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I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the freshly announced Star Fox remake for Switch 2 yet. That's largely since it takes one of my favorite on-rail shooters for what I believe to be one of Nintendo's best retro consoles ever and gives it an entirely new modern vibe with the same mechanics at its core. What I do know already, though, is that the revamped shooting and 8Bitdo's take on the N64 controller are going to be a perfect pairing.
Don't get me wrong, I'll be trying out the new Star Fox on Switch 2 with an official Nintendo 64 wireless gamepad this June. But, I can already see myself defaulting to the 8Bitdo N64 controller since, just like the upcoming remake, it takes the original layout and modernises the feel and look, all while still feeling pretty authentic.
I should be clear that you don't need a N64 pad specifically to play Star Fox on Switch 2. The shooter has been overhauled from the ground up, and its mechanics should benefit from the same modernization as its (questionable) new character designs and fancy stages. At the same time, Nintendo is pitching playing with the '90s console's gamepad as an option to keep things feeling just like Fox McCloud's OG mission.
I have a lot of love for the trident-shaped N64 pad, even going as far as to mod it with a hall-effect joystick. That doesn't change how bananas its design looks today, however, and the fact that it looks like it requires multiple hands to use means fresher players are unlikely to vibe with it when playing the new Star Fox.
That's where the 8Bitdo N64 controller comes in, as it takes the single stick and massive A and B button layout of the '90s pad and blends it with contemporary ergonomics. Again, the new Star Fox should feel just as nice with modern pads like the Joy-Cons, and there's even a new mouse mode, but the underlying game was still designed with that older, early 3D layout in mind.
I've played a whole bunch of Star Fox 64 with the 8Bitdo controller on an actual N64 using a wireless adapter and in 4K using the Analogue 3D. I can't speak for how the remake will feel yet, but if playing the 30-year-old game the Switch 2 version is based on is anything to go by, barrel rolling around in the Arwing should feel damn fine using the new Bluetooth pad specifically.
In my mind, controllers like this are all about placement. It might feel silly using one stick or ditching the now conventional cross-face buttons of today's pads, but it's all about having the main inputs in exactly the right place for intuitive play. If Star Fox sticks to the original N64 stick, I'm almost certain that playing with an N64 layout will feel superior to a Switch 2 Pro Controller or Joy-Cons, even with some modern tweaks in place.
If you are tempted to grab an 8Bitdo N64 controller ahead of the new Star Fox's release, there are a couple of things to note. The main thing is that you grab the Bluetooth version rather than the new 2.4GHz pad, as the latter uses a dongle specifically for the N64. You'll still be able to use the Switch-compatible version with your OG console using an aforementioned dongle (I use a Blueretro adapter that's around $20), and both versions look and feel identical.
The only other pointer I have regarding the 8Bitdo N64 controller is colorways. I'm pretty into the gray version since it's got those authentic, multi-colored buttons, but you can just grab a black or white version if you'd prefer something subtle. You'll still end up with a pad for playing the original Star Fox 64 on NSO or the original console ahead of the remake's arrival, and it could help you become one hell of a Foxy pilot ahead of June 25.
Looking for ways to play on the go? Check out the best retro handhelds for emulation devices and pocket-sized access to the classics.
