Long-Lost Nintendo 64 Prototype Controller Discovered

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Back before the Nintendo Switch, the Wii U, the Wii, the GameCube, the Game Boy, and 5,000 DS skews, Nintendo made the N64, a nostalgic console beloved by many, but a console that didn't sell that well. That said, before the Nintendo 64 released in the summer of 1996, Nintendo was prototyping the system under the name Ultra 64. And it was also prototyping controllers, one of which almost made it to the market. The controller doesn't have a name, and it's pretty similar to the final product, but given that it never came to market means finding one is incredibly rare. However, someone has tracked down the rare controller, and naturally, has gutted it to find out just how different it's compared to the official N64 controller.

The prototype controller was discovered by video game preservationist Shane Battye, who shared his findings on Twiiter via an extensive thread. As you can see via the images below, the biggest difference between the prototype and final product is the prototype has a much bigger thumbstick, which, according to Battye, is much more comfortable to use.




If you've ever used a N64 controller, you'll know they aren't the greatest. The controller just doesn't have a great design that lends itself well to many types of games, and the thumbstick always felt unnatural. That said, the thumbstick on the prototype controller does look like it would be more comfortable to use, which makes me wonder why Nintendo opted to scrap it and go with the thumbstick it did.




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Related Forum: Gaming Discussion

Source: https://comicbook.com/gaming/2019/09/28/nintendo-64-n64-controller-discovered/

Comments

"Long-Lost Nintendo 64 Prototype Controller Discovered" :: Login/Create an Account :: 8 comments

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skeletorbxPosted:

Ha lucky him finding that
I just sold my n64 on Ebay 2days ago

MazePosted:

Kisses Nostalgia pure and simple, I gotta pick this up


I doubt you'd ever be able to find one, these things are probably rare as hell. Lucky enough to find one? It doesn't even work with the N64 which is the real kicker.

KissesPosted:

Nostalgia pure and simple, I gotta pick this up

MazePosted:

Surprised they didn't have any other shape given that this is one of the worst controllers in gaming. Even the prototype with just a bigger stick looks better.
Man oh man do I miss the good ol days of n64 gaming though.

XboxPosted:

Good to see a piece of gaming history get found.

AnimePosted:

Wow sure looks nice. Wish could of had this back in the day.

YinPosted:

I wonder if the stick on the prototype would wear out like the retail one. That was my only real complaint. That stick would get so loose, and you would have to jam it to the side to make it register in the game. It was terrible.

GodzookyPosted:

Actually looks a really nice controller, always found it hard to use when I was younger because my hands weren't big enough and I found it awkward lol