The Nintendo 64 is pure comfort food: four-player chaos, weird cartridges, and a controller that time hasn’t exactly been kind to. The great news is you don’t need a soldering bench to make your N64 feel brand new. With a few smart mods and upgrades—from better controllers to clean HDMI output—you can get sharper video, tighter controls, and modern-day convenience.
Below I’ll cover the upgrades I recommend to beginners and casual modders, with pros/cons and where they fit in your build. If you want to refresh your whole setup, check our wireless controller guide and HDMI adapters & upscalers next.
1) Controller upgrades (comfort + precision)
Brawler64 Wireless (everyday play)
The Brawler64 Wireless keeps the C-buttons and Z-trigger logic but ditches the trident design for a comfortable modern shell. The stick feels precise—huge upgrade if your OEM stick is mushy.
Pros: Comfortable • Accurate stick • Great for long sessions
Cons: Not the nostalgic shape
OEM-style replacements & stick repair kits
If you love the original controller, a stick replacement kit can restore accuracy. There are drop-in modules and full joystick assemblies; quality varies, so read reviews.
See N64 joystick replacements →
2) Video: HDMI the easy way (and the best way)
Console-specific HDMI cables
For an easy win, use an N64 HDMI cable that plugs into the multi-out and converts to HDMI. Picture is cleaner than basic AV2HDMI boxes and setup is trivial.
AV-to-HDMI (budget)
Cheapest route if you’re just testing hardware. Quality and lag vary, but it gets you on the TV fast.
Dedicated upscalers (best image)
For the sharpest, lowest-lag image, a RetroTINK-class upscaler handles 240p/480i elegantly and feeds your TV a “clean” resolution.
Pro tip: Turn on Game Mode on your TV to cut processing lag. If colors look off, tweak brightness and sharpness (keep sharpness low).
3) Storage & convenience: flashcarts and saves
A quality N64 flashcart lets you load your legally owned backups from an SD card and test homebrew or translations. It’s also a lifesaver for preserving fragile cartridges and save batteries.
Pros: Instant load times • Saves your cart collection • Great for testing
Cons: Upfront cost • Learn the menu once
Note: Only use backups you legally own. Keep your original carts safe; treat the flashcart like your daily driver.
4) Memory Expansion Pak (for certain games)
Some N64 games support higher resolution textures or features with the Expansion Pak (think Majora’s Mask, Donkey Kong 64, Perfect Dark content). If your console still has the Jumper Pak, this is an easy upgrade.
5) Power & cleaning (cheap fixes that matter)
Old power supplies drift over time. A reliable PSU and a simple console cleaning kit (contacts, ports) can eliminate odd crashes and video noise.
N64 PSU replacements → ·
Cleaning kits →
Suggested upgrade paths
- Fast comfort win: Brawler64 Wireless + console-specific HDMI cable.
- Quality picture path: N64 HDMI cable → later upgrade to RetroTINK for best image.
- Collector-friendly: Stick replacement kit + Expansion Pak + cleaning kit + safe PSU.
- Convenience build: Flashcart + wireless pad + HDTV guide tweaks.
FAQ
Will HDMI add lag? Good adapters/cables add very little; TVs add more. Use Game Mode and keep the chain short.
Which controller is best? For everyday play, Brawler64 Wireless. For nostalgia, repair the OEM stick.
Is a CRT still worth it? CRTs are lag-free and authentic, but heavy and aging. A tidy HDMI chain is easier in most homes.
Wrap-up
Start with comfort (controller), then fix the picture (HDMI), then add quality-of-life (flashcart, Expansion Pak). One or two upgrades can transform your N64 without any soldering at all. For TV setup and converter choices across all consoles, see our HDMI & upscaler guide, and don’t miss wireless controllers to finish the setup.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases—at no extra cost to you.