I like the ASCII Stick L5 for turn based games. It's a one handed Famicom controller but you can adapt it to NES. I think mine was under 20 bucks NOS so they’re cheap.
I can't answer your question but I can say with confidence authentic dogbone all the way for me. Can't beat it. Opinion of course.
Dogbones feel terrible and they're not 3rd party, duh!
I want to try out those Retron NES style controllers, they look kind of neat but I avoid newer brands. Hudson does a lot of good controllers for the Famicom so I will use them most often.
I can't answer your question but I can say with confidence authentic dogbone all the way for me. Can't beat it. Opinion of course.
Dogbones feel terrible and they're not 3rd party, duh!
I want to try out those Retron NES style controllers, they look kind of neat but I avoid newer brands. Hudson does a lot of good controllers for the Famicom so I will use them most often.
The RetroBit/Tomee dogbones are terrible. They will lock up your console if you hot-plug/unplug and even though there is no strain relief the ridiculously-thin controller cord isn't even rounted through the posts intended for that. Though they did copy the posts, the cord is much too thin and they put a warranty/QC inspection sticker over one of the screws, so you can't even fix their own mistake without voiding your warranty. Because the cord is too thin, the hole it passes through is too large and all the external forces get applied DIRECTLY to the tiny wires soldered to the board.
You'd think that if they copied the original closely enough to have vestigial cord winding posts that it would be a suitable replacement shell for a real controller, but... NOPE! The button thickness mandates a different PCB height so all the supports are wrong.
Other issues: It has plastic Start/Select buttons and the D-pad can press down in all directions simultaneously.
I love my "ASCII Stick II Turbo for Family Computer" (AS-3399-FC).
It has genuine Seimitsu switches/arcade stick and even allows directional turbo with adjustable speed. Like an NES Advantage, it has a 1p/2p switch, though I assume it works differently (enables a pass-through controller for 2p alternating games?). I haven't explored the function because I don't have a another Famicom controller with an external plug. Strangely, it has "TAPE IN/OUT" headphone jacks, presumably for the ASCII Turbo File or something similar. I have no idea what the 270-degree DIN-8 "OPTION" jack is for.
My biggest issue is similar to one of the NES Advantage's issues, where was too easy to accidentally toggle Slo-Mo when trying to hit Start or Select. Select and Start here are small buttons nestled above a small "Turbo" button that's just going to get triggered accidentally over and over.
The design was adapted for other consoles so the turbo speed adjustment knob is right in line with the A & B buttons but this is easy to get used to. The stock stick actuates very early in the range of travel so you have to get used to allowing it to travel back further if you need to tap a certain direction. Like any serious arcade stick, this can be adjusted to your preference with a new gate.
It's weighty, includes a 4/8-way mode switch, and has LED indicators for A, B, and every direction. I'd compare it to the Capcom Power Stick Fighter, though it's intended for Famicom only (BTW: CPSF included an NES adapter).
I can never remember the name of my controller that I'm fond of. It's similar to the Sansui controllers but has a rounded top. Absolutely love that controller.
I personally like the controller from the Generation Nex famiclone. It's a bit light, but other than that (and could be resolved by adding weight internally) it's pretty good. Feels good in the hand, and the shoulder buttons are mapped to A and B, so if you're weird like me you can use the shoulder buttons to jump in platformers while still holding the B button to run, much more comfortably.
Comments
If you want an arcade stick, the Beeshu Ultimate Superstick and Quickshot Maverick 2 are good.
It's the only 3rd party controller I've ever used and enjoyed.
Edit: It should be called the "Sansui EN-Joycard SSS"
Originally posted by: SDoren
I can't answer your question but I can say with confidence authentic dogbone all the way for me. Can't beat it. Opinion of course.
Dogbones feel terrible and they're not 3rd party, duh!
I want to try out those Retron NES style controllers, they look kind of neat but I avoid newer brands. Hudson does a lot of good controllers for the Famicom so I will use them most often.
I can't answer your question but I can say with confidence authentic dogbone all the way for me. Can't beat it. Opinion of course.
Dogbones feel terrible and they're not 3rd party, duh!
I want to try out those Retron NES style controllers, they look kind of neat but I avoid newer brands. Hudson does a lot of good controllers for the Famicom so I will use them most often.
The RetroBit/Tomee dogbones are terrible. They will lock up your console if you hot-plug/unplug and even though there is no strain relief the ridiculously-thin controller cord isn't even rounted through the posts intended for that. Though they did copy the posts, the cord is much too thin and they put a warranty/QC inspection sticker over one of the screws, so you can't even fix their own mistake without voiding your warranty. Because the cord is too thin, the hole it passes through is too large and all the external forces get applied DIRECTLY to the tiny wires soldered to the board.
You'd think that if they copied the original closely enough to have vestigial cord winding posts that it would be a suitable replacement shell for a real controller, but... NOPE! The button thickness mandates a different PCB height so all the supports are wrong.
Other issues: It has plastic Start/Select buttons and the D-pad can press down in all directions simultaneously.
It has genuine Seimitsu switches/arcade stick and even allows directional turbo with adjustable speed. Like an NES Advantage, it has a 1p/2p switch, though I assume it works differently (enables a pass-through controller for 2p alternating games?). I haven't explored the function because I don't have a another Famicom controller with an external plug. Strangely, it has "TAPE IN/OUT" headphone jacks, presumably for the ASCII Turbo File or something similar. I have no idea what the 270-degree DIN-8 "OPTION" jack is for.
My biggest issue is similar to one of the NES Advantage's issues, where was too easy to accidentally toggle Slo-Mo when trying to hit Start or Select. Select and Start here are small buttons nestled above a small "Turbo" button that's just going to get triggered accidentally over and over.
The design was adapted for other consoles so the turbo speed adjustment knob is right in line with the A & B buttons but this is easy to get used to. The stock stick actuates very early in the range of travel so you have to get used to allowing it to travel back further if you need to tap a certain direction. Like any serious arcade stick, this can be adjusted to your preference with a new gate.
It's weighty, includes a 4/8-way mode switch, and has LED indicators for A, B, and every direction. I'd compare it to the Capcom Power Stick Fighter, though it's intended for Famicom only (BTW: CPSF included an NES adapter).
Edit:
Pics - https://imgur.com/a/nRB3F