THE BEST N64 controller 3rd party or not ever!

[69SUPERBIRD]

Hello atari age pplz. Now ive been wonderin for awhile WAT IS THE BEST N64 CONTROLLER EVER. Now u might be thinking thats probably already been answered BUT IT HAS'NT. So i want ur list of N64 controllers, i want your opinions, ur good and bad things about them. where to by them, and the all time best one IN UR OPINION. I (just sayin) think that the Yobo gameware controller is the best think u can oppose meh. well...PLZ TRY.

[Hitachi]

I don't have one, but the hori mini n64 controller would be my favorite if i had one. It solves the biggest problem the 64 had. I just don't have the 60-80 dollars to drop on one.

[69SUPERBIRD]

cool i have always heard of the mini n64 but never relly looked at it

[CGQuarterly]

Yup, Hori Mini Pad. Best N64 controller that money can buy.

 

Chris

[Mario Bros.]

By far, my favorite has always been a two handle (yes, two handle) black controller from Blockbuster, but the stick is broken on mine and I can't find it anywhere. If it worked, I would be using it on any game with analog stick support and that could take a 64 controller/adapter. (some PS1 games, etc..)

[69SUPERBIRD]

ok besides the mini n64 controller thats over expensive is there any non nintendo brand ones that anyone can think of?????

[CGQuarterly]

My second favorite is the "Super Pad 64" by Performance.

 

Chris

[PsychoKittyNet]

My second favorite is the "Super Pad 64" by Performance.

 

Chris

 

Seconded, I dare say it's better than he nintendo brand controllers.

[Animan]

My second favorite is the "Super Pad 64" by Performance.

 

Chris

 

Seconded, I dare say it's better than he nintendo brand controllers.

 

I third that as my favorite one. Amazing analog stick. Not the best build quality, but it works great.

[69SUPERBIRD]

the superpad64 is it the one with shortened side prongs, or the one that look like its been in a taffy roller???

[PsychoKittyNet]

the superpad64 is it the one with shortened side prongs, or the one that look like its been in a taffy roller???

The one with the shortened side handles, it feels solid and has an excellent analog stick.

[69SUPERBIRD]

then you might actually think of getting a yobo gameware controller they're solid and i bet they're cheaper to. They look just like that and still come new in the box

[godslabrat]

When I see these, which are physically identical to the original (minus the Nintendo logo), what brand am I seeing?

 

eBay Auction -- Item Number: 140463045456

[Mario Bros.]

My second favorite is the "Super Pad 64" by Performance.

 

Chris

 

Seconded, I dare say it's better than he nintendo brand controllers.

 

I third that as my favorite one. Amazing analog stick. Not the best build quality, but it works great.

 

 

Judging by pics and video I found by googling this, it appears there are two Super Pad 64's, one with three handles (really one handle, two "grips") that I had a lot of as a kid but then all broke, and the two-handled one I described above but without the Blockbuster name. The two-handle one was also apparently sold under the name Makopad 64. I'll have to look into these.

[CGQuarterly]

I was referring to the two-handled controller.

 

Chris

[kool kitty89]

The hori is very overrated... I've seen tons of mixed reviews, but more often than not complaints.

 

The standard N64 controller is considerably superior for 99% of games. (ie the games designed as intended and using the analog stick OR d-pad, never both, especially not simultaneously which makes the mini even more useless anyway as at least with the 3 prong versions you can use your right hand on analog and left on d-pad) The main problem with the hori is the same issue with the Nintendo controllers: it's too small, but the grips are significantly smaller than the N64 and it's so narrow that anyone without small hands will feel crowded.

 

As for the best: if you REALLY want the d-pad and stick on the same gripping area for some odd reason, there's this:

the super pad 64 plus:

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:gCE6Zrt7_C78EM:http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y70/alxbly/N64%20pads/InterActSuperPad64Plus.jpg&t=1

 

Or even better is the Alpha 64, but those are rare: that one actually solves the grip issues AND even addresses the left/right stick+d-pad hand-holds a few games use (namely FPSs).

http://www.filehive.com/files/090225/G520_white2.jpg

[Mario Bros.]

 

As for the best: if you REALLY want the d-pad and stick on the same gripping area for some odd reason, there's this:

the super pad 64 plus:

http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:gCE6Zrt7_C78EM:http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y70/alxbly/N64%20pads/InterActSuperPad64Plus.jpg&t=1

 

This is the two-handle Super Pad I was talking about above... is the word "plus" used to distinguish the two-handle from the three, or does it refer to the turbo and slow motion buttons? (the latter being absent on my Blockbuster model) Either way both are apparently just listed on eBay as "Super Pad 64" with no plus.

 

The hori is very overrated... I've seen tons of mixed reviews, but more often than not complaints.

 

I haven't used one, but from what I've seen the d-pad looks completely unusable at the very bottom like that...

Edited October 8, 2010 by Mario Bros.

