Midnight Pinball

This took two evenings to fully clean. But that Transparent Blue Dreamcast controller/VMU combo is a gorgeous color - worth it!

It's coming back together... Mmm, clean.

Finally got the stripped screw loose from the PS3 PHAT chassis I started a few weeks ago.

Air Duster time... (Cough, Cough)

And that thermal paste... How in the heck was this running?!?

(Cough...)

Ah, tonight's rebuild was one of my favorites - an Atomic Purple N64 controller.

It had a really bad thumb stick, as you can plainly see. The poor thing was treated to a new bowl and gears plus a healthy helping of Joystick Butter.

All better now, ready to play!

Listing Video Game Guides today for sale, I saw this CompUSA sticker and it made me sad.

To those we've lost - Salute!

A tale of two (SNES) controllers.

Quick, close your eyes - remember playing your SNES? Yeah?

What did the top of the controller say? Did it have a logo that read "Super Nintendo Entertainment System" or one that simply read "Nintendo"?

If you are remembering one or the other, you're not experiencing the Mandela Effect - Nintendo made both! Model number SNS-005 was the early model and read "Super Nintendo Entertainment System".

The later model number, SNS-102, had the familiar "Nintendo" logo we all know and love - cast into the housing.

What's the difference between these two controller types?

Well - people swear by one or the other, but they are largely identical in function. The SNS-005 was made in Japan, while the SNS-102 was made in China.

But the real difference? Later controller cords are nearly a FOOT SHORTER than their early brethren.

And now you know. 😎

Tonight's restoration victim, a very grubby SNS-005 (Super Nintendo) controller.

If you had a first generation Super Nintendo System in the early 90s, odds are that you had one or more of these guys. Fairly simple to work on, they are typical Nintendo quality and super durable.

This particular unit was pretty ugly but complete. 8-10 Q-Tips and some Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) later, this controller is ready to go play for another 30+ years.

First teardown of an N64. Decided to go with the absolute nastiest one I had in the box. Instead of using a replacement stick, I chose to buy the components to rebuild this one.

OK, that's a nice start...

Went on the Stern Factory tour this morning. Awesome stuff...

Let's go!

Sometimes it's the extras that rock! This DE jack from the 80s will go well with my Laser War!

Spooky Pinball and Scooby-Doo. A match made in mystery! Let's do this!

Scooby-Doo Pinball Machine Teaser, Spooky Pinball LLC Zoinks! Spooky Pinball and Warner Brothers are bringing the much-anticipated Scooby-Doo world into the Pinball World. Don't forget to purchase your Fang Club...

Can I vote the Pinball Party? Asking for a friend...

Thanks Jersey Jack Pinball for the factory tour, it was EPIC!