N64 Fan Creates Impressive Custom Controllers

A crafty Nintendo 64 fan recently built a few custom-made N64 controllers inspired by franchises like Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda. While fans often create custom controllers and share them online, it’s rarer to see people doing so with nostalgic hardware from the 90s like the Nintendo 64.

The N64 was Nintendo’s fourth domestic console. Released in 1996, the console sold over 32 million units, far less than its main competitor, PlayStation, which sold around 102 million units. However, it still managed to have a strong fanbase. The N64 had several excellent games, such as Banjo-Kazooie, Super Mario 64, GoldenEye 007, Perfect Dark, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Now, an old-school gamer called gamerjerome has shared the custom-made N64 controllers they recently built, showcasing six different designs. The first is a Zelda-inspired green controller, which is semi-transparent and has the Tri-Force symbol. Another one was inspired by Super Mario, and it has purple colors, featuring the symbol of one of the game’s stars on its center. Yet another cool joystick is a Pikachu-themed orange N64 controller, which has colorful buttons. The other three controllers include a light blue transparent one, a red N64 joystick with blue buttons, and one with the Taco Bell symbol.

While not as innovative as Nintendo’s later Switch controller, the N64 joystick was among the most innovative gaming controllers of its time, and the community was thrilled to see gamerjerome’s creations. In the comments of the post, gamerjerome explained a bit of their process, confirming that they did not use a 3D printer, and picked each part of the controllers by themselves. They also commented that the most difficult part of building a custom controller with different parts was combining them to work well together.

Not all N64 fans create working versions of joysticks, though. For instance, one fan made a LEGO version of the N64 controller last year. This fan did admirable work, as they