8Bitdo's replica controllers have gained quite a reputation with retro gamers who are keen to get that authentic feel but also wish to benefit from modern conveniences such as the absence of annoying wires and the ability to recharge the internal battery. We've already seen excellent variants on the NES and SNES controllers, both of which are compatible with smartphones, tablets, PCs and even original hardware when using the special "Retro Receiver" accessory.
8Bitdo's latest venture is in collaboration with Retro-Bit - a maker of clone consoles and other accessories - and takes on Nintendo's 64-bit legend, the N64. The RB8-64 Bluetooth controller is a very close physical match for the pad which brought analogue control to the masses back in 1996, and retains the same colour scheme and basic button layout.
The big changes are the fact that there's no wire at the top - instead, you'll find a MicroUSB port for charging and updating the firmware. Next to this are two LEDs which are used to denote the various charging and pairing statuses. Underneath there's a red "sync" button like the ones seen on the Wii Remote and Pro Controller.
Non-official replica controllers live or die by the quality of their buttons, pads and sticks, and the RB8-64 is thankfully a very close match to the N64 controller in terms of overall feel. The buttons are perhaps a little more clicky than those of the original and the D-Pad is also a bit stiffer, but the analogue stick - arguably the hardest element to clone - feels very similar indeed. As anyone who has held an N64 will know, the stick doesn't move like those seen on modern controllers, making this close imitation all the more impressive. There are been reports of users experiencing a "dead zone" when using the stick, but we have to admit that our unit didn't seem to suffer from this issue.
The Z-Trigger on the underside of the pad is perhaps the most disappointing element, as it feels mushy and indistinct when compared to the one on the original pad. Interestingly, the pad still has the slot for the memory pak / rumble pak, complete with spring-loaded clip - despite the fact that there's no connector inside the opening and therefore no reason for it to be present. This aperture is presumably there to make the pad feel as faithful as possible to the original.
Despite the fact that it's a close match to the N64's famous pad, ironically it's not possible to use this controller with the original console itself. That may well come in the future if 8Bitdo releases a Retro Receiver compatible with the N64 (it's worth noting that the pad works with the existing Retro Receivers and will be compatible with the upcoming NES Classic Mini Retro Receiver), but for now you're largely limited to iOS / Android devices and computers.
The box and instructions also boast compatibility with the Wii U and PS3 - but only after installing a firmware update via your PC. However, we deployed said update and still couldn't get the pad to connect to the Wii U console at all. There's a chance that a future firmware update will solve this problem, but given the Wii and Wii U connectivity with previous 8Bitdo controllers has been more miss than hit, it might be wise to not hold your breath.
Given that pairing the pad with authentic hardware - or even modern Nintendo hardware - isn't possible at present, the RB8-64 is only going to be of use to those who like gaming on smart devices and computers. If you're running an N64 emulator then it's arguably the perfect control option, offering you an (almost) entirely authentic interface - right down to the vacant memory pak slot on the back. The price tag of $45 isn't likely to break the bank either, making this an interesting purchase for retro addicts - it's just a shame that it can't be used with the real thing, and that Wii U connectivity appears to be utterly broken at present.
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Comments 23
$45 ?
Gosh...quite pricey.
heh...
Everybody shantae is coming to the wii u on December 20!!!!
Ew. Who would want to use a N64 Controller in this day and age?
Especially at $45. I could buy this beauty instead.
...or this other wonder.
@Mega_Yarn_Poochy great controller
I can understand most folks hate controller, but I grew up on the N64 and by golly it's my favorite besides the GameCube.
I am very tempted to purchase this, cords get annoying at times
@Shugo best way to go.
I'll admit, I'm curious! Depending performance with PC this might be yet another controller to add to the collection!
Was interested to hear about this one. Although other 8bitdo options have me more interested overall, this is a good effort.
@Jumpman touché
Might get this to use on my shield tv for n64 emulation.
@Shugo They are probably using the same molds that Hyperkin, Yobo, and others are doing with the N64 controllers. Since it's not an N64 compatible controller, the expansion slot is useless. Not including it however is a lack of forsight. For instance if they release a wireless 8-bitdo reciever to work with these controllers, use of rumble or memory paks with it would not be possible with the games that support them.
I may pass on this controller, and just get the FC30 PRO if they ever release an 8bitdo reciver for the N64. It's a lot easier to map N64 controls to a dual stick controller than to map a dual stick controls to an N64 controller. VC for instance uses the right analog for C-stik use.
Tempted by this. Always really liked the N64 pad and nothing else feels quite the same with N64 games. Could go nicely with emulating them on PC (you can make them look pretty good)
Not my favourite controller, however I do have a few N64 VC titles on my Wii U and I'm presently playing Ocarina of Time, so having C buttons instead of using the right stick or remapping would be nice. Shame it doesn't seem to work with the Wii U or I might have bought one!
But... does the analog stick wears out like the original?
Just pulling some legs, I love the N64 controller.
...just wish my old ones still worked
I might get this... I'll likely cannibalize an old official controller to replace the buttons though.
Apparently, the C-buttons have been renamed to G-buttons...
@Mega_Yarn_Poochy If you want to play N64 games like on the original hardware, then an N64 controller is obviously a better choice. Well, at least for the purists and dedicated retro gamer. Also no confusion in-game on which button to press...
@Mega_Yarn_Poochy Somebody who seriously misses having 6 action buttons on the controller face and continues to be baffled at the fact that more "advanced" consoles have dropped this in favor of the standard 4-button layout which requires developers to assign stuff to the more awkward shoulder buttons where they're not as convenient.
The N64 controller also allowed for a full, uncompromising D-pad to be present for games that need one, as it doesn't have to be shoved out of the way of the analog stick or reduced in size to fit on the controller. Combined with the smaller C-buttons on the other side, it was also the best controller for use with games that needed dual directional pads, while still having two extra face buttons to use at the same time.
I'm not saying it doesn't have disadvantages compared to newer controllers either, just that it does have some features that I miss. My ideal controller would have a full-size D pad in a comfortable location, two analog sticks, six face buttons (i'm ok with 4 of those being smaller to accomodate) and 4 shoulder buttons in the standard button / trigger arrangement.
@ThanosReXXX I thought so too on first glance, but if you click the image above to get a larger version, you'll see it's clearly a C, not a G. The light and shadow in the picture combined with Nintendo's original button font just makes the letter look different in the smaller image.
@WaxxyOne Indeed! Never thought to click on it, it's just the first thing I noticed. It is probably an artifact that occurs when shrinking the image due to the original controller being slightly out of focus compared to this new one.
Late comment I know however just to let people know others and myself have tinkered with the firmware and it now works on Switch via a mayflash Magic-NS. Gonna test it on Doom 64 to see how it works. Good news is it’s just a patch to install to the controller. No need to buy that overpriced cable from Canada. Deliberately trying to forget their names. They’re charging 30 Canadian dollars for a single cable. Pathetic and scum bags. It’s not worth that. I paid that same amount for the 8bitdo N64 Bluetooth controller itself.
@Mynameishello Hi there. Happened upon this comment while googling, I have a Magic NS and RB8-64, and since Nintendo just announced N64 games on Switch, I wanted to get the controller working with it, but I'm not having any luck. Both are on the latest firmware version afaik. Do you have any advice on how you got it working/link to the firmware you used?
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