No, it's not 1997, and "Goldeneye 007" isn't the top game on every kid's Christmas list. But the special Nintendo Switch compatible N64 controller is nonetheless sold out until 2022.

How did this happen? During a Nintendo Direct online presentation in September, the company announced the addition of a new tier to its Nintendo Switch Online subscription service: the "Expansion Pack." titled "Expansion Pack," this premium membership would add N64 and Sega Genesis games to the service.

These were not bargain games, but top N64 titles such as Mario Kart 64, Star Fox 64, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Also, visitors could purchase a wireless N64 controller from Nintendo's online store and connect it to a standard Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, or Nintendo Switch OLED for a more realistic experience of Clinton-era games.

Unfortunately, like others during this pandemic, these N64 controllers are currently out of stock.

This sad news comes from Eurogamer. A quick peek at Nintendo's online store shows that all N64 controllers, which were already limited to four per Nintendo account, are sold out and will not be restocked until 2022. Exactly when in 2022 is not stated.

As expected, the wireless N64 controllers are currently selling for more than double the regular price of $50 on the Internet.

Fortunately for Sega fans, the Sega Genesis controller is still in stock for the same $50. However, Nintendo only offered the standard three-button Genesis controller instead of the six-button version that was popular for fighting games.

That may be why the Genesis controllers did not sell out, or it may be because Nintendo plans to release a six-button controller in Japan. Sega fans may be waiting for Nintendo to release a 6-button Sega Genesis controller in the US.

Fans can also import the console from overseas, but Nintendo does not guarantee that accessories purchased in one region will work in another.

The $50 Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack is seen as a cheap cash grab by Nintendo, with the overview trailer being the most liked on Nintendo's YouTube channel. has not received the greatest praise from fans, who have made it the least liked video.

The service only adds older titles and does not address the underlying infrastructure issues plaguing console online gameplay; compared to the PS5 and Xbox Series X, Nintendo's online performance is choppy and slow.

For example, "Mario Kart 64" includes online play, which should be great, but performance is laggy. Some games are nearly unplayable if you believe the videos posted on the Internet. Not only that, but the N64 game emulation also has input lag and other graphical oddities.

Hopefully Nintendo will address these issues before the N64 controllers are restocked next year.