Turbopad Variants?

[fuzzface]

Has anyone else noticed the US market Turbopad has variants? The one on the left is supposedly NOS from feebay and the one on the right came with my console. The "NOS" one feels a lot cheaper with softer/less responsive buttons, is lighter weight, and has a less glossy style plastic. The dpad and other buttons are a little different sizes too. What gives? Different production facilities? Did NEC get stingy as they went along? I need answers!

[esteban]

Yes. Both are legit. I've had both since the items were originally released.

[fuzzface]

The buttons feel so much more responsive on the shinier/heavier one... WHY NEC WHY?

[DragonmasterDan]

Yeah, I've noticed color/texture variations with mine as well.

[wilykat]

Common variations, many game control goes through quiet revisions to be made cheaper.

[fuzzface]

That's more or less what I figured. Thanks guys!

[GohanX]

 Damn, I wonder which ones I have. I mostly obey using some nos tg16 pads I got from red frog or whatever way back when, they are nice but I always felt like the controller that came with my og duo was better. Could be my imagination.

[fuzzface]

Check the imprinted label on the back; that seems to be the give away. The superior controllers have the larger size info box.

[shonenx]

when I was a Kid mine shipped with the heavier larger stamp one, it has always felt more solid.
I too always just assumed it was them making it cheaper over the years. With all the different PCE pads thou I can never tell which of those is a better quality or I prefer.

[GohanX]

Mine are all the inferior kind. Boo!

[Flare65]

Probably two different production runs at different manufacturing plants.

[reno5]

Interesting. I'll have to check mines tonight.

[csgx1]

Interesting, I never knew there was a variant and it sounds like there's considerable differences.  I always thought some of my pads felt more worn, but that might not be the case.  I got to check mine too.

[fuzzface]

I'm simultaneously sorry and glad I can bring this to everyone's attention. Let me know what you find.

[ClodBuster]

Sounds like the story of the original PlayStation controllers, which were made by three different manufacturers with differing build quality, according to NFGworld. He told the bad ones came from ALPS and can be distinguished by the "A" near the model no. molded into the controller's underside.

I wonder if similar things were done with the PCE/Turbo/Duo pads?