TechRadar Verdict
The 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth controller is a great alternative to the official Switch 2 N64 pad. It has a more contemporary controller silhouette, ditching Nintendo’s charming but clunky trident-shaped design. You won’t find it much use with modern titles thanks to the lack of a second controller, but the faithful feel and build quality make it ideal for NSO’s retro libraries.
Benefits
- +
Nails with an N64 look and feel
- +
Wonderfully thick Hall effect stick
- +
Solid battery life
- +
Recognized as an N64 controller on Switch consoles
Disadvantages
- –
Clunky triggers and shoulder button layout
- –
You pay extra for the N64 colorway
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8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller: Two Minute Review
The 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth controller was primarily created for Analogue 3D, a third-party console that emulates N64 hardware and requires real cartridges. However, it is also compatible with Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC (as well as Android devices).
Now, I don’t personally own an Analogue 3D (limited stock and an even more limited wallet saw to that), but I do have a Switch 2, and the 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth controller shines just as brightly on Nintendo’s current-gen machine. I played around with Nintendo Switch Online’s roster of N64 titles and found it to be a fantastic (and not to mention cheaper) alternative to the official Switch Nintendo 64 controller.
The 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller comes in a wide variety of colors, most of which are available for purchase on the brand’s Amazon store page. The standard black and white variants can be purchased for $39.99 / £34.99 (around AU$60). Meanwhile, the version that wears the N64 controller’s iconic color scheme (alongside several translucent models) is a little more expensive in the US at $44.99 / £34.99 (around AU$65).
I was sent the “Grey” model for this review, and it perfectly mimics the look and feel of the original N64 controller. The case’s gray finish and colorful Start, A, B, and C buttons are all accurately rendered.
The main difference is that the 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth controller opts for a more contemporary layout, sporting two controller grips, as opposed to the odd but strangely comfortable trident design of the original N64 controller.
There are pros and cons to this approach. The 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth controller’s more modern flourishes make it comfortable to hold. Additions like a Hall effect controller also make this a pad that’s built to last. Basically, the thing won’t fall apart after a few passionate sessions of Mario Party. Although the stick retains the sturdy, streamlined design of the original, meaning your hand won’t be any better off if you stick to the “palm method” of getting high scores in certain mini-games.
Where this modern design falters slightly is in the triggers and shoulder buttons. While they feel perfectly fine, the default layout of some games may seem inappropriate if you’re used to the original N64 controller. That’s because, with Nintendo Switch Online, the “ZR” button is reserved for the quick menu. This relegates the left trigger to a dedicated “Z” button by default.
This was also the case with the original N64 pad, where the Z button was in the center back for your left index finger to rest on. This can just make things sometimes awkward on the 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth controller.
Take Fox Star 64, For example. Since the right trigger is reserved for the quick menu, this means that the left trigger and right bumper are used for barrel rolling by default. In Golden Eye 007, Meanwhile, the left trigger fires your weapon, while the left bumper activates manual aiming. As a result, you may have to dive into the quick menu and adjust the control schemes for each game, which can be a bit frustrating.
Fortunately, this is the only major issue I have with the 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth controller, and it’s not one that hasn’t been extremely difficult to get used to. I found myself bringing up the quick menu by accident, but often annoyingly.
At least the battery life is solid, around 15-20 hours on a full charge. This is pretty much the standard for the brand’s controllers like the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 and 8BitDo Pro 3. It’s by no means best in class, but it certainly gets the job done.
8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller: Specifications
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| Row 0 – Cell 0 | 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller |
Price | $44.99 / £34.99 (around AU$65) |
Weight | 7.93 ounces / 225 g |
Dimensions | 5.6 x 4.1 x 2.4 inches / 141 x 104 x 61 mm |
Compatibility | Analog 3D, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Android |
Connection type | Bluetooth 5.0, Bluetooth LE, USB-C |
Battery life | 3-8 p.m. |
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Category | Comment | Score |
Value | Whether you opt for the standard colors or a special edition like the N64 livery, it’s cheaper than the official Switch-compatible N64 controller. | 4.5/5 |
Design | It truly reflects the look and feel of the original N64 controller, right down to the feel of the buttons, d-pad, and joystick. The build quality is solid and the Hall effect stick means longevity is a factor. | 4.5/5 |
Features | The controller is overall quite light in terms of features. There is a dedicated Turbo button, but I found it of little use in the N64 library. | 3/5 |
Performance | While I disagree with the clunky trigger and bumper layout, the controller is a solid performer with excellent connectivity and solid battery life. | 4/5 |
Total | It’s a fantastic alternative to the official N64 pad on Switch, and I would definitely recommend it as the best and cheapest option. A few layout issues aside, this is another winner for 8BitDo. | 4/5 |
8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller: Should I Buy?
Buy it if…
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| Row 0 – Cell 0 | 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller | 8BitDo Pro 3 | Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller |
Price | $44.99 / £34.99 (around AU$65) | $59.99 / £40 (around AU$84) | $64.99 / £58.99 / AU$89.95 |
Weight | 7.93 ounces / 225g | 8.5 ounces / 242 g | 7.4 ounces / 210 g |
Dimensions | 5.6 x 4.1 x 2.4 inches / 141 x 104 x 61 mm | 6.1 x 3.9 x 2.6 inches / 154 x 101 x 65 mm | 5.5 x 3.9 x 2.6 inch / 140 x 100 x 65mm |
Compatibility | Analog 3D, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Android | Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, iOS, Android | Nintendo Switch2 |
Connection type | Bluetooth 5.0, Bluetooth LE, USB-C | Wireless (2.4 GHz, Bluetooth), wired (USB-C) | Wireless (Native Switch 2) |
Battery life | 3-8 p.m. | 3-8 p.m. | About 25-30 hours |
8BitDo Pro 3
For my money, this is the best controller that can be bought for under $60/£40, period. It also has a retro-inspired design, but comes with plenty of modern flourishes and features, like drift-beating TMR sticks, swappable face buttons, a charging dock, and a beautiful D-pad. This one is great for both modern and retro titles, and I really can’t sing its praises enough.
For more information, read our full 8BitDo Pro 3 review
Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller
Obviously, this is an official controller tailor-made for Nintendo Switch Online’s GameCube library on Switch 2. It’s wireless and offers pretty impressive battery life. This is a complete overhaul, but arguably needed little modification given the quality of the original GameCube controller. This one is also great for retro titles and is widely compatible with Switch and Switch 2 games.
For more information, read our full Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller Review.
How I Tested the 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller
I tested the 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth controller for about a week, putting it through its paces with Nintendo Switch Online’s dedicated N64 library. Titles played include F-Zero X, Ridge Racer 64, Star Fox 64, Pilotwings 64, Sin and Punishment, Mario Tennis, And The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
I tested the wireless controller on Nintendo Switch 2 to get a feel for battery life and connectivity, with my display of choice being the LG CX OLED TV. For audio, I find wired to be the best on Switch 2 due to Bluetooth audio delay, and so I opted for the RIG R5 Spear Pro HS gaming headset.
First revision from June to July 2026
Learn more about how we test
Rhys is TRG’s Hardware Editor and has been part of the TechRadar team for over four years. Particularly passionate about high-quality third-party controllers and headsets, Rhys strives to provide informative, easy-to-read coverage on gaming hardware of all kinds. When it comes to the games themselves, Rhys is particularly interested in fighting and racing games, as well as soulslikes and RPGs.
