I fixed the New N64 Controller's Thumbstick because I hated it

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I have lots of problems with the original N64 controller, and lots of problems with the new Nintendo Switch Online - Nintendo 64 situation. So, I decided to see what I could do about that...
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[@julianrichardson1592]

Really living up to the “Modder known as Wulff Den” title! Please replace the MacBook Pro trackpad with a N64 thumbstick next.

[@WulffDen]

you got it boss

[@bigmandonsley8079]

lmfao

[@LuiBC3]

“I replaced a Macbook Pro trackpad with a N64 thumbstick. You won’t believe what happened next!”

[@malk]

🤣🤣

[@ADeeSHUPA]

@@LuiBC3 uP

[@trevlsteinberg5994]

Bob learned to use a soldering iron and there's NOTHING he wont mod

[@Darthvader468]

Honestly, I would do the same

[@BeatEmUps]

Can we take a second to talk about 4:00?

[@WulffDen]

No. Also, how dare you.

[@bennbutters2578]

Pls no 😂

[@hotcocoabomb_]

Yes.

[@hernanrodriguez524]

awwwww man the fact then i went to that moment in time... i am blind !!!

[@xxcaveman25xx]

only for a sec

[@willevans3084]

“Takes the controller away” “Willhelm scream!”

[@museshop6357]

You can actually just solder to the opposite pin of the potentiometer to flip the polarity. The middle pin is the variable slider/wiper, and the two ends are the range of resistance. So the length of distance is inverted from the middle to each end, if that makes sense.

[@jasonchang7762]

This is the way!

[@Mr_jz_12]

was thinking same thing.

[@iamalexkempton]

Dang, and there I was thinking about how you could convert the signal somehow with extra circuitry between the connectors 😅

[@colt5189]

Do you know of a good website or video explaining this way to do this mod?

[@esraeloh8681]

Can you? I thought the other 2 pins were Gnd & Voltage in, as in, no output signal, just a constant voltage

[@DeceptiJeown]

*cops bust into bobs apartment* Bob: It's not coke it's N64 stick box plastic I swear!

[@driver1140dg]

the 3 hand controller bit in the beginning earned you an upvote lol

[@ians_parks]

Did this same gamecube style stick swap years ago. Feels good on first use but you'll begin noticing its not as precise as an OG stick. My Life in Gaming has a good pretty video covering it.

[@joemann7971]

Aftermarket sticks tend to have a high sensitivity than OG sticks. This isn't such a big deal if you can calibrate the stick. If you can calibrate the stick in the controller menu, everything is good. Its a big deal on original hardware because there is no way to calibrate the stick.

[@maniac1628]

That the same issue I had with the over sensitive 3rd party ones also put sole silicone grease in the stick box it lasts so much longer

[@maniac1628]

I’ve been doing that for years

[@maniac1628]

On the original thumb sticks

[@blubba818]

We had this issue. We modded all four of our N64 controllers with aftermarket sticks and none of them worked right. It really shows in games like Super Mario 64. You kinda just have to deal with original sticks if you want the games to feel right.

[@JohnnyJohnJon83]

The bomberman 64 music at the beginning brings back memories

[@peterbruin5154]

I did this with an OG n64 controller. Found it really didn't respond as well on fps games. Wasn't as precise.

[@cxx23]

Yeah those GC style stick replacements are terrible. They make it insanely difficult to do any slight movement of the stick. No sneaking, walking, or aiming just a bit to the left.

[@RetroPCUser]

I did this recently. Got a new stick that's not OEM, rather aftermarket that looks like the original one. The plastic on the inside grounds itself, which is the big issue with those things. I couldn't find the steelstick 64, which that requires greasing once in a while.

[@OtakuSanel]

all you need to do is cut the 2 traces on the outer pins and when you do the soldering flip the two outer connections. this could have been done soo much simpler lol

[@CaseTheCorvetteMan]

Or just use the Mayflash adaptor and pick whatever N64 controller you want!

