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Video Games => Video Game Chat => Topic started by: Hirocon on January 11, 2004, 03:13:06 AM

Title: N64 controllers
Post by: Hirocon on January 11, 2004, 03:13:06 AM

This has bugged me for a while.  Back in the N64 days, I used to have to frequently buy new controllers, because the joysticks kept wearing out.  They would become less sensitive over time...they would begin wobbling at greater angles without any pressure at all, and when pushed all the way they would stop triggering the "pushed all the way" input in the games.  For example, even when I pushed the joystick all the way when playing Mario 64, Mario wouldn't run at his maximum speed.

The loss of joystick sensitivity would usually take several months to be noticable, and would be preceded by white powder forming around the edge of the joystick.  I had this problem repeatedly, with both first and third party controllers, and it really became annoying.

Did anyone else have this problem?  Is this a documented phenomenon, or was it all in my imagination?  I have yet to have this problem with any of my GameCube controllers...

This is not a signature.

Title: Re: N64 controllers
Post by: Juji_Fruits on January 11, 2004, 09:38:46 AM

No, but I had a friend that did.
Uhm...do you know where you can get those?

I am a trained master of each of the weapons of battle

Title: Re: N64 controllers
Post by: Markio on January 11, 2004, 10:57:13 AM

I've had that problem before.  Apparently, if you leave the controller upside down on the floor, when you turn on the N64, the cursor on the game would move by itself, and he couldn't run all the way in one direction.  I could fix it by turning of the N64 and revolvng the joystick a little, and turning it back on again.  Also, we'd get those really cool controllers for it, but the joystick would snap off.  What a ripoff.  Whatever.  I have threee controllers that work for it.

I am not a loser!  Just ask my pet rock!

Title: Re: N64 controllers
Post by: Forest Guy on January 11, 2004, 12:23:20 PM

I had that problem also, and I only have one functioning controlle rleft. I had two, but my friend is borrowing it... (For like 6 months) Anyway Markio, he is not describing the problem when you hold in a direction while the system is turned on. THat was when the direction got stuck in the neutral position and forced that direction permanently. You could easily fix that by simultaneously pressing and holding L, R, and Start. This is a seperate problem from the white powder and deteriation of the joystick. I was quite good at repairing the controllers and once when I opened one up to investigate the joystick problem, I unscrewed the joystick's main area, and there was white powder all over the place in there. It's very strange.

Note: Do not attempt to repair your controllers unless you are an electrician, technician or at least know what your are doing like I do.

Controller Stats:
SNES Controllers repaired- 4
N64 Controllers Repaired- 2
GCN Controllers repaired- 0

As you can see, the GCN controllers I am still tinkering with.

_____________________________
Down with newbies!

Title: Re: N64 controllers
Post by: Luigison on January 11, 2004, 12:47:05 PM

I have had problem with the analog sticks of my N64 controllers simply wearing out because the inner workings of the stick is made of a very soft plactic that slower wears away into a fine powder leaving a bigger hole for the stick to pivot that leave the stick a large loose neutal position that makes it impossible to run or scroll at maximum speed in many games.  (that should have been at least 3 sentences)

I tried fixing a few by building up the worn out area with various materials like glues and tapes, but it never felt like a new stick when I finished.  I have searched, but haven't found official replacement parts although if you find a broke but not worn out stick you can make one good controller out of two (one broke, one worn out).

I never really like the N64 controller anyway.  That is why I imported an iQue from China.  It works much better for me in Super Mario 64 even if it is in Chinese.  Who needs instructions for a Mario games anyway?

Title: Re: N64 controllers
Post by: Lizard Dude on January 11, 2004, 07:03:11 PM

jon?

my pathetic attempts at humor are fleeting

Title: Re: N64 controllers
Post by: Markio on January 11, 2004, 07:33:57 PM

It's hard for me to believe that Sapph's sister said that your humorous statements were pathetic attempts.  Her pathetic attempts at successful analyzations are fleeting.  Note that I only used the word "pathetic" in sopisticated irony, and not in an everyday comment.  I don't favor that word.

