Accessory question: Hori Mini Pad N64 [Archive]

Niku-Sama

02-14-2015, 10:52 PM

I've never been a fan of N64 games but I wanted to be but for me the limiting factor was the controller. what the crap were they thinking.
a few years ago I discovered the Hori Mini 64 pad or Hori Mini Pad, depending on whos selling it.

any way they are pretty spendy (average $85, low of $65 not including shipping) but they don't seem to be all that rare for a foreign accessory which leads me to believe that it was much better than the original and sought after because of so.

my question is, is it that much better?
any one have one/use one? (satoshi?)

I like the look of it, brings things together, puts the main controls in better spots instead of all over (i.e. thumbstick where d pad was ect.) and that was my main issue.

I've been trying to score a cheap one, I almost had one pinned down from one of my favorite sellers but I wasn't paying attention and lost the bidding because I was focused on another going on for a boxed square button famicom and a pair of boxed Saturn consoles with free shipping (from japan). I may have missed the controller but I managed to get the consoles for $92

Leo_A

02-14-2015, 11:22 PM

I think it's great and worth every penny.

And don't let the d-pad location deter you. People that don't want to spend the money and are looking to justify that always call that out, but the N64 d-pad is hardly ever used and many of the few games that did are unlikely to be played on the N64 these days such as Namco Museum 64.

And not only that, but the more common use for the N64 d-pad was for secondary functions. The Hori location for the d-pad, assuming one holds the original N64 controller correctly when using the analog stick by using the center handle, is actually accessible for such use with your left thumb unlike the stock controller that requires you to shift your left hand over to the far side.

The Hori isn't perfect, but it's definitely the system's best controller.

Niku-Sama

02-15-2015, 01:02 AM

yea that's what I was thinking about the thumb stick. it is the main mode of movement, Nintendo tried that shift away from the d pad and it showed but I still think they should have put their main movement device where the dpad was.
so having it up on the right side would be best in my mind.

if it isn't perfect than what would be?
and hori is the best over all for the system, including 1st party or just best out of 3rd party?

Leo_A

02-15-2015, 07:57 AM

if it isn't perfect than what would be?

A controller with the build quality of the Hori, perhaps slightly larger for American hands, d-pad and analog stick equally accessible by the left thumb as seen with subsequent attempts like the Dual Shock, built-in rumble capabilities, and wireless using modern methods such as BlueTooth.

Sadly, such a thing doesn't exist, making the Hori the best option.

ProjectCamaro

02-15-2015, 09:07 AM

I've heard nothing but great things about the Hori controller. I keep going back and looking at them but haven't been able to justify the costs yet, I'm sure if I were to find one "in the wild" that I would pick it up.

Greg2600

02-15-2015, 12:09 PM

Hori stuff is great. I've been wanting the N64 mini-pad and Gamecube gameboy player pad forever. Just hate paying $80-100 for them.

Tanooki

02-15-2015, 04:26 PM

Everything I know of it indicates it's the best way to play N64 stuff, and I know a good many did like that superpad 64 too as it had a more uniform controller with the dpad and stick both to the far left normalizing the controller but I hear they can break, though I'm not sure if that's more down to age+abuse or whatever by this point.

The n64 controller was really hit and miss. I ended up hating it in some games only because the thumb stick, if your hands sweat would fill with wetness and then it would just slide off your thumb like ice with lots of stupid deaths and misses.

Greg2600

02-15-2015, 07:10 PM

I have big hands, so the N64 stock was good for me. I HATED the USA 3rd party controllers from InterAct and the like. The buttons/stick always seem harder, I'd be in pain after 10 minutes.

Niku-Sama

02-16-2015, 04:10 AM

I've got some pretty sizable hands and I hates the n64 controller. I considered hacking one up to make one of my own but I got to much on my plate at the moment

ProjectCamaro

02-20-2015, 09:50 PM

This thread made me think about this controller again but this time I gave in and bought one online. According to the tracking number it'll be here on Monday. I'm looking forward to finally trying it out.

Niku-Sama

02-23-2015, 01:30 AM

I just won this one on ebay

Linky (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nintendo-64-N64-HORI-PAD-MINI-Controller-Pad-Green-not-working-Japan-L-/311296738441?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=MpjXCcLghVmw1Zav1WwG%252F0VI%252F64%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc)

yea it doesent work but the price was right and I am fairly certain its repairable. about half price of a working one from what I could find
even if I cant i'll buy a known working one and swap the shells, I really wanted a green or translucent one and since this ones green its win win. then I can resell the non working one on ebay for parts. get some money back and maybe some one with more know how than me can fix it.

