Redesigned Replacement Joystick for Nintendo 64 Controller Repair N64 Thumbstick Pad

The Nintendo 64 controller is without a doubt the first real case of "why did they do that" that most gamers ever encountered, and to this day is probably also the first love-hate relationship any gamer had with their console. The Nintendo 64 revolutionized video games and essentially created the demand we have today for graphics in our video games, and while it offered outstanding gameplay in over 200 different games, the controller offered pain and agony the likes of which no one should ever have to endure just to play Mario.No, not because the controller implored its wielder to have three hands. Not because the configuration of buttons was a little questionable. The true devil in the Nintendo 64 controller was the hard plastic knub that the designers expected gamers to deal with when playing anything, from intense first person shooters like Goldeneye, to relaxed simulation games like Harvest Moon. But wait, there's more! Not only was it made from a solid, jutting piece of callus inducing plastic, it was also 100% mechanical! In an astounding act of irony, the first commercially viable home analogue stick was indeed still completely physical.If you're the adventurous type like me, you might open up your controllers and see how they work. With modern analogue sticks, you have a small box connected to two accelerometers hardwired to the PCB. These are very durable, and almost indestructible, all things considered. The Nintendo 64, however, has a large box housing the joystick, a tension spring, two mechanisms that the joystick moves, and a sort of gearbox that moves two wheels inside two separate light detector housings. The problem with this configuration is one that we all face in our lifetime, especially engineers: there is no lubrication. What gamers were expected to deal with was a machine designed to fail - constant scraping and rubbing from hardcore gameplay eventually wears down every part of this assembly: the joystick itself, the black plastic mechanisms, sometimes even the gears that turn the light sensor wheels.If you open a well used N64 controller joystick assembly, especially one with a "floppy" joystick, you'll feel like you've stepped onto the set of "Will it Blend?", except replace the Blendtech blender with your childhood hands, and replace that guy with the goofy smile with your look of absolute disgust and disappointment. Same rules apply: Don't breathe that. Across the internet there are thousands of workarounds and loose suggestions, but they are all simply the nursing homes and hospice houses of your controller. You just wanted to see Bomberman 64 that one last time...[REVIEW ACTUALLY STARTS HERE, EXCUSE MY SATIRE]Let's face it. You don't want to put down 15 to 20 dollars for a new, offbrand controller. If you're an adult now who grew up playing the N64, you probably can't even trust that offbrand garbage, the days of your mom bringing home Pelican and Mad Catz controllers have scarred you for all eternity. And really, the only thing stopping you from actually finishing half your library of N64 games is that blasted joystick. Why should you have to scrap an otherwise completely functional controller? Enter the replacement joysticks from Hyperkin Inc's Repair Box brand.Due to a shipping error and customer service superstars, I'm actually able to review both this product, and its more original brother. First, let's discuss what's on this page: If you order this, what you should be getting is a GameCube Style N64 joystick. You know how the GameCube controller feels, don't lie to me. This feels the same way. The joystick part itself is still plastic with no rubber to guard your precious thumb, but fortunately since the sensitivity is high and the resistance is low, you won't actually need it. It feels incredibly good and controls all of my games like a champ. There are complaints that it's too sensitive for first person games that people have gotten too used to playing with beat up, crusty old joysticks, but to that I respond get used to it. Once you re-acclimate yourself to the way the game was meant to be played, you'll be getting silent headshot kills in Goldeneye and shooting those Skulltulas off of walls every time.Read my review for the more authentic replacement here: N64 Replacement Joystick - Nintendo 64 Overall: If you don't mind making your controller obviously modified, go with this product. It's cheaper than buying a brand new controller, and makes you feel like a champ for repairing the same controller that brought you through hundreds of levels.

The replacement joystick works AMAZING! I read some reviews from people stating that the joystick does not have a sensitivity setting, so in games where a character should run or walk they could only run no matter how little pressure they applied to the joystick. I can confirm this is NOT true. The joystick functions just as the original if not better. This one sits a little bit shorted than the original which is better for quicker reactive movements. I recommend this product to friends and family. I will be purchasing more for when I buy more controllers and for backups.The installation was very simple, taking only about 10 minutes. There is a couple things to keep in mind when removing the old one and installing the new one. First thing to note is the "Z" button control board and rubber actuator pad slides into two clips on the back side of the joystick housing. I very carefully pried one of the clip arms to the side and the board easily slid out. The rubber actuator pad just sits on top of the board with two notches holding it from sliding around. The clips actually hold the pad on so once the board was released from the clips the pad fell off the board. No big deal as there are no actual connectors between the board and the rubber pad.When installing the new one I slipped the board under one clip arm and gently pried the second clip until the board slid into place. I then replaced the rubber pad by wiggling it under the clips (it can only be oriented in one direction based on the placement of the notches on the bottom). This was the most difficult part of the process, but it should be noted that the connector from the joystick to the control board has a specific pin out. There is a white wire that will help you determine which way the connector gets plugged into the control board. Other than that, just be careful when disassembling the controller as the plastic is almost 20 years old now and is quite brittle.

They work great and are easy to install. Love playing old games that I couldn't because of old sticks. This is the perfect solution if your old N64 controllers are worn out.And I did not have to trim anything like some videos on you tube say you have to do.

A nice replacement joystick. I installed two of those into N64 controllers and they've been working great ever since. I'd say it's not the same as a brand new N64 controller but it's still much better than a battered old N64 controller. If your stick is loose and doesn't feel responsive go ahead and replace it with this you won't regret it.

Great replacement, haven't played much other games yet but it's very responsive I.e. sensitive some games u can bring down the sensitivity which helps. Very happy with my purchase. It did move on its own but if you push and hold right left bumpers together then push start it usually fixes it. It was worth the extra money for quality.

Works better than I expected.Some reviews say the the x and y axis is a little choppy, but I have no problems.I've used it for StarFox 64 and it performs perfectly.

Better than having a brand new stock controller! A little on the sensitive side, but way better than a bagged out old controller stick. Product came quickly and for a reasonable price