N64 controller solutions

[Xan]

I have a N64 lying around and collecting dust since quite a while. The sole reason for that is the analog stick on the controller which is worn out and doesn't work correctly, which is the case on pretty much every used N64 controller due to their horrible design.

Can anyone recommend me a good replacement joystick or even better a high quality aftermarket controller? I know that the Hori ones have an excellent reputation, but I find it impossible to source them in Europe. I did try some grey aftermarket pad which resembled the original one very closely in shape, but the stick on that one didn't work at all. The buttons felt a lot cheaper too, but I guess I could live with that if the stick was decent...

[blizzz]

I've heard several people recommend these: eBay
You can also find them in Europe, but at much higher prices.

They are not perfect, but should be good enough for casual playing. There's a website that shows the differences between sticks but I don't have time to find it atm.

Edit: relevant thread, can't find any good pictures of the range and deadzones of the sticks

[Traveller]

I've ordered a replacement stick from the Nintendo Repair Shop. I don't have a need really, but I am curious at what they are like.

I also recently watched this video http://youtu.be/e35Muk5GHAA

This guys method seems pretty good at restoring the part that has worn down.

[Ed Oscuro]

If somebody knows a source for the sticks and a 60 degree potentiometer, I'd like to know!

[coffeyrt]

Does anyone know which if any of these 60 degree potentiomenters would work: http://www.digikey.com/product-search/e ... ageSize=25

[coffeyrt]

If somebody knows a source for the sticks and a 60 degree potentiometer, I'd like to know!

Would anyone have interest in this? The previous 60 degree potentiometers I mentioned from digikey will not work. I have found a source for ones that should work... I have to buy a lot of them though and they won't be arriving for another 3 weeks or so. PM me or reply here if you are interested in some 60 degree potentiometers and I'll get in touch when they arrive and after I've confirmed that they will work.

[broken harbour]

I've been wanting to try this:

http://www.lukiegames.com/n64-replaceme ... inal-style

its not the Gamecube style stick (which I hear is incompatible with many games and feels 'off').

No experience with it tho. Maybe someone who's bought this can chime in.

[bobrocks95]

Interesting that it looks like they've fixed the lag on the Gamecube style replacement sticks. I'm tempted to get one and try it out, though I have a Hori Mini myself so I'd just be doing a favor for any friends who come over and play N64.

As for the original-style stick replacement, from everything I've read it feels just like the original stick. It also will wear down just as quickly if not quicker than the original stick. People have had success buying an original-style stick replacement and then lubricating the inside of it to reduce future wear on the plastic. The same thing's recommended if you happen to find a new or like new controller, it should make the stick last a lot longer. It'll still wear down eventually since it's plastic on plastic, just nowhere near as fast.

Another option I'd like to bring up for anyone potentially interested is this adapter for using Gamecube controllers: http://www.raphnet-tech.com/products/gc_to_n64_adapter/
Not sure about international shipping on that one.

EDIT: For anyone interested in the Gamecube-style stick, this seems to be basically an upgrade for it: http://nfggames.com/forum2/index.php?topic=5023.0
Installation instructions that explain the PCB in more detail are here: http://www.mediafire.com/view/encle2go5 ... eng%29.pdf

If you have a dead Gamecube controller or another controller with salvageable parts, you might not even need to buy the replacement stick, just this kit. Depends on if the original stick is housed in a similar shell, I'm not sure on that one.

[Ed Oscuro]

If somebody knows a source for the sticks and a 60 degree potentiometer, I'd like to know!

Would anyone have interest in this? The previous 60 degree potentiometers I mentioned from digikey will not work. I have found a source for ones that should work... I have to buy a lot of them though and they won't be arriving for another 3 weeks or so. PM me or reply here if you are interested in some 60 degree potentiometers and I'll get in touch when they arrive and after I've confirmed that they will work.

Sure, show us what you find!

[coffeyrt]

Interesting that it looks like they've fixed the lag on the Gamecube style replacement sticks. I'm tempted to get one and try it out, though I have a Hori Mini myself so I'd just be doing a favor for any friends who come over and play N64.

As for the original-style stick replacement, from everything I've read it feels just like the original stick. It also will wear down just as quickly if not quicker than the original stick. People have had success buying an original-style stick replacement and then lubricating the inside of it to reduce future wear on the plastic. The same thing's recommended if you happen to find a new or like new controller, it should make the stick last a lot longer. It'll still wear down eventually since it's plastic on plastic, just nowhere near as fast.

Another option I'd like to bring up for anyone potentially interested is this adapter for using Gamecube controllers: http://www.raphnet-tech.com/products/gc_to_n64_adapter/
Not sure about international shipping on that one.

EDIT: For anyone interested in the Gamecube-style stick, this seems to be basically an upgrade for it: http://nfggames.com/forum2/index.php?topic=5023.0
Installation instructions that explain the PCB in more detail are here: http://www.mediafire.com/view/encle2go5 ... eng%29.pdf
.

The potentiometers I'm ordering should be the same as in that kit. Also the same brand that comes with the GameCube style stick only they are 60 degrees instead of 45. If someone wants to make those boards, these should work. .. but they also should work as replacements for the newer GameCube style sticks with fixed boards. The problem now with the newer sticks is they are still too sensitive.

In my experience the n64 style replacements (not GameCube style) wear down quickly and don't feel even close to as smooth as my mint original sticks. They do replicate the accuracy and feel though. I'm hoping I'm going to get the best of both worlds with these replacement potentiometers.

