Metal thumbsticks for Nintendo Gamecube controller analog control & C-stick replacement aluminium custom mod | ZedLabz

The main thing to know about these thumbsticks is that, well, they don't have rubber grips. So there's obviously less friction between your thumb and the stick. This means your thumb is more easily able to slip off when jerking the stick all the way in any direction.

For me, the oil and sweat that my hands naturally produce during a play session will act as a lubricant of sorts, impeding me from being able to make those super-fine motions I'm accustomed to with a rubber thumbstick.

Other than that, I've got nothing but pros. They're easy to install, fit well on my GC controller stickboxes, and so far look like the best long-term solution for someone who has tried, and despised, so many garbage thumbsticks off eBay/AliExpress whose plastic feels cheaper than a ketchup packet at a restaurant (free).

These sticks look great but functionally they are not good enough for casual OR competitive play. The holes at the back do not correctly fit into the male end on the PCB of the controller, causing EXTREME snapback. Even with a PHOB, I attempted to correct it digitally and the maximum isn't enough to fix this. I'm contemplating putting some sort of putty or glue in the back just to fit them properly. I bought because I tend to go through OEM sticks quickly due to the rubber tops coming off. These are... passable for the level of grip they provide, and I understand that going off of rubber there was going to be some getting-used-to. But even trying to acclimate is annoying, since the snapback on both the C-stick and main stick is excessive. Maybe I just received a faulty product, but assuming these are made with casts I don't think that's the case. Again, they're aesthetically great. I wish they fit right.

Amazing

I'd consider myself to be hobbyist-grade competitive at smash brothers and have been for over a decade. These sticks appealed to me since I wear out the cheap replacement sticks so quickly. So far these are pretty great. I love how clean the controller is all the time now, without little rubber flakes going all over the place. As for Smash, they do take some getting used to. Not having a grippy surface is probably the most notable thing about gameplay and it does cause me to mess up some inputs here and there. That said I still enjoy these. Maybe one day I'll investigate applying some kind of abrasive surface to them, but in the mean time these are doing nicely.

Since I kept wearing down standard thumbsticks in a matter of months and in search of a unique aesthetic upgrade, I decided to purchase this product.

I'm of two minds with these sticks; on the one hand, they look great, instantly eyecatching on any controller, they don't wear out like the standard plastic/rubber sticks. On the other hand they're quite heavy in the gate, adding weight resistance to your inputs, they cause increased wear & tear on the notches of your controller and they provide less grip overall. Their fit in the controller is also not ideal, they're not as snug on the stickbox as the standard, particular noticeable with the C-stick, and this leads to some rattling in the gate.

When playing, they're not as intuitive/user friendly as standard sticks, requiring significant adjustment to make use of effectively. Generally this means pressing down on them a little harder and frequently cleaning sweat off them and your thumbs. Their additional weight does also seem to lend itself to increased snapback. All that said, I've been using them with my GCC to play competetive SSBU for about 2 months now, and after making some adjustments to the way I use my controller, I'm very happy with the way these sticks play. They have experienced some wear, a slight fading in the vibrancy of the thumbpad of the Left Stick, as the the grip ridges are worn/polished by constant use. I imagine they'll keep getting lighter over time, like a metal handrail polished by years of use. Thankfully, this shouldn't affect their perfomance, unlike the loss of rubber tops from OEM sticks.

For me, they did exactly what I needed; they look great and they don't wear out. I love playing with them, they're cool to the touch, easy to clean and they really are the signature detail that makes my controller stand out. If you don't mind getting used to new sticks and you're sick of wearing out standard ones or are just looking for a snazzy part to level up the look of your controller, then these come highly recommended.

(avoided five stars, as they are rarely available in preferred colours and you will likely have to compromise)

Really high quality thumb stick cap replacement which takes your controller to the next level and makes it feel premium.. a must buy for any GameCube owner you won’t be disappointed these sticks Are quality 😎

Love my new thumbsticks. Really sets of the controller and feel so much better than the standard plastic thumbsticks. Let me know once the silver and yellow is in stock! 5 star!

Used gamecube controllers to play smash bros a lot over the past 12+ years. I've always worn out the OEM sticks within a few months of regular use. Been using a set of metal thumbsticks for over a year now and I like it a lot. These are not as grippy as new OEM thumbsticks, but are much better than using older sticks that are worn down or just greasy feeling. Its easy to wipe off any sweat or grime from these compared to OEM sticks that absorb moisture and continue to feel slippery after cleaning.

If you are a competitive player, these sticks will take some getting used to as they are heavier than regular sticks (particularly the Control stick).

The metal sounds are neat when smashing or flicking the sticks.

TLDR: If you tend to wear out sticks quickly and are adaptable/not picky about the feel, these are definitely worth a try.