Update [Wed 11 Dec, 2024 12:30 GMT]: RockerGaming has offered an update on "Project Renaissance" — their multi-year project to create a high-quality parts and replacements for the N64 analogue stick.
In a new set of tweets , the manufacturer explained that they currently have injection molds designed and created for most of the necessary parts, which are now in the process being tuned. This process is apparently taking a while as they are having to dial the mold to "approximately 1/3rd the width of a human hair", but once it is finished, this should mean that they will be able to create extremely high quality parts on a regular basis, effectively ending what they are dubbing the "controller lottery".
As they later went on to reveal, some parts they have developed have already made their way out to speedrunners and enthusiasts within the retro community, who will be responsible putting them through their paces ahead of their final release.
The plan seems to be to release these parts one at a time, starting early next year with the sticks and gates, with the idea being to work their way up to a full N64 module that "is performant enough for professionals and affordable for enthusiasts".
Original Article [Sun 14th Jan, 2024 11:05 GMT]: The N64 analogue stick is a unique beast. One of the first interfaces of its type on a mainstream console, it revolutionised how players interacted with games, making titles like Super Mario 64 possible.
Because of its unusual design, the stick has been notoriously tricky to reproduce, but a group of modders are making it their mission to replicate it as closely as possible.
"For the last year, I have spent 100s of hours of my life and $10s of thousands of dollars to effectively recreate the original N64 stick as close to Nintendo's OEM spec as possible," says RockerGaming. "Once that was achieved, I began to modify the module to bring it into the modern age."
How will this be achieved? RockerGaming elaborates: "Most of this surrounds quality of life changes: such as having the nib be replaceable with a $0.15 off the shelf component, the bowl insert being replaceable, and the use of theaded inserts to secure the parts, but it extends further... Because this is 2024 and not 1994 we can take advantage of modern materials to make the parts even better. This means things like the gears can be made from a combination of POM and PTFE instead of just POM like the originals, along with tighter tolerance on the injection molds."
The end goal is to make a replacement N64 pad which can provide the same level of precision as Nintendo's version, but one that can withstand the pressure of modern gaming trends.
"The N64 scene, the speedrunning and competitive smash, has really been on the rise and I have thoroughly enjoyed watching those individuals PB and make new WRs," adds RockerGaming. "I hope this project allows those individuals to fuel their passion and not rely on the controller lottery!"
[source x.com]
Comments 15
Excellent news. You just can’t beat an original N64 stick, all the repros just feel wrong and are often way out in terms of response/accuracy.
Thankfully I’ve got steel bowls for all my controllers now so they feel pretty much perfect, but being able to get replacement sticks and gears could be very useful in the future.
This is very cool to see.
Challenges with the N64 analogue stick commonly involve how quickly they wear out with plastic eroding.
The unusually high pivot point also means that it offers a far greater range of movement which resulted in greater control of analogue input. Specifically, it was a lot easier to move the stick slightly for slight movements.
Most modern controllers and emulators of N64 games don't account for this, and it can make some parts on N64 games a bit harder than they should be. Many parts of Super Mario 64 were designed around this careful slow precise movement such as the tiny side of Tiny Huge Island.
Never was fond of the n64 controller, but despite the sticks flimsy look that thing never broke down on me despite hundreds of hours heavy duty GoldenEye usage.
@RupeeClock I liked BizHawk once I set it up but WOW did those default analog sensitivity settings need adjustment.
As I recall, just loading up Ocarina of Time and going to the file select menu, you can't tap the analog without the cursor flying around a million miles an hour!
I was surprised at how good the controller adapter from RaphNet performs, using a gamecube controller is basically my go to solution now when playing on the original N64.
But yeah, great to hear that RockerGaming invested some time into that and found a solution for reproducing the stick. Demand has been there for a long time.
@BulkSlash where did you get the steel bowls? I need some myself...
@Sketcz I got them from SteelSticks64.com. I got an email saying they had some in stock just before Christmas. They rarely have them (to the point that I've seen controllers being listed for hundreds of pounds on eBay with one fitted) but if you put your name on the notification list you should hopefully get an email when they've got more ready.
@BulkSlash thanks! (Great name btw - big fan of the Saturn game I take it?)
@Sketcz Thanks, yeah BulkSlash is one of my all-time faves. It's got so many cool ideas and the combo points system had me hooked trying to top my high score. They just don't make games like it anymore!
RockerGaming is a legit N64 fan, and not just some company trying to peddle knock-off junk on AliExpress and eBay. Because of that I am highly interested in what he ends up making.
My 1996 N64 controller that I have played for thousands of hours is somewhat loose, but still operates perfectly fine. I also have the Raphnet adapter to use my GCN controller on N64 and its pretty damn awesome for some games, as well. Nintendo quality and all that it brings.
I also own a few modern controllers like the Brawler 64 which I rather like, except for the build quality being pretty poor. After only a couple of years of usage I've experienced at least 3 build quality problems. But still, when they work, they're good.
No, we're not gonna be sticking anything. Not gonna stick a thing!
When I heard "controller lottery" I thought it was going to refer to Nintendo's tactic of promoting a product and then clearly not making it in sufficient quantity to satisfy the demand (the NSO controllers).
Sorry I went off at a tangent in my mind when I read 10s of 1000s had been spent.
On a stick.
Excellent news! Managed to bulk purchase a collection of official new, in box controllers on eBay years ago which will likely last me a lifetime but it's still great to see more options out there for us enthusiasts. Will look forward to checking these out.
May they succeed and the suffering cease
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