[@esraeloh8681]

Yeeeeees, I, really was wondering why he didn't just swap the connections as well, but I don't know too much about electronics, but it did seem like a viable option

[@drewnolde2674]

It’s so funny when people say you “need” the c buttons for Ocarina of Time, because my first experience with the game was The Legend of Zelda Collector’s Edition on the GameCube. After that, the next time I played it was on the Wii using a GameCube controller. So I’m used to using the c stick as the c buttons, and the right stick of the pro controller feels mostly natural. Since the pro controller doesn’t have gates sometimes I’ll try to use c down and end up using c right, but other than that it’s been a very normal playthrough for me. Same with A and B. Everyone is so annoyed that A is A and B is B because they feel like the joy-con/pro controller’s Y should function as B. But the GameCube has A and B oriented in the same way as the pro controller, albeit with a much larger A.

[@skilarbabcock]

Take a moment to think about this.... C buttons C stick C stick is yellow

[@Genesis385]

@@skilarbabcock yeah no, we all get that. Bob said in the video that you “need the c buttons” and that it doesn’t work well using the right stick on the joy cons or pro controller. OP of this comment is saying they’re used to using the stick from having used the c-stick when playing with the GameCube controller back in the day. You talking about the c-stick is literally just talking in circles about the point he literally just made.

[@obvfw]

Thank you. Finally someone gets it. I'm so used to using a Wii Classic Controller that it's a non-issue for me as well. I usually map the bow/slingshot to C-Down so that I can pull back on the stick like you would pull back on a bowstring. (Still not getting the NSO expansion, though. I have a PC and a USB gamepad, I'm all set.)

[@SuzieB23]

Yeah I have no idea why all the n64 boomers are so hung up on it. I had a gamecube as my first with the collectors edition zelda, and the c stick wasn't too bad, but I did prefer using x, y, and z. Those n64 kids woulda never survived the gamecube. Not even mentioning the shooters on gcn vs 64

[@DarkLink1996.]

On N64 and GC controllers, the thumbs naturally rest on B and A. On Switch, they naturally rest on Y and B. Y should've been B, B should've been A. I have the same complaint for Ocarina of Time 3D and Majora's Mask 3D.

[@JonathanHoltOnGoogle]

The stick on the N64, imo, is the best feeling stick, when new, of any controller. It's resistance makes it easier to move at speeds lower than 100%. Modding it to be basically a gc control stick is insane.

[@SynthLizard8]

The Gamecube had the best feeling sticks because they were rubberized , had the grooves and weren't torture devices for your palms.

[@rememberthiscomment7434]

@@SynthLizard8 there is no reason to palm the thumb stick. The only reason you’d attempt such a maneuver is if you attempt to recklessly churn the stick around extremely quickly, which damages the controller.

[@souljastation5463]

I never had one, but you can tell just by looking at the lever that it was a controller built to be actually analogical. A stick with a meaningful degree of movement, not the weird stubby quasi-digital thumbsticks that we use today.

[@futurewario9591]

Use Steel Stick 64 instead if you mod.

[@JonathanHoltOnGoogle]

@@futurewario9591 are steel sticks available?

[@arashnabavi5932]

Man I just LOVE your ad spots 😂 Others should learn a thing or two from you Keep up the great work

[@alexanderalfonsson5874]

Well since it looks like this new controller uses potentiometers as opposed to the optical sensors on the original N64 controller. Yes, yes it will get stick drift. Probably not before it wears out though...

[@diamonshade7484]

What are optical sensors

[@scikoolaid]

@@diamonshade7484 Photoresistor

[@ericlouison]

You unlocked such a deep memory for me. I completely forgot about how hotels used to have those n64 controllers and you could rent and play games just like how you could rent movies in your room.

[@ImTheMan0fSteel]

My parents never let me back in the day :/ you couldn't save either which kinda sucked.

[@Datttsnake]

I remember renting a whole bunch of games and my parents getting a 200$ bill. Games were Super Mario 64, Rampage.

[@EPS5000]

My original N64 controllers aren’t broken, but then again I’ve never played Mario Party lol. With all the hours put into Mario 64, OOT, MM, B-K, Goodeneye, and all the others though, my sticks are still in good shape.

