#brawler 64

(Revision 4-18-21)

Journalistic integrity - it’s a big deal and a responsibility to your reading audience. When I initially typed out this review, I gave glowing praise and highly recommended the Brawler64 from Retro Fighters after only testing it with a handful of games. Since this review, I’ve spent much more time with the controller and it’s flaws became more apparent throughout my lengthy play sessions with it. 

Don’t get me wrong, I still whole-heartedly recommend picking this product up if you’re an N64 fanatic and I still stick by my rating. That said, I felt the need to illustrate a couple of negatives that may determine if you want to for sure pick this item up or not.

I’ve learned that this controller does not support a Transfer Pak. So if you’re a fan of the Pokemon Stadium games, you’ll have to stick to your original N64 controller. It may not be a big deal to some, but it may be for others looking to fully replace their original controllers. 

Another problem I’ve had is the D-pad. Any time I had to use it frequently, I felt like I had to push fairly hard to get it to work. It was responsive enough, but there’s a “springy-ness” missing that made me second-guess my presses, wondering if the game registered my input. Since most games use the joystick, it’s not a huge deal but as mentioned above it’s something to consider if you’re looking to replace your original N64 controllers. 

I’ll take a moment to also highlight another feature I didn’t use in the initial review -The turbo button and it functions great. I used it in combination with a cheat-code for Earthworm Jim 3D that allowed me to nuke the first-level boss into oblivion. It’s also great if you’re buying something in bulk on Mega Man 64 and you don’t want to have to press a button a hundred times to confirm your sale.

As great at the Brawler64 is, it’s not going to entirely replace the original controllers - yet. Retro Fighters are still producing these products and I hope down the line, they can give us the perfect N64 controller. 

Continue on for the original review.

(This will probably read like a paid ad, but I assure you it’s not. I don’t have that kind of clout. I just really like this controller. On with the review...)

Maybe it’s me but it seems as if the Nintendo 64 is getting a lot of love these days. For one, the modding community is as strong as it’s ever been, the Smash Bros 64 competitive scene is on it’s way up and thanks to releases of long-lost titles like 40 Winks and groundbreaking prototype drops like Dinosaur Planet, there’s been plenty to talk about. 

With all this new interest, people are dusting off their old N64s, armed with fond childhood memories of good times and rediscovering their love of Nintendo’s first 3D console. Problem is, the N64 is a *little* dated and our modern sensibilities have somewhat crippled us to the ways of the past. That old awkward controller with the squeaky joystick doesn’t quite feel like it used to but fear not, company “Retro Fighters” offers a solution: The Brawler64!

I don’t own any third-party clones or reproduction controllers - mostly because I’m cheap and most of the time, they’re expensive. I was playing my N64 a week ago and my controller was showing it’s age - lag problems, unresponsive movements, and awkwardly trying to hold it kept me from enjoying myself. 

I went to a local hobby shop and seen the Brawler64 for sale for 34 bucks - a reasonable price and I figured I had nothing to lose so I grabbed it and brought it home. Before I discuss my experience, this is what the Brawler64 promises on the box. 

Like anything I pick up without any prior knowledge, I was skeptical but I popped in Super Smash Bros and let me tell you - Retro Fighters nailed it. Not only does it handle well with super-responsive controls, but the way it feels in your hands is unrivaled. It makes the original N64 controller obsolete in every way.

I love everything about the Brawler64 and could kick myself for not getting one sooner. It plays good, feels good and aesthetically pleases me in the same way the old see-through purple controller did when I first laid eyes on it all those years ago. 

I tested a number of games with it and had no issues whatsoever, minus one game. The efficient button placement gave me an unstrained and smooth experience that made me feel connected to whatever I was playing, 100%. I even played through more than one level of Turok and I can’t say I’ve ever done that because of how badly I hate how that game used to control. 

The only game I had an issue with was Sinistar on Midway’s Greatest Arcade Hits. For whatever reason my ship would jitter at times, but truthfully, I’m not going to be playing Sinistar all that much anyways. Also, I didn’t get to test the turbo feature, since none of my games would really utilize it properly. 

I couldn’t test Brawler64 with a Rumble Pak because I don’t own one, however it did work with my old memory card with no issues. 

I’ve seen other N64 repro pads in the past but never took the plunge to buy them for one reason or the other. Either the shape and size of the controller was off, or the button-placement looked wonky. For my money, however The Brawler64 controller got everything right and reconnected me with my N64.