Fixing a Ripped In Half Junk Nintendo 3DS XL

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I found a Japanese Nintendo 3DS XL on Sendico (bit.ly/38UrGzP) which had been ripped in half. Once I opened it up I discovered it was also rusty... I have my work cut out for me.
Patreon: / theretrofuture
#TheRetroFuture #Nintendo #3DS
Sendico link is an affiliate program link which means I recieve comission.

[@penrar]

He’s not dead Jim!

[@MrCarzo]

HE LIVES, WE'RE SO BACK!

[@Wooden-plank3743]

YESSS!!

[@komoonkh]

Wow. New studio, elliot without glasses and broken nintendo that I would just scavenge for the blue pokemon cover and throw in the bin. I am looking forward for new watch build too!

[@claudiobizama5603]

This is just what I needed. Mine got the hinge broken, tried to replace it and I accidentally broke the top screen ribbon cable, bought another screen and I broke it again. Third time is the charm.

[@PinkieOats]

Great bit of editing in this video lol. I loved the smooth jazz montage and the cutaways to you wearing the headphones and the sound being muffled. Also so pleased to see it working, after all that effort you put into it!

[@LRM12o8]

17:47 Nintendo be like: _" Yo dawg, I heard you like ribbon cables, so I put ribbon cables on your ribbon cables!"_ 🤣

[@jezusmylord]

I see your mustache is gettin more thick, congratulations.

[@therobfather3]

Always a treat getting a Retro Future video for some afternoon coffee! Great clean up on this one.

[@dorkiesanman]

Just recently got back into your videos and to see you just posted again on this channel is a god send

[@coryengel]

Beautiful workspace, lighting, and music. Very professional.

[@Ricar2002YT]

Insanely great restoration! Very enjoyable to watch you repair things as always and glad that 3DS is back on working condition!

[@LeshaRodin]

anteanna is not just a single wire, its coax cable with ground around a core (signal).. you cant just solder it like that

[@tarter9768]

Thank you! It's not just me lol

[@thefray123]

The vibes of this video are off the charts. Loving the new setup!!

[@MilaNavi]

As someone who also repairs 3ds in youtube this is always very satisfying to watch. Nice job!

[@iceman7157]

I had that blue 3DS LL and modded it but had to get rid of it because it couldn't do everything I wanted it to. So I sold it and bought a Sun and Moon New 3DS XL. I do miss the other one as they're beautiful devices.

[@RetroJack]

It's been a while since I've dropped by your channel. Good to see your filming has improved, and that you're no longer just thrusting things at the camera. I look forward to many more videos of this quality.

[@opalhensley7566]

You deserve so many more subs!

[@Homestar1217]

I did this once to a 2DS XL that another member of your Facebook group sent me in the mail. It was completely split in two. I ordered a full replacement shell from Ali but kept as many original pieces as I could and it's one of my favorite pieces in my collection because I literally brought it back to life.

[@Homestar1217]

And I did the exact same thing with my antenna wire 😂

[@tenchuu007]

He's back! And saving one of the best looking 3DSes! Lots of hearts as always! ❤❤❤

[@bahamutbbob]

Last video of the night, gotta support Elliot since he hasn't uploaded in a while!

[@Shreeb]

Fantastic video editing, you've really nailed your own signature style!

[@_akkuRa_]

Oh my... I've been waiting for this video for so long!

[@HitnRunTony]

Always love seeing videos on the main channel

[@Alex_dlc]

Studio looks amazing!!!

[@Luzifer4m0k]

Nice video again. But the fix on the antenna cable caught my attention. As it was a brave idea of yours, this is a nearly impossible fix. Cause these cables, also used in laptops and tablets for Wifi or 3G modules are Micro Coax Cables 😱🥺. Which means you have an inner core surrounded by an insulator, which is itself is wrapped in a wire shield for the "grounding". If you take a look at the real antenna, which is just this cute little PCB, the 2 solder joints are telling that. So i feel quit bad for you, in case of fixing that, you need to disassemble and put it back together again.

[@TheRetroFuture]

Ah crumbs… I the one I ordered eventually showed up so I’ll replace that! Thank you.

[@Luzifer4m0k]

no problem. So it prevents an error search of non functional Wifi.

[@xasdrubalex]

Right call, the outer shield needs to be soldered separately, it is possibile to solder that, but it needs quite the manual skill and proper soldering technique, i think the material can be aluminum braid plated with something or copper braid, if it is the latter the soldering is easy, but you need low temperature and a lot of good flux

[@xasdrubalex]

I’ve had an 💡 moment… shielding can be restored with those copper adhesive strips that are quite easy to find, just solder the inner core, cover the core with something that isolate and use the strip to connect the two ends of the shielding

[@andrasszabo7386]

That wifi cable is coaxial, Elliot :) It means that you cannot solder them together like that. It has an inner wire with a plastic insulation over it, then on the outside, a copper jacket for shielding, then the green housing you stripped off :) By doing what you just did, it is either going to have poor signal over wifi, or you just shorted out the wifi board completely, and it is just not going to see any networks.

