N64 Controller Help/Recommendations

[Ziggy]

Usually I only like to use original first party controllers, but lately I've been getting a little sick of the N64's joystick. So I'm thinking about branching out and seeing if I find something I like better. Here's some ideas I'm having, any one have any useful info on any of them please share! I'll break them down in a list and then detail my thoughts...

* Get a Hori Mini Pad / 3rd party controller
* Fix the joysticks on my controllers
* Replace a joystick mod
* I'm out of ideas

So I'll break it down...

Get a different controller - OK, so my first idea is to just try out a different controller. I'm always hearing great things about the Hori pads, and I just watched a video review of one. Joystick looks great, but I'm not too sure about the controller shape. As I said, I like to use original first party controllers, mostly because of the shape (I'm kinda weird about it). I'd like to try one, though, but there are none on eBay. Where can I find these?

Any other third party controllers worth trying? Usually when I see a picture of one the shape pisses me off. Are there any that are close enough to the original and/or have a really nice joystick?

Joystick fix - I've read some guides about repairing the joysticks, which involves opening them up to clean them out and lubricate them. Are the results worth the time doing this (I hate small things that are hard to put back together unless it's worth it)? If this fix makes it feel like new, or at least close to new, then I'm all for it. Any one ever try this?

Joystick transplant - I've read briefly about transplanting a joystick from another controller onto the 64 controller. Sounds exactly like what I would want to do, but I've read it can't be done on first party controllers, only third party's... is this true? That's a shame, I would love to get a PS1/2 or Gamecube stick on there. If I have to use a third party controller, it kinda defeats the purpose.

I'm out of idea - Any other thoughts/ideas any one have for me? I'm all ears.

None of my joysticks are that bad right now, but they're all starting to get worn out. I'd just like to see what my options are before I get stuck with a bunch of unusable controllers.

[jfe2]

I have a Hori mini pad and can attest to the quality of the controller. It does take a bit getting used to the button placement, but it very natural once you get the hang of it. The controllers are well built too.

[Betamax001]

I'm pretty sure I saw someone who modded a first party controller with the PSone analog stick before. I think it was tricky, but probably well worth it in the end.

[Lokkenjawnz]

Cleaning out the sticks will help a lot with the grindiness that the sticks tend to accumulate, and it's not too difficult. Fixing the looseness however is a bit more involved, as you will need to either very carefully stretch the spring it uses, or replace the spring altogether. Neither one is very difficult per se, but they require a bit more effort. Actually, if someone could find a reliable source for replacement springs, that would be absolutely amazing.

Replacing the joystick is doable, but like the others said, you can't swap in any other stick, you can only swap in another first party analog stick due to the non-standard way that it works.

There are a couple third party controllers besides the hori that are decent. One in particular that I've seen is either Mad Catz or High Frequency brand, and it basically looks like a standard controller, but the side prongs flare out wider and it has rubber grips. It's amazingly comfortable to hold, but I can't really say anything about the stick seeing as the one that I have doesn't have a stick

In my opinion, if you want the best controller for the system, you need the original controller. It's not hugely reliable, and it's a bit difficult to find working replacements, but it has a very distinct feel, and the stick really feels different from any other analog stick I've used. It's one of the reasons why I can't play N64 games on the Wii, the controls just don't feel right.

Jesus christ that was long winded, can you tell that the N64 is one of my favorite consoles?

[Anapan]

It looks like all the replacement sticks are refurbished because Nintendo stopped producing replacement parts a couple of years ago.

http://www.nesrepairshop.com/online_sho ... ductID=381
http://www.shop.bresoftware.com/product ... =705233883
http://vpgames.com/p-146-nintendo-64-co ... ement.aspx

I've heard that the official n64 controllers didn't come with any lubrication at all, and that's what makes the plastic wear so much. If you find a good condition one you might consider following this guide to keep it in proper working order.
http://codebook.potchgult.com/stickrepair/stickfix.htm

There's a brand new one on Amazon for $20


As far as 3rd party controllers go, I like the Superpad because it is nothing like the original.


The Nyko dual anaogd is pretty cool too.
http://forums.benheck.com/viewtopic.php?t=26600

[Ziggy]

So you know how there's tons of "Brand New!" SNES controllers on eBay? Some of them have the Nintendo logo even. Brand new, in box, and only like $6.99 or something like that... well they DO have N64 controllers like that...

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-white-Game-Cont ... 3ca4845dc4

I wonder if I should try one, or just throw my money in the garbage now and save time. I got one of those knock off SNES pads once, and it didn't work "brand new" out of the box. Every time some one posts "should I get one of those controllers off eBay" we all say NO. But it does have the benefit of being the same size/shape as the original. But it's probably cheap China crap, and I'd be better off with a crappy joystick on a real Nintendo controller... right?

