does anyone know of a place where i can order rubber top tactile switch just like the ones bacteria uses on his projects. im not sure if im searching for them under the wrong name or if there just hard to come by.

there's a thread a little bit under yours that asks the same question. look there, if not they're called membrane switches and radioshack doezn't carry them.

other people than bacteria have used them, if i remember correctly i got mine on ebay. search for membrane switch or soft tact switch

E-switch.com has membrane tact switches as well as many other useful switches, and they'll send you free samples as well. I requested 20 for my N64 portable, ill let you know how they are when I receive them