View Full Version : SNES Controller Question
Cambot
03-17-2006, 06:24 PM
This is a really obscure question, but here goes:
I noticed that some SNES controllers' L & R buttons have the "L" and "R" stamped with gray paint on the buttons, and others are simply molded with the plastic texture being inset in the shape of the letter.
My question is which came first and when was the change made?
zektor
03-17-2006, 07:03 PM
I just serviced two SNES controllers. One had the PCB dated at 1991, and that one included stamped L&R buttons. The other had a PCB date of 1992, and this one had the engraved L&R buttons. Just from this observation I am guessing the engraving came later.
Cambot
03-17-2006, 07:19 PM
I just serviced two SNES controllers. One had the PCB dated at 1991, and that one included stamped L&R buttons. The other had a PCB date of 1992, and this one had the engraved L&R buttons. Just from this observation I am guessing the engraving came later.
Ahh, "engraved." That's the word I was looking for.
That sounds right. Thanks, Zector
§ Gideon §
03-17-2006, 11:49 PM
Also, some SNES L & R buttons pivot about a slender, metal rod stuck through them--while others simply have two plastic rods as part of the mold. Maybe the change coincides (or maybe the plastic ones are unofficial...).
InsaneDavid
03-18-2006, 12:18 AM
I believe (but am not 100% sure) that the ones with the plastic tabs are the original models? I remember something about the earliest SNES controllers having problems with the L and R buttons. Maybe this was due to the tabs breaking off?
tornadostormxl
03-18-2006, 01:31 PM
are the stamped one official ones?
Cambot
03-18-2006, 01:50 PM
are the stamped one official ones?
Yeah, they're both official, but one set has the L's and R's stamped instead of engraved.
Flack
03-18-2006, 06:28 PM
I just went upstairs and checked and it turns out I have a couple of each kind but never noticed. Huh!
Predatorxs
03-18-2006, 07:13 PM
I'm pretty sure most snes controllers have the little metal rods through the L and R buttons, there are (controllers) with the plastic arms, but i think there in earlier controllers? very early 90's, I've had many snes controllers open and mostly found them to have metal rods, wether it's been Jap/Pal or Usa they've been metal rods, with just every one or two having the plastic arms?, maybe nintendo choose the more durable metal rods, after serice centre/customer feedback? who knows? (sh!t who cares! ;))
Also i know it's a question about the buttons but, am i in the majority or the minority of people.. thinking the snes controller was and still is one of the greatest console controllers ever? Tuff, durable, strong and just the right balance, plus it also introduced the shoulder buttons as well as the first controller to have 6 game play buttons?
(Edit* = damn my spelling after a few beers! Grr!)
Holla!
Ed Oscuro
03-18-2006, 10:05 PM
All my SNES controllers have pretty iffy L&R buttons, which is really noticable when you try to play a game like Operation Logic Bomb which requires you hold one down much of the time.
whoisKeel
03-18-2006, 10:17 PM
One of my old snes controllers (I no longer have it) the R button cracked. I took it apart and taped it and it worked fine. I'm pretty sure it was all plastic (no metal rod), and I'm definitely sure it was painted L/R buttons.
I had never seen the "engraved" L/R buttons until recently. My friends and I all had the painted kinds, one of which got his soon after launch. So I second that the engraving came later.