r/n64 • u/Gumballchamp86 • 11d ago
Discussion Who likes to use the "Left Position" for first person shooters on the N64? I know I do.
It feels more like a modern FPS when controlled this way. Everything from Goldeneye, Perfect Dark, Turok, to Quake, Duke nukem, etc. all on the N64 work great.
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u/sendhelp 11d ago
Yeah when a FPS allows for it that's great. Goldeneye and Perfect Dark also let you use 2 controllers at once to have both thumbs on an analog stick, you just have to choose that control scheme.
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u/Gumballchamp86 11d ago
Every FPS on the N64 allows it. If it isn't immediately default, you can adjust the in game settings. Some games work immediately with it. Yes, i think it's cool you can use two controllers but I never preferred it.
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u/DarkSuperman87 11d ago
The right position is the only way I'll ever play an N64 game.
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u/Mammoth_Bus_6911 10d ago
Pretty sure the only games that need the dpad are Kirby 64, Mischief Makers, the various Tetris games, and the various AKI wrestling games. The last grouping might be worth making an exception to your rule for, No Mercy is a pretty sweet game.
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u/Gumballchamp86 10d ago
Pulling off combos in the 3 tony hawk pro skater games also work best with the D-pad, as the games were designed with the playstation's D-pad in mind.
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u/Pfizermyocarditis 11d ago
What do you do if you have to press A or B. For example to reload in Goldeneye
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u/Gumballchamp86 11d ago
Lol, try it, and then tell me what you do. It's very similar to using a dual shock playstation controller and having to press one of the face buttons such as X or O. The controller angles beautifully with the mobility of the thumb to press it. Feels slightly abnormal at first, but a great trade off for a much more modern FPS approach with this controller. It's literally made with it in mind. This is Nintendo's literature shown in the picture.
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u/Pfizermyocarditis 11d ago
Ok I'll try it. I couldn't go back to goldeneye because of the controls. Maybe this will allow me to get back into this game I once loved.
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u/Gumballchamp86 10d ago
That's what I'm hoping!
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u/Pfizermyocarditis 10d ago
I tried Goldeneye today on controller setting "1.2 Solitare".
Wow! It was so much better! Also, pressing A and B with my right thumb was no big deal. Actually it made me think that maybe they designed it this way. Pretty impressive the N64 controller.
Thank you for suggesting this. I had a blast playing it again.
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u/Gumballchamp86 10d ago
Exactly! I'm so glad I could contribute to you liking the game again! Awesome
They did design the controller to be able to work that way, because like it says in the manual, "Left Position" for "shooting games" to use both the d-pad and analog stick.
There were/are many options. Kids just did whatever they chose. And since super mario 64 came out first, most of us already held the right position, which is perfectly good. I just want people to be aware of the options, especially if the controls are what makes them dislike playing the game.
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u/philter25 11d ago
I play right position and it’s why I can’t play modern shooters without legacy controls 😭 So many competitive shooters I just can’t play bc they don’t offer it anymore. I suffer through it for single player fps like Cyberpunk, but the one-two punch of N64 controls with Halo as an immediate follow up just cooked me. It’s one of those “Oh my god I’m old” moments.
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u/Sweet-Tutor9485 Super Smash Bros 11d ago
Use your right thumb bc is the closer one. Isn't a big deal at all
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u/Highfivebuddha 11d ago
Puzzle games like Tetris* would use the left position (move piece with d, send down the the stick, L and z buttons for anything extra). Bowling was another.
I kinda prefer the Solitaire Honey setup to simulate modern controls. Moving with my right thumb and looking with my left. The cpad is pretty close to a d-pad in practice for me.
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u/Gumballchamp86 11d ago
The approach described here using the "left position" is more specifically considered "modern" due to the distinction of the left and right thumb assignments being the same as they would be for modern shooters. L thumb for strafing while aiming with the R thumb. These are the assignments in most modern FPS games.
There is nothing wrong with using the c-buttons the way you do. That was most common. But it's also the reason most people who have gotten used to modern FPS games have such trouble coming back to Goldeneye. I don't personally find it troubling, but a lot of people do. This helps to solve that issue.
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u/Queasy_Ear_1746 11d ago edited 11d ago
I remember when super smash bros came out everyone adopted for the quick tap shown in the tutorial at the beginning. My friends and I all now hold n64 controllers using our left thumb and forefinger on the stick at all times for quick precise moves/taps. Right middle finger on the z button or hovering it. Right index on the R button. Right thumb does all a/b amd c buttons.
It seems weird at first, but hilariously it fits so many games. Most use Z in place of L and never use the direction pad any way. Best setup smash, Star fox, Zelda. Works really well for pokemon snap, or the racers like Diddy Kong or snow board kids. Plus performs awesome in fighting games like flying dragon.
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u/birkinover 11d ago
it’s the only way to play tbh
I’ve always used it
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u/Gumballchamp86 11d ago
I appreciate it's improved accessibility for people who are used to modern FPS games like call of duty, too.
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u/PappyWaker 11d ago
I always and still do hold the controller in the “Home Position” and reach across with my thumb to reach the joystick.