[@georged7627]

Nice little Mullet happening there mate 🙏🏽

[@akapeegly6463]

these videos are so relaxing

[@macupgrader]

Damn, a brand new blue X&Y edition 3DS XL was probably the first major purchase I made after I started my first job. I think I actually preordered Pokemon X at the same time too. Feels like a lifetime ago.

[@koopaklaw4605]

5:46 >brit says "put back together" and I feel like a sleeper agent

[@michbegl]

New set up is so sick

[@michaelmireles2510]

This Video was incredible the console turned out amazing

[@hugorodriguez8422]

superv execution, congrats mate

[@snowysnowwolf6228]

Loved this video .. hope you show more watch repair and builds

[@Albert-ru7ob]

I cannot express how much I missed your main channel content! Also that is an absolutely beautiful 3ds! And can you please do a tutorial for that screwdriver flip at 17:41 ?

[@albmarr]

Lovely video! such a cool 3DS edition 💙

[@SergalCheeseHead]

Those Pokemon X/Y 3DS are so nice, I wish they weren't so expensive to get in decent condition now

[@JohnGotts]

I've fixed a few hundred Nintendo handheld consoles, and the classic 3DS XL is my favorite to fix. As noted, the antenna is connected to the motherboard via a coaxial cable. At present your antenna is jank. Technical terminology from a ham radio operator. If it works well enough for you don't bother to fix it. Every time you open up a 3DS XL you risk severing one of those 3 flex cables. There is a website to remove parental controls. I have it bookmarked. Correctly set the date, and the website will give you the unlock code. Japanese 3DS XL consoles are annoying if you want to play Western games, but I'd imagine that since this console is now discontinued jailbreaking shouldn't be a huge problem. As I sell repaired consoles online, I do not jailbreak or bypass any security controls. I've actually not jailbroken any 3DS XLs so I couldn't tell you how easy or hard it is. I have a huge stack of US units to play with.

[@cnhnx]

Forget Ship of Theseus, we have 3DS of Elliot now

[@katrinacarlson5785]

This is absolutely brilliant.

[@everydaychallenges2282]

He's back. I wish I could do the mods he does.

[@foxman1020]

Love your videos

[@alexyo3927]

Wow welcome back

[@DreamDaddie]

Woo!! A new a Refurb video! He’s back, guys!!!!

[@James_D.]

Nice, new video! 🙌🏻

[@Triggerie]

Besutiful consol and great job restoring it! 😁

[@LoGatoGameplays40]

Nice restore !

[@BoxOfToasters]

they got elliot improved vision without glasses...can believe it...

[@briangereau788]

Welcome back!

[@phreapersoonlijk]

Man, that's some rage-quit damage...

[@Sor3e]

lol this is so Funny because I was just watching you this morning on the 3ds video and was like “is he gonna upload”?

[@Sagenarf6227]

the shirt ur wearing reminded me of highschool but awesome video !!!!

[@michaelbjorck8112]

Nice job! You really filled you karma account by bringing this poor thing back to life!

[@EvaMatthewsS-h9t]

Why aren't you more famous?!

[@BRAVOROBINSON]

Coz he never post much and is inconsistent.

[@v-14415]

why are you a bot?

[@probablybobi]

bro.. the day i found my 3ds xl (that's actually the same version!) you upload this! has to be a sign of some sort! mine is i think bricked(?) from cfw, when you turn it on, a blue light appears for literally a second and turns off. hopefully i get to fix it soon.

[@thebluepurpleflame]

now that was a cute selfie icl

[@DelphineDofain]

Awesome video, thank you!

[@marcelosandoval8719]

Hello Eliot! can you give us the link to the aliexpress links you used? because my 3DS broke twice and I kind of want to have one to replace in case it happens a third time... at least until I get a good glue like CEYS

[@Brick_Soup]

This hurt my soul. My first DS was a 3ds xl and it met the same fate 10 years ago.

[@TheobaldLeonhart]

Almost got this one ... Not that exact 3DS XL, but the same type. Decided to get the basic blue one instead

[@robsquared2]

Wow, gameboy repair, classic. 😍

[@M4N14C4L]

THEY CAME BACK

[@Hotpack7279]

The Wireless Antenna is a "COAXIAL-CABLE".. A INNER CORE and a OUTER SHIELDING/GROUND

[@Tuoto-i8c]

He is alive🎉

[@The_chompy_mage]

ill take it

[@parayze6220]

Damn i havent seen an update feom thos channel in forever

[@thisoldcottage]

Bro is rockin his Cartier……😉

[@lildeathwishhh]

I have a whole 3dsxl console that needs a motherboard- everything else with it is fine. seems like it would have been the perfect candidate for this video lol funny how life works.

