N64 1rst party controller joystick MOD help

[Ziggy]

I started a topic here asking about N64 controllers, but since I decided to go the mod route I thought I'd make a new thread in the Hacks and Mods section.

Long story short: I want to use a real 1rst party Nintendo 64 controller with a joystick that doesn't suck. Problem is the type of joystick Nintendo used on the controllers, you can't just swap on a different joystick. You are able to swap a joystick on a 3rd party controller, however, because of the type of joystick they use.

So my plan is to put a Gamecube joystick on a 3rd party N64 controller, then fit it into a 1rst party N64 controller case (hopefully).

Iwcook told me this is a good controller to use for this, and I agree. So this will be the first one I try this mod with.

As far as the pot, the c-stick is by far the easiest to work with because it is on a self-contained board. It's definitely the most least-hassle route to take for this reason. Just remove and go.

Oh, I see what you mean. C-stick it is, then! I'm just hoping I'll be able to fit it, with the Z trigger and all, without any outward appearance changes. I'm gonna pop open my Cube controller slated for this project a little later and see what it looks like.

edit: Now I really see what you mean, I just opened my controller and looked at it. It's pretty small. I'm thinking since the joystick box on the original controller is crucial to the Z trigger placement, I might use it. I think I can modify it so that I can put the C-stick inside the box.


Also, the only guide I could find for this on the web was this one...

http://forums.benheck.com/viewtopic.php ... highlight=

Any one know of any other guides? Possibly something a little more illustrated or detailed?

Also, I never really done anything like this before. I know a few on the forums have, such as Bacteria's handhelds and whatnot, any tips for me? Mounting a PCB where it isn't suppose to be, possibly having to reposition some things on the PCB, etc.

[lwcook]

edit: Now I really see what you mean, I just opened my controller and looked at it. It's pretty small. I'm thinking since the joystick box on the original controller is crucial to the Z trigger placement, I might use it. I think I can modify it so that I can put the C-stick inside the box.

I also am going for this approach...or at least using the back of the joystick box. With a little hot glue and creativity, I think it'll work out just fine.

[Ziggy]

So you're gonna be making the same thing as me? Awesome.

Yes, I'm wondering if I could use the front of the box or not. The front of the box is visible on the front of the controller, so if I can't use it I'll have to come up with something good for that huge whole that the joystick sticks through lol. Maybe I can cut the Cube controller's joystick area out and bond it to the N64 controller?

[lwcook]

So you're gonna be making the same thing as me? Awesome.

Yes, I'm wondering if I could use the front of the box or not. The front of the box is visible on the front of the controller, so if I can't use it I'll have to come up with something good for that huge whole that the joystick sticks through lol. Maybe I can cut the Cube controller's joystick area out and bond it to the N64 controller?

I actually started researching this and gathering things for it about a year ago, but life got in the way. When you brought up the idea it reminded me about all of it and figure I'd actually pull it out and finish it.

As far as the front "gate" of the box, one of my ideas was using the front part of it but with most of the middle cut out (leaving mostly just the octagon outside...pretty much like a gc stick.) However, I figured I'd get to that once everything was in place and how much the joystick needed to travel for full range.

[Troglodyte]

the normal n64 controller used a stick with photodiodes and the GC used POTS

Is this correct?
In theory, wouldn't potentiometers be less precise?

[lwcook]

the normal n64 controller used a stick with photodiodes and the GC used POTS

Is this correct?
In theory, wouldn't potentiometers be less precise?

Meh...I wouldn't say less precise exactly. I mean, almost every other analog controller uses potentiometers for the sticks. Most of it depends on the quality of the pot I think. For example, a pot analog still from a 3rd party n64 controller doesn't hold a candle to the official stick, but replace it with the stick pot from an official gc controller and it'll be pretty much equal in terms of precision IMO.

[Troglodyte]

For example, a pot analog still from a 3rd party n64 controller doesn't hold a candle to the official stick, but replace it with the stick pot from an official gc controller and it'll be pretty much equal in terms of precision IMO.

That would actually make sense. Otherwise, I don't see why Nintendo would have sacrificed quality. I have always seen the entire N64 system as a sort of "experiment in 3D." Some aspects failed, some were overall successful, but good or bad; everyone learned from it.

[Ziggy]

As far as the front "gate" of the box, one of my ideas was using the front part of it but with most of the middle cut out (leaving mostly just the octagon outside...pretty much like a gc stick.) However, I figured I'd get to that once everything was in place and how much the joystick needed to travel for full range.

I was thinking that, too. I was also thinking if it'd be possible to cut away the half sphere of the Cube's joystick so it's just a thin shaft like the N64's joystick, that way it'll fit in better.

[lwcook]

I was thinking that, too. I was also thinking if it'd be possible to cut away the half sphere of the Cube's joystick so it's just a thin shaft like the N64's joystick, that way it'll fit in better.

I'm going to try and get a lot of broken controllers from a local game store and have some experimental time with my Dremel.

[Ziggy]

I was thinking about getting one of these knock-offs...

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-white-Game-Cont ... 518bdb5802

...and try making a "test" controller on that. If it turns out good, than I'll do it to a real Nintendo controller or two.