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Maybe they fixed it in later versions, but the controllers had plastic “fingers” inside that would press down on the metal dome button, and it was pretty easy to push the stick too hard where it would snap the plastic finger. I think that’s what most people remember about their fragility.

I could also see that the electrical signal from the metal dome button probably wasn’t very clean/reliable, however I don’t think most people noticed that in the same way they would today.

I remember sometimes, the rubber cover of the stick would slide off the stick, and then you had a wonderful suction cup that you could stick on your brother's forehead. Then you could call him a unicorn.

It came off on a couple of my joysticks, and I found that just using the white plastic underneath felt more precise.

I would describe them as blister-inducing and creaky. But relatively dependable (to a point).