[CGQuarterly]

The hori is very overrated... I've seen tons of mixed reviews, but more often than not complaints.

 

The Hori is overrated because you've used it and been unimpressed, or the Hori is overrated because you read some reviews on the internet that said so? Have you ever actually played with it, or are you basing your opinions here on what others have said?

 

The standard N64 controller is considerably superior for 99% of games. (ie the games designed as intended and using the analog stick OR d-pad, never both, especially not simultaneously which makes the mini even more useless anyway as at least with the 3 prong versions you can use your right hand on analog and left on d-pad.)

 

The standard N64 is a cheap piece of junk with a joystick that doesn't last. The Hori is not perfect for every game, but works great with the vast majority of them. Build quality-wise, the Hori is what the official controller should have been. The d-Pad on the controller is tiny because almost no N64 games used it. Want to play a game that uses the d-pad? Unplug your Hori and plug a standard controller back in. The analog stick on the Hori is by far the best of any controller produced for the system

 

The main problem with the hori is the same issue with the Nintendo controllers: it's too small, but the grips are significantly smaller than the N64 and it's so narrow that anyone without small hands will feel crowded.

 

I have very large hands. I thought that the Hori pad would be too small but bought one anyway. After using it I no longer feel that way, as it is more comfortable to hold than the standard controller. Yes the standard controller is bigger in your hands when you are holding the outermost handles, but when you are holding the rightmost and middle handle (as you are required to by most games) the actual size of the controller in your hand is identical to the Hori. I can take a picture of it if anyone wants to see what I'm taking about.

 

Chris

[the.golden.ax]

I always liked the sharkpad.

 

AX

[Animan]

My second favorite is the "Super Pad 64" by Performance.

 

Chris

 

Seconded, I dare say it's better than he nintendo brand controllers.

 

I third that as my favorite one. Amazing analog stick. Not the best build quality, but it works great.

 

 

Judging by pics and video I found by googling this, it appears there are two Super Pad 64's, one with three handles (really one handle, two "grips") that I had a lot of as a kid but then all broke, and the two-handled one I described above but without the Blockbuster name. The two-handle one was also apparently sold under the name Makopad 64. I'll have to look into these.

 

I was talking about the three handle one.

[69SUPERBIRD]

The hori is very overrated... I've seen tons of mixed reviews, but more often than not complaints.

 

The Hori is overrated because you've used it and been unimpressed, or the Hori is overrated because you read some reviews on the internet that said so? Have you ever actually played with it, or are you basing your opinions here on what others have said?

 

The standard N64 controller is considerably superior for 99% of games. (ie the games designed as intended and using the analog stick OR d-pad, never both, especially not simultaneously which makes the mini even more useless anyway as at least with the 3 prong versions you can use your right hand on analog and left on d-pad.)

 

The standard N64 is a cheap piece of junk with a joystick that doesn't last. The Hori is not perfect for every game, but works great with the vast majority of them. Build quality-wise, the Hori is what the official controller should have been. The d-Pad on the controller is tiny because almost no N64 games used it. Want to play a game that uses the d-pad? Unplug your Hori and plug a standard controller back in. The analog stick on the Hori is by far the best of any controller produced for the system

 

The main problem with the hori is the same issue with the Nintendo controllers: it's too small, but the grips are significantly smaller than the N64 and it's so narrow that anyone without small hands will feel crowded.

 

I have very large hands. I thought that the Hori pad would be too small but bought one anyway. After using it I no longer feel that way, as it is more comfortable to hold than the standard controller. Yes the standard controller is bigger in your hands when you are holding the outermost handles, but when you are holding the rightmost and middle handle (as you are required to by most games) the actual size of the controller in your hand is identical to the Hori. I can take a picture of it if anyone wants to see what I'm taking about.

 

Chris

i would definately not say the original is a piece of junk they are not that bad they do have a bad analog but it was good while it lasted. so yes the minipad is small but very comfortable for smaller hands...although my hands are big.

[kool kitty89]

I haven't used one, but from what I've seen the d-pad looks completely unusable at the very bottom like that...

Yes, it's like they took the worst elements of the N64 and GC controller and crammed them together.

 

Had they directly cloned the GC controller's casing and d-pad (which isn't nearly as good as the N64, but usable -as good as the GBC/GBA and way better than the DS/GBA SP) and organized the N64 style A+B and C buttons to the other side, put Z and R in place of L and R and put L in place of Z on the GC (and lone it on both sides so 2 L buttons for flexibility), it MIGHT have been pretty good, but that's not what happened at all.

