TheNintendo 64Switchcontroller became once again available for a short time before it sold out again. The popular throwback controller was created so fans can enjoy their favorite Nintendo 64 games in style when playing them through theirNintendo Switch Onlinesubscription.
The original Nintendo 64 was released by Nintendo in 1996 in Japan and North America and in 1997 in Europe. Notably, it was the last major home console that used cartridges as its primary storage format until the Nintendo Switch was released in 2017. The Nintendo 64 gave the world numerouslegendary games such asSuper Mario 64,The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, andGoldenEye 007. It also gave fans the Nintendo 64 controller with its memorable “M” shape. In 2018, Nintendo launched its Nintendo Switch Online service, which at the time gave access to an extensive library of older games from the NES and SNES. The range of games was expanded in 2021, adding the Nintendo 64 lineup among others, with the introduction of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack and the Nintendo 64 Switch controller.
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The popularity of the Nintendo 64 is evidentconsidering how quickly the new batch of Nintendo 64 controllers sold out. The controllers sold out in a matter of hours. This is especially impressive considering not everyone can buy the controllers. Nintendo fans need to be signed up for the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service, which is $19.99 per year, to have a chance atbuying the $49.99 Nintendo 64 Switch controller.However, the Nintendo 64 games are only accessible through the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack, which costs $49.99 a year and also includes games from the Game Boy Advance among others.
In the same vein,Nintendo also offers NES and SNES controllersfor the Switch, as well as SEGA Genesis Control Pads. Although originally not a Nintendo console, the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack also gives access to many popular SEGA Genesis games likeSonic the Hedgehog 2andGolden Axe. These controllers are just as popular among fans as the Nintendo Switch 64 controller, so currently none of them are available on Nintendo’s website.
It’s difficult to saywhen the next batch of Nintendo 64 controllerswill be available. While the seeming shortage of stock could be disappointing for some, Nintendo has been restocking the Nintendo 64 controllers about once per month, so fans should keep an eye out.
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