RetroLink USB NES Joystick

[sirpaul484]

(I suppose, since we are talking about a modern gaming controller, that this should be in the "modern computing" section, but it could potentially fit into the modern computing, or vintage gaming category.. Oh well.. Hopefully this is the right place.)

I was looking around on ThinkGeek, which I usually do, and I found an item called the "RetroLink USB NES controller".  I decided to pick up a pair in case a friend of mine and I wanted to finish off Bubble Bobble without having to blow on the cartridge and wiggle it to get it to work properly.. Word of advice to others thinking similar thoughts: DO NOT BUY THESE CONTROLLERS.  They may look like the real thing, down to the minute details, but they do not work like them.  Rather than lightly press on the buttons, I have to push on them hard to get the controller to respond.  Also, one of the controllers' down and right buttons are extremely stiff. Needless to say, I am not satisfied.

Now, for a question: Should I just return them for a refund, or should I go the nerd route and open them up and see if I can't tweak them to make them more responsive? On the one hand, having nice, working USB NES controllers would be a really nice item for gaming on my PC, and it would be a conversation piece when I am playing games on my netbook.  On the other hand, they did cost $30 apiece, and I'd run the risk of ruining them.. Plus, I'm sure I'd void the warranty just having a screwdriver near them.  So, what should I do, guys?

[RedWolf]

I think you should return them.

But first, do you think you could write a full review of them for VC&G (with some nice pictures)?  If so, I'll publish it.

Even better, open one up and take pictures -- let us know why the controller is unresponsive.  I'm guessing the whole thing was fabricated from scratch by RetroLink?

If they're really as bad as you say they are, other people deserve to know.  We could steer them towards RetroUSB, whose controllers are built from retrofitted and reconditioned NES pads (the real thing).  Every product I've ever bought from Brian (who runs the place) has been excellent.

Benj

[sirpaul484]

Maybe I'll do that.  I do have a few hundred dollars extra, which I can use on a decent digital camera.  I seriously doubt my $15 webcam can show the finer differences between the two controllers.  I might also crack open one of my real NES controllers so that I can show the differences between the two inside and out.

[RedWolf]

Maybe I'll do that.  I do have a few hundred dollars extra, which I can use on a decent digital camera.  I seriously doubt my $15 webcam can show the finer differences between the two controllers.  I might also crack open one of my real NES controllers so that I can show the differences between the two inside and out.

That would be great.  I don't want to force you to buy a new camera, but if this is what it takes for you to finally get a decent digital camera, then I'm all for it.

Let me know how it goes.

[sirpaul484]

ok.  I picked up a nice little $220 camera (Canon PowerShot SX110 IS, for those who care), and I'm currently figuring out how to use it.  Give me a few days to figure out how it works, how I can adjust the resolution, how to snap photos without shaking too much, things like that, as well as an additional week or so to hash out a review, and I will have a draft in your inbox soon after that. (as you may remember from the ZX Spectrum review I sent you about a year and a half ago, my writing skill needs improvement.)

[sirpaul484]

Welp, I've taken the pictures, and now... I have a nasty case of writer's block.  Oh well.  Hopefully, I can get over it.

Anyways, about the pictures.. What size do you want them? And do you want me to make thumbnails, and if so, what size?

[RedWolf]

Welp, I've taken the pictures, and now... I have a nasty case of writer's block.  Oh well.  Hopefully, I can get over it.

Anyways, about the pictures.. What size do you want them? And do you want me to make thumbnails, and if so, what size?

Make them at least 1000 pixels wide, with the other dimension resized proportionally.

[overlook77]

Guys,

I had the same issue with my retrolink USB NES controller...the arrow pad was very stiff for down and left on mine.  I opened it up and took the arrow pad out.  There is a rubber pad that the plastic black arrow buttons presses against that makes contact with the PCB.  All you have to do is take out this rubber pad and stretch it a little.  I took mine and pressed down on the rubber buttons fairly hard to stretch and loosen them up.  Now the thing works great.  Its a very simple fix and its extremely easy to disassemble.  If that did not work for you, you could easily put a bead of superglue or something to slightly extend the plastic button.  This would make contact without having to press so hard, but for me this was not necessary.  Definitely open it up and try it, its not much to it!

[sirpaul484]

Ah, thanks a ton for that piece of advice.  I'll have to go and try that... if I can find my pair of USB NES controllers...