[N64] Anyone here have any experience with those replacement Analog parts for N64 Controllers?

[ploggy]

I recently fixed my N64 after 16 years of it sitting on my shelf looking sorry for itself (turned out to be a dead Power Adapter and a broken Cart Slot)
Now that the Console is fixed and games are booting right I turned my attention to the Controllers, and man they're wrecked super loose and grindy :/ I've seen online its possible to get full replacement Analog Sticks but they're not great and feel unauthentic..
Then there's the individual Analog parts that are available, they seem like true replacements of the original parts that wear overtime, these are the part I'm on about (not my Ebay )
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384355592126?hash=item597d60e7be:g:ts4AAOSwSdJhD7hQ seems abit steep if you ask me
I have found another person that sells individual Analog parts but the delivery cost is twice the price of the parts to UK
https://store.kitsch-bent.com/ otherwise seems a good place to get them.

So has anyone here used these type of replacement parts (bowl and gear) on their N64 and what was your experience with them? did the Stick feel good (like stock) or did it feel wrong like the other 3rd party Analog replacements?

Thanks.

 

[Urbanshadow]

Actually... I do! I upgraded my ol reliable N64 controller to the NGC stick and its awesome. Banjo feels amazing and its way more tolerable than the original one for me.

 

[ploggy]

Actually... I do! I upgraded my ol reliable N64 controller to the NGC stick and its awesome. Banjo feels amazing and its way more tolerable than the original one for me.

Thanks but I'm specifically on about the Gear and Bowl replacement to keep the N64 Pad as close to the stock "feel" as possible, the Game cube type (while probably good) takes away from the authenticity on the OG Controller.

 

[Urbanshadow]

Thanks but I'm specifically on about the Gear and Bowl replacement to keep the N64 Pad as close to the stock "feel" as possible, the Game cube type (while probably good) takes away from the authenticity on the OG Controller.

While you are right and I respect that, the time and amount of gear and bowl sticks manually repaired have taught me to stop with the OG thing, stop with the pain on the sides of my thumbs and grab a modern analog instead.

Never looked back. For playing I mean. For autenticity I have another controler CIB which I will not use for playing.

 

[ploggy]

While you are right and I respect that, the time and amount of gear and bowl sticks manually repaired have taught me to stop with the OG thing, stop with the pain on the sides of my thumbs and grab a modern analog instead.

Never looked back. For playing I mean. For autenticity I have another controler CIB which I will not use for playing.

To each their own I guess I do see the do it once and forget about it benefit of the GC style replacement and I have no doubt that the Gear/Bowl replacement will have to be replaced again and again overtime (unless you buy one of those total rip off steel stick replacements, wow they are expensive lol)
I just prefer the precision of original style stick

 

[SaulFabre]

@ploggy

For N64 controller's joystick, have you tried this replacement joystick for N64, but with a GameCube-style, made by RepairBox? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0136JPKIS

I saw in a video that replacement joystick works fine.

 

[ploggy]

@ploggy

For N64 controller's joystick, have you tried this replacement joystick for N64, but with a GameCube-style, made by RepairBox? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0136JPKIS

I saw in a video that replacement joystick works fine.

I have but I'm trying to get as close to stock as possible and going with the GC style will take away from that.

 

[grizz_85]

Kitsch bent parts are very solid. There are some plastic imperfections, a slight deadzone where stick meets the gears but easy fixable with exacto knife and teflon tape

 

[ploggy]

Kitsch bent parts are very solid. There are some plastic imperfections, a slight deadzone where stick meets the gears but easy fixable with exacto knife and teflon tape

I went ahead and bought some replacement Gears and a new Bowl they are coming from ebay, but I think the seller is just reselling Kitsch Bent parts, £7.99+£1.50 delivery pretty expensive imo but we'll see how it goes

 

[grizz_85]

I might add, often overlooked aspect is reassembly, with controller test program You can dial it 99% often times one axis is offset a bit to either side (LR/UD) , You will get there eventually without flashcart but it's a trial and error with games only (moreover mario64 has wider margin than let's say RE2 on type D controls - one unit I repaired had full range in m64, in RE couldn't do full speed to the left)

 

[ploggy]

