We made a review of the new N64 controller

[djour]

If anyone is interested in the new Brawler64 by Retro Fighters, we made a review of our thoughts. I personally think it's a good overall product. What do you think?

https://youtu.be/YxC_3eiEiHI

 

 

Edited March 9, 2018 by djour

[Atariboy]

Good review.

 

I wish it had a right analog stick though to be even better. The Ralphnet GameCube to Nintendo 64 controller adapter has a neat option that I've found works well, that allows the right analog stick of the GCN controller to be mapped to the Nintendo 64's analog stick (And the left analog stick is mapped to the N64's d-pad).

 

By switching to the appropriate controller option that games in this genre usually offerred, that allows the GameCube controller's left analog to be used for movement in first person shooters while the right analog is used for aiming (With full analog functionality, which isn't so important for movement in a fps but is key for aiming).

 

It really helps the playability of those games after years of becoming accustomed to dual analog controllers for this genre on home consoles. And with default mapping with the right analog tied to the C buttons, it also benefits Robotron 2084 and Robotron 64.

Edited March 10, 2018 by Atariboy

[icemanxp300]

At 6:30 you highlighted my main question.... then you just left it laying dead in the water.

 

Thumbstick. Regardless of whether you buy this or replace a thumbstick in an original. They will go bad. The thumbstick in this will go bad. Open it up what's it take? Can it be replaced? How many wires are on it? Most after market sticks use a cheaper thumbstick w/less wires and those can't be used on originals. Could those be used on this or would you have to buy an expensive thumbstick, that's if you can even replace it at all?

 

How long will this last is the other concern. Which can not be answered here. However I have not seen an aftermarket N64 stick hold up well at all, for that reason alone I would not try my luck on this.

[djour]

At 6:30 you highlighted my main question.... then you just left it laying dead in the water.

 

Thumbstick. Regardless of whether you buy this or replace a thumbstick in an original. They will go bad. The thumbstick in this will go bad. Open it up what's it take? Can it be replaced? How many wires are on it? Most after market sticks use a cheaper thumbstick w/less wires and those can't be used on originals. Could those be used on this or would you have to buy an expensive thumbstick, that's if you can even replace it at all?

 

How long will this last is the other concern. Which can not be answered here. However I have not seen an aftermarket N64 stick hold up well at all, for that reason alone I would not try my luck on this.

I didn't think about when it was going to die considering I just opened up the new box. A long term test is definitely a good idea. While most 3rd party controllers do die quicker, this seems well made. I still have a couple original first gen XBox controllers that the thumbsticks are good, hopefully this will stand the test of time as well.

[djour]

Good review.

 

I wish it had a right analog stick though to be even better. The Ralphnet GameCube to Nintendo 64 controller adapter has a neat option that I've found works well, that allows the right analog stick of the GCN controller to be mapped to the Nintendo 64's analog stick (And the left analog stick is mapped to the N64's d-pad).

 

By switching to the appropriate controller option that games in this genre usually offerred, that allows the GameCube controller's left analog to be used for movement in first person shooters while the right analog is used for aiming (With full analog functionality, which isn't so important for movement in a fps but is key for aiming).

 

It really helps the playability of those games after years of becoming accustomed to dual analog controllers for this genre on home consoles. And with default mapping with the right analog tied to the C buttons, it also benefits Robotron 2084 and Robotron 64.

I will say I find it extremely awkward to play GoldenEye after all these years. I too have become accustomed to the modern dual analog joystick configuration and have completely lost the motor memory from the trident shaped sticks. But I think RetroFighters tried to stay true to the original layout of the N64 controller.

[NinjaWarrior]

I saw that, Good Review

[leods]

I have mixed feelings about analog controlls. I just bought a bunch of old used controllers for the Super NT, and after a good clean, they still work really well. Good luck with original N64 controllers. MAybe it would be a better idea to really just get a really good controller adapter that lets you plug USB into the 64 and use that with different mappings.

 

Still, doesn't matter how you look at it, retrofighters giving us an alternative is a positive thing. Worse case scenario you dopn't buy it, but It will keep prices on the original used stuff at bay, since people have an alternative.

 

Any other people with experience on these controllers?

[+GoldenWheels]

I'm enjoying mine. The left trigger/stick issue hasn't messed me up yet but I've primarily been testing it with timing intensive games that don't use the stick much (AKI wrestling games). Good so far, though I'd likely never use it for wrestling vs. play (I just can' re-learn and be competitive with my buddy at the same time, and I ain't losing)

 

Nice to see the company already offering solutions for the stick issue and standing behind their product.And, (at least as it was during the initial campaign) 20$ was a steal for this unit.

 

I will say when I popped my (3rd party) mem pack in the slot...it was hard to get it in, and when it finally did pop in, I heard a *clack* noise. Now it goes in like butter....I don't see that I broke anything in there but I was worried I had.

 

However....I think the original d-pad is better. I don't like the concave center of the dpad on the brawler, and combining that with how big the dpad is, it makes it seem less responsive...like, your thumb has to cover more real estate to get the directionals to click. About my only complaint, and a smallish one.