First Look: Hyperkin Fleet Admiral N64 Controller

One of the problems with the Nintendo 64 is the stock controller. Over time, the analog stick develops a considerable amount of slop. Also, the original design is not as user-friendly as some would want today. That's where the Hyperkin Fleet Admiral comes into play, an updated, wired controller for the original Nintendo 64 which promises better control and enhanced ergonomics. Let's take a quick look.

Similar in design to both the original Hori gamepad and their own wireless Admiral, the Fleet Admiral features an updated design. The Trident design has been replaced with a more conventional controller design. The analog stick and d-pad placement have been optimized for enhanced reach and comfort. The analog stick does feature a rather thin neck going from the gimbal up to the thumbstick portion itself, I'm not sure how durable this is but it could be a potential weak point.

All of the face buttons are positioned approximately where they would be on an original N64 controller. On the top, your L & R triggers are also augmented with a ZL and ZR, each with the same functionality but now you have the option to use either your left or right index finger to reach them. The buttons feel significantly clicky and don't feel like they are going to get stuck when rapidly pressed.

One of my favorite features that pretty much all third-party controller manufacturers have adopted in recent years has been to equip controllers with 10 ft long cables. This makes it much easier to go ahead and sit back at a further distance to be able to play your games. The insulation feels thick, but not so much that the cable is rigid.

The back of the Fleet Admiral features a traditional N64 memory card and a Rumble Pak slot. Every indication is that this does not have built-in rumble and that you will need the Rumble pack accessory for that. Care was taken in the design of this slot to make sure that your hands and fingers are not constantly hitting the port.

The Hyperkin fleet admiral is available for around $25 and in a variety of different colors. I went with the smoke black version myself here, but you can definitely get versions to match your console. Make sure you hit that subscribe button as we will be doing a full-blown review in the very near future, testing on both US and Japanese Nintendo 64 systems.

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