Nintendo "Controller Button Collection" keychains cause huge lines, can be used for actual controller replacement parts

Over at Nintendo TOKYO/KYOTO/OSAKA, Nintendo has some special vending machines that offer unique keychains for diehard Nintendo fans. These keychains are dubbed the “Controller Button Collection,” and they turn various buttons from classic Nintendo controllers into fancy keychains for all your keys.

Yesterday we shared that Nintendo expanded the “Controller Button Collection” keychain lineup, and there’s three new platforms represented. While the NES and Famicom were part of the first wave of keychains, now Nintendo faithful can snag “Controller Button Collection” keychains for the SNES, Super Famicom, N64 and GameCube.

These keychains are only available through capsule machines, so the button layout you get is the luck of the pull. That wasn’t enough to deter Nintendo fans though, as they flocked to official Nintendo stores to line up and snag various parts. (h/t VGC)

Perhaps even more surprising than the long lines is the fact that these keychains can actually be used for replacement parts on actual Nintendo controllers. Modders have found that the buttons and joysticks match the exact shape and size of standard SNES, N64 and GameCube controllers, which means once-broken controllers can now be repaired with at home with a bit of elbow grease.

You have to wonder if Nintendo thought people would swarm the release of these keychains just to snag replacement parts for actual controllers. Whatever the case, you can bet Nintendo will have to restock their gashapon machines with more keychains in the very near future!