Long overdue is a guide to add backlighting to the classic controller’s thumbstick. There’s another guide floating around the net that uses two contacts on the main PCB of the classic controller (the thumbstick has its own sub-PCB assembly). This one uses contact points on the thumbstick sub-assembly.

What you’ll need:
Classic Controller
A Triwing Screwdriver
Soldering Iron and Solder
2x 0603 LEDs in the colour of your choice
2x 15ohm 0603 resistors
Copper Circuit Tape
30 Gauge wire

Step 1:
Opening the classic controller is straight forward, remove the 5 screws located on the back and lift the back cover. With the back cover you’ll notice that the controller has two PCB assemblies, the smaller sub-assembly has the thumbsticks and will be the this guide will use.

Step 2:
With the copper circuit tape, you’ll need small strips of about 1/4″. Place them as pictured in the image. If you’re having problems making them stay in place, try to add a bit of solder on the surface. It will heat the glue and melt a bit of the plastic to keep the strips down.

Step 3:
Start by adding the LED and resistor to the strips. The next step shows where the contacts are, so arrange the LED to match.

Step 4:
Continue by running the wiring, note the contact points (as mentioned in the last step).

Step 5:
When you’re done the first, repeat for the second thumbstick.

Step 6:
And you’re done! The lighting is a bit one-sided, if you’d like to even it out add a 3rd and 4th LED to the opposite sides of the thumbsticks.