The Best Wireless Nintendo 64 Controller?
- Retro Maggie
- Sep 1
- 2 min read
If you grew up with the Nintendo 64, you probably have a soft spot for the original three-pronged controller but let’s be honest, nostalgia doesn’t always translate to comfort. That’s where the Retro Fighters Brawler 64 comes in.
Right out of the box, it feels great in your hands. The design is much closer to a modern controller, with smooth curves and an ergonomic grip that makes long play sessions a lot more enjoyable. The buttons have a satisfying clickiness to them, responsive without feeling stiff and the analog stick is precise, offering a noticeable upgrade from the loose, wobbly feel that many original N64 sticks suffer from today.
Where the difference really shines is in actual gameplay. Titles like GoldenEye 007and Perfect Dark benefit immediately from the improved control. Aiming feels far smoother, and you don’t find yourself wrestling with awkward hand positions just to move and shoot at the same time. Platformers like Super Mario 64 also feel sharper, thanks to the stick’s accuracy and the controller’s comfortable grip.
But the real test? Mario Party. Specifically, Tug-o-War. If you were around back then, you remember the pain: spinning the original joystick with the palm of your hand until you basically sandpapered your skin off. Nintendo even had to hand out gloves at one point. With the Brawler 64, though? No injuries. No battle scars. I can actually play Tug-o-War and still use my hands afterward. (At least for me anyway!) Truly revolutionary.
And racing and kart games? Mario Kart 64 feels so much more natural. Drifting, steering, nailing those tight corners, it’s way less “oops I just drove into the grass again.”
The Brawler 64 doesn’t just modernize the N64 controller, it makes playing these classics easier, more comfortable, and ultimately more fun. For anyone revisiting their favorite Nintendo 64 library, this controller is a game-changer.
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