Nintendo Buttons - Why the Differences?

Phetishboy

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 12, 2006
Messages
47,929
Reaction score
9,392
Location
Avon, Minnesota
Was it a wood panel vs. metal CP thing, or just production randomness? I ask because I have a ton of Nintendo buttons that I have acquired over the years, and most have a lot of travel and the button sticks up above the housing a good 3/8-1/2". Every now and then though, I'll try to mate a housing and button of the same color, and the button shaft seems shorter, giving the button very minimal travel and making it rise above the housing by barely 1/4". I would think the wooden panel buttons, Orange and Blue, would be the only colors affected by this length issue, but I have green and red buttons and housings that have this same issue. It's driving me nuts, as putting the shorter shaft button in:

a. Doesn't look right
2. Doesn't feel right
c. sometimes won't engage the microswitch

What gives? Also, why are some of the internal springs perfectly wound and beautifully pyramid shaped, while others look like old broken bed springs from the "Doctor's Couch" in Fritz's back room?
 
I am not sure of what the problem is, are you talking about the overall height of the plunger?

Nintendo buttons are much taller than a HAPP or a Midway button.

Or are you saying that the bottom of the plunger sits higher than the outside of the button?

Here are my DK buttons:
IMG_20110717_091903.jpg
 
I think I get what you are saying now, you are trying to match up a nice looking plunger to a nice housing but the plunger shaft length is too short.

If you are concerned about the look of the buttons, just select plungers that fit the housing and send them to me, I will clean them up really nice.
 
Are you sure both parts are from Nintendo buttons? I've seen more then a few cases where the original plunger had broken and a plunger from a leaf was subbed in.

Do you have pics of the buttons together and taken apart?
 
Are you sure both parts are from Nintendo buttons? I've seen more then a few cases where the original plunger had broken and a plunger from a leaf was subbed in.

Do you have pics of the buttons together and taken apart?

These are all Nintendo buttons. It happens in one out of 10 cases for me. I thought I described what's happening pretty well. Less plunger height = less travel. Maybe the tiny e-clip channel was machined too high, maybe the plunger shaft is shorter.
 
You described it fine. The picture is to verify proof that they are Nintendo buttons and if so to see if we can see why for those of us who don't have the problem.
 
You described it fine. The picture is to verify proof that they are Nintendo buttons and if so to see if we can see why for those of us who don't have the problem.

I was actually referring to Tighe, I knew why you wanted a pic. He is "not sure of what the problem is".
 
I was actually referring to Tighe, I knew why you wanted a pic. He is "not sure of what the problem is".

I get it now, have you tried measuring the distance on all your plungers from the bottom of the button to the e-clip grove to see if there are different?
 
I get it now, have you tried measuring the distance on all your plungers from the bottom of the button to the e-clip grove to see if there are different?

Yes, and they are. That's why I am asking why the differences. I have one extra black, one orange and one green housing and one extra black, orange and green plunger. The 2 pieces of each color should match up, but when I put them together there is not nearly enough travel to be considered correct.
 
I also wonder why I have seen both cherry red and burgundy buttons when they are supposed to all be cherry red? I mean the 4 player Vs. systems utilized Purple, but what the fuck is this burgundy/ magenta/ rhubarb wine business? Anyone else seen these? Or do I have to post pics?
 
Yes, and they are. That's why I am asking why the differences. I have one extra black, one orange and one green housing and one extra black, orange and green plunger. The 2 pieces of each color should match up, but when I put them together there is not nearly enough travel to be considered correct.

That is weird wild stuff! I might suggest that you sand the bottom of housing to give those buttons extra travel?

I also wonder why I have seen both cherry red and burgundy buttons when they are supposed to all be cherry red? I mean the 4 player Vs. systems utilized Purple, but what the fuck is this burgundy/ magenta/ rhubarb wine business? Anyone else seen these? Or do I have to post pics?

I have midway buttons from several different cabinets and they are all faded to different reds (almost purple), when originally they should have been the same color. Once you remove the oxidation with sandpaper or Retr0brite they all look the same original red though. Maybe that is what is happening with yours? The easiest way to tell is to look inside the plunger where the plastic is less oxidized.
 
That is weird wild stuff! I might suggest that you sand the bottom of housing to give those buttons extra travel?



I have midway buttons from several different cabinets and they are all faded to different reds (almost purple), when originally they should have been the same color. Once you remove the oxidation with sandpaper or Retr0brite they all look the same original red though. Maybe that is what is happening with yours? The easiest way to tell is to look inside the plunger where the plastic is less oxidized.

Tighe, these are factory colors. I have several of each, not faded, just a different color. I've seen them before as well. Strange that they would either be bright red or solid magenta but that there would be no shades in between. Looks like pics are in order. Man I hate posting pics.
 
Back
Top Bottom