The Best N64 Controller You Can Buy in 2024

If you’re looking for the best N64 controller, you likely already know how awesome the console is. While not every game holds up these days in terms of visual appearance and performance, I’m looking at your Golden Eye, they’re still so fun to play and bring back some seriously nostalgic feelings. The Nintendo 64 is a console that was revolutionary for its time.

Yes, the 3D games were amazing and felt truly groundbreaking, but the N64 controller featured buttons and a setup that we had never seen before. Some parts of the original controller are great, but as with all things, as time goes on innovations are made and tech is improved. We’re lucky to live in an age where even retro controllers are being revamped and given R&D they truly deserve.

We’ve compiled a list of the best N64 controllers you can purchase to take your Nintendo 64 gaming to a whole new level.

What Are The Best N64 Controllers?

Best Wireless Controllers

1. The Brawler64 Wireless Version

• Price: $49.95
• Platforms: Nintendo 64

At the top of our list sits the crown jewel of Nintendo 64 controllers, the the Brawler64 wireless controller. This controller is made by Retro Fighters, a well known name in the controller manufacturing business. Retro Fighters make some seriously high quality sleek looking controllers that feel great to use and give retro gaming a new age feel.

At only $49.95, the Brawler64 wireless edition controller is significantly cheaper than a Nintendo Switch Pro controller, but around the same price as the Nintendo Switch N64 controller that is used for Nintendo Switch Online. This controller features a wireless receiver that looks quite similar to the classic Wavebird wireless GameCube controller that is beloved by many.

Gone are the days of awkwardly holding an N64 controller because this reimagined design is much more comfortable and ergonomic. The buttons are placed in a much more compact way and it feels quite reminiscent of the Switch’s pro controller, both in terms of comfortability and button layout. The d pad and joystick are also very solid. Its trigger buttons also feel great and are intuitive.

The Brawler64 wireless controller has tons of different color options available and comes in blue, orange, red, extreme green, classic grey, and smoke grey. The controller will last for around 10 hours, so it has a decent battery life which has USB-C charging. This is by far one of if not the best N64 controller you can buy.

2. The Hyperkin Admiral Wireless

• Price: $39.49
• Platforms: Nintendo 64, Switch, Windows PC, macOS, and Android

Retro-Bit makes some very high quality products and their Tribute 64 controller is no exception.

Hyperkin were originally well known in the retro gaming scene for their RetroN gaming consoles, but have since continued to put out competitively priced gaming accessories. The Hyperkin Admiral is a wireless N64 controller that aesthetically is very similar to the classic GameCube Wavebird wireless controller design.

It comes in multiple colors such as white, space black, black, and amethyst purple. Its wireless dongle is connected to the controller slot on your N64 and allows for roughly 30 feet of wireless connectivity and is also compatible with Windows PC, macOS, and Android devices. This makes it great for playing your favorite Nintendo 64 games wherever you want, including on the best N64 emulator.

Its battery life is a bit shorter than that of the Brawler64 Wireless and comes in at around 6 hours maximum and charges using Micro-USB.

A cool feature to note about the Admiral is that it works with the original N64 controller pak for game saves. While the Admiral costs only $39.49, with the Brawler64 only costing an additional $10 more, the quality that you get with the Brawler controller is significantly higher. It depends on personal preference and the Hyperkin Admiral will definitely get the job done, however it is somewhat lacking in quality in some ways.

Best Wired Controllers

1. Retro-Bit Tribute 64

• Price: $24.99
• Platforms: Nintendo 64, Switch, Windows PC, macOS, Steam, RetroPie, and Raspberry Pi

Retro-Bit makes some very high quality products and their Tribute 64 controller is no exception. They have multiple versions of this controller, one that can be used with the original Nintendo 64 console and another version that can be used with the PC, Switch, macOS, and Raspberry Pi.

They come in multiple colors like atomic purple, ocean blue, red, and classic grey. The controller’s analogue stick is intuitively designed to emulate the original N64 thumb stick with a more new age feel. The buttons feel great to press and don’t have that budget feel to them at all. This controller even has 4 trigger buttons on the back of it and its yellow arrow camera buttons are designed to mimic the N64’s as well.

The length of the cable comes in at just 10 feet in length and while that’s not the longest by any means, it definitely will get the job done so long as your N64 setup isn’t too far from your chair to the console.

2. The Brawler64 Wired Version

• Price: $36.95
• Platforms: Nintendo 64

The wireless version of the Retro Fighters Brawler64 made the number 1 slot on this list of the best N64 controllers and everything that we loved about the wireless version can be found here in the wired version, except the more limited range of the wired controller and that it comes at a cheaper price point. This wired version of the controller is a bit cheaper than the wireless one and comes in at $36.95.

The length of the wire is 10 fett just like the Tribute controller above. Just like its wireless version, this controller feels great in the hands and has a nice ergonomic design. It’s thumb stick is solid and has a mix of a next-gen feel along with a classic retro one as well. There are multiple Z buttons on the back of the controller too.

This controller is great in both its wireless and wired versions and is by far the best you can get in terms of comfortability and sheer quality.

Summary

Depending on your play style and what you’re looking for in a controller, all of the options on this list should help you find the perfect N64 controller to play with. Some of these controllers have USB out and will work with more modern consoles and computers, allowing you to use them with N64 emulation. Others are meant solely to be used with original hardware and will only work with the Nintendo 64 console.

Either way, all the options on this list are great choices and you won’t be disappointed no matter which you choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best controller to play N64 emulators?

The best controller that you can buy to play on N64 emulators would have to be the Retro-Bit Tribute 64 controller. It is compatible with both the original Nintendo 64 console, but can also be used with Windows PC, macOS, and the Raspberry Pi, making it the perfect choice for those looking for a solid N64 controller to use for emulation.

Is the N64 controller good for Smash?

This really depends on personal preference and what you like to use when playing. If you find that you’re already comfortable playing Smash Bros. while using the original Nintendo 64 controller, then by all means, it makes sense to continue using what you know and like. However, you might find that you get better performance in the game by switching to a new and improved N64 controller option like the Brawler64 or Tribute 64 controllers.

These have reworked the N64’s original controller design and have improved button placement, allowing some players to have faster reaction times and not cause fatigue on their hands.

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