Best driving controller for N64?

keithsarcade

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I've been wanting a driving controller for the N64 for quite some time. I really enjoy the cruis'n series in particular but it just feels wrong playing those games with the stock controller. After picking up an UltraRacer 64 (handheld driving controller) and getting fed up with it pretty quick, I'm now leaning towards a full wheel setup, with or without pedals.

Just curious if theres any opinions on what brand to watch for and which ones to avoid.
 
I don't have any experience with any for the N64, but I would caution you to stay away from anything from MadCatz.

I had a Wheel + Pedals setup from them and it was not well made. The wheel had no grips on the base and so would routinely tip and slide during any sharp movements -- which happen a lot in arcade racing games.

Same thing with the pedals, they would tip all over the place, including tipping forward when the gas with floored. Who doesn't have a led-foot on Destruction Derby?!

Granted that this was about fifteen years ago, maybe they improved, but I would never buy from them again.

Now, if you have the cash, this is probably this best racing setup you will get on a console... Have no idea if it can be modded for an N64, but I'd love to see someone try.
Logitec G-27 Racing
 
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I researched this a LOT a couple of years ago when my wife was on a Crusin USA fix. I never did actually get the wheels for us, but the short answer from all I read is that they all pretty much sucked and it was about picking the best of the bad.

It's been a while, but I'm pretty sure the one I finally settled on was the V3 (like this one here). I also seem to recall there being a couple of iterations of it, but I don't recall how to tell the difference, but I think I remember the latest version being the preferred one.

Again, I never actually got one and I've never used any racing wheel for the N64, but I did a lot of reading. So the info is out there, it's just a matter of if it's worth it to you to spend the money on something that might not be worth it in the end.
 
MadCatz is actually a top player in the controller business now. Their Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom arcade stick for the Wii is widely considered one of the best ever. Here's mine. It weighs roughly 400 lbs and uses Sanwa components. So while I do agree that they used to make pretty lame peripherals, anything from the last few years by MadCatz is going to be pure gold.

I don't have any experience with any for the N64, but I would caution you to stay away from anything from MadCatz.

I had a Wheel + Pedals setup from them and it was not well made. The wheel had no grips on the base and so would routinely tip and slide during any sharp movements -- which happen a lot in arcade racing games.

Same thing with the pedals, they would tip all over the place, including tipping forward when the gas with floored. Who doesn't have a led-foot on Destruction Derby?!

Granted that this was about fifteen years ago, maybe they improved, but I would never buy from them again.

Now, if you have the cash, this is probably this best racing setup you will get on a console... Have no idea if it can be modded for an N64, but I'd love to see someone try.
Logitec G-27 Racing
 

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MadCatz is actually a top player in the controller business now. Their Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom arcade stick for the Wii is widely considered one of the best ever. Here's mine. It weighs roughly 400 lbs and uses Sanwa components. So while I do agree that they used to make pretty lame peripherals, anything from the last few years by MadCatz is going to be pure gold.

400 pounds?

That stick still looks like it would slide around when pulling off a SPD, or any quick combo.
I'll see if I can get my hands on one to try it out. It may have great parts, but the base still looks like lightweight plastic.

EDIT:

Okay I found it on Amazon, and they list it as the following dimensions...
14 x 10.5 x 6.1 inches ; 5.2 pounds

I know you weren't serious about the 400 pounds and were just making a point, but I was curious how heavy it really was.
It seems to get really good reviews on Amazon.. I might pick it up after-all... if I had some good Wii fighting game to play it with.
 
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It's a great stick; you should definitely pick one up. I use it for SNK Arcade Classics on the Wii, which BTW is the only console that the title was correctly produced for. PS2 has major lag on that title.
 
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Madcatz still produces garbage, if not WORSE than they did in the N64 era...

Fighting sticks? There's nothing on store shelves that can compare to building one yourself, they're cheap flimsy plastic with chinese dollar store grade wiring and encoders in them, no matter if they happen to have buttons/sticks from a reputable brand.

For $65-$70 I could build two that are far better...and anyone who is a fighting game freak, does just that.
 
Well, I have never built my own, but I am a fighting game freak... however thank you for confirming my suspicions about the current quality of MadCatz.

Although that stick does have great reviews on Amazon, I have no idea how many of them actually know a good stick from a bad stick.

I'd hate to flush $70 down the tubes just to test it out.
Maybe they'll have one I can kick the tires on when I go out this week.
 
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