Looking to buy a Hori N64 Mini Pad or 2. Or 3.

[BadChad]

Is that pelican pad worth the money? I imagine the hori is better, but if spending $30 less means I still get a functional snes-esque pad I'd gladly go for the pelican.

I dont know anyhting about that pelican controller but it definetly looks of lesser quality and not quite as confortable as the Hori. Kinda looks like one of those cheap SNES turbo pads which I have and greatly dislike. But the Hori controller also has the official Nintendo GameCube logo printed on the front and stamped on the back so maybe Nintendo approved the quality of the controller to allow them to do that? So I guess the decision is up to you. Take your chances with the pelican to save a few bucks or go with the Hori which I can guarantee you'll be completely satisfied with.

Or go with Shenske's suggestion and get yourself a cable from RetroUSB for 20$ and use a real SNES controller. Not sure how comfortable the buttons will be mapped out tho. But if it was me, Id definetly buy one of those cables over the pelican...

[satoshi_matrix]

Indeed. The only good thing about the pelican pad is that it's pcb is common ground, which is of course only useful if you want to padhack it and turn it into an arcade stick.

Then again, the OEM Gamecube controller is also conveniently common ground, which lends itself to padhacking all the same. The only difference is that you should be able to pick up a used Pelican for $8 whereas a OEM Gamecube controller goes for $15, and plus you have to deal with those Nintendo tri-wing screws to get at its pcb.

Hori is the exception to this rule as they are a major manufacturer of arcade and controllers in Japan and are well known for their quality, but here's the general rule of thumb: 

As far as out of the box performance and quality, third party controllers are always inferior to first party controllers. The only reasons one should ever look into third party controllers are

a. if you need to make a padhack (third party controllers are often cloned, reverse engineered first party controllers that are simplified or easier to solder to)

b. Your hosting a game party with people you dont know or trust, and you want controllers that you won't care as much if they get destroyed.

lt;dr

Don't buy the pelican.

[Thaddeus Grey]

Well, I didn't get the pelican (I only do officially licensed 3rd party, but that d-pad on it is tempting), and I do plan on getting the GC adapter for SNES pads at some point, but as I stated, I already purhased the Hori pad. I also plan to use it for Soul Calibur 2 and a few others, where the mapping of the SNES pad would be odd. I know someone who can get me a Hori N64 pad in Japan for about $30, shipped, but they won't be able to until after the summer. I ain't spending $60 on a controller, unless it's a really good arcade joystick or a Virtual On twin stick. And also, my SNES pads are all so worn that i'd probably be better off with the standard GC controller, or I could buy a good used one at Vintage Stock or Play n trade (or Game Xchange, but their selection sucks) for about $10.   Unless I wanted to break out the Play Messiah pads, but those are happily gaining equity in storage, all nice an new.  

Also as a side note, finding the Pelican pads from a reliable source is easier said than done. Baysoft games and Toys n Joys are notorious rip-offs. But Hori pads show up damn-near everywhere.

[satoshi_matrix]

Whoa, really? they're......common? How much are the Gamecube Hori Digital Controllers? I've never ever seen one instore, or indeed the US model. I have seen the Pelican one before, but not in years.

Not that I don't believe you, but it takes a lot to wear out an snes pad. I have Atari 2600 joysticks from the very early 80's that aren't worn out, and all my NES controllers still work like a charm 20+ years later.

As you stated, if it is real bad, simply get another one, but if you shop on ebay make sure you pay close attention to the picture and read the description. The Super Famicom itself is quickly approaching its patent expiry and as such ebay is already flooded with Super Famiclone controllers. Unlike the Nintendo ones, these will wear out as they are made of much cheaper materials.   

Lastly, regarding Soul Cali 2 GC, I'm pretty sure it allows you to remap the controls as do most fighting games.

The main reason I like my retrozone SNES to GC adapter is to play Ikaruga, Megaman Network Transmission, Megaman X Collection, Sonic Mega Collection, Sonic Gems Collection, Soul Calibur 2,  Resident Evil 1-3, and the classic Zelda titles.