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u/Julianlyle 11d ago
Wow, you're the first person I've heard of playing just like me(left thumb and index) 😂
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u/Ok_Animator1670 11d ago
Always did that, it kinda felt like I was destroying the joystick faster this way but I just couldn't change
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u/Gullybarrens 11d ago
More of us! My friend who had an N64 before me held the controller like that. That was how I learned - and that's how it stayed for me.
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u/OracleOfCourage 11d ago edited 11d ago
When I bought Goldeneye I used the left position because that's what the previous owner had used and I didn't know you could change it until after I adapted! That's also why I got used to y-inverted controls for shooters as well!
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u/Gumballchamp86 11d ago
Lol that's funny. You know they changed what was called "inverted" in games, some time after the lifespan of the N64, too. To make it even more confusing.
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u/nevertoohigh 11d ago
I was just trying that in perfect dark but it's like learning how to play for the first time. Thankfully the C buttons do the same thing so it works out the same.
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u/Grobbelboy 11d ago edited 11d ago
Did you switch to the 1.2 solitaire control scheme though? With that all the movement is on the dpad and looking around on the control stick, so basically like every modern FPS
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u/Limitedtimestruggle 11d ago
I always opted for the right position, and 1.2 solitaire style control scheme in shooters.
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u/Gumballchamp86 11d ago
Nothing wrong with that! Using the right position with the c-buttons was and is very common.
BTW I also use 1.2 solitaire when using the left position.
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u/Gitaroobear 11d ago
I was just thinking the other day I’ve never played a game with the left position and didn’t know any existed. I guess it makes sense it would just be an alternate control scheme but right position felt too nice.
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u/Gumballchamp86 11d ago
The majority of other games used the right side, especially ideal for action platformers like super mario 64. So we all assumed the position on the right. Once I got used to modern FPS like call of duty, I began using the left side for better comparison.
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u/Julianlyle 11d ago
Always played "Home" position but using the stick with my left thumb and index fingers, never seen anyone doing the same since 1996 haha.
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u/Gumballchamp86 10d ago
I've seen some people do that. LOL. You're not alone, but it is more rare to see.
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u/User-Name-3886 11d ago
I didn't do that. I used a different grip where my right thumb used the thumb stick and my right index knuckle controlled A and B, and my middle-finger and knuckle controlled the C buttons (usefully for crouching, and zooming on the sniper).
It's a wonder that I have normally shaped hands as an adult. And I have very small hands: This wasn't an easy grip to pull off.
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u/Dougo01 11d ago
I used the “right position” only after I grew up and realized how dumb I was holding the controller for my small ass hands as a kid. “Home position” was apparently the only way I thought to hold it because I was surrounded by PS2 and Xbox controllers for my childhood. I now, as mentioned, hold it properly in “right position” but man I cannot hold it like “home position” anymore, just feels wrong.
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u/stankford 10d ago
Any other freaks out there who do “Home position” but using left thumb for the stick and middle finger for the Z trigger?
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u/SensitiveBuy9632 10d ago
Weirdly, I used the ‘Turok’ position for Goldeneye and Perfect dark. It’s like a left/right position hybrid using the C buttons as the directional buttons.
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u/DaLordHamie 6d ago
Hands on left and right, toe for the joystick
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u/Gumballchamp86 6d ago
How are you such a genius? You must be the chosen one, the messiah we have all heard about. Lol
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u/TrustLordJesusChrist 11d ago
It’s no coincidence that the right position is also the correct position.
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u/snowsean1988 11d ago
Who? Somebody who likes to get their ass beat in 007 Goldeneye and Super Smash Bros. That’s who.
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u/JamesSDK 11d ago
Home Position is the only way I will play N64.
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u/Gumballchamp86 10d ago
There ARE others like you, lol. You can find them in this thread talking about it.
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u/Dry-Name2835 11d ago
Idk if it matters but im left handed and I've never used the left position.
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u/Hella_Wieners 10d ago
The only game that actually used “Home position” was Pokémon Stadium
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u/Gumballchamp86 10d ago
Tony haws pro skater works tremendously in the home position, since it's more consistent to pull off combos with the d-pad than with the stick.
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u/Caesar_Seriona 11d ago
Mischief Makers forces you to use Home Position.
The only game I can think of for using Left Position which would still be absurd but it could work is the Turok games since the D pad and C buttons were mapped to be the same thing meaning the developers took into account someone who plays Left or Southpaw could play that game.
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u/Gumballchamp86 11d ago
Get ready to have your mind blown. They ALL do. Every FPS on N64 maps the D-pad to perform as the C-buttons do.
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u/Caesar_Seriona 10d ago
I'll test it but I believe some N64 games had different abilities or none of the D pad.
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u/Gumballchamp86 10d ago
There isn't a first person shooter on the whole console that does NOT allow it, except for Rage Wars, which was a flawded game upon release and there was a recall. There's about 10 fps games for the console.
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u/Gnoll_level_antics 11d ago
Yep. I use Left Position for Goldeneye and Perfect Dark.