What's the best 3rd party N64 controller?

[Draven]

Is there such a thing? I know the N64 is notorious for its uncomfortable controller design, but someone had to have made improvements over the original. The only other one I've seen has two stubs on the sides instead of the full grips...not exactly functional I'm assuming. I'd like to find one that's a little larger, with the grips not so tightly grouped together. I've tried searching but when you google "best aftermarket n64 controller" all it recognizes is "best price". Am I just out of luck on this, or have any of you found a decent controller for this system (and since its available...is that stubby one any better?). Anyone have any pics or links? Thanks in advance.

[theChad]

Heard nothing but good things about Hori pads.

Example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/HORI-PAD-MINI-N64-YELLOW-JP--IMPORT-JAPAN-CONTROLLER_W0QQitemZ230333509208QQcmdZViewItemQQim sxZ20090327?IMSfp=TL090327123008r10968

[Diosoth]

Heard nothing but good things about Hori pads.

Example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/HORI-PAD-MINI-N64-YELLOW-JP--IMPORT-JAPAN-CONTROLLER_W0QQitemZ230333509208QQcmdZViewItemQQim sxZ20090327?IMSfp=TL090327123008r10968

I can think of one bad thing. The price!

Nice design, but really, that's at least 3X what it should cost, all because Hori makes their stuff in such low quantities.

[Draven]

That's awesome! You guys rock. :rocker: I knew DP would come through as always. I guess the z button is still underneath? It's very similar to the Saturn controller, which I always liked. I wonder if that thing works on the good ole American N64. Too bad its WAY out of my price range. But maybe some day. Any other suggestions?

[Sonicwolf]

Heard nothing but good things about Hori pads.

Example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/HORI-PAD-MINI-N64-YELLOW-JP--IMPORT-JAPAN-CONTROLLER_W0QQitemZ230333509208QQcmdZViewItemQQim sxZ20090327?IMSfp=TL090327123008r10968

Good god. If I had known that controller existed I would have bought it a long time ago. The price is pretty bad but still. Thats the way the Nintendo 64 Controller should have been in the first place.

[Game Freak]

Im quite fond of the Superpad 64. Very smooth and easy to hold

[A Black Falcon]

Heard nothing but good things about Hori pads.

Example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/HORI-PAD-MINI-N64-YELLOW-JP--IMPORT-JAPAN-CONTROLLER_W0QQitemZ230333509208QQcmdZViewItemQQim sxZ20090327?IMSfp=TL090327123008r10968

That thing looks truly hideous... kind of like what you'd get if you crossed an N64 controller with a Gamecube one, I think. I consider the standard N64 controller to be the best controller ever, while the GC one is just good, so that's not a conversion I like all that much. That thing doesn't look good in comparison, with an analog stick that looks like the GC one (despite the quicker-than-with-other-systems stick failure rate, the N64 analog stick is my favorite anywhere), a two-prong design (really, I think that separating out the dpad and analog stick was a brilliant idea, I wish other pads had used it as well...), more standard shoulder button styles (or at best GC-like?) as opposed to the N64's Z-button, one of the best game controller buttons ever...

At least it keeps the 6-button layout, so it's not all bad. But it's also got a tiny, GBC/GBA/GC-sized d-pad, quite unlike the awesome, huge (SNES-sized) d-pad the actual N64 controller has. So yeah, for me, no contest, no contest at all. :)

... However, I will admit that the analog sticks' failing is annoying. I got the analog sticks of all four of my controllers replaced about five years ago, and several of them are already nearing the point where new sticks would be pretty nice... oh well. It's my favorite controller even so. Of course, everyone has their own opinions about what controllers they like and dislike... that Hori pad fills a need, I guess. I just wouldn't want one.

[makaar]

I second the love for the N64 pad. Truly one of my favorite pads alongside the PSX controller (mainly because its been around for so long). I also hate the sticks always failing so that's why I try and buy extras. So far I have 10ish backup...same as Atari 2600...

[Gentlegamer]

Where do you get replacement analog sticks?