[Thaddeus Grey]

It's really odd. I can't seem to find the Pelican pads ANYWHERE (aside from Toys N Joys and Baysoft Games, but DON'T EVER ORDER FROM THEM). I bought my SNES used and the controllers obviously took some abuse. It came with one official, 1st run controller and one from the later years that you can still find boxed, new. Both looked like they had been given to a 3 year old with ADHD, a bottle of soda, and a hacksaw. The system looks great tho.

That adapter looks more and more tempting, and I probably will get one, but I gotta ask man: how in the WORLD does it work out with RE1-3?  I assume you give up the ability to pull a 180 in 3, yes?

Still looking for an N64 pad. Best price so far is at GameBaz.com, and it's almost $70 with shipping. Yeowch.

[BadChad]

Ive never played RE2-3 on the cube but RE0-1 play fantastic!

[UncleBob]

There's a slight bit of misinformation in this thread.

The Hori Digital Controllers *WERE* sold in stores in the US.  The only store that I know of that physically carried them was GameCrazy.  I bought my black one there (after I paid a pretty penny to import an indigo one).

[Thaddeus Grey]

Grrr... Why don't we have any GameCrazy's in OKC?! All we have is Gamestop, FYE, Game Xchange, Vintage Stock, and Play N Trade. Apparently Tulsa has Hastings and Game Crazy's, but not where it COUNTS. I hate where I live. I PERSONALLY never saw any in any physical stores.

[AppleQueso]

Grrr... Why don't we have any GameCrazy's in OKC?! All we have is Gamestop, FYE, Game Xchange, Vintage Stock, and Play N Trade. Apparently Tulsa has Hastings and Game Crazy's, but not where it COUNTS. I hate where I live. I PERSONALLY never saw any in any physical stores.

Please we just have 3 gamestops and a flea market.

[satoshi_matrix]

ebay is your friend when you're looking for something super specific. As for the GC RE2 and RE3, they are both PS1 ports so they look nowhere near as good as REmake or RE0. That said, you can play them in high res, they are stripped of the horrid PS1 loadtimes and there's new GC only easy modes that give you the best weapons at the start of the game with unlimited ammo. These versions might be considered sloppy, but they are the best of the bunch.

[AppleQueso]

That easy mode you refer to is only on RE3 and it's not GC only.

[Thaddeus Grey]

Yeah, wasn't it also like that on DC? Come to think of it, what ARE the differences b/w the GC and DC versions?

May have secured a Hori N64 pad... in the color I want, too...

[dejimus]

That easy mode you refer to is only on RE3 and it's not GC only.

RE2 has it as well, just a different name, ARRANGE MODE, and it was on the ps1 dual shock ver.

start with tthe best weapons, and ther eis a quick button command to get infinite ammo

[RockinX]

I have a red one. I should have bought more of them because they were between 30 and 50 dollars on eBay when I bought it in 2006 (and they were new!), as opposed to 80 dollars for the used ones on eBay right now.

It's really good, the stick is better than the GameCube's but it's too sensitive and it loses precision, but it's a small price to pay for a stick that doesn't get damaged as easily. In order for its Controller Pak slot not to get damaged (like all my regular N64 controllers'), I always keep it inside the box in which it came, even if it's plugged.

Note: The Hori 64 Pad Mini's stick doesn't work well with USB adapters. When I receive my N64 to GC adapter, I'll check if it works with it.

Also, I own both a Game Boy Player Hori Pad and a SNES to GC adapter, and I love both. Though I like the Hori controller better for some games because it's more sturdy than my worn out SNES controller, and it makes games like Zelda Collectors Edition (Zelda 1 and 2), Viewtiful Joe and other games play awesomely.

[satoshi_matrix]

The control stick is leaps and bounds better than the offical N64 one, and the comfert of the controller is better as well. But like I said, forget about anything that is best played with the D-pad (Pokémon Panel De Pon, Mischief Makers, etc).