[@eyeball226]

Same! And I love the feel of the original sticks. A bit disappointed that the optical sensors have been replaced by potentiometers in the new version.

[@Geobot3000]

Did you just say..... *you've never played mario party before?*

[@ExtemTheHedgehogLol]

*goldeneye

[@Hibernial]

@@Geobot3000 You have to understand, not everyone has played every game that’s ever-wait, hold on, put that chair down!

[@Geobot3000]

@@Hibernial *YEET THE CHAIR*

[@EposVox]

That Wilhelm scream

[@BraxtonKovary]

Now put the insides of a GameCube controller into the N64 controller and it will be perfect.

[@VagrantValmar]

Switch dock with an apple logo looks cursed as fuck

[@ammakko]

0:18 I'm triggered

[@ggali09]

5:16 looks like you may have taken a bump of that "joystick powder" before this clip. That jaw is moving!

[@NowOnAFM]

I hear that replacing that replacing the n64 stick does not retain the authentic movement and deadzones that the original has. So there are justifications for keeping that authenticity in the new n64 controller.

[@turokforever007]

Correct

[@PAULOISMAEL07]

I mod two of my n64 controllers with a gamecube stick, not the one that yoy simply replace, i mean i mod the gearbox and still use the optical sensors on the n64 control to preserve sensibility, its amazing it works, i even tested the controllers on the n64 controller test program and the results are very close to an original oem controller with the durability of the gamecube stick

[@BrentBlueAllen]

I'd love to get my hands on one and try my hand at fixing some of the headaches you encountered. I'd expect the x-axis flip to be easily accomplished by just a couple of traces sliced and rewired to flip voltage and ground on the x potentiometer.

[@layershift8308]

Edit: The challenge here is desoldering the board so no contact is made to ground or 3.3V and if you slice the traces the ground on the X potentiometer becomes less than easy to cut based on the existing board design.

[@toddbod94]

@@layershift8308 it absolutely would work that way. The voltage output determines the position. If you invert the voltage, you invert the position

[@shocknawe]

To avoid the wear of the N64 analog stick for cheap, open it up, and lube it in all the necessary places with high quality silicon lubricant. I suggest the ShinEtsu used for the Seimitsu LS-32, which is a high grade high durability arcade stick OR the ShinEtsu G-40M, used on Sanwa JLF arcade sticks. You do NOT need to use much and can get a tiny amount on online arcade part shops.

[@Nathan35077]

I actually like the joystick. It’s perfect for N64 games. The notches are essential, and work really well. And with how tall the joystick is you can use it multiple ways. Some games I even grip it with all 5 fingers, pinch mode, and have very accurate movement. Only time I hate it is when it’s Mario party lol

[@teneesh3376]

Though the fact that it will become loose over time from the plastic grinding is a massive issue. And the plastic top is not great. If Nintendo made the stick have a rubber top and made of a material that doesn't degrade over time, than people wouldn't be complaining as much

[@esraeloh8681]

@@teneesh3376 Yeah, I want a 360 joystick in mine, I've found them to be just perfect for me, the height with the size of the indent was just perfect, I've never found a controller better than that since, I don't get what they did with the Xbox 1 triggers man, I just can't use them, those fat things are just too cumbersome for me, my brain just doesn't register them as triggers, the way I have to use the finger tips on them is super weird. I mean, there's a fking reason guns don't have fat fukn lumps for triggers. Anyway, I don't know why the 64 controller has 6 pins yet, but I definitely want to get 1 of those newer sticks working in it, even if I have to learn microcode & get a circuitboard made up, that'd be so cool too me

[@shocknawe]

If you buy the new N64 official controller just to change its most important component, I don't know what to say. To avoid the wear of the N64 analog stick for cheap, open it up, and lube it in all the necessary places with high quality silicon lubricant. I suggest the ShinEtsu used for the Seimitsu LS-32, which is a high grade high durability arcade stick OR the ShinEtsu G-40M, used on Sanwa JLF arcade sticks.

