When Nintendo released the Switch Online Expansion Pack, a number of us also rushed to our regional My Nintendo website to buy the new wireless N64 controller. It's a rather lovely thing, but this being the 2020s and Nintendo being Nintendo, stock was extremely limited and restocks haven't eased the situation. That doesn't stop some clever fans, though.
Reddit user davidp730 highlights that the wait for a restock of the wireless pad drove him to look for a solution of his own. They utilised their experience as a software developer - along with an Arduino UNO R3 board - to create an option that allows them to use their original wired N64 controller with the Switch Online titles.
Anyone with a board and 'some wire hanging around' can technically do it, as the whole thing - most importantly the software to make it happen - has been shared on Github. In this solution the software is applied to the board, and then the controller port pins are connected to the board on specific inputs. The board itself connects via USB to the Switch (so this is a docked play solution); the fun of playing the games on Switch with an original pad will necessitate having some trailing cables.
The Reddit post already has enthusiasts sharing ideas for other approaches, too, for hooking up the 25 year old pads to the Switch.
Technology, marvellous isn't it?
[source reddit.com, via github.com]
Comments 20
Oh that might be a good wa- sees how complicated it is
On second thought I might just wait...
Man I want one, but as its My Nintendo only, I cant as the Offical Store website doesnt like any cards I own. The only way to get one is to pay £100+ to get one from eBay, and I think my Wife would kill me if it did that :s
I’m lucky enough to have one and it works great. It’s a weird weird controller but I actually like it a lot. The stick’s like an old fashioned joystick.
@Bunkerneath What type of cards won't it take? Seems to have all the main ones except Amex
@dmcc0 I know, it recognises both my Mastercard and Visa, but when i go to save details, it comes up with "There is an error verify the entered credit card information, please try again." And yes all details are correct.
The Website says its my bank and the bank says its the website.
I have one. Give me a ping when they are on sale in EU so i can get 1-3 more
@Bunkerneath That is odd. Have you tried different browsers or just adding either of the cards to PayPal and just using that?
@Bunkerneath
I'm having the exact same issue here.
I deleted my old card information as it had expired and when I try to add my new debit card it's saying "There is an error verify the entered credit card information, please try again".
Edit: Just spoke to someone on chat and they claim it's because I'm using a VPN?
I'll try again once I've finished work and can turn the VPN off
I'd just like 8bitdo to make a modern day n64 controller.
I've been using a Gamecube style controller I got on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GXLBCC3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
It's not perfect, but I was never crazy about the N64 controller anyway so this works for me.
Removed - spam; user is banned
I just want a restock I check everyday. Some of those n64 games you just need an n64 controller period or the buttons are a mess.
I use another option.
I play on the actual N64 with my 4 different coloured N64 controllers.
Plug and play, ready every day with no downloads or workarounds needed.
😜
Does anyone know if this will also work on the Wii U?
I have one of the new ones. Great quality and feels right. Worth getting if you loved the N64. But this is a cool solution.
@dmcc0 Tried them all and no luck, they then told me to try and use a different account, but then I cant order it as then doesn't have the Nintendo account attached to it. Even tried logging in as a Guest just to buy something normal, still wont recognise any cards I use.
@Welshland just wondering you using a Lloyds bank card?
@Bunkerneath no Barclays Visa Debit
@Welshland So its not just my bank then.
I've tried it at home and at work, so don't think VPN does anything.
I have heard some people have used an android phone and its worked on there.
Tried to pay using GooglePay too and it seems like the order has been created but GooglePay has not been billed or anything so sending another complaint email to them I wonder how many of these they have got from me over the years
Hmm...
I'm tempted to try this out. A little bit of soldering, copying code and flash that code to an arduino. Would love to see how that works in the real world such as response time and new versions of the code that can use the rumble pak and memory cards. After all, hackers have already made a virtual memory card for the NSO N64 app, how about taking the code for the virtual memory card and make it interface with an actual memory card! ;D
Nintendo knows these are guaranteed gold for scalpers and yet they still think offering 4 per customer is a good idea. Maybe cut that number in half and the rest of us might have a shot at getting just one before the bots.
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