Have an old Nintendo 64 controller lying around? If you’re looking for a project this weekend, you can turn it into the perfect hobby rocket-launching remote with a few tweaks.
In this video from YouTuber Grant Thompson,“The King of Random,” you’ll learn how to bring new life into a now classic controller. To complete the project you’ll need to do some drilling, soldering, and need some cheap electronic components, but it seems to work great when it’s complete. The N64 controller is great for projects like this because it’s easy to take apart and modify. The trigger-like “Z” button connects the main power from the 9-Volt battery pack (housed in the Rumble Pack space), and the red “A” button is used as the main igniter for launching the rockets. Even the controller cord can be re-purposed into igniters for future rocket launches. Sure, you could probably build this type of remote into some other housing, or just buy one online for $25, but it looks so much cooler in an N64 controller.