How can I replace my 2DS Circlepad with a traditional thumbstick?

[sh4rdik]

Hi there, I would like to replace the circlepad on my 2ds with a normal, tall thumbstick like on xbox etc.

Does anyone know if the solder points are the same, or if it is virtually impossible, before i open the unit?

Thanks all.

 

[impeeza]

Hi there, I would like to replace the circlepad on my 2ds with a normal, tall thumbstick like on xbox etc.

Does anyone know if the solder points are the same, or if it is virtually impossible, before i open the unit?

Thanks all.

there is no way you can do it without ending with a doctor's Frankenstein monster, the 2DS have no thickness enough for house the thumb stick.

0.59 inch = 14.98 mm

So only if under the circlepad was no electronics you may be put the thumstick inside the case, but as the original circle pad is only 7 mm thick you new thumb stick will protude 15 mm of the case, will be no base to hold it and the torque of the use will ripp off the thumbstick at first use.

 

[sh4rdik]

hmm, a joycon replacement thumbstick looks much thinner internally but does not have solder-able connection points.
anyone know if there exists a traditional thumb stick with internally low profile mechanisms?

 

[That1LoserGuy]

the potentometer is WAY too thick to fit in a 2ds with the circuit board in the way. I mean, i guess the the potentometer could stick out, but that would look weird, and probably be bad for it.

 

[emcintosh]

IIRC a company is making Hall-Effect replacement sticks in three form factors: regular ALPS-type as above, joycon, but also full size sticks with a much thinner profile. Currently the device needs to be built to understand the signal, or have a board that does some conversion (e.g. the boards on the Steam Deck modules), but there is a hardware hacker working on this.

 

[sh4rdik]

what about a ps vita replacement stick? the connectors seem similar.
i wonder if it could possibly "just work".

 

[Mr_Start]

Hi there, I would like to replace the circlepad on my 2ds with a normal, tall thumbstick like on xbox etc.

Does anyone know if the solder points are the same, or if it is virtually impossible, before i open the unit?

Thanks all.

Don't.

 

[sh4rdik]

Don't.

why. imagine playing 3ds games with a real joystick on original hardware. also, its a 2ds so it wont ever close and need to have a flat stick. big, honking gamer joystick on a 2ds, just gotta do it correct

 

[duwen]

why. imagine playing 3ds games with a real joystick on original hardware. also, its a 2ds so it wont ever close and need to have a flat stick. big, honking gamer joystick on a 2ds, just gotta do it correct

If that's the experience you want, it would probably be a simpler/cleaner proposition to run wires from all the relevant points and connect them up to an external wired controller or controller port.

 

[Mr_Start]

why. imagine playing 3ds games with a real joystick on original hardware. also, its a 2ds so it wont ever close and need to have a flat stick. big, honking gamer joystick on a 2ds, just gotta do it correct

then use a bluetooth controller.

 

[sh4rdik]

then use a bluetooth controller.

is there support?

Post automatically merged: Jul 6, 2023

If that's the experience you want, it would probably be a simpler/cleaner proposition to run wires from all the relevant points and connect them up to an external wired controller or controller port.

that's interesting but also defeats the purpose of being a handheld

 

[Hayato213]

is there support?

Post automatically merged: Jul 6, 2023

that's interesting but also defeats the purpose of being a handheld

You can set up CFW and then use input redirection so you can use a bluetooth controller.

 

[coldercake]

is there support?

Post automatically merged: Jul 6, 2023

that's interesting but also defeats the purpose of being a handheld

you can also stream your 3ds screen to a pc or tv and connect a bluetooth controller to it, and whenever you wanna go, just disconnect it and use it as a handheld. You can also use your ds itself as a controller while streaming to pc or tv

 

[sh4rdik]

you can also stream your 3ds screen to a pc or tv and connect a bluetooth controller to it, and whenever you wanna go, just disconnect it and use it as a handheld. You can also use your ds itself as a controller while streaming to pc or tv

i was under the impression that this required a physical cable modded to the board

Post automatically merged: Jul 6, 2023

You can set up CFW and then use input redirection so you can use a bluetooth controller.

ok i haven't decided to software mod at this time.

...which is wrong headed maybe
i want to hardware mod only without brick

hmm or like maybe you know those old gameboy cases that transform the directional pad into a bad joystick? maybe there could be an overlay 3d printed which translates the movements to from 3d to 2d

 

[a_username_that_isnt_cool]

If you really want hardware mod for this, just get some tape or glue and attach a joystick to the circle pad.
Benefits: No hardware MOD, easy to remove
Cons: May fall off, someone on here will probably tell me

 

[sh4rdik]

like this:
(understanding that the mechanism would have to function entirely differently, but could conceivably be cheaply 3d printed)

also, there appear to be completed projects which are functional for GBA, linked here:





^
(this one might be a fake)

 

[Mr_Start]

like this:
(understanding that the mechanism would have to function entirely differently, but could conceivably be cheaply 3d printed)

View attachment 382087

also, there appear to be completed projects which are functional for GBA, linked here:





^
(this one might be a fake)

that's an gba, not and 3ds, totally different story

 

[emcintosh]

Do it for science! IFixit doesn't rate the 2DS as being difficult to disassemble: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Nintendo+2DS+Joystick+Replacement/35846
Once you've pulled out the original circle pad, you can use a digital multimeter to see how the resistance between the pairs of pins varies/doesn't vary as you move the stick.
I found a forum post from people building / customising emulation handhelds that said the Circle Pad has only about half the output range of standard sticks, so you might find your 2DS maxes out too easily.
https://tech.alpsalpine.com/e/products/faq/multi/thumbpointer.html shows Alps' three forms of analog stick.

 

[sh4rdik]

Ok Here's a question:
Can I control the primary stick input through the port the circle pad pro connects thru? thanks.

 

[a_username_that_isnt_cool]

Ok Here's a question:
Can I control the primary stick input through the port the circle pad pro connects thru? thanks.

No, I don't think so. Homebrew could (MAYBE) do it with swapping inputs, (basically InputRedirection but for your Circle Pad Pro)