Let's Refurb! - 2011 Nintendo 3DS Shell Replacement!

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[@Alxium]

It might be nostalgia, but the OG 3DS is one of the most beautiful handhelds Nintendo has created. It feels premium and looks the part.

[@doublekey8931]

As a kid I always thought it looked gorgeous, almost futuristic. In my eyes it was basically a futuristic DS lol.

[@justquiz14]

Yeah

[@rrrandommman]

I still play mine regularly, it's like a jewel, I hope Nintendo make a new 3DS console again, they are fabulous.

[@kidcxspr]

theyre lovely and I had a red metallic one from when they did the first price drop, but always got annoyed growing up cuz it was a fingerprint magnet

[@ZebraScout]

Definitely nostalgia, looks pretty, but compared to its later versions, fails to hold up pretty quickly

[@TheRetroFuture]

I know this wasn't my usual repair sort of video but hopefully you can still enjoy the intricacies of the Nintendo 3DS and replacing its shell. I have lots of great things in the post so subscribe if you haven't already and put notifications on and stay tuned. See you in the next one! X

[@jooniethebest3709]

I still love these videos!

[@MattPin]

yeah :0

[@vincentmethinks]

Hey, um love ur channel, but I have a slight request. Can you fix my sisters 3ds? It has dead pixels on it. And send it back? Sorry if that's too much.

[@DreamDaddie]

Where did you get the shell? So I can avoid them in the future

[@nitrax8629]

Regarding the D-Pad and buttons, my original launch model feels very similar to how you describe them - the D-pad in particular was never very comfortable to use and required a lot of pressure. The cover on my bottom row buttons didn't flex as much as yours though. Also, holy heck, getting the ribbons through the hinge without tearing them is insanely difficult... especially given they have to be passed through in a particular order.

[@Thebossstage1]

The aqua blue original 3DS is a great colour. I'm surprised nintendo never reused the colour for the 3DS XL or the 2DS.

[@MattPin]

yeah

[@nothappyz]

My 3ds is aqua blue 🥰

[@TheRetroFuture]

I agree!

[@TheRetroFuture]

I also like the Japanese blue 3DS'.

[@innnks6941]

Mine had aged well the color still looks good

[@chuckythecat3]

Actually, I like a 3DS repair videos more than gameboys, so keep it up, Elliot

[@TheRetroFuture]

Fair enough!

[@N00dl3G0d]

Me too tbh😂

[@kingrlet]

i could send him my 3ds to fix lol

[@biyma4207]

These is never too much 3ds content

[@albergoni2191]

Me too

[@mcant17]

I want to do a shell swap but the ribbon cables intimidate me

[@alexskywalker5478]

Matthew Pokewell I’ve only done a gameboy advance rehousing, and the ribbon was my main concern but it wasn’t as hard as I anticipated I bet it is the same for a 3ds I plan on helping a friend out with his 3ds soon

[@JacksoMapper]

same

[@wrightlawgbc]

Idk if u ever did it, but pls don't. It's not worth the frustration.

[@purplejuice9407]

I believe in you

[@corrupt_riot]

Ikr! I really need to replace some buttons and clean mine, but I’ve had my 3ds for sooo long and I just know if I break a cable I’ll never let myself live it down. 😭

[@Espeon804]

I never get enough of these DS repairs.

[@TheRetroFuture]

Ill keep em coming!

[@renataaidar4558]

Agree

[@goblinmcgameface]

I had the flame red version. My camera and circle pad are broken and I need to fix it. I like your content, it's super satisfying for some strange reason.

[@TheRetroFuture]

Ah that sucks! Give it a go! Thank you.

[@goblinmcgameface]

@@TheRetroFuture Cheers...hey, a quick question, do you know where I can get some 3DS cameras?

[@fastman52]

@@goblinmcgameface ebay

[@xparallels]

Hey, same here, except for the camera part. My circle pad is just shredded.

[@strawberrymilky15]

I have the same one it's still working fine though the exterior is not so well preserved

[@noellewastaken]

I know this is a 3 year old video but I really hope cool custom shells start showing up for the 3DS, like the ones Retro Modding does for the Game Boy.