[@AngelGodinez]

It seems like Bob doesn't know about Kitsch-Bent, the real most used replacement for the N64 stick. And how bad are the GC ones on the mod community...

[@ghostware6057]

how are the GC ones bad for the community? I don't know much about this kind of stuff

[@AngelGodinez]

@@ghostware6057 They dont give you the exact 360 range of movement. The way they "look" for the system its in a square shape not an octagonal one. The movement is not as precise. My life in gaming has a video about it.

[@AngelGodinez]

@@ghostware6057 This happens because the N64 stick has analog movement, not digital as a gamecube.

[@ghostware6057]

@@AngelGodinez that makes sense. I'll have to give it a watch

[@looeegee]

@@AngelGodinez The Gamecube stick is analog not Digital. The thing with the N64 stick is that it has an optical sensor that gives it very fine analog control kind of like a mouse

[@d4rkz3r011]

I love all your controller mod videos! I appreciate all the time and effort you put into the videos

[@persechini]

One weird thing on these replacement GC style sticks is that the shorter shaft (sic) makes the controller less precise and the finer movement needed in some places in SM64 and ocarina of time are bit harder to achieve because of that. It's better than a worn down og stick, but a new one I think is still superior for N64 games

[@nah4467]

I agree and they did lubricate the bowl to prevent wear. I think doing the gamecube one unless it's just for comfort is a bit wasteful for getting a more accurate way of playing it. Hell, Digital inputs don't last long either as drift happens a lot on modern controllers as well. Analog just has wear and tear as an issue over something like a Dpad

[@dechangeman]

That sweet Bomberman64 music.

[@Diddz]

I would have cut the traces on the board for the x axis, then reversed the pos and neg supply on just the x axis, maintaining the axis read trace so that reding gets inverted back to normal

[@eyeball226]

11:26 Oh wow, it looks like the stick is way off centre in the gate there. That means you're going to be able to move the stick more in some directions and less in others.

[@BoobsIndeed]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@twoodall88]

Well done sir! Going the distance to get that board flipped is simply insane.

[@JumperTL]

I have replaced 3 of my N64 controllers with Gamecube sticks, and the square gate and sensitivity is not the best. Works fine with platformers and games like Mario Party, but precise aiming in Goldeneye or while using a Hookshot in OOT takes a lot of effort to make small adjustments. Also one of them drifts….

[@nah4467]

Imo the reverse should be happening. Not a fan of the whole replace a perfectly working n64 stick with the gamecube mod stick. Inputs read different and it's not any different than using right analog for c stick lol. I think the problem is they did not add rubber caps. However, joy con caps are about the same in diameter.

[@AlbertoJMarcano]

That' Apple sticker on the Switch dock makes me want to die.

[@TheGamerminstrel]

ok normally I hate ads, but so long as you're having fun with them like this, keep it coming lol

[@mikelock4707]

Love the Bomberman 64 Music. Brought back a lot of memories!

[@aaaardvark23]

“Potentiometer” sounds like a tool your parents use to decide whether or not to start saving for your college.

[@marshallhorton7154]

The Original thumb stick for this controller (on switch) is still smoother than the original (on Nintendo 64) by 20 or so years now.

[@Halo44327]

Nintendo: you trying to make our products good? How daaaaare you! Lol

[@jameslewis3133]

@KingKrimson r/whooosh

[@Tom-jw7ii]

@@jameslewis3133 bro!!!!! i hab redit!!!!!! epic win!!!!!

[@Hexsyn]

So you replaced the authentic feeling stick with the gamecube-type stick that I lament being the only major option for refurbishing my original 64 controllers? The ones with the abysmal dead-zones?

[@hernanrodriguez524]

this man puts his mind BODY and soul ( 4:00 ) in all the videos he makes

[@HotdogStephen]

I don't feel like I've ever been as bored watching a video on KZbin as I was here today!

[@Pepsolman]

“So long gay Bowser”. And now my joystick is deteriorated.