I am thinking though not seen by N64 when plugged in could be only a few things. worst case scenario could be the chip in the controller it self in which case I could probably swap one out of a broken official controller and call it good

Daria

02-23-2015, 04:26 AM

Mayhem

02-23-2015, 05:12 AM

I've got two of these, CIB, at home here (yellow and red), think I paid about $40 each for them. Sorely tempted to perhaps sell one as part of my collection downsize if the loose ones are going for that sort of money I see...

Niku-Sama

02-23-2015, 03:13 PM

Don't forget the broken part

Greg2600

02-23-2015, 09:40 PM

I finally got one at a reasonable price last week ~$50, waiting it's arrival from Japan. It's a red one, which will match my Everdrive64 cart!

Gentlegamer

02-23-2015, 09:49 PM

I want either a black or green Hori pad. I've seen them available, but I can never bring myself to pay $75 for one.

Mayhem

02-24-2015, 06:42 AM

Don't forget the broken part
Yeah, I was looking at the end price of the working ones listed on eBay...

Niku-Sama

02-24-2015, 04:36 PM

Ooooo.... Those are adorable! I want a teal translucent one now.

I think you mean "Kawaii"

since it is from japan and all

BlastProcessing402

02-24-2015, 07:02 PM

I think it's great and worth every penny.

And don't let the d-pad location deter you. People that don't want to spend the money and are looking to justify that always call that out, but the N64 d-pad is hardly ever used and many of the few games that did are unlikely to be played on the N64 these days such as Namco Museum 64.

And not only that, but the more common use for the N64 d-pad was for secondary functions. The Hori location, assuming one holds the original N64 controller correctly when using the analog stick by using the center handle, is actually accessible for such use with your left thumb unlike the stock controller that requires you to shift your left hand to the far side.

The Hori isn't perfect, but it's definitely the system's best controller.

Yeah, you don't buy something like this for games that use the Dpad for primary control. For those rare few games, the stock controller is bliss. Unfortunately, that's like less than 10 games, most of which are wrestling games (some of which were great for their day).

ProjectCamaro

02-24-2015, 07:10 PM

Mine came in today. Wow it is small but it feels good in the hand and the GameCube joystick is awesome. Can't wait to have a second to play it and see how it really is. I'm sure it is money well spent.

TheChristoph

02-24-2015, 08:57 PM

Holy smokes....the Hori GB Player controller is going for a hundred bucks loose? I haven't used mine in years...hmm....

Gentlegamer

02-24-2015, 09:43 PM

Holy smokes....the Hori GB Player controller is going for a hundred bucks loose? I haven't used mine in years...hmm....

Don't be that guy. Hook up someone in the community.

Guntz

02-24-2015, 10:24 PM

I've owned a Hori Mini for quite some time, it's certainly a high quality controller, very similar to the stock Nintendo controller. It's a nice controller for stuff like Super Mario 64 and Mario Party where precision or a lot of buttons aren't required. The Hori Mini (and most third party controllers) is a poor choice for games like F-Zero X where you need a lot of precision. This is just my opinion, but it's also a less than appropriate choice for Zelda 64 where it's easy to confuse the Z buttons with the L and R buttons, but then the Dual Shock confuses me sometimes too. If that's not a problem then that's another game good for the Hori Mini.

Someone said the D-pad is hardly ever used. Yes not many games used it for the main method of input. That said, almost all first person shooters (of which there are lots) support the D-pad and Control stick together, similar to the dual control stick method of modern consoles. That to me gives the N64 d-pad a lot of use.

Leo_A

02-25-2015, 12:35 AM

You missed the 2nd paragraph. :)

And don't let the d-pad location deter you. People that don't want to spend the money and are looking to justify that always call that out, but the N64 d-pad is hardly ever used and many of the few games that did are unlikely to be played on the N64 these days such as Namco Museum 64.

And not only that, but the more common use for the N64 d-pad was for secondary functions. The Hori location, assuming one holds the original N64 controller correctly when using the analog stick by using the center handle, is actually accessible for such use with your left thumb unlike the stock controller that requires you to shift your left hand to the far side.

For the more common secondary usages of it, I'd argue that the Hori location is superior.

Guntz

02-25-2015, 01:13 AM

How exactly is it superior for the more common secondary usages, if secondary in this case means first person shooters. Modern consoles all use the left stick for walking and the right stick for aiming. The N64 is the perfect console for older FPS games because of its controller. Sure, it would have been better if the N64 had a PS1-style controller, but the PS1 didn't have as many FPS games, or at least good ones.

