M1 iPad Pro offer: $150 off Amazon

We may earn commissions by using our links. learn more.

Now that the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack has been launched, everyone and their mother’s robots are trying to use the new Nintendo Switch’s new N64 controller. They are very expensive at $50 each, and you can only purchase up to four of them through your Nintendo account.

Unfortunately, demand has been so high since its launch that Nintendo’s N64 controller inventory for the remainder of 2021 has been completely sold out. The new controllers are obviously nostalgic and very suitable for collectors, but do they really make playing N64 games easier? Or should I stick to the regular Switch controller? It depends on what you play.

VPN benefits: $16 lifetime license, monthly plans of $1 and above

Source: Rebecca Spear / iMoreSwitch N64 controller (left) and original N64 controller.

When I placed the Switch controller side by side with my original N64 controller, the only real difference I saw was the worn-out appearance of the old gamepad and the cables removed from it. The joystick on my OG N64 controller is really soft, so in comparison, the new one is very resistant. Otherwise, they mostly look the same in size, color, and shape.

The Switch N64 controller does not actually have a Rumble Pak slot because it has built-in Rumble.

However, there are some important differences. The Switch N64 controller actually has no opening in the Rumble Pak area because the controller has a built-in rumble. The Rumble Pak slot is filled with plastic, and the top of the controller has buttons necessary to interact with the Switch interface, such as the screenshot button, the home button, the pairing button, and the ZR button used as the-button.

There is also a USB-C port on it, and the controller is equipped with a 6-foot charging cable, so you can easily charge it with the Switch base. I'm not entirely sure how long the battery can last, but it did last at least six hours during one of my games, so it should last long enough for ordinary users. You just need to make sure to charge it between uses to keep it fresh and ready to use.

The Switch N64 controller feels a bit heavy, but it's not eye-catching enough. This may be due to the included rumble and built-in battery not in the original. The buttons are pressed well and everything responds the way I should when playing games. However, the strange location of the screenshots, homepage, and-buttons make them more difficult to access quickly. Nevertheless, in order to maintain the clean appearance of the original controller, they were thrown to the top, so this is the price we paid.

Yes and no. The specific buttons correspond to the classic game controls to better play the game, but the design of the N64 controller is very weird, and now I am used to modern controllers, so it takes some time to get used to it. (I think this sentence is a betrayal of my youth.) But honestly, these specific buttons and layouts are really only when it comes to intensive games like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (OoT). it works.

It is better to use the Switch N64 controller, but there is still a learning curve.

For example, when I started playing OoT on the expansion pack, my N64 controller hadn't arrived yet. Therefore, I completed the early childhood part of the game while using the Nintendo Switch Pro controller. To my dismay, I found that the default controls around the C button are really weird, but the service does not allow you to remap the buttons. I'm a bit accustomed to using unstable control layouts, but I often make mistakes because it never really engages. One of the most annoying things is that I instinctively keep reaching for the correct joystick to move the camera, but this only makes me pull out an item.

A few hours later, when I entered the Temple of Fire as an adult Link, my N64 switch controller arrived. The C button and Z button at the bottom immediately feel better. Not to mention, I like that the absence of another joystick will accidentally mess up my game. But things are not immediately perfect. Using the Switch N64 controller is better, but there is still a learning curve—or rather, a relearning curve.

The trident design, which I never questioned when I was young, felt very strange in my adult hands. Is this how Peter felt when he grew up in Hook? When I wanted the B button for a while, I kept pressing the A button because it was basically the location of the B button on modern controllers, which was frustrating at first. After about an hour, I got used to the retro controller and things got better from there.

After enjoying this major change, I jumped into Mario Kart 64 and looked forward to the same thing. But I don’t have the same experience here at all. The controls for this racing game are much simpler, so it’s no surprise to use Joy-Cons or a more traditional controller. You can easily use a normal controller here without noticing the difference.

First of all, if you are a collector or someone who really wants a classic controller, then you must grab it. The moment they announced, I knew I was going to buy one for myself. The button layout and the absence of a second joystick undoubtedly make the denser N64 games in the expansion pack easier to play.

If you are hesitant to get one of them, I suggest you use a third-party N64 controller instead. You only need to handle a joystick and all the correct buttons are there. An added benefit is that the shape of these counterfeit controllers is more in line with modern game design and is easier to use from the start. Not to mention, if this is what you want and does not require a Nintendo Switch account, you can actually get one during the holidays.

Although it is very difficult to access these N64 controllers now, I do find that this retro gamepad makes it easier to play more intensive N64 games (such as OoT and the upcoming Majora's Mask). You just need to be prepared to adapt to the old controller, because its design is strange compared to modern gamepads.

Use this controller to play N64 games on Nintendo Switch more easily. It is wireless, and has a built-in rumble sound directly, and there are additional buttons on the top to easily interact with the Switch interface.

We may earn commissions by using our links. learn more.

Both Apple and Amazon have been fined by the Italian antitrust agency for claiming that the two companies cooperate to sell Beats products, which means that only selected retailers can sell these products.

Apple’s second store in Berlin, Apple Rosenthaler Strasse, is preparing for the grand opening, and Apple will share new exclusive wallpapers to celebrate.

Beats uses the best features of AirPods Pro and wraps them in stylish earplugs focused on exercise through Beats Fit Pro. If you need to exercise earplugs, these are your options.

As we all know, third-party docking stations can damage Nintendo Switch game consoles. We have completed research and identified some trustworthy docks that can be used safely. See which one suits your needs.

Register now to get the latest news, offers and more from iMore!

I want to receive news and offers from other Future brands.

I want to receive emails from future partners.

No spam, we guarantee. You can unsubscribe at any time and we will never share your details without your permission.

Rebecca Spear is iMore's game editor. She likes to play Nintendo Switch games and is a Zelda lunatic through and through. On any given day, you will find her drawing, playing video games or reading a good book. Follow her on Twitter @rrspear.