[@JPHarringtonJr]

I dropped a GameCube stick into one of my N64 controllers about 2 years ago. It worked well for some games, but it was WAY too sensitive for some others. The biggest issue was trying to play F-Zero X. It is night and day between the original and a GC stick. I found F-Zero X to be playable, but I could not win many races with it... So is that still "playable" ? IDK.

[@stevied6965]

I totally agree. F zero x was not very playable with the game cube stick in the n64 controller. And f zero x was one of my favourite n64 games.

[@JPHarringtonJr]

@@stevied6965 Im total crap at F-Zero X but Im with you, its one of my fav racers of all time. I love GX as well, but X is special man.

[@ReachFocus]

The Bomberman track made me watch the whole video. Well done 😂

[@starpier]

Let me get this straight, you modded a $50 official reproduction of a N64 controller because the thumbstick felt too similar to an original N64 controller.

[@delecti]

Oh dang, is that some Bomberman 64 music in the background? Very nice.

[@tharobiiceii]

Seems like a good opportunity for a 3d printed solution to hold the thumbstick in the new orientation.

[@RestorationRelaxation]

Weird coincidence, I just did this two videos ago. Glad the word is getting out there that these mods exist.

[@emilyvanengen]

I want to inform everyone in the comments that despite what Bob says and how many videos he makes doing it, he is NOT a modder 🤪 great modding Bob!

[@js100serch]

Didn't these thumb sticks had a flaw that made Golden Eye unplayable?. I also saw tests where mario or link wouldn't run in a perfect circle?. Something about the deadzone. Where they fixed?.

[@coomerman9311]

The camera add thingy reminded me a lot of The Nostalgia critic, same kind of energy

[@Cerberus-db1bq]

This is why I like your channel. Plus your sarcastic comedic timing

[@ReavoEnd]

You've shown me that "69" in N64 language is "E3". Thanks Bob.

[@HeyImBoschea]

These gamecube stick replacements are so good, they feel amazing, but unfortunately they are just sometimes too sensitive. Makes mario 64 and other platforming games very difficult

[@agustin47]

Wow, the bomberman 64 intro music nostalgia is real

[@jammo7370]

I'm glad the reverb problem from a few vids ago has gone away. Great vid as always!

[@AndySola]

That Bomberman 64 music. 👌😩

Dang, there isn't some way to reverse the polarity of the outputs for the potentiometer?

[@android01978]

Cut tracks and reverse the v+ and gnd will reverse the signal.

[@Cruxis_Angel]

I want it not for switch online but for project 64. Having access to the whole 64 library with an official wireless 64 controller sounds great.

[@mannygarcia1562]

man, it made me so happy to hear Blue Resort from Bomberman 64 after so long.

[@dorg218]

nintendo controller designer: *makes quadruple jointed exclusive controller*

[@mypartyisprivate8693]

Most entertaining ads on KZbin, Bob! Soooooo funny

[@Level1Sword]

This could have all been avoided if Nintendo had just released a N64 Classic while using Wii nunchuck or even Wii U GamePad sticks in the controllers. I'm sure they've got plenty of those parts lying around.

[@CaptainTempest1]

I found out today that Super Mario 3D All Stars got an update that adds support for the NSO N64 controller too.

[@chunkabo716]

if you keep on doing mod like this I would recommend getting a 3d printer, so instead of all that filing that plastic you could make a part that fit it better.

[@waynetemplar2183]

So hard to find these new N64 controllers new that aren’t being sold by scalpers at insanely inflated prices

[@MarkTorromeo]

I feel like for some reason everyone always assumes the idea of a more sensitive control stick is automatically better. Every controller i've ever used aside from the original N64s all have drastically OVER-SENSITIVE sticks. The gameplay was designed around a certain level of sensitivity and a lot of games get completely ruined by these gamecube style stick mods or any other modern 3rd party controller. You won't notice in games like Mario 64 or Smash Bros. But as soon as you try to carefully aim an arrow in Zelda or do small direction adjustments in Rogue Squadron it becomes hilariously apparent that these types of mods are a huge downgrade. The only viable solution i've found if you actually want to play N64 games and get the real experience....instead of just hopping on for a few minutes of that nostalgia dopamine hit....get a real N64 controller and buy a bunch of Kitsch Bent replacement gears, bowls, and sticks. It will take a little learning to figure out how to get them set up right, but the sticks will feel new after the repair. I'm sure steelsticks and brewsticks do too, but theyre very expensive and unavailable. Hopefully these new Switch N64 controllers actually have the authentic feel of the originals. If they do it's a huge bummer that this one got its guts ripped out and had one of those awful gamecube sticks put in.