[@pantplays8258]

as someone trying to follow along, a lack of descriptive audio and frequent jump cuts make it very difficult. would love a remaster of this video

[@israellai]

my first ever 3DS was an imported purple one! then it stopped working and I got a replacement. but watching this channel has motivated me to open it up and fix it (in like...10 minutes), and thanks to you I have 2 3DSes that I don't know what to do with.

[@janstankiewicz2757]

Maybe mod one of them

[@captainredbond]

It actually looks really cool and I a lot of the times use your repair videos as a guid if I ever get stuck with some sort of troubleshooting, keep up the good work mate👍👌

[@_neko_neku_]

Eliot thanks for making this video! I like it a lot and the song that you used (The one on 2:40) is absolutely beautiful.

[@valeriek8537]

Even on my own launch 3DS those three buttons below the screen are awful. Thank for the n3DS moved them.

[@trublaze]

I quite like the button placement down there. The o3ds xl's buttons are just superior

[@riverandquiver909]

I think you forgot the plastic piece that covers the notification light, but other than that, I would not be able to successfully put this together. Great video!

[@cosmevasco1831]

I had a flare red 3ds since 2011 and it still works today but I remember not too long ago I was given a broken cosmo black 3ds. I soldered a new charger port and some new L and R button ribbon cables and it now works like new! It took me a long time to do.

[@TheRetroFuture]

Ah nice work !

[@cosmevasco1831]

Thank you

[@itsagingersnap]

What a nightmare of ribbon cables! So tiny! I love your work, sweetie, it's amazing and super soothing to watch.

[@jaguar4120]

Yeah. I was shocked by them. It seems way too complicated. I could never do this. 😱

[@jankarloganir6305]

I'm planning to replace my new 3ds xl shell but im not really sure on how to do it so im just here waiting for your vids so i have a reference. Great video btw

[@codylester9081]

Based on your feedback from this video instead of a reshell on my rough 3DS I ordered a good condition Japanese unit in the exclusive metallic red color they had in Japan, and I swapped the motherboard from my unit into it. So now I have a US 3DS in the metallic red color with perfect screens 😁 and some spare parts lol

[@thefishinggamekeeper5713]

Well. I was searching for how to disassemble a 3ds for replacing a few gel pads for the buttons. But I was shown even more. Thanks.

[@egwagjsd]

Always a good day when you upload

[@TheRetroFuture]

Ah thanks!

[@redge44uk]

Glad I found this. I've saved to watch it later. Bought are power dead 3ds recently and it was a 30 second fix soldering the USB port back down as it had lifted off the connections. The casing is pretty beat so if I can replace it will be in tip top condition

[@KyleJamieson]

So I looked up Jersey, holy smokes that place is tiny and sounds awesome! Bit different from the giant island I live on (Australia). This 3DS is the one I still have and mine works amazing after all these years, great video.

[@rossedwardmiller]

Kyle Jamieson I’m glad someone else didn’t know what/where Jersey is. I thought it was just me being American and not knowing any global geography. It was interesting to read about. I assume our east coast state of New Jersey is named after this tiny Island.

[@ch4s3r87]

Congratulations this looked exceptionally hard, great job!

[@Pehobbes]

Looks like hell to open up. Don’t mind seeing more videos like these

[@DreamDaddie]

I'm going to reshell my zelda one soon, now I know what I'll be dealing with. Thank you, Elliot

[@joehdah5395]

Great video, I really enjoyed it. Its crazy how far the original 3ds has come and how dated it looks already compared to the newer 3ds'

[@ggg_2414]

Been looking for a good vid on a 2011 3ds for forever!! Nice vid

[@Meechree]

That hair dryer reminds me a little of that “CHICK” screwdriver you used to use in your old videos, haha. Nice touch 😉 Great video as always, love seeing what you do with these consoles!

[@blankpage9277]

Man, I would have just given it a clean and called it good. That looks like a lot of work.

