• Home
  • Our Books
  • Our Film
  • Games
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Login

Perspectives on all eras of videogames, computers, technology, and pop culture since 2003

Login

Login
Armchair ArcadeArmchair Arcade
Armchair ArcadeArmchair Arcade
  • Home
  • Our Books
  • Our Film
  • Games
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Login

Review: miadore 2 Pack Retro N64 Controllers

Review: miadore 2 Pack Retro N64 Controllers
Review: miadore 2 Pack Retro N64 Controllers

Review: miadore 2 Pack Retro N64 Controllers

September 29, 2021 Posted by Bill Loguidice Review No Comments

The product page description for the miadore Retro N64 Controller doesn’t have much confidence in its own creation, more or less pushing these as additional, secondary controllers rather than replacements for originals or more premium options. Despite the fact that it’s a two-pack and really ups its value proposition if you want to create a fun multiplayer original Nintendo 64 (N64) console gameplay environment without breaking the bank, there are some serious issues with the controller.

It's interesting that the bargain-basement packaging casually references "Ultra 64."
It’s interesting that the bargain-basement packaging casually references “Ultra 64.”

You can definitely pay more for more premium options – even wireless solutions – but most of us these days don’t play with multiple people on a local multiplayer console on a regular enough basis to justify the extra investment. And while these controllers don’t mimic the unique original Nintendo controller design, they do a good job of at least superficially mimicking the modern trend of going with a more traditional layout, with the analog stick on the upper left instead of the d-pad, and in turn the d-pad in the center rather than the analog stick. This design concept does away with the triple handles of the original and is definitely easier to pick up for modern hands used to today’s controller designs. Again, while this layout is not perfect for every N64 game, it can arguably work better for many of the games in the library.

My two pack was a translucent green and opaque yellow, which matched how they looked on the product page. The feel of the green plastic seemed a bit slippier than the yellow. I also noted the yellow’s d-pad was more recessed than the green’s, and a slightly different feel from the triggers. I don’t know if it’s up to manufacturing variances or simple quality control, but the green felt like a better overall performer. Unfortunately, even at this competitive price point for the pair, I was really expecting more consistency, especially since these are sold as a pair.

They look nice enough and have the right features, but they simply don't play well.
They look nice enough and have the right features, but they simply don’t play well.

The analog stick feels fine and is responsive. The face buttons similarly performed well. The two sets of triggers were too recessed for my liking, resulting in mishits. The thin controller cables, which are approximately 6 feet in length, are done well and remained tangle-free.

Despite mirroring more modern designs and having a memory card/rumble pack slot, these controllers are difficult to recommend because they just don’t perform like an original or slightly more expensive modern replacement controller. The poor d-pads and trigger pairs are simply unacceptable.

Bottom line, there are better options out there (including one from miadore themselves), so even if you’re looking for an inexpensive controller addition for occasional local multiplayer battles on your original console – and you don’t want to upset your friends and family – you’re likely better off looking elsewhere. Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives out there.

Related

Tags: controllermultiplayern64Nintendonintendo 64third partywired
No Comments
Share

About Bill Loguidice

Bill Loguidice is a Founder and Managing Director for Armchair Arcade, as well as a critically acclaimed technology author and journalist.  He is also the co-founder of creative services firm, Armchair Creative Services, and a noted videogame and computer historian and subject matter expert. See full bio

You also might be interested in

Atari Flashback Classics for Nintendo Switch - The Official Game List
Atari Flashback Classics for Nintendo Switch - The Official Game List

Atari Flashback Classics for Nintendo Switch – The Official Game List

Nov 7, 2018

What follows is the official game list for Atari Flashback[...]

A vision of Microsoft's Hololens
A vision of Microsoft's Hololens

Some post E3 2015 thoughts on Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo

Jun 18, 2015

I wanted to offer some thoughts on what we learned[...]

PDP PS3 Versus Controller
PDP PS3 Versus Controller

Review: PDP PS3 Versus Controller (plus additional new Retro Freak console information)

Jan 10, 2016

I bought the PDP PS3 Versus Controller specifically to use[...]

