I never had the opportunity to have a real NES controller in hand, so I can not tell if the reproduction of small details is faithful. But I've seen pictures, and the resemblance is strong, that's for sure. The cable is very thick, like on a real (from what I could see) and long enough to play comfortably.
A tip for those who have pimples problems that respond poorly on receiving "massage" buttons and cross your fingers. What I mean by massage: press each button like a massage, that is to say, without going fast and making slow movements along each. My buttons respond poorly when I received it, and after massaged, everything was fine;)