Leo_A

02-25-2015, 01:25 AM

It was already explained in what I quoted. Sorry, I don't know how to state it any clearer than I already have.

Guntz

02-25-2015, 02:18 AM

Yes yes that's fine, no need to get all huffy like that.

Leo_A

02-25-2015, 07:29 AM

lol

That wasn't me being huffy, it was honesty. I simply didn't think I could do anything more than restate the exact same thing with slightly changed wording, resulting in no better of an explanation than I already had provided.

I don't understand your confusion, but perhaps pictures will better illustrate why the d-pad location on the Hori can actually be to one's advantage when it's utilized for secondary functions in a title that relies on the analog stick for directional control.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/01/N64-Controller-in-Hand.jpg

Obviously, the d-pad isn't accessible when holding the controller properly while using the analog stick, necessitating removing your left hand away from the center over to the left handle whenever you need to access the d-pad for something.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i230/gato_de_piso/n64/controllers/hori.jpg

As clearly shown here, not only is the d-pad accessible to your left thumb on the Hori controller, but it's also equally within easy reach of your right thumb as well without shifting how you're holding the controller.

I just don't see the confusion here? Surely you can see how the Hori location could actually be better in situations where it's used for secondary purposes like changing settings and such (The most common use of the d-pad on the N64 controller by far), doubling as extra buttons rather than your primary directional input.

Niku-Sama

02-25-2015, 02:53 PM

mine shipped last night.
damn leo did yours come from a US seller?

mine got held up with paypal processing, my cards expired on it and I didn't trust it debiting my card so its only got EFT on there now.
takes a while

Greg2600

02-25-2015, 10:06 PM

It's basically a Dreamcast controller, no?

ProjectCamaro

02-25-2015, 10:36 PM

It's basically a Dreamcast controller, no?

No, both are great controllers but I wouldn't say it's basically the same.

Greg2600

03-02-2015, 02:18 AM

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a612/grizz814/Video%20Games/Other/DSC00850_zpsxkozl3wc.jpg

Mine arrived the other day, matches my Everdrive! Really surprised how small these are.

Niku-Sama

03-02-2015, 03:03 AM

mine says its at LA international airport so it should arrive soon.

I unearthed my jungle green N64 and now I have to locate a green carted game and the theme will be complete
assuming its an easy fix

ProjectCamaro

03-02-2015, 09:10 AM

Really surprised how small these are.

Same here, I was shocked when I saw how small it was. I am very happy I finally picked up one as it's an awesome controller but I wish they would have made a version for the American market since we have bigger hands.

Leo_A

03-02-2015, 09:27 AM

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a612/grizz814/Video%20Games/Other/DSC00850_zpsxkozl3wc.jpg

Mine arrived the other day, matches my Everdrive! Really surprised how small these are.

Now, you just need one of these.

http://www.videogamedudes.com/cyberswapmeet/n64_atomic_red/photos/unit-frontpanel.jpg

:)

Daria

03-02-2015, 01:20 PM

Now, you just need one of these.

http://www.videogamedudes.com/cyberswapmeet/n64_atomic_red/photos/unit-frontpanel.jpg

:)

Whoa. Too much red.

Niku-Sama

03-04-2015, 02:31 PM

mine just got here, and sure enough not seen by the system.
physically the controller is in excellent shape.

time to pop it open

edit:

sadly it is very dead

I tried a new cable, reflowing solder points, replacing the cap and nothing works. I've been working on it since I originally posted this and its not 2:35pm
I have a feeling its something electrical, nothing is getting juice and I don't see any fuses.

I did notice that the PCB it self is separating on 2 corners, almost like it was part of a bad batch and theres a big possibility that its separated where I cant see it disconnecting it from the other side.

so i'll keep an eye out for another cheap one and hopefully its got a bad housing that I can swap

Leo_A

03-05-2015, 04:30 AM

If you do swap housings, I'd hang on to the dead one if I were you even after doing so. You never know when you might need something else off it to repair your good one. As good as Hori's design and construction is, stuff like buttons can and do fail from time to time on even the best of controllers.

I doubt that had to be said to someone willing to take a chance like you did in trying to revive it, since I bet that was already your plan anyways in the event that you couldn't revive it.

Niku-Sama

03-05-2015, 01:52 PM

yea it just sucks that the PCB is the way it is, it happens.
I did buy it knowing it wasnt working but still, I was hopeful

it'll be a while before I buy another any way, I just plopped down $100 for my latest ebay purchace. paid for EMS shipping since my only other option was surface.
so in the next week or 2 i'll have a lot of 4 super famicom games and a complete family basic set