
You might be tempted to pick up a dirt-cheap controller on a second-hand site, but it’s always best to buy one that has a good grade rating or has been refurbished.
There is no point purchasing a controller that might have an underlying joystick issue, so spend the extra cash and get one that looks as though its previous owner has looked after it.
Should You Buy A Branded Or Non-Branded N64 Controller?
Normally, I would say go for Nintendo products every time, but this will depend on your budget. The original N64 controllers can still be found easily online and they have that Nintendo seal of quality on them. But, and here’s something I never thought I would say…
… there are better controllers out there nowadays.
It’s true; retro companies such as Hyperkin and Retro Fighters are updating the way we play with new controllers that look and feel like the Nintendo Switch Pro controller and the iconic Wave Bird remote.
If you’re only going to use your N64 occasionally, then go for a cheap controller. If, however, you’re serious about retro gaming and want to win that 64-bit crown, then you should definitely consider buying one of the remotes below.
What Is The Best N64 Controller?
If you’ve missed my spiel above and have skipped straight to this section, then you might be surprised that I haven’t listed the original N64 controller as the best remote to buy.
The truth is that it’s uncomfortable to hold, and we’re all used to the next-gen design used by all of the major consoles.
The Brawler 64 wired N64 remote from Retro Fighters is the best way to play all of your favourite games. It makes pulling off the best moves in Super Smash Bros. an absolute breeze, and games like Ocarina of Time and Perfect Dark feel refreshingly new.
So what has changed? Well, the control stick has moved up to the left-hand side above the D-Pad instead of sitting in a central position. The start button is still in the middle, but it can be reached with either hand without stretching.
Using the original colours for the buttons is a nice touch too!
Players do not have to keep switching their grip with the Brawler 64, which is where the original remote lost major points. The triggers on the new controller are much nicer too, and it even comes with a Turbo mode for button-mashing action!
What Is The Best Wireless N64 Controller?
If you had asked me back in the day about a wireless N64 remote, I would have laughed and shaken my head. Still, here it is, and it looks amazing!
The Hyperkin Admiral Bluetooth controller comes with a dongle receiver that slots straight into the N64 controller port. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery housed inside the controller provides up to 6 hours of game time, and the dongle can read any type of N64 memory pak!
This thing is an absolute beast, and the shape will feel very familiar if you ever owned a Wave Bird wireless controller. Like the Brawler 64 above, the Admiral retains the same button colours as the original remote but boasts a more universally accepted design.
If you’re sick of not being able to play from your sofa, then this is the controller for you.
What Is The Best N64 Controller Adapter?
Of course, you could always use your Gamecube controller to play through your favourite games aswell!
This Raphnet Gamecube to N64 adapter allows users to plug in their Gamecube remotes (my favourite Nintendo remote of all time) and play through titles such as Buck Bumble and Glover with ease.
You can even pimp things up a bit and pick one of these custom gamecube controllers too!
And that’s a wrap! Thank you for checking out our recommendations on how to buy an N64 controller in 2020.
As I’ve said, there are lots of new and exciting variations on the original N64 controller out there on the market, but these are our favourite go-to solutions.
You can still pick up original remotes from eBay, and it is nice to have these nostalgic peripherals kicking around the house. But, when it comes to serious play, make sure you don’t ever put yourself through the pain of the ‘claw hand’ ever again!
Seb Santabarbara has bought every Nintendo console that has ever been released in his 33 years on Planet Earth. His favourite game franchise is Zelda, and he’s patiently waiting for Banjo-Kazooie to come back to the fold. When he’s not playing games, he’s travelling the world in his self-converted camper van.
