8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller review: perfect for the retro Nintendo Switch Online game catalog

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8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller: Two-minute review

The 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller was primarily created for the Analogue 3D—a third-party console that emulates N64 hardware and requires real cartridges. However, it’s also compatible with Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC (as well as Android devices).

Now, I don’t own an Analogue 3D personally (limited stock and an even more limited wallet have seen 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’ve been playing Nintendo Switch Online’s roster of N64 titles with it 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 colorways, most of which are available to buy at the brand’s Amazon store page. The standard black and white variants can be bought for $39.99 / £34.99 (around AU$60). Meanwhile, the version that bears the N64 controller’s iconic color scheme (alongside several translucent models) is a touch pricier in the US at $44.99 / £34.99 (around AU$65).

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I was sent the ‘Grey’ model for this review, and it perfectly mimics the look and feel of the original N64 controller. The grey finish of the shell and the colored Start, A, B, and C-buttons are all accurately rendered.

The major difference is that the 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller opts for a more contemporary layout, sporting two controller grips as opposed to the original N64 controller’s odd but strangely comfortable trident-esque design.

8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller

(Image credit: Future)

There are pros and cons to this approach. The 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller’s more modern flourishes do make it comfortable to hold. Additions like a Hall effect thumbstick also make for a pad that’s built to last. Basically, the thing won’t fall apart after a few heated sessions of Mario Party. Though the stick retains that rugged, contoured 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 minigames.

Where this modern design falters slightly, though, is in the triggers and shoulder buttons. While they feel perfectly fine, the default layout in some games might feel off 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 as the dedicated ‘Z’ button by default.

That kind of was the case with the original N64 pad, too, where the Z button sat at the center-rear for your left index finger to rest on. It can just make things feel occasionally awkward on the 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller.

Take Star Fox 64, for example. Because the right trigger is reserved for the quick menu, it means the left trigger and right bumper are used to barrel roll by default. In GoldenEye 007, meanwhile, the left trigger fires your weapon, while the left bumper activates manual aiming. As a result, you might find you have to dive into the quick menu and adjust control schemes on a per-game basis, which can be a bit frustrating.

Thankfully, that’s the only major issue I have with the 8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller, and it’s one that wasn’t hugely difficult to get used to. I did find myself bringing up the quick menu by accident, annoyingly often, though.

At least battery life is solid, at around 15-20 hours on a full charge. That’s about standard for the brand’s controllers like the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 and 8BitDo Pro 3. Not class-leading by any means, but 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	7.93oz / 225g
Dimensions	5.6 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 141 x 104 x 61mm
Compatibility	Analogue 3D, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Android
Connection type	Bluetooth 5.0, Bluetooth LE, USB-C
Battery life	15-20 hours

8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller: Scorecard

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Category	Comment	Score
Value	Whether you go for the standard colorways or a special edition like the N64 livery, it’s cheaper than the official Switch-compatible N64 controller.	4.5/5
Design	It really nails the look and feel of the original N64 controller, down to how the buttons, d-pad, and thumbstick feel. Build quality is solid, and the Hall effect stick means longevity is a factor.	4.5/5
Features	The controller is fairly light on features overall. There is a dedicated Turbo button, but I found little use for it within the N64 library.	3/5
Performance	While I take issue with the awkward trigger/bumper layout, the controller is perfectly performant with excellent connectivity and solid battery life.	4/5
Total	It’s a fantastic alternative to the official N64 pad on Switch, and I’d handily recommend it as the better, cheaper option. Some layout issues aside, it’s another winner for 8BitDo.	4/5

8BitDo 64 Bluetooth Controller: Should I buy?

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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	7.93oz / 225g	8.5oz / 242g	7.4oz / 210g
Dimensions	5.6 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 141 x 104 x 61mm	6.1 x 3.9 x 2.6in / 154 x 101 x 65mm	5.5 x 3.9 x 2.6in / 140 x 100 x 65mm
Compatibility	Analogue 3D, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Android	Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, iOS, Android	Nintendo Switch 2
Connection type	Bluetooth 5.0, Bluetooth LE, USB-C	Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)	Wireless (Switch 2 native)
Battery life	15-20 hours	15-20 hours	Around 25-30 hours

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 controller wirelessly 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 that wired is best on Switch 2 due to Bluetooth audio delay, and thus opted for the RIG R5 Spear Pro HS gaming headset.

First reviewed June – July 2026