Cheap USB NES controllers why so bad?

gizmo90

Other than 'because they are cheap' what would be making these so unreliable?

Specifically, I'm finding the direction pad absolutely abysmal, with pushing in directions occasionally initiating other directions entirely?

I've opened it up and compared it with my original nes controller and tbh I'm struggling to see a difference. Sure the plastic is poorer but the button membranes seem reasonably similar. Therefore what could be causing pushing a direction and another direction happening?

Could it be something to do with the controller board on the controller itself? I think this all quite intriguing and wondered if anyone has come up with a definitive reason why these misreadings are happening? Perhaps there's a fix.

Any advice much appreciated.

Lister of Smeg

@gizmo90 beyond giving the pcb contacts a clean with isopropyl alcohol there's probably not much you can do
got any pics of the board?

gizmo90

@lister-of-smeg Thanks for the reply. I think I've tracked down the problem. I put an original NES's membrane and directional pad in cheapo case and I think I've found the culprit, since the directional pad then feels perfectly fine. The cheapo directional membrane feels noticeably 'thinner' when pushing down each nub and very wishy washy. I presume this is the cause of the multi direction input errors, since pushing one direction can easily trigger another direction because of the flimsiness.

This asks the question, can good quality replacement membranes be bought today? eBay is awash with sellers but I'm sure they're all selling the cheap China ones. Does anyone know if quality ones can be sourced now? Surely someone is selling them?

BeldarTheBrave

@gizmo90

I love messing with old controllers. When comparing original NES controllers to new USB clones, there are often a number of differences.

Often the d-pad itself is missing the central nub in the middle that acts as a fulcrum to rock it in the desired direction. This nub also prevents the pad from directly pressed down which activities multiple directions at once.
The newer rubber membranes often have poorly applied or incorrectly sized current disruptors, or whatever they are called. This can make button presses inaccurate if the spots on the board are bigger than the pads.
The overall cheap and hollow feeling of the newer controllers further gives the impression of lack of quality. This makes them less satisfying to use even when they are functioning correctly.

There are a number of solutions: You can clean up an original controller and buy an NES to USB adapter. You can use a better constructed controller even if it isn't NES shape. I personally like a few of the SNES style ones. I've even go so far as too use the shell of a cheap controller, use old stock NES rubber, and then put wheel weights inside the shell to add more weight. It all depends on how much time and money you want to spend on the issue. What I currently use are some SNES clone controllers. I often use some old iBuffalo ones that I got before the crazy price jump, I would give them 4 out of 5 . If I am playing with others (or a destructive stepson) there is a brand of cheap ones that are workable, but not great (maybe three out of five stars.) I used to use original controllers that I cleaned up with an adapter, but I wanted more buttons to access menus.

themazingness

Yeah, unfortunately knock offs are rarely great. My SN30 Pro is my favorite since it combines the old (SNES shape and layout) with the new (L2, R2, and dual analog sticks).

I have a couple of Vilros NES USB controllers and they aren't bad. They aren't high quality by any means, but they do the job better than other clone controllers I've owned.