8BitDo has teamed up with Analogue to start pre-orders today for their first product inspired by the Nintendo 64 (N64). Although Analogue hinted at the 8BitDo 64 over a year ago, 8BitDo only revealed its full controller details last week. Coincidentally, the release of the 8BitDo 64 happens at the same time as the long-awaited launch of Analogue's N64 FPGA console.
Design Differences
To put it simply, the 8BitDo 64 doesn't resemble the classic Nintendo 64 controller at all. Instead, its design is more similar to the Switch Pro controller but with some modifications in the layout. Notably, it features a single Hall effect joystick positioned in the top left corner.
Features of the Controller
Additionally, the controller includes C-buttons on the opposite side, right next to the A and B buttons. New images also show that 8BitDo has integrated two Z buttons instead of the usual L2 and R2 triggers. Unfortunately, the standard layout means that the 8BitDo 64 does not support accessories like the external Memory Pak or Transfer Pak.
Pricing and Availability
At this time, it appears that 8BitDo has only released the white version, which is still available on Amazon US for $39.99. The expected release date for this model is set for March 19, 2025. In contrast, while Amazon suggests that the black version is sold out, it seems it was never actually in stock. Furthermore, 8BitDo has yet to announce pricing or availability for other regions such as Canada, the Eurozone, or the UK.
