Yeah, the N64 controller had a diamond face button configuration - so unlike the GameCube, all of the face buttons were actually usable.

It had responsive L & R buttons, and a GREAT Z-trigger placement that you couldn't miss, vs the GameCube Z-button that you always miss.

The N64 had a fantastic d-pad as well, not some cheap feeling and unusable tiny one that is only there for show.

The thing about the N64 controller is that it could actually work for any game on a previous Nintendo system

The GameCube controller removed the diamond face buttons, had a terrible D-Pad, had really unresponsive L&R buttons. so many SNES and N64 games actually were unplayable with the controller on the Wii virtual console. Try playing Super Mario World or Street Fighter 2 with a GameCube controller. It just doesn't work.

How can you even list the GC. It's been reissued 2 times now. Go for the VB controller. The battery pack has no lock.

Literally the only problem with the GCN controller was the d-pad, which wasn't really an issue becuase it wasn't relevant for many games at the time anyhow. Everything else about that controller is pretty great, I'd unabashedly call it better than the Dualshock 2 or 3 without hesitation. It's right up there with the 360 controller in terms of feel (sadly it also has a god awful d-pad).

People complain about the face button layout, but the primary button with a set of secondary buttons makes sense to me and I think makes sense for most games, especially Zelda. It's not difficult at all to hit the 3 secondary buttons. The triggers are analog and work just fine, quite responsive (for analog) in my experience. They aren't quick tap shoulder buttons like some games may need but I rarely had an issue playing actual Gamecube games with them.

Wiimotes were ergonomic and quite functional, the IR worked great for shooters and segments of Zelda, etc. The biggest issue was the fact that all buttons except A+B were difficult to reach on the main wiimote. Nunchuk was fantastic.

N64's controller was poorly made and less convenient to use than the GCN's.

This website loves the GC controller, just saying

N64 controller is the worst...

And this website isn't the only one.

The GameCube controller was a mess. It worked for the most part, but that C-stick was the worst type of control stick imaginable. The Wii Remote actually worked perfectly with what it was designed to do, so I wouldn't say it was bad or even worse. Not the best controller in the world, but I enjoyed using it more than the GameCube. Plus, the GC controller was an ugly controller too. Not as ugly as the N64 controller mind you, but there's a good reason why the GameCube was a failure. ;)

the GC controller was so bad that they bring it back just to kill the wii u...

Disagree
Only driving games are worse with the Wii remote.

N64 controller is one of the best Nintendo made but like all controllers by Nintendo they work best only with their games..so in a way every controller is the best and the worst