The ULTIMATE N64 Controller? Retro Fighters Brawler64 Wireless Review

In this episode, we test out the Retro Fighters Wireless Brawler64 for the Nintendo 64.

I've loved the Brawler64 series of controllers, whether the N64 or USB variants. With the announcement in late 2020 of a wireless variant of the Brawler64, I was geeked to see and get in on the Kickstarter. In early 2021, two Brawler64 Wireless versions arrived on my doorstep to test out, which is what you see here.

Video Chapters:
00:00 - 1:44 - Introduction
1:45 - 2:35 - Technical Issues Explained
2:36 - 3:58 - Super Smash Brothers
3:59 - 7:00 - 007 Goldeneye
7:01 - 10:10 - WCW/nWo Revenge
10:11 - 13:58 - Starfox 64
13:59 - 17:39 - Super Mario 64 Shindou Pak Taiou
17:40 - 18:40 - Initial Reaction
18:41 - Final Thoughts

If you'd like to see how the Brawler64 Wireless comes out of the box, you can check out that video here:
https://youtu.be/5EEAOVKKV4Y

Before filming with the Brawler64 Wireless, I just sat down and played some games off-camera. The first was one of my favorites for the system, Star Wars: Rogue Squadron. I felt instantly at-home with the shape and styling of the Brawler64, everything I loved about the wired version was here. But I couldn't help but feel like the analog stick as a bit too sensitive around center. It felt like the slightest movement would change the direction of my aim or where my ship was flying. I wasn't sure if it was just the game or just me, but I moved on to more games to test it out.

In games like Goldeneye and Mario 64, I really noticed the left stick sensitivity more than in games like Smash Bros or Star Fox. Part of it is that Goldeneye and Mario really lean more heavily on that precise control requirement, where other games are more forgiving. This is one area where I'd like to see improvement from Retro Fighters, and that would be to open up the dead band on the analog stick just a bit.

So how much of a difference does the lack of rumble make? Well, honestly, it's not much. I got more surprised when playing the Shindou Pack Mario 64 and the controller WOULD rumble vs the fact that I didn't have any during game play, and I think that is because the N64 was where that crossover to rumble really began. Is it make or break? No. But would it be nice to have? Most definitely.

Why it RoX:
- Adds wireless to an existing excellent controller
- Multiple color options
- Super Comfortable
- Button presses are responsive
- Excellent D-Pad Performance
- Battery life is fantastic

What Could Be Improved:
- Please... add rumble
- Analog stick needs additional dead band IMO
- Not compatible with Pokemon Transfer Pack

Should you buy one?
If having rumble is a make or break feature for you, then I would suggest going with the wired Brawler64. If you can live without rumble, then the Brawler64 Wireless is really terrific. I am hopeful that Retro Fighters could come out with some sort of interface which would allow you to tweak the sensitivity of the left stick, but even if there isn't, this is a great controller. It's comfortable, the battery life is terrific, and overall it's almost a home run. There are a few things that keep it in the yard, closer to being a triple, but that's still quite good. Will this replace my wired Brawler? No. but on games without rumble, this will be my controller of choice.

#Brawler64 #Nintendo64 #WirelessController

The footage used in this review are used under the Fair Use laws, referenced below:

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/107

Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include—

(1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
(2) the nature of the copyrighted work;
(3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and
(4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.

The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors.
(Pub. L. 94–553, title I, § 101, Oct. 19, 1976, 90 Stat. 2546; Pub. L. 101–650, title VI, § 607, Dec. 1, 1990, 104 Stat. 5132; Pub. L. 102–492, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3145.)