NES MAX Controller: should I go for it?

[thom_m]

Still digging for stuff for my yet-to-arrive NES. This time, I stumbled upon a guy selling sealed NES MAX controllers. The price is very good.

Should I go for them? That d-pad looks...weird. Is it a good controller, or should I invest on conventional ones (which are more expensive, as far as I looked)?

[skaar]

They're... different. I'd pick up a sealed one or two just for collectability, and buy yourself an open one off the bay or something just to try it out. You'll either love it or hate it, but you'll need to decide for yourself.

From what I recall, I liked it for platformers/shooters, but not for RPGs or anything with lots of menus.

[RadiantSvgun]

I used to like it, but now I don't.

Why? As a kid, I had smaller hands, and it was perfect. Now, its too small for my hands.

[willowmoon93]

Absolutely hate the MAX controllers -- never thought any controllers could be worse than the ones for the TRS-80 Color Computer or the Atari 5200, but the MAX controllers "exceeded" my expectations.

[Crazy Climber]

It's all I used back in the old days and I loved it, it's been 20 years since I used one though so take that for what it's worth:bigmac:

[YoshiM]

I hated it back in the day and I loathe the "new version"-Generation NEX wireless pads. The control pad is not that responsive, IMO. However if this is a personal museum purchase (ie buying it to add to the collection, not play it) then sure if it's a good price.

[thom_m]

However if this is a personal museum purchase (ie buying it to add to the collection, not play it) then sure if it's a good price.

No, it's not the case. What I want are some mint condition controllers to play. Those MAX are the only new, sealed NES pads I could find around here.

[skaar]

My favourite NES controller was still the NES advantage... cool metal on my knee as a kid in the summers... sigh...

The little guys never got used after I got my Advantage, other than by friends. I'd take that sucker with me everywhere!

[secretvampire]

The MAX was absolutely my NES controller of choice as a kid, loved it.

[thom_m]

Aside from the MAX, there are also some Acclaim wireless pads for sale as well. These (http://produto.mercadolivre.com.br/MLB-76685677-_JM) and this one (http://produto.mercadolivre.com.br/MLB-76880560-nes-controle-sem-fio-acclaim-na-caixa-com-isopor-raridade-_JM).

Has anyone ever heard of them? They look more...normal, I guess.

[skaar]

I had those Acclaim ones... hated them. D-Pad sucked and the buttons weren't that responsive. Plus you had to aim it straight at the receiver with its limited range... at least, the second link you posted. Didn't try the first.

[RadiantSvgun]

If you want a good nes controller, there is no substitute for a Dogbone controller. They were included with the Model 2 aka toploader nes.

[Blitzwing256]

nothing will ever beat the advantage for me, and it can be had for 5$ or less if you look hard enough.

i'm curious though, how much are the sealed max controllers selling for? I'd like to get a boxed one myself for the collection/

[Eric Dude]

If you're gonna ask our advice, why not give us the price? Normally I'd say 'just spend the 5 bucks and get it', but it sounds like it'll cost you more than that. In all honesty though, there's nothing wrong with a normal NES controller.

[TurboGenesis]

…In all honesty though, there's nothing wrong with a normal NES controller.

This is true.
I have found myself going back to the ol' brick… for the last 5 or so years I have been playing on the Dogbone but a bad game of Gradius (I can usually 1cc the game with ease) I got angry and plugged in the original NES controller and felt like a young fellow all over again…

NES Max is handy for games that require turbo for success… like Track & Field

[vintagegamecrazy]

I don't recommend the controller, they are way inaccurate for games for me, just stick with the regular controller.

[COUNT SMRIFNACK]

I have a set of the Max's that I bought new as a kid. They are kinda small, but I still like them. The d-pad does take a little to get used to, but it works good. I say get em'.

[Cornelius]

I hate the MAX controller. Just doesn't work well for me. I like the dogbone the best.

I've got the first set of wireless Acclaim ones you linked to. They are great for non-twitch gaming... just sit back and relax. But even for platformers they just aren't quite responsive enough. Buttons are alright, just the d-pad is too stiff or something.

[thom_m]

If you're gonna ask our advice, why not give us the price?

Oh, that's because the price is in brazilian currency (Reais), not dollars. Since just converting the value is not going to give you a real cost parameter, and I know nothing about international shipping costs, I figured out that only telling it's a good price was enough. I didn't mean to hide anything.

That, and I keep forgetting this is a collectors forum, and these things might interest you, despite the distance. It's a brazilian version, the box is in portuguese. It might actually be a collectible item. Again, all I want are new controllers to play with. :)

Anyway, they go for R$15,00 (1 dollar = 1,65 reais approximately) each + shipping. I don't know if the guy actually ships them worldwide, or accepts foreing currency. You can check the auction here (http://produto.mercadolivre.com.br/MLB-76305107-controle-nes-max-original-lacrado-na-caixa-_JM).

