Paid promotion: This video was sponsored by AliExpress. I received compensation for this review.
Description #
Affiliate links below. If you buy through these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Buy: https://s.click.AliExpress.com/e/_mOQgszN
IIntro 00:00
Why Bluetooth 01:40
Switch Pro 02:22
Xbox 360 03:43
NSO N64 04:57
blueretro.io 06:24
@AliExpress, #AliExpress, #AliExpressHaul, #AliExpressInfluencerProgram, #AliExpressGoodFind
🎮 Explore the Retro Scaler Wireless Controller Adapter for Nintendo 64, powered by the BlueRetro firmware! This adapter is a game-changer, allowing you to use modern controllers like the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Switch Pro, and more on your classic N64 console. It supports rumble and memory packs (virtual), offering almost zero latency for a seamless gaming experience. With features like over-the-air firmware updates and customizable button mappings through a web interface, this adapter is perfect for retro gaming enthusiasts who want the best of both worlds—modern control with classic gaming.
In this video, we’ll unbox the adapter, walk you through its setup, and test it with different controllers, including the Nintendo Switch Pro and Xbox One. We’ll also show you how to update the firmware and configure advanced settings like memory pack management. Whether you’re revisiting classics like Super Smash Bros. or Banjo-Kazooie, this adapter enhances your gaming experience on the N64.
Grab yours today from AliExpress using the link in the description, and don’t forget to use my special code to save on your purchase!
#RetroGaming #Nintendo64 #N64 #GamingAdapter #BlueRetro #PS4 #PS5 #XboxOne #SwitchProController #GameTech #AliExpress #SponsoredReview #RetroScaler #ControllerAdapter #FirmwareUpdate #MemoryPack #RumbleSupport
Local Forecast Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Original Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajfbkzL8cc4
Transcript #
Today we’re looking at the wireless controller adapter for Nintendo 64 from RetroScaler, featuring the BlueRetro firmware. This is based on the open-source BlueRetro project, and it supports several types of controllers from Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo, as well as 8BitDo. You can also update the firmware and it has a variety of other features, which we’ll get into in a minute. I got the gray version, and just want to mention that this is a sponsored review — I got this from AliExpress.
Let’s open it up. Inside we get the manual, which is actually quite handy. I had a quick look ahead of time, and it tells us a lot, especially about some of the more advanced features I wasn’t aware of — things like how you can configure the memory pack. This is the dongle itself. It comes in a variety of colours, but I wanted the one that matches the N64 the best, and I think the gray is the coolest. There’s a little status LED and a button, and it plugs in as per normal.
Now, you might be wondering, why not just use an original N64 controller? For one, the wires aren’t long enough to reach my N64, which is all the way over there. Previously I’d actually move the console onto this table and play that way, so I can’t comfortably use the original controllers. Also, while I personally love the N64 controller, not everyone is a fan of the layout. This adapter lets you use any controller you want — particularly modern ones like the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, or Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.
So let’s plug it in. This is my childhood N64 and this is the BlueRetro dongle. We plug it into the N64 and power it up. When it first turns on it’ll flash through multiple colours, which means it’s in pairing mode. All you have to do is hold this button for a few seconds and pair a controller. The first controller we’ll try is the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. Hold the pairing button up top, hold the button on the dongle for three seconds, and they connect. Time for our first game: Super Smash Bros.
This game has rumble support. I don’t know if it comes through on the camera, but I can feel it — and I just died. The Switch Pro Controller works flawlessly. If you’ve played on a virtual console, this is probably what you’re used to. The C buttons are mapped here, and it’s exactly what you’d expect, but now you’re using it on a Nintendo 64. How cool is that?
Next up, Banjo-Kazooie. Since they’re owned by Microsoft now, I thought we’d use an Xbox One controller. Turn on the N64, hold down the Xbox pairing button, hold the dongle button for three seconds, and they pair right up. With the Xbox One controller, Z is mapped here and you can use this as the C button to execute all your moves. Analog is perfectly fine. For people who don’t love the N64 controller, this is a very comfortable, ergonomic alternative that feels a lot better in the hands. Even though I love the N64 controller, this does feel better to use.
The last controller we’ll try is the Nintendo Switch Online N64 controller — a very faithful recreation of the original with built-in rumble. Power it on, put it in pairing mode, push the button on the dongle, and we’re paired. Now we’re ready to play Super Mario 64. Honestly, this is my favourite way to use the BlueRetro dongle, mainly because it feels exactly how I remember the N64 feeling. The C buttons do what they’re supposed to do, and all the moves feel natural to execute. It works great. I was having some disconnect issues with the original firmware — we’ll get into the firmware upgrade next — but once I updated, I had no issues and played through a full Super Smash Bros. classic mode run without any trouble.
Let’s move on to the more advanced features. We’re on blueretro.io, the web configuration tool for all the BlueRetro dongles — N64, GameCube, PlayStation and other systems. Click advanced config and connect to the device. You should see the BlueRetro N64 dongle listed (the device needs to be in pairing mode — it’ll be blinking). Connect, and you can see the global configuration, where you can change things like controller mappings. I’m not changing anything for the N64 because I’m happy with the default layouts. If you select the Xbox One controller, you can see the Xbox button is mapped to toggle the rumble pack and memory card, and Share rotates through the memory bank.
I also wanted to show the over-the-air firmware update. I’ve already upgraded, so I’ll cut to some footage. You can optionally donate to the BlueRetro developers — I highly encourage it. You download the firmware and upgrade it. It takes a few minutes, so I’ve sped up the footage, but it’s straightforward and the device automatically restarts. It ironed out the disconnect issues I was having on the N64.
Last thing in this menu is the BlueRetro N64 controller pack manager. The adapter can emulate not only rumble but also the memory card pack. On the Nintendo Switch controller, the home button toggles between packs and the screenshot button rotates through the memory bank. Same goes for Xbox: the Xbox button and the share button. This page lets you read, format, write or upload your own memory packs — slot one, two, three or four. Games like Mario Kart let you save ghost data to the memory pack, which is pretty neat since you can’t insert any expansion packs into these Bluetooth controllers.
That wraps it up. I’m really happy with this dongle. If you’re interested, there’s a link in the description, and you can use my code to save a few bucks if you spend over the threshold. Thanks again to AliExpress. Check out my other videos — I make these little reviews on gadgets and gizmos, home automation, etc. Like, subscribe, yada yada. See you next time. Bye.