Retro Fighters "Brawler64" controller

[GSZX1337]

I remember seeing this on Kickstarter last year. Nice to see it's coming to fruition. I might get one, depending on how they're reviewed.

[harper]

Anyone seen any news about a definitive release date yet?

[8bit]

I was very surprised and delighted when the mail came yesterday. Immediately came in and broke it in with some Mario 64 for about an hour. 14 stars later and I must say they nailed it with this controller. It feels great in the hands and plays wonderful. The control stick does a great job replicating the OEM controller with a minimal amount of dead zone space and good analog calibration. Precision and slow movement is easy to pull off and feels great.

I need to play some other games before giving a final verdict but so far so good!

[Tanooki]

Nice to see a funded project like that keep their word and deliver on something that may really have that level of promised precision.

[samsonlonghair]

I was very surprised and delighted when the mail came yesterday. Immediately came in and broke it in with some Mario 64 for about an hour. 14 stars later and I must say they nailed it with this controller. It feels great in the hands and plays wonderful. The control stick does a great job replicating the OEM controller with a minimal amount of dead zone space and good analog calibration. Precision and slow movement is easy to pull off and feels great.

I need to play some other games before giving a final verdict but so far so good!

Thanks for the first hand information, 8bit!

If you get the chance, please try playing a song on Link’s ocarina. I’d like to know if the button presses feel natural and if the timing is right.

[Reprise]

Mine's in the mail apparently. It could take a while for it to make its way to me in the UK though (and if it's anything like when I ordered Undertale, it'll get delayed in customs and will end up being taken hostage by Royal Mail until I pay import tax and admin fees).

[funk_Farmer]

That controller looks awesome. Wish it would've came out back in the day. Ever since the 64 Nintendo has definitely been a company that everyone else just has to respond to. They make wacky controllers that work perfectly for the games they design but it takes other developers a couple years to wrap their heads around the concept and really throws a wrench in third party support. Still, lovely controller. I need to get a Mayflash adapter and try to get some old controllers working on pc.

[fastbilly1]

8bit, I hate to be that kind of person but how is it for Smash Brothers?

[JoeAwesome]

Supposedly there's a design flaw with this controller. There's someone on the NG forum showing others how holding down the triggers affects the use of the analog stick and C-up button. From what I saw, he's right because the molding of the triggers is too close to those areas.

[Reprise]

As far as I know it's only the analogue stick and L button that's affected? I haven't heard anything about the C up and R buttons.

The thing is - and I've been called an apologist for this - but I really don't see the big deal. The original N64 controller was created in a way that meant the analogue stick and L button are not actually used in conjunction. The design meant that games either utilised the analogue stick and Z button OR the D-pad and L button. Therefore there aren't any games that it actually affects.

You can also just open the thing up and shave the L button if you really care.

It is a flaw and I don't dispute that, but it's a minor one and unlike some, I can understand how they missed it in quality control and testing, because no games utilise a control method that would require use of the L button and analogue stick...