2-Tech N64 Controller
2-Tech N64 Controller
2-Tech are a company that seems to distribute their products mainly in Germany, and this controller was bought from eBay Germany. This is actually a different style from the controller I was expecting but my knowledge of the German language is very poor, so I'm not gonna argue. You needn't go to Germany to buy this controller, however, as it looks identical to the both the Myiicco and Yobo N64 controllers that are available in the US (check out this comparison photo). And this controller is also the very same one identified by floorcat as being yet another controller called SuperPad 64! Scroll to the bottom of the three pronged SuperPad 64 post for a photo.
The 2-Tech is reasonably attractive for a third party controller, although it's none too adventurous in it's design. The button layout is almost identical to the official Nintendo controller, except for the inclusion of Slow, Set and CLR buttons. The L and R shoulder buttons are smaller than the official design, but none the worse for it.
The controller is very comfortable to hold and feels quite sturdy. There are no problems with any of the main buttons, and the d-pad is very good. One criticism is that the Slow button isn't ideally placed and I've mistakenly pressed it a number of times when I was meaning to press start. It's quite annoying, especially since there are so few games that will actually work with a slow function on the N64.
The Set and CLR buttons are a complete mystery; after playing with them for a good ten minutes I hadn't manage to make them do anything at all! They might be turbo or reset but I can't work them out. There's no instructions with the controller and, interestingly, they're both missing from the diagram on the box! Very strange. Maybe someone with a Yobo or Myiicco controller can inform me what they do, as all three controllers have the same buttons.
The analogue stick feels comfortable, probably due to it having indented groves on the top rather than the official design's circular ridges. Unfortunately this can result in your thumb slipping slightly when making quick movements and, although you can quickly adjust the position of your thumb, it's still an impairment to precision control.
Analogue movement is further hindered by the sticks differing sensitivity for vertical and horizontal movements (left/right are more sensitive than up/down), which makes targeting in FPS much more difficult than it should be. Also, moving between vertical and horizontal directions produces an unsettling click from the control stick! This surely doesn't bode well for longevity of the internal workings. Another internal problem with the 2-tech controller is that the control stick housing can't be opened up fully without breaking it, so lubricating the control stick (or any kind of maintenance) isn't an easy option. Given that the control stick shares the same design as the official controller but these are made from cheaper plastic, it is extremely likely that these will wear out quickly. You've been warned!
One last anomaly from the control stick: when selecting a file or level in Goldeneye pushing the stick fully forward results in the target moving in the opposite direction from what you expect. I usually invert controls, so pushing up means the target should move down, but it moves up instead. Slight movements on the control stick make the target move in the intended direction, which make this erratic behaviour even more puzzling. Goldeneye is the only game affected (that I've noticed so far), and only in the file/level select screen; targeting within levels is fine.
My last criticism of this controller is a minor one; the controller pak slot doesn't completely cover the controller pak. So what? Well, it means that when you bump the controller down it's the controller pak that'll take the shock. I'd imagine that this isn't good for either the controller pak or your saves, so be careful with that controller!
Overall score: 3.5 out of 5 - Comfortable pad let down by a poor analog stick.
Source : Review by Alxbly