Leave a CommentCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent Posts

  • Best US Crypto Casinos [2025]: What to play in July?
  • Leveling Up Real Resilience: What Gamers and Communities Can Learn Beyond the Screen
  • The CRUKS Exclusion System: How It Affects Dutch Online Gambling
  • Pre-Orders for Two Editions of DOOM with Super FX 3 and Rumble Controllers for Super NES!
  • Emerging Trends in Online Casinos for 2025: The Role of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
  • Why Storage Technology Matters in Logistics Optimization
  • How Small Businesses Can Leverage Technology to Stay Ahead
  • Casino Titles That Deliver Bonus Opportunities
  • Amiga Forever and C64 Forever 11 Released – Big Updates!
  • Demo Mode and Real Money Play Explained

Recent Comments

  • leads dubai on Should You Be Focusing More On Local Marketing?
  • Aiodensghost on Official Game List for My Arcade Atari Gamestation Pro
  • keyboredom on Quick guide on how to play on the Internet Arcade
  • Bill Loguidice on Official Game List for My Arcade Atari Gamestation Pro
  • Melanie Levenstein on Official Game List for My Arcade Atari Gamestation Pro
  • George on How to Predict CS:GO/CS2 Skins Prices?
  • Bill Loguidice on Retro Games Ltd to release The Spectrum, fully working ZX Spectrum, and here’s the game list!
  • Derek on Retro Games Ltd to release The Spectrum, fully working ZX Spectrum, and here’s the game list!
  • Bill Loguidice on Retro Games Ltd to release The Spectrum, fully working ZX Spectrum, and here’s the game list!
  • Simon on Retro Games Ltd to release The Spectrum, fully working ZX Spectrum, and here’s the game list!

Archives

Categories

Explore

android (46) apple (37) ar (38) Arcade (168) Atari (75) atgames (173) augmented reality (33) book (99) books (98) casino (525) esports (47) firmware (43) Flashback (45) gambling (549) Gaming (41) home arcade (115) htc vive (42) humble bundle (282) humble store (67) ios (37) led (35) legends (40) legends arcade family (46) legends pinball (39) legends ultimate (71) Microsoft (40) Nintendo (71) pc gamer (67) pc gaming (53) pinball (43) playstation (55) PS4 (36) retro (34) Sega (38) slots (84) sony (51) steam (145) switch (34) technology (36) update (42) virtual pinball (36) virtual reality (117) vive (34) viveport (42) vr (122)

Affiliates

+ Amazon

The everything store

+ Humble Bundle

Game deals, including name your price bundles

+ Playasia (Play-Asia.com)

Import games and collectibles

+ DJI Store

Amazing drones and related technology

+ Razer

Amazing PC gamer products!

fullSTEAMahead365 Your total news and information resource for all things Science, Technology, Engineering / Mathematics, Art, and Medicine / Health.

Human Advancement Never Stops.

Key Site Statistics

Posts published: 2,598
Latest publish date: July 10, 2025 @ 2:08 pm
Registered user count: 99,026

Contact Us

If you have a question, would like to provide feedback, or otherwise wish to get in touch with us, use this form.

Send Message

Blog Posts by Date

September 2021
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
27282930  
« Aug   Oct »

Social Media and RSS

Support Armchair Arcade

All editorial content © 2003 - 2025 Armchair Arcade, Inc., an Armchair Creative Services, LLC, property. All rights reserved unless otherwise indicated. All trademarks and copyrights are retained by their respective owners. No content is to be removed or reused from the Armchair Arcade Website for commercial purposes without explicit permission from the principal Armchair Arcade staff, or the original trademark or copyright holders. Armchair Arcade, Inc., is not responsible for the content of any external sources or links. Further, endorsement of any external sources or links is neither implied nor suggested.

We thank you for your support and encourage you to contact us for any reason, including, but not limited to, questions, concerns, business endeavors, or praise. Especially praise.

Armchair Creative Services, LLC, may earn compensation for sales from links on posts through affiliate and other programs. Editorial rigor and objectivity standards are strictly adhered to and any compensation has no effect on coverage or opinions.

Prev Next