[@tenchuu007]

Nice cans, I use the same for work.

[@rabidraccoongaming942]

I love your videos you do an awesome job in your videos 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@One2fix1982]

Pro tip It’s much easier and you will cause much less damage if you install the ribbons one at a time, rolling the next into the previous

[@jezusmylord]

I have the limited edition zelda regular one in ungodly condition with the top hinge section broken, I think i should do what you did, with china replacement and dont hunt for a legitness one.

[@orions2908]

The 3ds xl has this "cheaper" feel to it, so it wouldn't surprise me if the reason it has phillips screws is because they wanted to save a couple cents lol

[@cheex9861]

Bro remembered his password

[@Charizard27]

That is a common sight my 3DS XL super Smash Bros one is exactly like that 😢 I have as a display peace now

[@lildeathwishhh]

also i fw the Stussy drip. I have the same crown on your hoodie tattooed on my face lbs

[@domSzp]

More screws in the motherboard than in Apollo 13 😮

[@DregExheart]

I would assume was the little kid 3DS, and was broken because of a rant of it of some of the parnnts' because the damage is like someone taking from the middle with enough force to break it.

[@xasdrubalex]

The antenna is not soldered properly :) just replace it

[@Con-Pin-]

I still hate nintendo for giving us 3D games running at 144p instead of 2D games that aren’t so low res that things look like they are phasing in and out existence because it doesn’t have enough pixels to show it from every angle..

[@RDJ134]

Another one saved :)

[@CarpetBanana]

KZbinr names taki udon is making oled screens for the 3ds, idk if it'll be for every model tho

[@miklovale2270]

Nice 🎉

[@AA-cz2kp]

There is a key Generator to unlock parental controll, you don't need a cfw for it.

[@goodnightmoon]

it's been awhile

[@soda-is-poppin]

HEESSSS BACKKKKKKK ‼️‼️‼️🔊🔊

[@BeefJerkey]

Hold up. The antenna wire is a coax. Two wires, not one. So you shorted the antenna before the plate. Probably will have very poor wireless range, if any. I hate rebuilding these because of the top panel, getting all wires through the hinge. I have one of these right now, in pieces, needed a new speaker cable. (And probably a new shell piece, same one you replaced, but I hate the idea of mixing cheap aftermarket shell parts with originals, because you can tell the difference, and it doesn't look great.) I dread trying to reassemble it.

[@SunBun111]

I had the red Mario one and it snapped the top screen off when I opened it like 9 yrs ago I luckily now have a normal red one but I still miss it

[@LokeKronaker]

I threw out my old 3ds becusd it was ripped in half 😅

[@speedwaynutt]

Contacts? Eye surgery? Why no glasses?

[@PelagiaHain]

Thanks for the forecast! Just a quick off-topic question: I have a SafePal wallet with USDT, and I have the seed phrase. (behave today finger ski upon boy assault summer exhaust beauty stereo over). How should I go about transferring them to Binance?

[@JomasterTheSecond]

Every time someone calls those Y type screws tri-wing, an angel loses its wings.

[@CronosXWorld]

What is this jazz track? I was jamming

[@_wolfwastaken_]

bro remebered his pasword

[@tarter9768]

Yooo..... Do u have makeup on??

[@jemtaovt1122]

I recently dropped my Galaxy New 3DS XL in water. Now it boots once a day (maybe), and I cannot figure out what is broken inside. I don't see any shorts, cleaned out the power button, swapped battery, but nothing. Anyone have any idea what usually gets water damaged in these things? Maybe an SMD repair guide or something? Access to 3DS board diagrams?

[@xt3100]

IF you cannot hack it to then remove the PIN lock you got to brute force it like i did for one of mine i still intend to fix.

[@jorgeantonioojedaleon1825]

is it me or the bottom screen looks like an ips panel?

[@tarter9768]

Whatever happened to Freya?

[@pokeminion64]

Hey, I’m not really sure if you’d respond to this but I was wondering if you’d like to take my 3DS XL and repair it for a video? A while back I was on a bus using it and I was hit by someone’s bag, causing me to drop the 3DS, and the screens are hanging onto each other by a few wires, somehow keeping the system working! I’ve held onto it in hopes of getting it repaired, would you be down to repair it? Would make for good content for yourself, thanks :)

[@KingPickler]

Do you have any tips for a Long time subscriber to get screen cancer out of a dmg screen?