Well, that's it. Since, like Blitzwing said, you can find an Advantage for $5, I think it's expensive for your standards. There's this guy charging R$90 for a boxed one (http://produto.mercadolivre.com.br/MLB-76419991-_JM) here. This kinda stuff is hard to find in Brazil, because the official NES lifetime here was kinda short.

[GM80]

You know, I had one Max when I was a kid. I always used it on The Adventure of Link and Journey to Silius for some reason, and hated it for just about everything else. The directional disc eventually got scuffed around the edge and stopped moving smoothly.

[guitargary75]

I abhor the nes max. The dog bone is the best one.

[thom_m]

Some of you mentioned the "dogbone" controller. It really looks pretty cool and nice to use from what I've seen. Too bad it must be almost impossible to find one here, and I don't have that much money to spend with international shipping costs...

[Clownzilla]

I asked for an NES Advantage years ago for Christmas and my dad decided to save money and buy me the NES Max. I wanted the NES Advantage to break records in Track & Field (I know it was a ridiculous reason). Well, the turbo button on the MAX goes up to the next to last box on the power meter (the Advantage could go all the way). To this day I will never forgive my dad of denying me the glory of forcing the javelin to loop to the beginning of the stage or leaving the meter stick in the dust in long jump. WHY DAD WHYYYYYYYYY!!!

[Eric Dude]

Oh, that's because the price is in brazilian currency (Reais), not dollars. Since just converting the value is not going to give you a real cost parameter, and I know nothing about international shipping costs, I figured out that only telling it's a good price was enough. I didn't mean to hide anything.

That, and I keep forgetting this is a collectors forum, and these things might interest you, despite the distance. It's a brazilian version, the box is in portuguese. It might actually be a collectible item. Again, all I want are new controllers to play with. :)

Anyway, they go for R$15,00 (1 dollar = 1,65 reais approximately) each + shipping. I don't know if the guy actually ships them worldwide, or accepts foreing currency. You can check the auction here (http://produto.mercadolivre.com.br/MLB-76305107-controle-nes-max-original-lacrado-na-caixa-_JM).

Well, that's it. Since, like Blitzwing said, you can find an Advantage for $5, I think it's expensive for your standards. There's this guy charging R$90 for a boxed one (http://produto.mercadolivre.com.br/MLB-76419991-_JM) here. This kinda stuff is hard to find in Brazil, because the official NES lifetime here was kinda short.

Oh, sorry buddy- I didn't even consider the fact that you might be in a different country.

Given what you've told me, it doesn't sound like a great deal. I guess if you absolutely have to have a new controller, then it's not a waste of money. I do think a used normal controller would work better you, but you'll never know until you try a MAX.

[thom_m]

Oh, sorry buddy- I didn't even consider the fact that you might be in a different country.

Given what you've told me, it doesn't sound like a great deal. I guess if you absolutely have to have a new controller, then it's not a waste of money. I do think a used normal controller would work better you, but you'll never know until you try a MAX.


Guess I'd prefer the normal pad too, but I can't find any new ones. And I've learned to love new controllers. They saved my SNES.

Here's the story: I bought my set from my wife's kid cousin, and the controllers were really beaten up. I changed the rubber pads inside; they got a lot better, but not 100%, and I thought I'd have to put up with half-assed pads for the rest of my life. Then, one day, I found this guy selling new, sealed SNES controllers and...oh, my God. Since then, I tend to prefer new ones, even if they're weird like the MAX.

[Icarus Moonsight]

I never play Contra without one... BEEE the thumb disk. It is a bit awkward at first, I'll grant that.

[DigitalSpace]

I'd recommend owning at least one NES MAX controller for the hell of it. But as others have said, the best NES controller out there is the dogbone.

[The Manimal]

I do not the sliding D-pad on the NES MAX. It tends to stick in a direction - and yes, I bought mine new back in the day. Honestly, the 'dogbones' are comfortable but for some reason, I can't play games like TMNT 2 or Double Dragon 2 with those things. The standard NES controller is the best IMO, coupled with the FOUR SCORE if you need 'turbo'.

I actually have 2 sealed boxes of standard NES controllers (2 in each box) in storage as replacements. Don't have to bother with used ones..especially for my most used (overall) system.

[Greg2600]

Never understood the NES Max, nor could I ever play with it well. NES Max and Intellivision controllers.....swirling discs are bad.

[Xian042]

I got a lot of use out of the Max,

Funny thing though, I never used the red circle in the middle of the D-pad. Instead, I would press down on the outer black rim. It would work both ways. A friend preferred the circle though. Using the black rim better suits people with big hands. I preferred the shape and feel of the Max over the regular NES controller.

[emceelokey]

I like the design of that controller but I hate that sliding d pad. It's just not natural .