NSO N64 controller review: "a fantastic wireless N64 pad for those eager to relive the glory Nintendo gaming days of the 90s"

Nintendo released the Nintendo Switch Online N64 controller back in 2021. Just as they did for the SNES and NES Classics library before it, this was intended as a more authentic way to play the N64 games on the Switch that are accessible to those with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.

Almost 5-years later, while on the hunt for the best Switch 2 controller to suit my huge urge to replay Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time, I finally chose to invest in the wireless N64 pad, and it's vastly become one of my favorite retro controllers. Not only does it replicate the three-prong design, button layout, and feel of the original, but it includes rumble all without the need to try and source my childhood Rumble Pak.

You can't attach any of the original N64 accessories to the pack of this controller, but I didn't expect as much for its $54.99 / £39.99 price. There are also cheaper options out there that go further to include hall effect sticks and a nicer feeling stick, and yet, I'm glad I opted for Ninty's version. Could I have saved some cash by using a third-party pad or modding the real-deal? Absolutely, but I wanted that dream combo of a straightforward official setup and authentic controller, and that's exactly what I got.

Design

Those who haven't played the original console in a long time might struggle to tell the difference between the NSO pad and the real thing.

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The m-shaped gray pad, and its colorful contrasting buttons are there in all its 90s glory - from the bright yellow c-buttons, to the big round 'start' button right in the middle. Everything you need to play through the N64 game library on the Switch and the Ninty's latest best gaming handheld contender is on the pad, including the two L and R shoulder buttons, AB buttons, the joystick, d-pad, and the Z-trigger on the back, which Navi explained to me all those years ago when playing the Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time for the first time.

The biggest difference between it and the official retro controller comes down to the fact that it's wireless. There's no dark gray cable sticking out from the top, as it simply doesn't need it. Instead, the top edge of the pad plays host to the extra buttons you need for Switch compatibility. To make room for those, Nintendo didn't add any unnecessary bulk, and instead cleverly utilized the spare space on the top edge, before the section where you'd usually add a Rumble or Transfer Pak.

The back of the controller has been filled in with a matching gray block of plastic. It would have been nice to be able to fit in my original Pokemon Stadium Transfer Pak and play my copy of Yellow at x2 times speed via Pokemon Stadium, but you can't have it all. This is arguably the biggest difference in design, as you'd typically see a rectangular-shaped gaping hole with the real thing.

Regrettably, my original N64 controllers have been long lost to time, so I wasn't able to sit them side by side for an exact comparison for this review. Yet, through my own personal recollection, Nintendo has very accurately copied the feel and colors from the original gamepad. The biggest difference for me is that my NSO version is so new it doesn't yet have all the dings and dents I was so used to gazing down upon growing up - but give it time.

Features

With the new set of buttons, the NSO N64 pad can do a little more than its original incarnation. Included with the d-pad, joystick, BA buttons, C-buttons, LR, and Z buttons, there also exists the ZR button.

Pressing this will bring up the Game Selection menu, allowing you to swap between suspend points, reset the game, or pick between a new one entirely. Next to this, you'll find the USB-C port for charging, and behind that lies the capture button, sync button, LED status indicators, and the Switch home button. As this was released years before the Switch 2, there's no GameChat access here, and instead, you'll have to peruse the Switch 2's menu screen and bring it up the old-fashioned way.

While it may be missing that fangled new GameChat button, its wireless form factor and built-in rumble are far more important. Back in the day, I'd have laid down my life to be free of cables and have rumble be a part of all my N64 pads for some Starfox 64 action. The wireless components and rumble motors do add some extra weight to the controller, which is instantly noticeable if you grew up on the original pad, but it's easy to get used to.

I found it far harder to adjust to the joystick. The sticks on all my older controllers had long since worn out from years of palm wrangling to play Mario Party mini-games, so it was bizarre to return to another Ocarina playthrough and have a much tighter stick under my thumb.

While it looks the same as the original, it's worth knowing that there are some differences. The original stick connected to the pad's motherboard using 6 pins, whereas the Nintendo Switch version uses four. That's not just going to be an issue for any of you genius modders out there like our hardware team's own Phil Hayton, but also for anyone hoping they'll be able to fix the stick incase of a breakage. Existing modkits aren't going to be compatible. So take caution with your Mario Party stick antics if you're thinking of picking this up.

Performance

Setting up the N64 controller is incredibly straightforward. There's no wireless dongle required, and instead pressing the small sync button while on the "Change Grip Order" screen will let your Switch 2 find the pad in seconds. This is the case with most first-party and official Switch controllers, and is one of the big reasons why I opted to pick it up first and foremost.