[Draven]

I have the same problem with the analog stick on my controllers, always getting stuck or not respondng. I always wondered if there was another controller that had a shorter stick. For some reason it feels like the standard one is too long, not allowing very precise control. Am I the only person who ever thought that? Off to check out the SuperPad 64.

[Draven]

Okay. The superpad 64 is the one I was talking about. I remember at my friend's house it was the one controller everyone avoided. Whoever was the worst player always had to take it. It seemed so unnecessarily bigger than the Nintendo brand (or maybe it was just my imagination). That's the only aftermarket one I've seen in person. Was that all the choices N64 players had (I was a Playstation/Saturn guy back then)?

[PSony]

Superpad 64/Makopad 64:

http://www.gifford.co.uk/~coredump/jpn64.jpg
http://media.photobucket.com/image/makopad/alxbly/archive/N64%20controllers/MakoPad64.jpg

It has a metal stick so it will never get loose.

[Draven]

Superpad 64/Makopad 64:

http://www.gifford.co.uk/~coredump/jpn64.jpg
http://media.photobucket.com/image/makopad/alxbly/archive/N64%20controllers/MakoPad64.jpg

It has a metal stick so it will never get loose.


That I can appreciate! Please tell me it's not $50 like the other one! >>Gone to ebay to find me one!

[Ed Oscuro]

I thought this was the Superpad: link (http://i.ebayimg.com/14/!BPiLjd!!2k~$(KGrHgoH-EYEjlLl0H2jBJ0DTRDBdg~~_1.JPG). It's by Performance, that much I remember; I wrapped one up and moved it to make room for my SMS today. It's a terrible controller, and you can see why.

The MakoPad is cool for having a metal stick, but the ergonomics of it make me shudder.

[Sonicwolf]

The superpad is a piece of junk. Made like crap. Every single one I come by is busted in some way. Joystick is wrecked etc.

[Diosoth]

The superpad is a piece of junk. Made like crap. Every single one I come by is busted in some way. Joystick is wrecked etc.

Unfortunately, Gamestop(and others) takes in any controller regardless of condition. I've seen controllers at used outlets which had sticks that flopped like made if you picked it up. Stuff that should never have been taken for trade.

Sometimes, sticks wear out. Other times, people just abuse their stuff.

[PSony]

There are at least 3 different controllers that are called "Superpad 64". The 2-pronged one with the metal stick is the good one.

[alxbly]

I thought this was the Superpad: link (http://i.ebayimg.com/14/!BPiLjd!!2k~$(KGrHgoH-EYEjlLl0H2jBJ0DTRDBdg~~_1.JPG). It's by Performance, that much I remember; I wrapped one up and moved it to make room for my SMS today. It's a terrible controller, and you can see why.

The MakoPad is cool for having a metal stick, but the ergonomics of it make me shudder.

There's several different styles of Superpad for the N64 (at least three that I know of) and they vary in quality. The Superpad 64/Makopad (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y70/alxbly/N64%20pads/InterActSuperPad64Plus.jpg) is actually a really good and sturdy N64 controller with an excellent ananlogue stick, the only downside is getting used to the slightly different button layout. The Performance Superpad (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y70/alxbly/N64%20pads/InterActSuperPad64Plus.jpg) is no where near as good; it's uncomfortable and the stick has issues.

The Hori Pad Mini (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y70/alxbly/N64%20pads/HoriPadMinisSmall.jpg) has already been mentioned. It's decent but it's probably not worth the price; the buttons are too close together and the stick is a bit too sensitive. Plus the z-trigger (or in the Hori's case, Z-triggers....) has been turned into another shoulder button so the controller totally loses the great "gun" feeling that the official N64 controller has. One last thing on the Hori Pad Mini that's worth mentioning is that the d-pad is quite lose (like the DS Lite d-pad) and it's the same size as the Gamecube d-pad... tiny.

I've done reviews of those and other N64 controllers. You can read them here:

http://s9.zetaboards.com/Nintendo_64_Forever/topic/7062722/1/

But despite trying all those other controllers (and more) I still ended up sticking with the official controller. A little ceramic grease extends the life of the control stick considerably, but you really need to apply it before you start using the controller. If it's the shape of the controller that bothers you, I'd really recommend the Superpad/Makopad instead.