My 2 Gears and Bowl turned up Today only took a day to deliver, not bad
Fitting them in the Controller was easy enough, although the Stick is a now alot more study there feels like there's some grinding going on.. Only slightly but its there, I think it's to do with the fact I'm still using my old Stick part.. In hindsight I should have bought a replacement Stick part too.
Truth is I don't think your going to get perfect just like the original feel unless your willing to pay for one of those N64 Steel Stick replacements.. I'm not
So it boils down to you get what you pay for and are you willing to settle for good enough.. I am
(I can always pickup a replacement Stick part at a later date and see if that does remove that slight grinding)

 

[grizz_85]

I own 4 genuine n64 controllers 3 of which i repaired with kitsch bent parts. One unit had similar grinding feeling after replacement without K-B stick part (slightly worn genuine one). Turned out the ball at the bottom of the shaft had some scuffs, sanded it with grit 2000 to almost mirror surface and it got close to perfect, teflon lube into the bowl helps some more with overal 'slickness'

Only part i would advise not to install is K-B stick, the shaft is slightly larger diameter than the original, result is less range of motion, If the genuine is not beaten to death, sanding and teflon tape yields better results IMO

on the side note: Playing such titles as F-zero X and Goldeneye demands good joystick, kitsch bent parts are really a godsend to serious gamer (i tried gamecube style stick- meh , Retro bit 'HORI' knockoff - slightly less meh but still f'ed up sensitivity)

 

[LeyendaV]

Coincidentally, I was just watching this.

 

[ploggy]

I own 4 genuine n64 controllers 3 of which i repaired with kitsch bent parts. One unit had similar grinding feeling after replacement without K-B stick part (slightly worn genuine one). Turned out the ball at the bottom of the shaft had some scuffs, sanded it with grit 2000 to almost mirror surface and it got close to perfect, teflon lube into the bowl helps some more with overal 'slickness'

Only part i would advise not to install is K-B stick, the shaft is slightly larger diameter than the original, result is less range of motion, If the genuine is not beaten to death, sanding and teflon tape yields better results IMO

on the side note: Playing such titles as F-zero X and Goldeneye demands good joystick, kitsch bent parts are really a godsend to serious gamer (i tried gamecube style stick- meh , Retro bit 'HORI' knockoff - slightly less meh but still f'ed up sensitivity)

THANK YOU! that's a great tip about the Stick bottom, I was pulling my hair out for awhile trying to figure out why my Stick was grinding for seemingly no reason (I use Silicone Grease in the Stick, I guess it was doing is job after all)
My Sticks bottom nub does look abit beat up I'll try and smooth it out and see if it helps Thank You!
I'll leave a K-B Stick as a last resort incase I cant fix my OG Stick

 

[grizz_85]

I read somewhere about using lithium grease, but to be honest. If arcade parts manufacturers (sanwa,seimitsu) use teflon grease for the same purpose in their cabinets, that's enough for me in n64 controller.

About deadzone, You'll notice it too after fighting with analog nub , also slightly irksome, You have to apply small stripes of teflon tape to surfaces that move in the gears, exactly how much is by case job

and the most important : don't overtighten screws, they chew plastic easily You will need to repeat this process couple times to get the best effect

 

[ploggy]

I read somewhere about using lithium grease, but to be honest. If arcade parts manufacturers (sanwa,seimitsu) use teflon grease for the same purpose in their cabinets, that's enough for me in n64 controller.

About deadzone, You'll notice it too after fighting with analog nub , also slightly irksome, You have to apply small stripes of teflon tape to surfaces that move in the gears, exactly how much is by case job

and the most important : don't overtighten screws, they chew plastic easily You will need to repeat this process couple times to get the best effect

Thanks for the advice I think I have to where I'm satisfied enough not to open it again, I sanded the Sticks bottom nub down a tiny bit and that did remove most of the grind so thanks again for that
I'm definitely feeling some resistance when holding the Stick at full range but not enough to open the Controller again for the millionth time.
Overall I'm happy with the K-B Stick replacements and would still choose them again over the GC style and China clone Sticks, But to any other potential buyers out there.. if you think the K-B Sticks are just drop in replacements with no tinkering think again and get ready to re-open your N64 Controller Multiple times