The Analogue 64 Might Be Delayed, But You Can Lovingly Fondle Its Controller Ahead Of Schedule

$39.99 pad is now shipping

by Damien McFerran Thu, 9:30am

Fed Up Of Waiting For The Analogue 64? You Can Buy Its Controller Today 1 — *Image: @8BitDo*

Like the rest of the retro gaming world, we've been waiting for Analogue's FPGA take on the N64 with bated breath. Like the company's other products, it promises to be one of the best ways to experience Nintendo's 64-bit system in the modern era – it's just a shame that it has been delayed a few times now.

Those of you who are keen to get a feel for this new machine might take a bit of comfort in knowing that you can at least purchase one of its controllers, designed in conjunction with 8BitDo.

Costing $39.99 and available in white or black, the 8BitDo 64 drops the three-pronged configuration seen in the original controller but retains the same single-stick interface. As well as working with the Analogue 64, it will also connect to Switch, Switch 2, Windows, and Android devices over a wired or Bluetooth link.

The Analogue 64 is expected to arrive in August.

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[source theverge.com]

Damien has been writing professionally about tech and video games since 2007 and oversees all of Hookshot Media's sites from an editorial perspective. He's also the editor of Time Extension, the network's newest site, which – paradoxically – is all about gaming's past glories.

1
mjparker77
Thu, 9:32am

I'm gonna be THAT guy....
I think the N64's controller is a huge part of its appeal. Personally, Mario 64, Wave Race, 1080 and Goldeneye in particular simply don't feel quite the same on a 'normal' pad.

2
Bod2019
Thu, 9:53am

@mjparker77

Don’t apologise, I agree, as a child I saw the console and controller for the first time in Japanese import form in a local gaming shop. Played Mario and it all made sense, I would have liked a new remake/original style controller. But this’ll do for now I guess 😀

3
NicolausCamp
Thu, 10:16am

Just ordered the black one. I've been using the Retro Fighters Brawler 64 since I kickstarted it way back when, but this looks better in every way. Gonna match nicely with the Analogue 3D once that arrives as well.

4
GravyThief
Thu, 10:51am

Personally I much prefer the OG controller for N64 games. Certainly the exclusives. They need the longer handle and the longer stick, it just feels better and more accurate. Each to their own though.

5
Blast16
Thu, 11:24am

@NicolausCamp I’ve been considering a retro brawlers pad for some time. Any reason you say this looks better? I have an order in for the 8bitdo but now I’m wondering if I should have held off. For a while the black one has been unavailable.

6
NicolausCamp
Thu, 11:48am

@Blast16 I just think it looks more comfortable, more ergonomic and use of higher quality plastics. 8bitdo make great products and I've had nothing but good experiences from them in the past. Their Ultimate 2 Pad has quickly become my go to controller since I got it.

7
devil76
Thu, 12:44pm

@mjparker77 I agree, but I feel looking at these they still might be ok

8
Coalescence
Thu, 12:47pm

@mjparker77 Same. Controller looks fine, cool even. But I buy Analogue consoles to get as close as possible to the original experience on a modern set. If I'm going to be using a totally new controller like this then I may as well just go the software emulation route.

9
BulkSlash
Thu, 2:03pm

@mjparker77 110%, N64 games just don’t feel right without the original controller.

10
NecronomiconUK
Thu, 2:43pm

@Bod2019 There is a remake of the original style of controller? Nintendo released the NSO N64 controller. Feels just like the original.

Just need to hope that the Analogue 3D supports it, they've supported other Switch controllers in the past so it's likely.

11
nuff64
Thu, 2:58pm

I don't fully trust this controller until I see a review. I installed 8bitdo's hall effect joystick on a N64 controller, and the accuracy is completely off, unfortunately. Doesn't have the same throw and distance. (not sure if those are official terms, but that's the only way I can explain it.)
The joystick on this controller looks similar to their hall effect one, so I'm going to wait on a review to see how close it ends up feeling to other people.

12
xzacutor
Thu, 4:02pm

I just ordered me a white one. 😄

I've been waiting for this controller for a long time. Will we see a review on here?

(Edit- this is also one of the only controllers on the market that I'm aware of that can stand in reasonably for a Saturn 3D pad - and no, I don't count those goofy Saturn knockoff pads with the tiny sticks stuck in the middle.)

14
Blast16
Fri, 5:52am

@NicolausCamp Good to know, thanks! I like my M30 and think I’ll like the new N64 controller they make too. I’ll have to look into the ultimate 2 👍

15
PZT
Yesterday, 6:46am

to anyone who is wondering, in D-Input mode at least, ZL, ZR (both just marked as Z), and L3 are all mappable as their own separate buttons
stick is presumably clickable because it would cost more to make it not clickable

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