[Rickstilwell1]

Yobo had some ok aftermarket controllers, but I wish they would replace the crappy old style analog stick with the kind that you would find on a GameCube, Xbox, Playstation, or Dreamcast. Those are much more stable and durable than the skinny N64 sticks.

[Diosoth]

Yobo had some ok aftermarket controllers, but I wish they would replace the crappy old style analog stick with the kind that you would find on a GameCube, Xbox, Playstation, or Dreamcast. Those are much more stable and durable than the skinny N64 sticks.

You can actually find the Yobo controllers new, I believe, atthe used game outlets that stock their stuff in good quantities. But it looks rather difficult to hold and I'm not "convinced" yet that Yobo makes great products.

[alxbly]

Yobo had some ok aftermarket controllers, but I wish they would replace the crappy old style analog stick with the kind that you would find on a GameCube, Xbox, Playstation, or Dreamcast. Those are much more stable and durable than the skinny N64 sticks.

Those controllers really aren't very good which is maybe why there's no shortage of them on eBay. I reviewed the 2-Tech (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y70/alxbly/archive/N64%20controllers/2-TechN64Controller.jpg) controller but I also own a Yobo (both of which are exactly the same except for the name and the color of the plastic).

They're quite comfortable to hold but their control sticks have problems in some FPS's (specifically Goldeneye and Perfect Dark) and they require more pressure to be pushed up/down than they do for left/right. They go under different names as well: Yobo, Sumo, Myiicco, 2-Tech, Playtech... it's also the third Superpad 64 (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y70/alxbly/archive/N64%20controllers/SuperPad64Variant.jpg) variation that I know of. But they all appear to be the same controller with the same problems. I wouldn't recommend them.

[Coldguy]

None of the above, the first party controllers are the best IMO

[CosmicMonkey]

The Hori mini pad is an awesome design and what the N64 pad should have looked like to begin with.

However, if you want something a little more obscure, I hear that the iQue pads are pin compatible with an N64. Not the silver coloured main unit, but the darker coloured extra pads for multiplayer. I can't be doing with a Google mission atm, but with a little modding you could have a very cool and unique N64 pad.

[Koa Zo]

I guess the z button is still underneath?

NO, the Z button is next to both the Left and Right shoulder buttons.
so there are two Z buttons, but it is a major detriment to the controller because with many games you need to be using the shoulder buttons and the Z button at the same time, and that is difficult to do on the Hori Pad Mini.

[Malon_Forever]

Both the Hori, and the Superpad are great. Definetly reccommend either/or.

[bunnyslayer]

well, a possibility is to run an emulator on your pc then use a 360 controller for windows...wouldnt have the classic feeling though...o well just a thought:rockets:

[Ed Oscuro]

Hey guys, if you want to play N64 games why not just play 360 games instead? You can use the 360 controller and they're more or less the same otherwise. :yipes:

Thank you for registering just to add an irrelevant comment to an old thread.

[ImBob]

Hey guys, if you want to play N64 games why not just play 360 games instead? You can use the 360 controller and they're more or less the same otherwise. :yipes:

Thank you for registering just to add an irrelevant comment to an old thread.


Thank you for replying to a newly registered member to an irrelevant answer to an irrelevant comment to an old thread

[Ed Oscuro]

Thread's already bumped so I don't see what the problem with a friendly welcome is. You've had 12 posts to practice, you should know better. ;)

[ImBob]

Thread's already bumped so I don't see what the problem with a friendly welcome is. You've had 12 posts to practice, you should know better. ;)

I guess I don't know any better, you have like 15,000 posts, holy crap. I need to get a life and get on the boards. You got me there!

[ImBob]

WOW, let me say that again, 15,000 posts!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sonicwolf]

WOW, let me say that again, 15,000 posts!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No need to multi-post insult people now...

If you are feeling pissy, fill out the butthurt report and the forums will get back to you in 20 or so years.
Here is a link: http://therustynail.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/butthurt-form.jpg