Aftermarket NES controllers: any of them worthwhile?

[treismac]

I'm curious if anyone has had any good experiences with any aftermarket NES controllers. Any recommendations and/or warnings?

[Collector_Gaming]

I am actually curious about this myself.
Infact I'll expand the question and put out there for any game console pre 128 bit era (so N64 and so far down through). Any 3rd party controllers that are actually worth anything?

[Schiggidyd]

I've had nothing but bad experiences with 3rd party.

[Leo_A]

There are tons of quality 3rd party controllers available for earlier game consoles. In fact for several, they're even viewed as the optimum choice for the system in question by many gamer's. Tac-2 joysticks for the Atari 2600 for an example. A more recent example would be the Hori pad for the N64. Companies like Hori, Wico, and ASCII routinely provided quality controllers for many game consoles.

And if aftermarket just is in reference to controllers that didn't come with a system, there are tons of official controllers and officially licensed controllers that are worthwhile. The NES Advantage is a famous example for the system in question.

[Duke.Togo]

The Joycard Sansui SSS is a great pad (my favorite.) The Zipper is pretty decent also.

[kedawa]

I've heard some good things about the Generation Nex wireless controllers.

I prefer to use a dogbone or SNES pad personally.

[eggwolio]

I've heard some good things about the Generation Nex wireless controllers.

I prefer to use a dogbone or SNES pad personally.

They'd be better if you could find receivers for them ANYWHERE. The SNES ones are nice, though. The D-Pads are weird, but don't take long to get used to.

[Jack7]

I have an acclaim nes conroller thats wirless that works pretty well
an n64 retrobit fitted with a ps1 type analog stick that totally balnces out the extra sensitivity that 3rd party n64 controllers have
And I know this is probably going a little too close to modern but i love my Gamester fps masters for OXBOX (XBOX 1?, I hate that if i say xbox nowadays everyone assumes 360) and ps2.
I also have one of the sega genesis controllers thats shaped like a SNes one that has reprogrammable combo settings thats pretty good too

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Well I'm glad you asked! On my youtube channel I run a web series called The Controller Chronicles (subtle nod to a 80's show of a similar name) in which i review obscure and interesting controllers.

For NES I've covered two a few I recommend.

Hudson Joycard Sansui SSS Review
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2PiK3QtxBI

Messiah Generation NEX Wired Controller Review
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gssmeCizWPI

Both of these are absolutely fantastic.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Well I'm glad you asked! On my youtube channel I run a web series called The Controller Chronicles (subtle nod to a 80's show of a similar name) in which i review obscure and interesting controllers.

For NES I've covered two a few I recommend.

Hudson Joycard Sansui SSS Review
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2PiK3QtxBI

Messiah Generation NEX Wired Controller Review
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gssmeCizWPI

Both of these are absolutely fantastic.

GOD I LOVE the WIRED Generation NEX controllers. They look, feel and work fantastic and they're some chunky solid state builds.

Those slide-pads on the wireless ones are horrible. I can't get over the fact that they didn't use the wired designs on the wireless pads.

[VACRMH]

Infact I'll expand the question and put out there for any game console pre 128 bit era (so N64 and so far down through). Any 3rd party controllers that are actually worth anything?

I'm quite fond of Hori's N64 controller. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mnqHoYcfhMU/S9Nhu6d9hgI/AAAAAAAABOE/plOoTqWnd_Y/s1600/HoriPadMini003.jpg

[Collector_Gaming]

I'm quite fond of Hori's N64 controller. http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mnqHoYcfhMU/S9Nhu6d9hgI/AAAAAAAABOE/plOoTqWnd_Y/s1600/HoriPadMini003.jpg

i got a buddy whos collecting N64 controllers right now (aims to get every color released) and he went on to tell me about these controllers. I actually wanna try one sometime to get a feel for it. So if anyone in the vermont area that has one wanna do a gaming day I'd be down maybe get my buddy to join in too

[kedawa]

GOD I LOVE the WIRED Generation NEX controllers. They look, feel and work fantastic and they're some chunky solid state builds.

Those slide-pads on the wireless ones are horrible. I can't get over the fact that they didn't use the wired designs on the wireless pads.

I always thought it was the other way around. The wireless ones have crosspads and the wired ones use those awful circle pads???

[eggwolio]

Speaking of Hori, their SNES style controller for the Gamecube is freaking awesome.

[kedawa]

I have one of those, too.
It's a really solid controller, although it feels cheap because it's so light.
I bought it years before I got my GB Player, so I've mostly used it for Resident Evil and Soul Calibur II.

[Kirbz]

Go With Zipper It's The Best For The Price
KIRBZ

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I always thought it was the other way around. The wireless ones have crosspads and the wired ones use those awful circle pads???

No, the wireless ones use the awful circle pads.

http://ak.buy.com/PI/0/500/205696737.jpg

And, the thing about it is, as harsh as I am when I talk about them, they're really not that terrible in terms of form and function, they're just NOT kind of thing you want to play NES games with. It's like using the analog on a Dual Shock to move - it'll WORK, but it will always feel strange.

[Kirbz]

Hori Makes Really Good Aftermarket Controller's Also
So Check Em' Out
KIRBZ

[sloan]

This Quickshot controller for NES is excellent. Curvy and no hand fatigue like with the stock NES game pad.

