In this article, we are going to take a look at a premium controller made specifically for the ModRetro M64 which is the ModRetro M64 Pro Controller. Is this the best controller out there for the M64 and N64 platforms? Well let’s dive into this unique and premium controller and find out!
The ModRetro M64 Pro isn’t just another nostalgic cash grab from ModRetro, it completely reimagines Nintendo’s notorious 90s “trident” gamepad with unapologetic, tank-like luxury. Up top, you get a clean translucent polycarbonate shell, but flip it over and you’re greeted by a cold-touch, ceramic-coated aluminum backplate that gives the pad zero flex and incredible structural weight.
At its center sits a drift-proof Tunnel Magnetoresistance (TMR) analog stick. Instead of forcing you to tear down the controller when a stick wears out or feels too loose, ModRetro engineered a snap-in magnetic pogo-pin assembly, letting you pop out and swap thumbstick gates on the fly to tweak tension and range of movement in a matter of minutes.
Wireless integration is equally as impressive, anchored by Bluetooth SCI (Shorter Connection Intervals) to deliver near-zero input lag on ModRetro’s own M64 hardware, alongside standard Bluetooth for seamless pairing with PC, Mac, Linux, and Android. If you insist on playing strictly on the original Nintendo 64, it ships with a detachable cord that plugs right into the controller port.
Power management is where the M64 Pro really shows off its modular versatility. Rather than locking you into a single sealed internal battery, it uses a hot-swappable bay setup. Out of the box, you get a high-capacity rechargeable battery pack rated for a staggering 200+ hours of continuous play, a backup sled for standard AA batteries, and full support for direct wired power over USB.
Between all three power options, you have zero downtime for those week long play sessions! But if you really are using all of those power options in one week long session, you may want to consider your life’s choices, just saying.
If you played Nintendo 64 back in the day, you know the absolute nightmare of constant accessory swapping. You were constantly forced to choose between feeling the hit of a missile or actually saving your game. You either had to yank out your heavy, battery chewing Rumble Pak or cram in your Controller Pak just to save your progress; often right in the middle of a session.
The ModRetro M64 Pro finally buries that 90s headache for good by stripping out the awkward physical bottom slot entirely. In its place, ModRetro packs a punchy ERM rumble motor directly inside the chassis and handles all your memory management digitally with onboard Controller Pak emulation.
Switching between your virtual hardware is slick and ridiculously easy thanks to modern firmware. With the M64 Pro, you don’t even have to pause your game or dig into a menu—just hold C-Down + Start for two seconds to toggle between Virtual Rumble and Virtual CPak modes on the fly. The pad gives you instant haptic confirmation right in your hands: a single rumble buzzes to let you know CPak save mode is active, while a double pulse confirms you’re locked into full Rumble mode.
Though in our tests, we have determined that when going from CPak to Rumble, if you’re looking to save with games that need it, it will be a bit of trial and error to go from Rumble to CPak and have the game recognize it’s connected, but it does in fact work.
Stack the M64 Pro next to Hyperkin’s $30 M64 Captain+ (of which we covered the Hyperkin controller previously), and the difference in design and overall quality hits you immediately. Hyperkin sticks to a budget friendly option with a lightweight, all-plastic build and a tethered 10-foot cord. The M64 Pro, by contrast, feels like a piece of high-end industrial machinery. The weight of the aluminum gives it a dense, premium heft, and its Bluetooth SCI wireless freedom completely eliminates cable clutter across your living room.
Under the hood, both gamepads banish the fragile original 90s thumbtacks, but they leverage different magnetic Tech. The Captain+ uses solid, fixed Hall Effect sensors that perform reliably straight out of the box. The M64 Pro jumps ahead to next-generation TMR sensors mounted on modular pogo-pin boards, giving you a stick assembly that isn’t just smooth, but fully customizable.
Their approach to legacy hardware accessories also divides the two pads. The Captain+ takes the traditional route by preserving the open bottom expansion port, letting you snap in original N64 Memory Paks and physical Rumble Paks (does not support the OEM Transfer Pay). ModRetro ditches the bulky slot altogether, packing rumble right into the chassis and relying on digital Controller Pak emulation.
The ModRetro M64 Pro sets a high mark for how legacy gaming hardware should be modernized. It takes a quirky, three-pronged layout that defined an era and rebuilds it using modern materials, crisp magnetic inputs, and brilliant power flexibility.
At $89.99, it undeniably commands a enthusiast-tier price tag compared to straightforward wired options like the Captain+. Yet, when you factor in the dual battery systems, native N64 adapter cable, and low-latency wireless engine, the investment makes total sense for FPGA purists and hardcore retro collectors who demand top-shelf hardware.
If you are looking for the absolute pinnacle of N64 control, one that bridges genuine 90s console connectivity with modern wireless perfection then the M64 Pro stands in a class of its own. This controller really is the best controller you could ever get for the Nintendo 64 console ecosystem!
In addition to writing articles, Ryan Byers also creates content for his YouTube channel called "Obscure Games and Consoles", collects video games, and dabbles in video game development.