N64 controllers with decent sticks?

[harper]

I'm pretty sure they buy them in bulk from someone on ebay but I'm not sure which store. Like I said I don't know how much the quality differs from the different ones there are out there. They could all be selling the same ones or they could all be different, I dunno.

[Ziggy]

I need some new N64 controllers. Only one of mine has a usable stick right now. Instead of buying more for $20 apiece just to have them wear out, I'm wondering if there are any good 3rd party controllers with more durable sticks, or much much cheaper ones that are acceptable.

Buy a new controller with a tight stick. Take the stick apart, clean it, lube it. Done!

http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 47#p545747

N64 sticks are notorious for breaking down and wearing out. This is what I suggest for every one: If the joystick is still OK, take preventative measures before it's too late. Disassemble the joystick and clean any debris out of it, then lube it up and put it back together. This will keep it from breaking down.

Here's why: If you take a look inside an N64 joystick you'll see exactly what I'm taking about. When you move the stick around, plastic is grinding on plastic. If you open a stick that was never lubed and heavily used, you'll see a bunch of plastic dust inside. This is why the sticks get loose, too much plastic grinding away into dust. Some of them get clunky because of the dust. That's why if you have a joystick that's still like new, it is very important to clean it and lube it up so it doesn't break down!

If a joystick is already on it's way out, you can still take it apart to clean and lube it. It might still be OK to use, just a little loose. Some joysticks will be beyond fixing though. For example, my most heavily used stick from back in the day was too far gone. Even after I cleaned it and lubed it up, it wasn't responsive like it once was.

I've bought a couple of these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-REPLACEMENT ... 5890182fca

They're very good, but a little too sensitive for some games (mostly FPS when you can't adjust the sensitivity, or any game where you need to precisely aim). I wrote a quick review of them in a thread some where, I'll have to dig it up.

I highly recommend those GCN-like replacement sticks if the joystick is too far gone. Everything else, I recommend taking it apart to clean and lube it. If the joystick is still nice and tight and responsive, lubing it will prevent it from breaking down. No need to worry as long as it's lubed up good!

You can read my short review of the replacement sticks here: http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 33#p504633

In case I didn't make myself clear...

@ EVERYONE !!!! : If your N64 sticks are still nice and tight, I urge you to take them apart to clean and lube them before it's too late!

[the King]

What are you using for lube?





Seriously though, what kind of material are you using to lube them up?

[foxhound1022]

Those Hori mini pads look awesome, but the absolute cheapest I could find one was $60.

[Ziggy]

What are you using for lube?

I've been using 3-In-One with success, most people use lithium grease. The first thread that I linked, you can read the conversation about it there. Specifically, it starts with this post: http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 11#p545911 (conversation continues on the following page).

Those Hori mini pads look awesome, but the absolute cheapest I could find one was $60.

It's not a bad controller, but I much prefer the original over it. I like the button layout a lot better. I especially miss the placement of the Z button. The A, B and C button positions didn't work well for me when playing Star Fox. Still, it's pretty well built. I don't know if the value on them has gone up in the past year or two, but I'm sure if you hunt you can find one for a little cheaper than $60. I got mine from a fellow Racketboy member for about $40 IIRC.

[gtmtnbiker]

An N64 Original controller w/swapped out thumbstick (from a GCN or other quality 3rd party) is easy, can get those for $5 local or $10 shipped via ebay, etc.

Is this a drop-in replacement or do you have to hack the thumbstick to make it work in an N64?

[mjmjr25]

An N64 Original controller w/swapped out thumbstick (from a GCN or other quality 3rd party) is easy, can get those for $5 local or $10 shipped via ebay, etc.

Is this a drop-in replacement or do you have to hack the thumbstick to make it work in an N64?

Not drop in like a push button, no, but not complicated either.

This thread has a many links to walkthroughs and youtube vids:
http://www.smashboards.com/showthread.php?t=291100

Basically you can grab a 3rd party (or original pad) for PSX / N64 / GCN and all can be made compatible w/the N64 pad. Most of those (save the GCN original) can be had for $5 or less.

I've never done the PSX mod and it may or not require tight-space soldering, dunno. But that would be a route to look at as PSX pads seem to at every yard sale for $2.

I still recommend the HORI pad as I love the small / compact feel and of course already has a great thumbstick. $60 is a bit much, yeah, you can usually grab those at auction for $40-45, unless you're after one of the translucent or limited snow sparkle colors, etc.

[harper]

An N64 Original controller w/swapped out thumbstick (from a GCN or other quality 3rd party) is easy, can get those for $5 local or $10 shipped via ebay, etc.

Is this a drop-in replacement or do you have to hack the thumbstick to make it work in an N64?

If you buy the third party replacement, it's a whole joystick, so you literally pop the old one out and put the new one in. Takes about 5 minutes. With the bulk of your time being spent opening the controller and closing it back up (damn those little screws in the controller pak slot!!)

I've decided to provide my own pictures of this process. Even though pictures and videos are available all over the net (namely youtube). Here's how it works.
NOTE: I didn't actually change out the joystick in these pictures, I just wanted to show how easy it is to remove and install one.


When you open up your controller, it should look something like this:

The red arrows are pointing to the 3 screws that you will need to remove, in order to remove the joystick.


Once you have unscrewed the screws, you'll be able to lift the joystick out, like so. But wait, there's more! You'll have to remove the thingy that the red arrow is pointing at.




Yeah that thing! If you're taking the original stick out, you may have to tug kinda hard to remove it, because chances are, it's been there for a while. But without too much effort you should be able to remove it. Just don't break anything!


Have your new joystick on hand.



Insert, like so. Make sure it is facing the right way (the same direction as pictured) or else you will have a hell of a time trying to get it to slide in. It should take little to no effort, if I recall correctly.



And voila! There you have it. You have successfully installed your brand new kickass 3rd party replacement joystick. Don't forget to put all the screws back in where they go!





I personally love the look and feel of the orginal N64 controller. That's why I would rather have the replacement stick, but to each his own.

[mjmjr25]

But isn't that replacement joystick the same material / quality of the original joystick? I know some people do like them, but my understanding is more people prefer the shorter / thicker / rubber-coated thumbstick on the GCN, etc.

Also - I think some people, and this is just an opinion, but some people who love N64 (like I do) feel like they can't bash the N64 pad w/o bashing the N64 console and library. I think that is not true.

I love the N64 library.
I do not love the N64 Controller - I do think it was innovative and looked pretty cool, including all the colors, etc - but from a functionality standpoint, I was not a fan.

[s1mplehumar]

I have over 50 pounds of Molykote 44 grease, which is almost identical to Shin Etsu.

http://www.lizardlick.com/Dow-Molycoat- ... _p_38.html

A little goes along way with this stuff. Let me know if you guys want any to lube your moving parts.