Loading up the N64 Classics library with the controller also provides the cute easter egg of Super Mario 64 sound effects playing throughout, which was a lovely discovery. This isn't unique to the N64 pad, as all the controllers from the NES to the most recent GameCube model do the exact same thing, though the effects and the games they're from will differ.

When it comes to actually selecting and playing N64 games, the buttons feel fantastic. Nothing felt more hideous than trying to play Saria's Song on the Ocarina using the right stick of the Switch 2 Joy-Con, but the c-buttons were anything but. There was never a moment of lag, whether I playing in docked or handheld mode, and I was able to play everything from Zelda's Lullaby to the Minuet of Forest without so much as one mistake. Little me would have been very proud.

It was a relief to have it in my disposal. I've tried many times to get friends around to play N64 games, and it never felt quite right. On the Joy-Cons, you couldn't sit back and enjoy powering up electricity as Pikachu or Voltorb in the Pokemon Stadium mini-games, as it was a huge pain to distinguish what buttons the Switch 2 had relegated everything to. Hooking up the official N64 pad automatically synced everything up, so knowing what button to press was as easy as it was 27 years ago.

The battery life of the pad is also pretty impressive. Ever since I added to it my setup last November, I've never had to worry about charging it up. Nintendo doesn't share the exact battery life of the gamepad, but I've definitely got at least 20-30 hours without having to try and find where I last put its accompanying USB-C charging cable.

The biggest appeal is the feel of it in my hands. I still have my childhood console but I don't currently have the luxury to put together a fully-fledged retro console setup. Playing my Switch 2 with this pad is the best I can do for now, but it's still managed to provide the exact kind of nostalgia I was looking for. Blasting my way through the toilets in Facility in GoldenEye felt as it did when I was younger, with every button press feeling just as responsive as the other.

Using premium alternatives like the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 has spoiled me for how good modern sticks are to this day, so I still have to get over the stiff joystick. Yet, I don't dare try any newly added N64 game to the NSO Classics library without the official NSO controller, and I fully intend to keep it that way.

Should you buy the NSO N64 controller?

For its $54.99 / £39.99 MSRP, the Nintendo Switch Online N64 controller feels reasonably priced. Yet, as it's an official controller that can only be found on the online Nintendo storefronts, it's sadly never going to see any discounts, which is a huge bummer.

The 8Bitdo N64 Bluetooth Controller is its biggest rival as it offers up a similar N64 controller layout that's compatible with the Switch and Switch 2, all for just $39.99 / £34.99. Despite it being $15 / £5 less to begin with, it's already seen a fair amount of savings since launch, and has been as cheap as $26.33 on Amazon during 2025's Black Friday savings. If you were on the hunt for an N64-like wireless controller experience and wanted to spend as little as possible while still retaining quality, I'd much rather steer you towards 8Bitdo's retro controller offering.

The 8Bitdo controller also has the advantage of no extra hidden cost to consider. Grabbing the official controller requires not just paying its full price and any shipping costs, but also requires an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription. If you already have one, it won't be a huge deal. Yet, it does mean you technically need to pay $54.99 / £39.99 MSRP and $49.99 on top to make it yours.

I was lucky enough to be an Expansion Pack members already while I was perusing N64 controllers, but I'd have paid that extra cost regardless. For me, having the easiest setup imaginable was my biggest priority, and nothing pairs easier with the Switch 2 than an official Nintendo controller. I also had my heart set on feeling like I was holding the real thing in my hand, and this option is as close as I can get without any tinkering or being at the mercy of any wires.

If you're also more keen on quickly and easily satisfying your desire to relive some childhood 90s-gaming memories, grabbing the official NSO N64 pad is a great choice. Plus, just like the 8Bitdo pad, it's now compatible with the Analogue 3D if you're rocking the best retro console contender and don't have a genuine pad to spare.

How I tested the NSO N64 controller

To fully test the Nintendo Switch Online N64 controller, I spent over a month using it to play a wide range of titles via the N64 game library. Primarily in that time, I played through the Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time, Mario Kart 64, Pokemon Stadium and Pokemon Stadium 2, and GoldenEye 007.

Additionally, I also tried to play the same games using the original Switch 2 Joy-Con setup to see how they compared, and tried to use the retro gamepad to play modern titles, from Pokemon Legends Z-A to Mario Kart World, to see how it would fair as an additional Switch 2 controller in a pinch. For more on how we test controllers, check out the full-length GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

Check out our guides for the best PC controllers for gaming, the best PS5 controllers, and the best Xbox Series X controllers if you're on the hunt for your new favorite gamepad.