N64 Retrolink controller verdict?

vretro

Have you used the Retrolink N64 controller to play N64 games on Retropie and if so, what is your verdict, specifically the precision of the analogue stick?

How is it to control Mario 64 walking slowly through to running?
How about the precision for aiming the sniper riffle etc in Goldeneye?

I understand using a genuine N64 controller is optimal via USB converter, but I am looking for the next best thing that is readily available.

Rion

Well i can only say my option on Retrolink USB Super SNES Classic Controller.

They are crap. The best thing out there is 8BitDo's controllers or "Buffalo SNES Super Nintendo Famicom Turbo USB Gamepad Controller".

If the quality is the same on the N64 from Retrolink i don't know but i don't have high hopes

Lodan-Zark

Well I have one and it feels legit, but there is a annoying issue with analog stick, it works great with horizontal and vertical moves, but it's very imprecise during diagonal moves, so you can play racing games very good but in 3d performers you might had some troubles in some tricky diagonal moves

mrbwa1

In the long term, the analog sticks aren't that great on the reproduction controllers.

To be fair, they are about the same as the cheap replacements available for genuine controllers. I still have originals and put a lot of research into how to rebuild the analog sticks as the do wear out. The replacements aren't bad, but do suffer from QC variances and tend to wear out quickly under heavy use.

You might get a good stick and it may last some time, but it's hard to say. I have the generic NES and SNES USB pads: The NES one is cheap and spongy, but the SNES one is really pretty nice.

2 of my originals have cleaned out original sticks (only used for 3 and 4 player) and 2 have the v3 Gamecube replacement sticks (that's a whole other story). I suppose I should buy an adapter for the retropie, but my PS2 analog sticks on the retropie perform very similar to the GC replacement sticks (good luck with precise aiming in Goldeneye though!)

Long story short, for serious gaming, OEM controllers are usually best. For a few casual games, the generic USB reproductions are okay.

vretro

Thank you @lodan-zark and @mrbwa1 for sharing your experience with the RetroLink N64 controller.

I'd like to collect as many accounts from RetroPie users who use them in their setups.

The analogue stick is the key concern.

I have tried my original controllers via USB converters, but think they are starting to show their age and replacement sticks don't seem like a much better option from what I can tell.

The mixed reviews I find elsewhere for Retrolink N64 controllers seem to come from people who are less experienced with how the analogue stick should perform, especially in games like Goldeneye when precision aiming.

I have a few iBuffalo pads for 2D games and like @rion said, I'd recommend them as they are excellent.

mrbwa1

If you have originals, this is probably the best bet for replacement info: http://s9.zetaboards.com/Nintendo_64_Forever/topic/7360571/1/

Note that they aren't testing the newest GC style control sticks that I have. The v3 GC sticks are quite good, but still a bit fast on say Goldeneye. I would imagine you can tweak the sensitivity on Retropie so it wouldn't be a huge issue. Besides that, I much prefer the GC style stick as it's not going to break down over time and it's easy to swap out.

This is the one I have: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEWEST-Version-3-Gamecube-Style-Thumbstick-Joystick-Repair-for-N64-Controller-/171993923449

The same seller sells a "new" and a "newest version 3" version of the GC sticks which appear to be the V2 and V3 versions. For the $2 difference, I went with the V3 based on my reading.

Again, I have an N64 console, so for me it makes sense to stick with the OEM controllers. By the time I picked up some extra controllers and the GC sticks, it was certainly more expensive that the Retrolink USB ones (and that's without an N64 to usb adapter factored in), but it was worth it due to having the original console.

vretro

@mrbwa1 that was a really useful link about the replacement sticks, thank you. I'm going off the idea of the Retrolink N64 (in its current form) because of the stick accuracy.

For the same reasons I am swaying away from the replacement stick option, as appealing as the Game Cube stick would be for its apparent durability.

Perhaps there will be a V4 replacement stick, which will have more levels of sensitivity and less dead zone.

Using genuine controllers + adaptors will be what I will stick to, then I can use them on the console too.

I wonder if I could fit one of those replacement sticks (N64/GameCube) to inexpensive controllers found on eBay etc. like the one below and expect to get the full benefit which the replacement is capable of, the stick sensitivity on cheap controllers are terrible and simply offer on and off with no levels of sensitivity:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hot-USB-Game-Wired-Controller-Joypad-Gaming-For-Nintendo-N64-PC-Black-/262225729588?hash=item3d0ddf1834:g:u2UAAOSwT~9Wi-4G

mrbwa1

@vretro I have't taken apart a retrolink stick, so it's hard to say if the sticke is replacable. I would guess that that they probably use the modules as they are out there and cheap.

As for the CG sticks. The V ones I have fixed most of the issues in that article as far as dead zone (and the early sticks couldn't do some of the SSB moves). They are just more sensitive to directional movement. I've only really noticed it in Goldeneye though. I have no issues with any of the racing games and would guess that a couple hours of playing 007 and I would be adapted.

vretro

@mrbwa1 for now I have opted for using my official controllers with adaptors and perhaps one day I will reinvestigate a (further revised) replacement stick option when they wear out. Thanks for all the insights.

BenWlson

Here is a decent article I found:

http://www.gamernode.com/retro-link-classic-usb-controllers-review/