What will we do when every 1st party N64 controller is gone?

[the King]

I'm not sure if it's gonna be that big of problem any time soon. I've heard about the horrible worn joystick of the N64 controllers, but I think they account for less then 1% of all the N64 controllers I've come across. I think I might have played with a screwed up joystick once before, but I don't really remember. I own 4 or 5 controllers myself, and all the joysticks are fine.

Yeah, mine are still good and my buddies and I in college really cranked on those things during some Mario Party sessions, usually well into the drink.

[Ack]

Mine vary in quality from decent to "dear God, that's a controller?" But what ever happened to that guy that figure out how to put PlayStation analog sticks on a 64 controller?

[Hateshinai]

I followed mmonkey's guide (http://www.mmmonkey.co.uk/console/nintendo/n64cont.htm) on a loose N64 joystick and it plays much better now. It's a five minute job.

[winds]

PLEASE give me a link. If they can be bought anymore.....

Sorry, i've only seen them on eBay and Yahoo Japan Auctions. on eBay they sell for quite high, around $50 I think. On YJ Auctions theyre much cheaper, around 10 dollars, but of course the high shipping costs and commissions can easily bump that up.

[itsamemario]

is it just me, or were both the n64 and gamecube controllers pretty crappy in terms of durability?

i don't even play games that much, probably average use...and every single one of my n64 & gamecube controllers got a loose joystick within 6-12 months...meanwhile, my dualshocks and xbox controllers feel the same as they did on day 1...

[General Chaos]

I've thought about this as well, and I've taken apart my controllers to clean the analog sticks with some varying degrees of success.

Ultimately though I disagree to some extent that the friction of the plastic is the culprit. Instead, I suspect that the loosening of the spring over time results in lower tension--meaning the stick is looser. One of these days I'm going to a local clock shop and seeing if I can get my hands on some custom springs that are the same size as those used in the controller. I'll make sure they are ridiculously tight and see what the outcome is.

[Visc.]

@General Chaos

I've had custom springs made. Ones that are too thick and tense will break the black plastic part that forms the Y axis. I've had a spring manufacturer tell me to stretch the original spring and cook it at 350 degrees for 20 minutes to stiffen it. I've had spacers made to go around the bottom of the spring to elevate it a little. None of this made a difference in how loose the joystick is.

It's white powder you see when you open it up. So I believe it's the pieces that form the X and Y axis (that the joystick moves within that cause the joystick to wear. This will cause you to need to move the joystick more to touch them (becoming loose). Another thing is that the base of the joystick may wear the large bowl where the joystick moves about in.

[fast]

I did a quick search for Hori N64 controllers and I liked what I saw. Then I saw red one on ebay that had already closed...
http://cgi.ebay.com/HORI-PAD-MINI-N64-R ... 3008r13450

One may be in my future, but just one. But if I can get four for under $150...

[General Chaos]

@General Chaos

I've had custom springs made. Ones that are too thick and tense will break the black plastic part that forms the Y axis. I've had a spring manufacturer tell me to stretch the original spring and cook it at 350 degrees for 20 minutes to stiffen it. I've had spacers made to go around the bottom of the spring to elevate it a little. None of this made a difference in how loose the joystick is.

It's white powder you see when you open it up. So I believe it's the pieces that form the X and Y axis (that the joystick moves within that cause the joystick to wear. This will cause you to need to move the joystick more to touch them (becoming loose). Another thing is that the base of the joystick may wear the large bowl where the joystick moves about in.

Well I guess that saves me the trouble of getting one on my own. There goes that theory.

Oh well--I too am considering getting one of the Hori controllers off of ebay. I've noticed they are selling damn quickly whenever they come up.

[Visc.]

I decided to open up my really worn out joystick and attempted to fix how loose it was. So far it's working very well, just a little more stiff to push than usual. I suggest using a thimble for the thumb you're controlling the stick with.

Anyways, this is a method I used, and the joystick has been restored to near perfect for over 2 hours usage, and hasn't worn down yet.



The Joystick comes into contact with the 2 black pieces to move the wheels inside the joystick. When the stick becomes worn it requires a longer range of motion for the joystick to move the black pieces. I put a thin strip of really adhesive tape along the long face of the base of the joystick. I also put the tape around under where the ball is. Piece it back together and try it out.