D-Pad Modifications

- '''DISCLAIMER: This requires you to open up your GCW Zero. If you damage your console, you are solely responsible for the damage caused. Nobody will refund you if you damage your console. Do this at your own risk.''' -

Overview
If you're unsatisfied with the original D-pad on your GCW Zero, you can modify your console for better diagonal input and aesthetics. You can also permanently fix the stuck/squeaky D-pad issue, if you suffer from it.

This tutorial show you how to:
 * Modify your console for better diagonal input (can be done with both the original D-pad and third-party D-pads)
 * Replace the original D-pad with a Game Boy DMG-01 D-pad
 * Permanently fix the sticky/squeaky D-pad issue on white GCW Zero consoles.

Disassembling your GCW Zero
See the tutorial: click here.

Purpose
The mushiness and poor diagonals of the original D-pad are the result of the shortness of the D-pad's stem. The mushiness is caused by the stem not making contact with the PCB when the D-pad is pressured. The poor diagonals are caused by the stem being too short to be used as a pivot when "sliding" around the D-pad directions.

You can perform this mod with an original D-pad or a third-party D-pad, but it's best done with a third-party D-pad. The original D-pad just sits too low to be effective. Still, this mod will improve the diagonals on your original D-pad as well.

Procedure
Both the mushiness of your D-pad and the poor diagonals can be mitigated by adding a thin pad under the D-pad's stem. The D-pad pad in the picture here has three layers. The bottom is electrical tape, the middle is double sided tape, and the top is a layer of hard plastic from the packaging of an unrelated product.

For reference, the pad in the picture has a thickness of approximately 0.45 mm. You'll have to go through a lot of trial and error before getting the pad thickness right. A difference of 0.2 mm makes a big difference.

After applying the D-pad pad, if you're having trouble getting directional presses to register, you can add a supplementary pad onto the D-pad itself to help it contact the membrane (see picture).

While you're at it, if you're using an original D-pad, you may want to reinforce the flimsy D-pad stem with some hot glue. Constant pressure can make it bend slightly to one side.

Afterwards
You can feel the difference after installation. The D-pad is a lot less mushy, and the diagonals are more pronounced.

With the original D-pad, you still won't be pulling off 5000-hit combos in Street Fighter, but running crouches in Mario games are much easier now. With a Game Boy DMG-01 D-pad, the result is terrific. The key is to keep adjusting the pad thickness until it's exactly right.

Purpose
By replacing the original D-pad with a Game Boy DMG-01 D-pad, you can improve the diagonals and aesthetics of your console. You can buy a Game Boy DMG-01 D-pad online for around $3 USD.

Procedure
The picture here is an approximation of what you need to cut out of the D-pad. Notice there's a little bit left in the inner corners of the D-pad, those are needed to keep the D-pad from falling out.

You can use an X-Acto knife (wear eye protection) to cut the D-pad. Use multiple, firm strokes. The best way is to make one cut, then another cut directly next to it. This will cut out sliver of plastic from the D-pad, creating a larger cut faster than just one incision at a time.

After making the approximate cuts, keep shaving the inner corners until the D-pad fits into the shell as snugly as possible, while still being loose enough to use.

When installed, the plastic on the inner corners of the D-pad will sit between the GCW Zero shell, and the membrane underneath. However, the plastic on the inner corners is so (vertically) thick that if you installed it as-is into your GCW Zero, it will cause the D-pad to push on the membrane enough to register directional presses without you even touching it. You'll want to halve the vertical thickness of that plastic, removing the top half. See the provided picture for a visual explanation.

Now you can install your D-pad into your GCW Zero, and test to see if it works. If the D-pad is still too squishy for you, keep shaving height off the inner corners until you get a satisfactory result.

Afterwards
After installation, you can feel the mushiness of the orignal D-pad is much better, and diagonals are more pronounced. But for better diagonals, you should still apply the D-pad pad, detailed here. The Game Boy DMG-01 D-pad is also a bit smaller than the original D-pad, and is raised higher than the original D-pad by about 1 mm, which takes some time getting used to. But most importantly, the new D-pad makes good eye candy ;)

Cause
The cause of a sticky or squeaky D-pad is the paint on the inside of the shell. The plastic used for the case is white, but painted over for whichever color your console is. For this reason, you don't want to do this with a black GCW Zero.

If you replaced the original D-pad with a Game Boy DMG-01 D-pad, you probably won't need to do this. The Game Boy DMG-01 D-pad is smaller than the original D-pad and won't contact the case as much.

Procedure
After disassembling your GCW Zero, use an X-Acto knife to scrape the paint off the inside of the hole where the D-pad is supposed to go. You can try this for any other stuck buttons you have on your device.

Under a bright light, you can see the difference between the paint used on a white console, and the color of the underlying plastic. The paint is a slightly more creamy white, while the plastic is a more paper white.

On a white console, the scraped paint is unnoticeable after reassembly.

Alternative (silicone grease)
Alternatively, you can use food-grade silicone grease to alleviate the sticky/squeakiness. Apply a small amount to the sides of the D-pad, and the sticky/squeakiness should stop. You may need to re-apply this periodically.