The Tsurikon 64 is a Nintendo 64 peripheral made specifically for Shigesato Itoi’s No.1 Bass Fishing Definitive Edition. This special controller was designed with a rod and reel design; the difference between this controller and the Nintendo 64 controller is there is no L-Button or a D-Pad. There is, however, built-in vibration similar to the Nintendo 64 rumble pack. The controller was released in 2000 by ASCII, and is compatible with several N64 titles; however, the reel and set hook function doesn’t do anything on other N64 games. Unfortunately, because this controller does not have a D-Pad, games like Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards is unplayable.

According to the official Tsurikon 64 website, the following functions are compatible with this controller:

• Reacts realistically to the weight of the fish. Vibrations are used to detect if the fish is interacting with your bait (requires 2AA alkaline batteries for vibration).
• Fishing drag can be easily adjusted to your liking. 
• An accelerated built-in sensor can support severe fishing gameplay such as casting and retrieving.
• Adopts a rod and reel design to feel like you’re really fishing!

In an article made in August of 1999 by IGN, they stated: 

“ASCII will be the first Japanese peripheral maker to release a Nintendo 64 fishing controller in Japan. Though companies like MadCatz have already bought out N64 fishing controllers that support such games as In-Fisherman 64 and Basshunter 64 in the US, Ascii’s Tsurikon 64 (tsuri=fishing, kon=controller) was custom-designed under the watchful eye of the Big “N” (Nintendo) for Nintendo’s upcoming Shigesato Itoi’s Bass Fishing #1. The fully Nintendo-licensed and approved controller will ship to stores on the same day as the game and retail for ¥5,800”.

A children’s show on TV Tokyo called 64 Mario Stadium featured a Bass Fishing contest where three winners were presented an exclusive golden Tsurikon.

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