Anyway, yeah, I know what you're talking about, Nintendolke64, but I was just stating a different problem that you might have.  And thanks for telling me that Meowrik, as I had no idea what he was talking about.

I am not a loser!  Just ask my pet rock!

Title: Re: N64 controllers
Post by: Hirocon on January 11, 2004, 08:56:29 PM

Well, it's good to know I'm not insane, but shame on Nintendo for designing such a flawed product.  They seemed to have redeemed themselves with the GameCube controllers, but still...

This is not a signature.

Title: Re: N64 controllers
Post by: Lizard Dude on January 12, 2004, 03:29:29 PM

I like how Rare makes fun of the N64 controller in the DKC manual with Cranky making comments on how the joystick feels like it's going to snap off.

It's about time Nintendo gave us a controller with a big ball and thick shaft.

my pathetic attempts at humor are fleeting

Title: Re: N64 controllers
Post by: Trainman on January 12, 2004, 07:44:58 PM

"...or at least know what your are doing like I do."

Sure ya do, Meow-Mix...

Well, the white powder is mostly likey the plastic wearing off from rubbing the stick so much. What you're experiencing when it feels loose is "play." I had a lot of play in my red N64 controller, but with my gray one, it has been more forgiving.

I LOVE how the GCN controllers are made of this rubbery substance to prevent grinding the palm of your hand off rotating it or doing something similar.

Another thing you shoud experiencle over time with a GCN controller are black little marks on all sides that you rub on of the octagonal (septagonal?) shape of the joystick thingy.

IF CONTROLLER IS NEUTRAL:

N64- Start, L, and R for a few seconds or until the pointer/player/etc. stops moving.

GCN- Start, Y, and X for a few seconds or until pointer/player/etc. stops moving.

Another alternative you have for a
system with memory cards going directly into the system is to simply take the controller out and put it back in.

DO NOT attempt with an N64 with a memory card present or you could zap all of the memory on it; I learned the hard way, unfortunately...

"I do one sit-up a day. I get up in the morning; that''s half. I lay down at night; that''s the other half. I figured out a long time ago that my body was just for carrying my head from place to place." ~Mark Lowry

Title: Re: N64 controllers
Post by: Mario Maniac on January 15, 2004, 01:08:32 PM

I have experienced many problems with the N64 controllers, specifically the Control Sticks wearing out and losing their responsiveness. I think Nintendo poorly made the Control Sticks on the N64 controllers, because they always lose their respinsiveness if you move them too much or too hard. That is also why the Control Sticks always leave a white powdery residue every time you press and rotate them, it is simply the plastic slowly deteriorating.

I love the GameCube controller. It is made with such quality and the Control Stick is built much better than the N64's Control Stick. The Control Stick on the Gamecube controller seems more pressure sensative than the Control Stick on the N64 controller.

I also have a third party controller for my N64, and the control stick is much better designed. It rotates more easily and is very sturdy and responsive.

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Title: Re: N64 controllers
Post by: NintendoExpert89 on January 15, 2004, 01:14:39 PM

Me too. All of my controllers are broken. :( I had three, two of them wore out the control stick, and the third was dropped by accident and the control stick got SHOVED into the controller, breaking the stick and the Z button.

I told you I would shoot, but you didn`t believe me! WHY DIDN`T YOU BELIEVE ME?!!

Title: Re: N64 controllers
Post by: Drunken_Dragon on January 15, 2004, 09:26:16 PM

ive not messed with game cube controllers yet (but im positive im going to have to) this is why i hate analog sticks.

open the controller, unplug the analog from the main board (dont rip the cord) and then open the stick housing, clean all the dry lube and worn plastic out of it, then stretch the spring a little. it will make things tighter (dont stretch it too much or it will warp, pull on it so it elongates a little)
message here if you need a more detailed discription.

Mario''s adventure is over for now, but
Mario''s dream lives forever...