I couldn't find a source in the USA. If the ones I ordered work. I'll only be looking for a buck or two each, depending on quantity, plus shipping.

[broken harbour]

What's the verdict on the Cirka N64 controllers?

http://www.amazon.com/N64-Cirka-Control ... B005GTNBGK

They seem to be old N64 style, instead of the GC style.

Every review I see online is either 5 star or 1 star, so it's hard to trust reviews that are so love/hate.

[bobrocks95]

If they're anything even remotely like the TTX controllers I've used (and they look like they are), they're absolute garbage. A complete waste of plastic. The seams around the outer edge of the controller feel like they could cut your hand, the control stick's top feels like it could cut your thumb, the buttons feel weird and either too mushy or too clicky, and the control stick is horribly inaccurate. On both the ones I've used it can't even calibrate itself properly, even when you hold it right in the middle it will still drift to the left (not physically but in-game), like it needs a deadzone, which I don't think the original controllers even had.

I think the TTX controllers are an insult to plastic honestly, but the Cirka controllers could be different. It's doubtful though looking at the average review score.

[BuckoA51]

I'm not that familiar with the N64 having never played one when they were current so forgive my ignorance but, what happens when these sticks wear down, do they just feel wrong compared to a fresh pad or do they stop working altogether?

[bobrocks95]

I'm not that familiar with the N64 having never played one when they were current so forgive my ignorance but, what happens when these sticks wear down, do they just feel wrong compared to a fresh pad or do they stop working altogether?

They become very loose and don't remain centered and straight- it's like a physical deadzone is created, you can move it in a small circle without any effort. Then it becomes harder and harder to register a maximum value on the axes, which breaks some games that expect it. For instance, I can't play Yoshi's Story with my original controller I got with the system as a child, since Yoshi won't run unless I use both thumbs and jam the stick with all my might in one direction. The stick also won't "flick" back to its original position nearly as snappily or well.

[Xan]

Yes, and it happens on every stick unfortunately unless you put in some grease early enough. The analog stick literally grinds the bowl it sits in to powder, which can often be seen even without taking controllers apart. Of course they made pretty much every game require that stick...

I never had a N64 back in the day either (was drooling over it though), I sort of hate it for all its flaws compared to the Playstation. Horrible analog sticks, no RGB, battery backed saves just to name the obvious. Still it has a bunch of worthwile games that I'd like to play...

[BuckoA51]

Ah okay thanks, I may have experienced this and blamed it on the emulator/N64 controller adapter!

[rpgposer]

Instead of repairing or replacing with something new, how about hitting the local yard sales? I found a deck, power supply, one controller and ocarina for 20 bucks, the controller was in excellent shape.

[bobrocks95]

Ah okay thanks, I may have experienced this and blamed it on the emulator/N64 controller adapter!

The good thing if you're using software is that you can tweak the dead zone a bit to get things working alright.

Instead of repairing or replacing with something new, how about hitting the local yard sales? I found a deck, power supply, one controller and ocarina for 20 bucks, the controller was in excellent shape.

Those will wear down eventually too though. It's a losing battle, and eventually, if there were no refurbishing methods, there'd be no decent controllers left.

I'd also like to reiterate how nice the Hori Mini is. Feels perfect for all but a few games, and I like the joystick more than the Gamecube's really.

[eard]

The potentiometers I'm ordering should be the same as in that kit. Also the same brand that comes with the GameCube style stick only they are 60 degrees instead of 45. If someone wants to make those boards, these should work. .. but they also should work as replacements for the newer GameCube style sticks with fixed boards. The problem now with the newer sticks is they are still too sensitive.

I couldn't find a source in the USA. If the ones I ordered work. I'll only be looking for a buck or two each, depending on quantity, plus shipping.

Did you ever get these tested out? Just ordered a couple of the (hopefully) v2 gamecube style replacements, and would love to get them modded with the 60 degree boards if you've had success and are selling the boards

[Xan]

Any news on worthwile N64 aftermarket pads? I'd just import a Hori Mini and be done with it, but frankly can't justify splurging $75 and up for a gamepad...

[broken harbour]

I bought one of those Cirka pads recently... it's decent. To be honest, everything other than the stick feels just like the old N64 controllers did when new. The stick, on mine at least, is a bit clicky at the end of the range of motion. It has gone away some already, and I'd imagine that after a few more hours it might disappear completely. All the games I tested so far seem to work perfectly with it.

[bobrocks95]

Any news on worthwile N64 aftermarket pads? I'd just import a Hori Mini and be done with it, but frankly can't justify splurging $75 and up for a gamepad...

Especially once you discover they're only like $10-20 in Japan.

[andykara2003]

I might be too late on this but if you want to go with the official controller, you can still buy unused ones at a reasonable price, especially if they are not boxed. Take it apart and follow this guide to apply ceramic grease to the moving parts inside the controller:

http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/nintendo-64-c ... ad-repair/

The mechanism will last much much longer & you don't get the infamous white powder situation. You can tell if the stick has never been used by opening it up and checking the white ring of plastic on the end of the spring. In an unused one there will be an undisturbed line of blue coloured lubricant placed there during the manufacturing process.

A lot of people like the Hori Mini controller but I love the originals and have a few brand new ones with ceramic grease applied for future use.

[Xan]

I recently tried one of those Cirka pads, mine was garbage. The stick literally stopped working correctly after about 5 minutes of gameplay

Not sure if I would be happy even with a mint original pad, just can't stand the design of those analog sticks...