[@rbw3000]

Only channel where I’m willing to watch the sponsor part.

[@paranoia2021]

Hilariously on the new NSO controller, it does look the same even if you take out of the analog stick. But someone on the comments - from a different video - said that “upon a closer look, the plastic piece doesn’t grind on the dome-shaped ball anymore”. Assuming they might’ve had the dome (yes, I’m calling it the “dome”) to be a bit larger or to have the plastic piece that once had it grinding onto it to be shorter.

[@dangitgrace5579]

Idk why but everytime im drunk i end up at this channel

[@TheJmack90]

Lol at the Apple logo on the Switch dock. I get it.

[@GearGolemTMF]

When I heard that Blue Resort music....I felt like it was 1997 again

[@jaikhurana8026]

That black Apple sticker tells me he bought the new MacBook Pro.

[@fr4nkiecheeks269]

That Bomberman 64 intro music hit different.

[@gamerblondie28twitch58]

I didnt even know this was a thing until the other day and ofc the scalpers already got to them 😭 MSRP $49.99 And I've seen these controllers, going for upwards of $120+ on eBay! Don't buy from the scalpers. This needs to stop.

[@punkydudester3]

Lmfao your self made sponsored commercials are great.

[@AviusL]

This is some serious dedication xD hahah. Great video. So dumb they didn't improve the controller on the remake.

[@NarwhalPM]

Before I got a n64, I was skeptical that the stick was really that bad. When I finally did, I realized that it *was* really that bad. So, I ordered this replacement exact replacement stick for me to replace my controller’s really bad sticks. Thanks for the video!

[@jimhultqvist2539]

Messed up, man. The stick isn't even centered correctly 😄

[@yvendous]

I was waiting for you to mention why the modded stick isn't centered. Did I miss that?

[@micheleulrich9479]

“God damn it!” Was the best part of video. 🤣

[@SuperBulldogWarrior]

"All this for a passport photo?" LMAOOOO

[@EricFieldDesign]

Adding "Oh, Chris Pratt's Garfield!" to my everyday exclamations.

[@cbkirby6199]

Oh no, he’s becoming John from Spawn Wave!

[@natehaskey9300]

That Bomberman 64 music hitting me in the nostalgia! So based

[@ghosttiee9212]

The 3rd hand got me 😭 so funny

[@NaterFernat]

That Bomberman OST at the Intro Hmmmfff! Just right.

[@chronoshinobi6740]

I nearly passed out hearing that intro music, its Bomberman! :) 64 I think anyways

[@sergiogarciahernandez9805]

Blue resort from Bobmerman 64 is the name of the song at the begining of the video and I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!!!!

[@tspike7]

"All this for a passport photo?" LMAO

[@JokinJoe]

Man that bomber man 64 music took me back.

[@andyhjortshoj8299]

Great video as always, would have loved a headphones warning before the bit where you filed down the stick box. That gave me the heebie jeebies.

[@zman2994]

Community Modders and engineers should design some 3d Print parts and a new design custom PCB, I see potential.

[@CowboyBGM]

I can't be the only one jigging to the Bomberman BGM

[@BezzyBee03]

Bob’s ads are fuckn TOP TIER

[@CharlieMikeNS]

It's almost like it was created exclusively to play old N64 games through NSO. It's almost like it's the nostalgia trip most people wanted.

[@blakerenimu9033]

Stick paralysis? Sounds like my left joycon c:

[@lonreed9743]

It’s safe to say that most of the white powder is a mix of dead skin too.