"PAL-sized" HAPP Buttons from Bob Roberts

nesjess

Well-known member

Donor 2011
Joined
Feb 4, 2009
Messages
9,584
Reaction score
530
Location
Castro Valley, California
"PAL-sized" HAPP Buttons from Bob Roberts

So I just had a short conversation with Bob Roberts about some HAPP pushbuttons that I bought from him recently.

I needed new buttons for my Mario Bros. CP. Since Mikesarcade has been out of the PAL leafswitch buttons for months, I tried to use the orange and blue HAPP buttons that came with my Vs. control panel, but they were a little too big (obviously since I needed PAL leafswitch buttons, but it was worth a shot). I asked Bob Roberts if he happened to have any and he said that PAL leafswitch buttons are obsolete and no one sells them (other than the repro ones from Mikesarcade).

Well, since I knew the Vs. CP fit HAPP pushbuttons, I ordered them from Bob Roberts. When they arrived, I installed them to the Vs. CP, but I noticed they were slightly smaller and a little loose. Just to test, I tried to fit one of them in my Mario Bros. CP. And it fit...perfectly.

I took a chance and ordered the blue and orange HAPP pushbuttons from Bob and, just as I tested the one button, they fit in my Mario Bros. CP perfectly.

I asked Bob about it and he said someone most likely redrilled my CP holes, but I told him the CP wasn't redrilled. I guess he double-checked the size of his HAPP pushbuttons because he responded with this:

"You're right... looks like when Happ swapped out to the new button mfr in
2007 they had them made slightly smaller in diameter... by design, or maybe
that's just the way they came from the new molds."

So it's still not clear why Bob's HAPP pushbuttons are slightly smaller. He isn't entirely sure.

Bottom line is...if you're not knit-picky about having original or repro PAL leafswitch butttons, then you can find "PAL-sized" HAPP pushbuttons from Bob Roberts.

Insights?

My Mario Bros. CP with Bob's HAPP pushbuttons installed. Old PAL leafswitch for comparison:

0724092223.jpg


Bob's HAPP pushbutton installed compared to the old HAPP pushbutton that came from my VS. CP. The old HAPP pushbutton is slightly larger:

0724092225.jpg
 
Last edited:
So I just had a short conversation with Bob Roberts about some HAPP pushbuttons that I bought from him recently.

I needed new buttons for my Mario Bros. CP. Since Mikesarcade has been out of the PAL leafswitch buttons for months, I tried to use the orange and blue HAPP buttons that came with my Vs. control panel, but they were a little too big (obviously since I needed PAL leafswitch buttons, but it was worth a shot). I asked Bob Roberts if he happened to have any and he said that PAL leafswitch buttons are obsolete and no one sells them (other than the repro ones from Mikesarcade).

Well, since I knew the Vs. CP fit HAPP pushbuttons, I ordered them from Bob Roberts. When they arrived, I installed them to the Vs. CP, but I noticed they were slightly smaller and a little loose. Just to test, I tried to fit one of them in my Mario Bros. CP. And it fit...perfectly.

I took a chance and ordered the blue and orange HAPP pushbuttons from Bob and, just as I tested the one button, they fit in my Mario Bros. CP perfectly.

I asked Bob about it and he said someone most likely redrilled my CP holes, but I told him the CP wasn't redrilled. I guess he double-checked the size of his HAPP pushbuttons because he responded with this:

"You're right... looks like when Happ swapped out to the new button mfr in
2007 they had them made slightly smaller in diameter... by design, or maybe
that's just the way they came from the new molds."

So it's still not clear why Bob's HAPP pushbuttons are slightly smaller. He isn't entirely sure.

Bottom line is...if you're not knit-picky about having original or repro PAL leafswitch butttons, then you can find "PAL-sized" HAPP pushbuttons from Bob Roberts.

Insights?

My Mario Bros. CP with Bob's HAPP pushbuttons installed. Old PAL leafswitch for comparison:

0724092223.jpg


Bob's HAPP pushbutton installed compared to the old HAPP pushbutton that came from my VS. CP. The old HAPP pushbutton is slightly larger:

0724092225.jpg

Did Mario Bros use standard microswitch buttons? I thought they were like the DK buttons...some sort of strange Nintendo microswitch/leafswitch combo...
 
I'm using HAPP microswitches because I can't find any PAL leafswitch pushbuttons. That's sort of my point. If you can't find old or repro leafswitch pushbuttons, you can use these microswitch pushbuttons from Bob because they somehow fit. You just remove the entire Nintendo button assembly. It won't be "original" but it will work and look nice.
 
Last edited:
Yes. But they won't fit a DK/Mario Bros. CP. according to Bob.

...well, according to Bob neither do the HAPP. :D

For the $3.00 it would cost to find out, I'd give it a try.

That said, the Mikes Arcade "Nintendo" buttons are the EXACT SAME BUTTONS as what Bob sells. How do I know? I bought some. Guess what... they are tight as hell to put in to a Nintendo CP as well... but with a little force, you're good to go.

I'm talking about a wood panel, not a metal...
 
...well, according to Bob neither do the HAPP. :D

For the $3.00 it would cost to find out, I'd give it a try.

That said, the Mikes Arcade "Nintendo" buttons are the EXACT SAME BUTTONS as what Bob sells. How do I know? I bought some. Guess what... they are tight as hell to put in to a Nintendo CP as well... but with a little force, you're good to go.

I'm talking about a wood panel, not a metal...

actually I'm pretty sure they are the same buttons except mikes turns them down on a lathe and then sells them for $5 each. I've started to turn them down myself and save the $4 each.
 
Cool Frizz.Well I guess Bob doesn't know about his buttons. So I guess his leafswitch and Happ buttons both workon wood an metal Nintendo CP. Although, his orange short leafswitch buttons aren't as good as Mike's. At least the one I got from him. It's got a cheap plastic feel to it. Not smooth and clean.
 
I much prefer his e-clip buttons over the snap on... Likely that orange is a snap on.

Ah, I see. Thanks for the clarification Frizz. Unfortunately, I can't "force" these eclip buttons in a metal control panel unless I decide to shave it down, which I won't do.

I guess for my wood CP, I'll get some of those e-clip buttons. It doesn't hurt to have extra.
 
I can see not wanting to shave on the CP, but why not shave the button down a hair?

I never thought of that. I have a dremel, so it would definitely work. Thanks Frizz. Always great to get different ideas and opinions. I tend to be more of an inside-the-box thinker a lot of the time. ;)
 
Back
Top Bottom