I have a Hori mini pad and can attest to the quality of the controller. It does take a bit getting used to the button placement, but it very natural once you get the hang of it. The controllers are well built too.

I really wanna try one but I can't seem to find it anywhere. I'm sure there's a chance I might be able to get one here from some body, but since they're a little rare I suspect they'd go for something like $40-60 and I just don't have that kind of money right now. Sucks, I really wanna try one too.

In my opinion, if you want the best controller for the system, you need the original controller. It's not hugely reliable, and it's a bit difficult to find working replacements, but it has a very distinct feel, and the stick really feels different from any other analog stick I've used.

Right, I feel the same way. That's why I would want to replace the joystick on it. I think I'm gonna try and repair the joystick on one of my controllers today and see how that goes.

It looks like all the replacement sticks are refurbished because Nintendo stopped producing replacement parts a couple of years ago.

Yeah, to be honest I wouldn't even bother getting one. If they were brand new replacements I'd be all over it. But since they're just pulls from controllers, I'd rather just fix one up myself. That's all I'd be getting anyway, is one that some one fixed up. I might as well do the work myself for free.

I've heard that the official n64 controllers didn't come with any lubrication at all, and that's what makes the plastic wear so much. If you find a good condition one you might consider following this guide to keep it in proper working order.

Yes, I've seen this guide, and I've thought about trying to get a good condition one. There's tons for sale that claim "tight joystick" in the auction title.

There's a brand new one on Amazon for $20

That's exactly what I was looking for, a brand new Nintendo brand controller. I saw plenty on Amazon but they were all in the $100 area, which makes it seem fishy that the black one is only $20 new. The comment is a little vague, and the seller has 100% positive feedback but only 6 counts. I sent him an email asking about it, if it comes new in the box and all that, otherwise I'll pass.

As far as 3rd party controllers go, I like the Superpad because it is nothing like the original.

Oh, god, no, not the Superpad! I definitely remember this one from back in the day. I don't remember liking it at all. It didn't feel right in my hands. However, that was a long time ago, maybe I'd like it now. I'd pick one up to try it out, but I couldn't find any on eBay. edit: I found two on eBay, actually. Hmm... maybe I'll pick one up. Or should I save my money for a Hori pad?? Decisions, decisions.

[Troglodyte]

I don't have time to find the links again right now;
but there is information on the web and an assembly language program
for using Gamecube controllers with the Nintendo 64 system. I plan to do
this eventually, but I don't have an EPROM burner or the time right now.

[Anapan]

should I save my money for a Hori pad?? Decisions, decisions.

Yes. They really are awesome.

[Ziggy]

Well I just took apart my worst controller. I know what grind down plastic looks like, but I couldn't believe the amount when I got the joystick box open. Wow. So I cleaned it up and lubed the gears with 3-in-One. I tried to stretch the spring out, but the joystick still feels loose. I got the joystick box back together and, while it's still loose, it feels MUCH better. Will it play good? We'll find out, I have the plastic shell and all the buttons soaking in hot, soapy water right now, it was pretty grimmy. I figured while I have it apart, I might as well clean it up. I can't wait to get it back together and see how it plays.

I don't have time to find the links again right now;
but there is information on the web and an assembly language program
for using Gamecube controllers with the Nintendo 64 system. I plan to do
this eventually, but I don't have an EPROM burner or the time right now.

So some one DID document how to do this. I knew it wasn't impossible, but it would take some one that knows how to program such a thing to do it... that's way beyond my capabilities. If you could pull up the link for that, that'd be awesome. Sounds like it could be pretty complicated, though, unless all it is is wiring a joystick to an EPROM, then the EPROM to the PCB in the controller... that's not too bad at all. Though fitting the EPROM inside the controller might be a little hard.

Yeah, if you could find that link I would love to take a look at it. And if you want, I could burn the EPROM for you so you could try it. Or I could recommend a cheap programmer for you (since you're also interested in repros). There are some very affordable ones out there.

should I save my money for a Hori pad?? Decisions, decisions.

Yes. They really are awesome.

I was thinking about it more, and although I would still wanna try one, I just can't give up the original controller. Especially the N64 controller with it's Z trigger. It just wouldn't feel right to me. I would still like to at least test drive the Hori controller, but I think it would be too expensive since I don't know if I'll like it or not. I suppose I could always easily sell it, since they're so popular.

[Hobie-wan]

I have the plastic shell and all the buttons soaking in hot, soapy water right now, it was pretty grimmy. I figured while I have it apart, I might as well clean it up. I can't wait to get it back together and see how it plays.

Use an old toothbrush and you'll be done in a few minutes instead of waiting on it to soak.