You can turn this modular controller into an N64 gamepad

Hyperkin has announced a new sticky-style wireless controller created in collaboration with GameSir. The X5 Alteron features similar functions to GameSir’s GameSir G8 Plus Which debuted in 2024 with an expanded telescopic mechanism that can attach to smartphones, tablets and many versions of the Nintendo Switch, replacing Joy-Cons. What sets the X5 Alteron apart is the modular design that allows most of the controls on the front to be swapped out with alternative layouts, buttons and joysticks.

Neither company has announced when the X5 Alteron will be available, how much it will cost, or how replacement consoles will be sold. But there are actually quite a few of them to cater to different gaming preferences. You can configure the controller with a symmetrical or asymmetric joystick, change the location, number, and layout of the action buttons, and even customize the look and feel of the directional pad to your preference. There are also units that recreate N64 and GameCube controllers for a more realistic experience when playing old games on Nintendo Switch Online, and a unit with a trackpad to replicate a mouse.

The X5 Alteron connects to various devices via Bluetooth which means you can also use it as a standalone controller with consoles and PCs. But you also have to remember to charge it regularly via USB-C, and the batteries add some weight. On the back of the controller you’ll find Hall effect analogue actuators that can be switched to a shorter distance to improve reaction time, and there are also growler drivers that provide force feedback effects.