Can I Fix it? - Repairing N64 Controllers

[@Swagtildawn]

Just got done fixing my n64 controllers. Nothing more satisfying than getting a tight stick again.

[@ScottMadeAThing]

Yeah! It's crazy how we don't notice it happening until a point and then we're like, ok wtf is this? :D

[@mikeg2326]

great work man, love seeing retro repairs!

[@ScottMadeAThing]

I'm glad to hear! There's a load more to come but then I'm going to get back to actually making things, otherwise I'll need to change the channel name haha

[@JonMcMenamin777]

no good with controllers myself but now at least they are CLEAN!

[@LandOLeeInc....]

All I can say is wow. I learned a lot from this little video. Greatly appreciated. I just have one question for u. Can I get a link where I can get the parts to try my own rebuild? No to many people out there doing a complete n64 controller refurb like you do. Very impressive. 👍

[@LandOLeeInc....]

Sorry for asking for the same link how many others did before Scott just now reading through all the comments. Thanks for putting the link out there for us✌️🤐

[@ScottMadeAThing]

You are most welcome! My notifications seem to have stopped so I didn't see the initial request, I'm glad you found the link in the mean time! I don't know if you saw in other comment replies, if you are going to order individual parts in order to keep the unit as original as possible, I also recommend replacing the 'retainers' which I'd not realised at the time of the video, were also what disintegrates and forms that weird grey/gray stuff :)

[@Pyra_Kiko]

I need to do this with mine!! Have you ever tried the replacements?? Like a analogue stick so you don't have to worry about that happening again in a decade or so

[@wryyyy]

The replacement sticks have often sensitivity and polling issues. Especially the cheaper ones. There isn't currently any perfect replacement that would restore the controller to its original form, but I've heard the 8bitdo Gamecube style stick is decent.

[@ScottMadeAThing]

What wryyy said. The cheaper ones are only 2 pins and although I've not got any, the reviews are bad and that's most likely why. If I could go back, I would have also replaced the semi--circle shaped brackets as I'd not realised that they'd worn down as well. The pots in them are still great, so definitely wanted to keep them. There are more expensive ones but that involves trusting the internet and I don't haha :D I appreciate though that this is probably a bit more 'granular' than what most people would be comfortable with doing themselves, but it can be done.

[@marioboi323]

I’m thinking of doing this. I bought a 2nd hand controller and the stick is awful. But I’m gonna try a replacement stick that’s basically the same style of stick as the original. Then if I’m not happy with that, I’ll just get some new parts

[@ScottMadeAThing]

Go for it! From what I gathered during my 'research' is that you want to go for modules with 6 wires and not the cheaper 2 x 2 wires which are less accurate. Hope it goes well :)

[@marioboi323]

@@ScottMadeAThing yeah I found a good one on zedlabs

[@lazorgaming7227]

Hello! Curious, where had you gotten the background music from? Also, nice repair!

[@ScottMadeAThing]

Hey, and thanks! All the music is from various N64 games, from memory there's Pilotwings, Wave Race 64, Mario Kart 64, Goldeneye, I'm sure I remember putting a Zelda one in too :)

[@georgeewing2993]

Do you have a link to the supplier by any chance? Have been chasing these component's to refurbish 4 of my OG controllers. Subscribed.

[@ScottMadeAThing]

Hey George! It took me a while to locate but yes, I ordered them from here (when I clicked to check, they offered this little discount via my referral link, whoop) kitsch-bent.refr.cc/scottmcculloch Go to catalog - replacement parts and the top row should have what you need. If I could go back and do it, I would order the Thumbstick, Gearset and the Bowl, instead of just the thumbstick and bowl, as the gearset has the two bits that hold the thumbstick tight. Thanks for the sub, loads of content coming soon!

[@georgeewing2993]

Thanks for the reply. I actually found that website after watching your tutorial last week. Ordered 5 sets of gears,5 bowls and 5 sticks. Cheers.

[@ScottMadeAThing]

@@georgeewing2993 Ah great! Hopefully you won't have to wait for long. Please don't take my videos as tutorials though, I'm just working this out as I go along, mistakes and all haha :)

[@georgeewing2993]

All good. Fantastic web site. Postage was mad as usual. $35.00 Australian Dollars so i purchased $35.00 worth of parts lol. Thanks again.

[@OnlyDadsOG]

Love this video, great job I'm subbing!

[@ScottMadeAThing]

Yay! Thank you!

[@wryyyy]

Just an audio tip. Music is maybe little bit too loud so the constant ducking during voice audio can sound bit jarring when listening on headphones.

[@ScottMadeAThing]

THIS! This is valuable feedback, thank you so much. I'm working on a few videos at the moment and I'll certainly reduce the music volume and compress it less. Thanks again

[@BenBlackEquinoxEngelhard]

So you can buy the joystick unit. They're super cheap.

[@ScottMadeAThing]

Ah yes, thanks Ben! I forgot to add to the video that it's possible to get replacement modules and would save some time, however from what I can gleam from Reddit/KZbin/Google, they come in two flavours - 'poor quality pots but cheap' and 'better pots but expensive'. The better quality ones are about £15, so I wasn't prepared to spend £75 to repair controllers, I'm sure you could buy a second-hand controller for £15. The method I chose was substantially cheaper but required a little more work and also retains the original opto-encoder thingies which are in perfect condition, meaning the translation of movement has the original 'feel' and 'curves'. That's my excuse for making my life difficult! :D

[@stefanos64]

@@ScottMadeAThing Where did you get those replacement parts for the analog sticks? Can you add a link?

[@ScottMadeAThing]

Hey! Of course, if you want to do it this way, thus keeping the original sensors etc, kitsch-bent.refr.cc/scottmcculloch Go to catalog - replacement parts and the top row should have what you need. If I could go back and do it, I would order the Thumbstick, Gearset and the Bowl, instead of just the thumbstick and bowl, as the gearset has the two bits that hold the thumbstick tight. :)

[@stefanos64]

@@ScottMadeAThing Thanks a lot. It is from US and I live in greece. I hope there is a way to receive those without high transferring cost.

[@ScottMadeAThing]

@@stefanos64 I'm in the UK, I can't remember the cost, I went for the cheapest and slowest, iirc it still wasn't cheap :(