5547

[Kirbz]

I Dont Like Quickshot's But This Isn't About Me
But It's All Preference Like Everything,
KIRBZ

[eggwolio]

No, the wireless ones use the awful circle pads.

http://ak.buy.com/PI/0/500/205696737.jpg

And, the thing about it is, as harsh as I am when I talk about them, they're really not that terrible in terms of form and function, they're just NOT kind of thing you want to play NES games with. It's like using the analog on a Dual Shock to move - it'll WORK, but it will always feel strange.

This summary is spot on. I just wish someone would stumble onto some receivers in a warehouse so I could use them on something other than the travesty that is the Generation NEX.

[BlastProcessing402]

I had (still have somewhere, probably) a Happ Competition Pro controller. It was a LOT better than any of the third party pads any of my friends had, but at the end of the day I still wound up going back to the stock pads and/or Advantage.

It's sort of similar to having a stock Genesis pad that attaches to an NES, though it did have stuff like turbo and slomo.

[A.C. Sativa]

Not really an aftermarket controller, but the NES Max is pretty sweet.

[Stringfellow]

If I am using a game pad I typically stick to stock stuff but for a joystick I have been using the battlestation II since it alleviates a lot of clutter that I had before. Still the nes advantage is a nice joystick. I just find that some games are better with a pad and some are better with a stick.

[Crystalian]

Back in the SNES/Genesis days Mad Catz was no joke. I loved their controllers then. Acclaim made a bunch of great NES controllers; I even picked up some Radio Shack NES controllers that seemed like they were just re-branded Acclaims. The Double Header, the QuickShot both great. If you're into the way they feel, Turbo Touch 360's are very responsive. Fighter Sticks for SNES/Genesis. AsciiPads for SNES rule them ALL!!! The glove for N64 was a fun little peripheral, but a pain to get used to; still a very unique way to play Pilotwings 64, Wave Race, etc.

So to answer your question, YES! Every generation has had some company that stood up and carried the torch for aftermarket controller support.

And that Hori GC controller is garbage. I can't play ANY game on the Gamecube without dying when using that piece of unresponsive trash.

[kedawa]

Unresponsive?
The one I have is anything but.

[BetaWolf47]

Some of Interact/Performance controllers were good back in the day. The Sharkpad Pro 64 for N64 is rather good, with extra thickness for people with large hands and an analog stick that doesn't wear down. Their Superpad 64 is also quite good, if you don't mind the two-pronged design.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

As long as we are no longer talking only NES controllers, here's my thoughts on a whole bunch with video reviews.

Authentic USB Sega Saturn controller (PC, PS3)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAbmrpF_bEo

Logitech Wireless Precision (PS2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKkGWYg7G9A

Logitech Cordless Precision (Original Xbox)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNMjsaVYZdo

Super NES vs Super Famicom controllers (SNES/SFC)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIorZopj4SY

Super Hori Commander (SNES/SFC)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWcNpGP-J54

Hori Real Arcade Pro 2 SA Edition Arcade Stick (PS2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roIa9SC6LKk

Wico Command Control Bat Style Joystick (Atari line, C64, SMS, Genesis, etc)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mn-8Nst4iQ

Wico Command Control Balltop Style Controller (Atari line, C64, SMS, Genesis, etc)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1s8TjvOpp8

Hip Gear Screen Pad for Xbox (Original Xbox)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03ND_FGGNp0

Hori Pocket Controller (PS1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnI27j2MLoU

[nouserever]

i once bought 2 knock off nes controllers, they were complete garbage. looked just like the original, but the d-pad was messed up and the buttons didnt work half the time

[treismac]

i once bought 2 knock off nes controllers, they were complete garbage. looked just like the original, but the d-pad was messed up and the buttons didnt work half the time

What brand was it so I can be sure to avoid it in the future?

[macdude22]

GOD I LOVE the WIRED Generation NEX controllers. They look, feel and work fantastic and they're some chunky solid state builds.

Those slide-pads on the wireless ones are horrible. I can't get over the fact that they didn't use the wired designs on the wireless pads.

Agreed, I love the wired controller that came with my nex. I used the wireless ones for about 10 seconds before leaving them on the shelf as a historical curiosity. I'd always hopes messiah would sell them standalone but instead they went out of business.

[Bazoo]

Hey, sorry if this derails the thread a bit. But are there any original Xbox controllers with less buttons, or different design, than the actual controllers? I am aware of the street fighter one, but I've heard mixed reviews on that. The reason I ask is because I like to play a game modded onto it here and there. SNES and Genesis are mostly fine with the actual controller, but NES, SMS, NGP, and other handhelds seem incredibly wonky. I was hoping there'd be a better option, especially for NES games.

On the other hand, does anyone own a Street figher anniversary controller and play NES games with it?

[Tanooki]

I've never trusted the things, but that said I jumped on a USB NES controller I saw at fry's a few weeks back as it was $10. I was shocked to find it really just is a chinese total copycat knockoff entirely just removing the Nintendo logo and with the necessary minimal extras to allow it work as a usb controller. I fired it up using nestopia and I never played a NES game better on an emulator before using it.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

Or you can buy USB adapters that let you use real any real NES controller in USB from the NES-004 brick to the goddamn Powerglove.

That's what I personally use. Use an NES controller on the PS3!

[treismac]

Or you can buy USB adapters that let you use real any real NES controller in USB from the NES-004 brick to the goddamn Powerglove.

That's what I personally use. Use an NES controller on the PS3!

This. Why not have your entire controller collection at your disposal? And, really, what's the point of emulating the NES if you can't play a two player game of Contra by yourself with the Power Glove and the Roll N Rocker?