 

The GC controller alone is boarderline too small, but was engineered well enough to cater fairly well to a massive range of hand sizes and did so better than anything else on the market IMO (I prefer the bulky xbox duke's shape for my hands though, but that clearly doesn't cater well to many other people and the face buttons could be a lot better -the S-pad is quite uncomfortable for me but considerably better than the playstation controllers). The grips on the GC controller are more flexible in that respect than the N64 controller for sure. (the main problem is they're too short on the N64, so you're pinky and ring finger slip over the end and cramp up when you grip it for long periods -I also like the analog stick better on the N64 controller in some ways, but less in others -I lik the GC's rubberization, but I like the general feel and especially the taller cap with rounded edges as it doesn't make my thumb sore when mashing it against the side)

 

I've handled a hori pad before and it's way too small and annoying, especially for me, but I can't even see why anyone would prefer that to the regular N64 controller (with a good analog stick) or the real GC layout.

 

And I must say after 11+ years of regular use, our oldest (originally bought used) N64 controller is still in good working order: yes the stick is looser than I'd like and our other controllers aren't as worn in that respect, but every game is still playable with it. (but the 3rd party controllers definitely don't seem to wear like that -most seem to use potentiometer modules too vs the mechano-optical system used by Nintendo -some others also used megnetic based variable control like Sega in the 3D controller and Gravis's xterminator)

 

I actually used to like the Super Pad brand controllers a lot more when I was younger and here's the reason: they're bulky but still pretty comfortable, but the bulk has a fatal flaw as it doesn't address the grip length issue and truncates the handles to be hardly more than the Nintendo controller but with more girth: so it now makes my hands crap worse than Nintendo's controllers as the separation from my gripping fingers and the ones off the edge of the grips is far more significant. (at least with the nintendo ones my fingers curl into my palm, but with the super pads my hands are too open for my fingers to rest againt my palms)

 

 

 

The Hori is overrated because you've used it and been unimpressed, or the Hori is overrated because you read some reviews on the internet that said so? Have you ever actually played with it, or are you basing your opinions here on what others have said?

It's overrated because a bunch of people seem to jump on it as something awesome for reasons that make no logical sense.

No I haven't used one, but I've tried one out (for feel) at a used game store before and it's very uncomfortable. It's superior in no ways to the original N64 controller IMO, or in the minor ways it might be, the crap stuff easily counters that.

 

The standard N64 is a cheap piece of junk with a joystick that doesn't last. The Hori is not perfect for every game, but works great with the vast majority of them. Build quality-wise, the Hori is what the official controller should have been. The d-Pad on the controller is tiny because almost no N64 games used it. Want to play a game that uses the d-pad? Unplug your Hori and plug a standard controller back in. The analog stick on the Hori is by far the best of any controller produced for the system

There's a number of good full-sized controllers out there with very sturdy thumbsticks, namely the super pad series. (and the super pad plus if you want a 2 prong design)

 

I really don't get the hate for the classic N64 controller: we have 4 original controllers: 1 over 11 years old (probably about 13, it was bought used in the fall of 1999) and 2 more that were bought used between 2000 and 2002, plus one I picked up at good will about 4 months ago as it had a pristine analog stick. (there have been close to a dozen others that passed through in the last year all with decent analog sticks but I had enough controllers already)

All those controllers work perfectly fine. The 11-13 year old one is the most worn and has a lot of play in the horizontal (probably mainly due to SSB and star fox 64), but even then it's still usable for every game I own, but it has gotten to the point where it's less than ideal. The other 2 old ones are fully functional and no looser than the average used GC controllers you find including our ~6 year old one. (let alone some dual shocks)

 

And other than that, the build quality is excellent: great sturdy plastic and buttons, better than any 3rd party controller I've seen and with a nice textured feel. (albeit it tends to polish a bit over time, but better than the slicker Sony pads)

 

The D-pad is the best on any Nintendo product ever made: too bad so few games used it. (given the apparent analog stick issues many people tend to have, it's a shame it wasn't a standard alternate control option to sort of make things foolproof)

 

I have very large hands. I thought that the Hori pad would be too small but bought one anyway. After using it I no longer feel that way, as it is more comfortable to hold than the standard controller. Yes the standard controller is bigger in your hands when you are holding the outermost handles, but when you are holding the rightmost and middle handle (as you are required to by most games) the actual size of the controller in your hand is identical to the Hori. I can take a picture of it if anyone wants to see what I'm taking about.

What about the length of the grips: that's my only problem with the N64 controller: an inch longer to the tapered edge and it would have been fine. And don't say using those shoulder buttons is as fluid as using D... they're not even as good as the normal shoulder buttons on the N64 though MAYBE better than the funky SNES triggers.

 

OTOH the Super pads would have been perfect if they were an inch longer, the analog stick ridges were finer, and the buttons were as good as the N64's.

 

 

I think the shark (?) pads address some of that or some other aftermarket controllers with long banana style grips, but all of those types seem to have build-quality problems, especially with the analog stick's topper. (granted one of my super pads had the topper on the stick loosen up, but that was easy to fix with a little glue -it didn't break, but the plastic came loose from the metal rod)

Edited October 9, 2010 by kool kitty89