The N64 Controller's Left Position

[Michael D]

As many people know, the N64 controller was able to be held in three different postitions for playing games. 

Of course, many are familiar with the right position (with the analog stick controlled by the left thumb) and the home position (using the D-Pad for directional movement).  However, the third position, the left postition, always got me thinking.

Using both the D-Pad (controlled with the left thumb) and the analog stick (with the right thumb) and the index fingers for the L and Z buttons, the left position didn't seem to be used in many games.  As far as I can tell, only Pokemon Stadium's Ekans Ring Toss game officially used it (but if you're like me, you could feasibly memap the controls for Crusin' USA to be playable with the left position).

So my question is this; does anyone know of any other N64 games that made use of the left position (and if so, how did they use it)?

[Iain]

I think the Quake and Turok games offred the option. But really try holding the pad like that and you will soon see why it wasn't popular. The c-buttons could do everything the D-Pad could so there was no need to use the left position.

[a1]

[QUOTE=Michael D]
So my question is this; does anyone know of any other N64 games that made use of the left position (and if so, how did they use it)?
[/QUOTE]

I didn't even know it existed. What a poorly designed controller. You can't even hit all the buttons at any given moment; I can't even think of any games that used the L button.

[a_v]

Having only got a 64 this year, I prefer holding it on the left for Goldeneye (second control configuration) since it feels the same as playing other console FPS while letting me aim with the analog stick.

[Blah]

[QUOTE=a]

[QUOTE=Michael D]
So my question is this; does anyone know of any other N64 games that made use of the left position (and if so, how did they use it)?
[/QUOTE]

I didn't even know it existed. What a poorly designed controller. You can't even hit all the buttons at any given moment; I can't even think of any games that used the L button.

[/QUOTE]

I'm almost positive that Kirby 64 utilized the L trigger since one could only use the D-pad (a very stupid idea for Nintendo, in my opinion).

[Michael D]

[QUOTE=Blah]I'm almost positive that Kirby 64 utilized the L trigger since one could only use the D-pad (a very stupid idea for Nintendo, in my opinion).[/QUOTE]

Actually, Kirby used the home position (though the L Button could be used for one of the functions). 

After going back to play the first Turok, I noticed that, like someone here said, it can be played in the left position (or as the game calls it, left handed).  And like another person said, it could feasibly be used for Goldeneye and Perfect Dark.  Any others you can think of, or is that about it?

[wur1]

Yeah, you could use it for Perfect Dark, but I always prefered using the left-hand configuration for that.  (The analog stick for aiming, the C-buttons for moving)

It took a while for me to get used to the left-hand configuration after playing some shooters on the Xbox, but now Syphon Filter and Medal of Honor feel quite natural on the PSP, with the analog stick for aiming and the face buttons for moving.

[Adamant1]

[QUOTE=a_v]Having only got a 64 this year, I prefer holding it on the left for Goldeneye (second control configuration) since it feels the same as playing other console FPS while letting me aim with the analog stick. [/QUOTE]

Eh, the C-buttons are better to use. Not only are they more comfortable, but you have easy access to the A and B buttons as well.

But yeah, the default Goldeneye setting is horrid.

[andrew]

[QUOTE=Adamant][QUOTE=a_v]Having only got a 64 this year, I prefer holding it on the left for Goldeneye (second control configuration) since it feels the same as playing other console FPS while letting me aim with the analog stick. [/QUOTE]

Eh, the C-buttons are better to use. Not only are they more comfortable, but you have easy access to the A and B buttons as well.

But yeah, the default Goldeneye setting is horrid.[/QUOTE]

What? the control scheme is fine and the controller is great. How do you guys hold the controller? I hold the left side with my left hand and my left thumb controls the joystick while I hold the right side with my right hand and my right thumb controls all the face buttons with the leftover fingers from each hand controlling L,R and Z. I can press every button and control analog at the same time except the D-Pad which is barely used at which time I just control the D-Pad with my left thumb and not touch the analog. I find the N64 controller to feel quite natural when using it with no struggles to access any button and any given time. Forget the whole left right stuff. Although right is default I don't use ant of the recommended gripping styles as noted in the manuals. Although the analog is very solid  I avoid using it completely when the D-Pad is available for player motion in wayne Gretzky's 3D hockey or nfl blitz, aki wrestling game( main reason to save the analog and thumb wear) but still prefer the analog in driving games and all other games.

[Adamant1]

...wait, I think I misunderstood how you held it. Which buttons do you use for what?