As Nintendo is going to be releasing the NES Mini soon, the controllers will naturally be available separately as well. From the pictures, the plastics look compatible with the original NES controllers. These may end up being great sources of replacement OEM-quality buttons, rubber actuators, and plastic shells, complete with licensed designs.
A replacement PCB, reproducing the design of the original NES/FC controllers, could easily be made to fit in the shell of these new controllers. Throw in a new cable, and you've got yourself a very good "new" NES controller. Is anyone interested in something like that? With any luck, the molds are based on the original and the old PCBs can actually slot inside - but I wouldn't get too hopeful for that.
A replacement PCB, reproducing the design of the original NES/FC controllers, could easily be made to fit in the shell of these new controllers. Throw in a new cable, and you've got yourself a very good "new" NES controller. Is anyone interested in something like that? With any luck, the molds are based on the original and the old PCBs can actually slot inside - but I wouldn't get too hopeful for that.