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[clockout1]

Well, I somewhat recently bought a bunch of N64 controllers. The following statement makes me look like a complete idiot, but I didn't realize that these were 3rd party controllers (until a few days ago). So about $40 later I have 4 controllers that kinda work, though not too well.

My question- should I spend more money on a few official controllers, or just stick with the crappy ones?

Also, is this the right board? I see a bunch of other technical threads but...

[Heron TSG]

If you have any of the slightly-larger-than-average MadCatz controllers, they work great. If the controllers work well enough to function, you should be fine.

[Haschel]

I never had much luck with non-official controls for any console. It really depends on how bad the issues are on them, it can range from flat out not working to working but a bit uncomfortable. If buttons aren't responding promptly or at all, it may be best to get official ones. Give each one a good 30 minute testing if you can and try to figure out which ones can actually be used.

[Girlinhat]

I've never had any luck with 3rd party console items, especially controllers and especially Nintendo (read: Madcatz).  They may work, but I've never seen any Madcatz items that worked as good as official, from memory cards to controllers (seems like they did a rumble pack too?) everything they make is a grade less.  If you can play with it then that's cool, but don't be utterly surprised if a friend comes over with their official controller and you get spoiled when you test it.  (Lol let's be honest, you're buying N64 stuff, you have no friends )

[Funk]

3rd party controllers tend to commen in two groups, the cheap and brake easy
and not cheap but of better build.

haveing only ever used 3rd party controllers on an xbox i can tell you cheap pads brake, official pads wear out, it was buttons geting soft that killed mine.

official pads are the cheapist way to get good pads

[Telgin]

My experience with N64 controllers is that they'll all break sooner than they should.  That stupid joystick wears out too fast, even on the official controllers.

But I'll agree with the general sentiment in this thread.  You get what you pay for.

[Heron TSG]

On the other hand, hot glue fixes everything. (I fixed all of my controllers with a bit of hot glue and some sandpaper to trim the edges to make it still move.)

They just look a little funny.

[G-Flex]

Problem with N64 controllers: The analog sticks get loose after a lot of use, because the stick material wears down (that's what that weird white powdery stuff is they get around them)... so it might be hard to find a used one that's in terribly great condition. The problem doesn't mess them up TOO much, but enough to be significantly annoying. At the very least, be careful of that.

[Sensei]

If your current ones seem totally unsatisfactory, I'll bet you can find someone with 'new' N64 controllers somewhere. They'll last a few years of serious use.

I have only one N64 controller that the joystick is worn down on, and that was the one controller I used every time I played N64 for ten years.

[penguinofhonor]

*sits next to perfect condition official N64 controller*

You're telling me I could get like $15 out of this thing?

[Girlinhat]

A perfect N64 is probably going to be collector grade eventually.  Baseball cards, man!

[Sensei]

A perfect N64 is probably going to be collector grade eventually.  Baseball cards, man!

No, no $15 is the going rate for good-as-new NES, SNES, or N64 controllers (often in original box) at the brick-and-mortar store I go to in Kirkland. Potentially more or less if you buy online ($5-20, if you ignore the one guy who thinks his is worth $50) but those aren't necessarily as reliable, I noticed a lot of low ratings on Amazon.

Mind, most of my ten year old N64 controllers are still perfectly good, the only "bad" one out of four that I used the most.

tl;dr: Yeah, you can get $10-15 for your new N64 controller.

[lordcooper]

Why did you need to ask?  If they work well enough, keep them.  If they don't, buy new ones.

Seriously, this is on par with asking if you should try to put the fire out while you're burning to death.