[@rainymornings]

yeahh but it's for his girlfriend, of course he's going to put that extra effort for the perfect gift! I am sure she notices and appreciates the gesture, and the feel of a brand new shell ofc

[@bagderofjustice]

Used this vid to reshell my 3ds, never done anything like this. I thought I was gonna rip the ribbon cables in half. Thanks for the tutorial! I didn’t fix the l and r like I wanted, but I reshelled it and it still works!

[@jaguar4120]

What was the problem?

[@UltraNyan]

gg, since you made that new 3ds vid last week auction prices on ebay rose about 25%

[@TimelineGoddess]

if i recall correctly, the purple 3ds color is called Midnight Purple! it's the one i have (and my personal favorite 3ds color)

[@MrMeagain569]

This video is so therapeutic I can feel stress leaving my body

[@joset814]

Yeah!..i think I watch all of his vids

[@izzymaedavidson1974]

You should do more reshells of stuff. I really enjoy watching you and other people redheads video game consoles and handhelds.

[@trashboi8662]

i was waiting for a refurb on an original 3ds!

[@TheRetroFuture]

Well, here ya go!

[@rainbowrepair5692]

I have the blue one myself. You always choose the best music!

[@Aryanne_v2]

Still have my original Aqua Blue 3DS from 2011. I've been meaning to fix it for a while. I bought the limited time Black New 3DS back in 2016 so I've been putting it off.

[@gangwallbanger5864]

This is literally the only video I can find about an original 3ds shell swap

[@zincmann]

I like these repairs as well as I have been repairing a few I got a Zelda Black one with gold trim was soda logged but was able to clean it out and clean cables and got it working again still needs a little work.

[@TheRetroFuture]

Ah awesome stuff. Love that Zelda one!

[@zincmann]

@@TheRetroFuture yeah I have to open it up again to replace the thumbstick but still working on getting stickiness out of the 3d slider and wifi slider any suggestions? Tried IPA and it clears it temporary and then gets gummed up. Yeah I wanted this one for a while but wasn't going to pay eBay prices or retail prices but I do see that even a loose one goes for 70 80 90 bucks us I paid 34 with shipping more than I wanted to pay but now I'm in negotiations to buy a aqua 1 like you have because I have the box and all the stuff it's having the same issue so I feel confident I can fix it but I do appreciate your videos Elliott keep them up they are great to watch high production value as well

[@IanC14]

I had that colour. I then won a Toad one from Nintendo which I've still got (though I use my Monster Hunter New 3DS XL now)

[@ChicagoMel23]

I have that color too. It was all Gamestop had

[@cookiecutter1245]

I used to have the blue one but it got stolen and when i found it it looked like someone took a hammer to it because it jad the hammer marks on it

[@Sylveon9021]

Did it still work

[@cookiecutter1245]

Minecraft player nintendo player and unboxer nah it was dead

[@bradleyroar7536]

Weird that it’s not official when the color is about 1:1 to the original purple 3ds I have

[@TheRetroFuture]

Its a very good copy!

[@carolankorten7598]

I did a similar repair on a turquoise 3DS that had been dropped. The only part of the housing I had to replace tho was the top outer case. When the part I ordered arrived it fit great but it was definitely not legit :/ but I illustrated a little pattern and custom ordered it as a skin from decal girl and it ended up looking great! I had to fix the shoulder buttons because they were no longer responding, but the parts were cheap and the fix was easy. The friend I gave it to loves it, and she’s never had a DS of her own, only her brother’s old Game Boy Advance SP. But yeah! I’d never refurbished any kind of DS before and jumping into a 3DS was really fun!

[@thepaper888]

Holy crap it looks exactly like my purple 3ds missing the circle pad cover

[@flutterdrive4286]

i say, just have the buttons and dpad from the blue one on there along with the sd card cover and volume slider. sure, it might be a weird contrast, but hey, its a nice contrast. the start/select/home sticker maybe as well.

[@bex--]

I just discovered these super cute Love Plus special editions so I'm gonna get one and swap it out on an NTSC 3ds :)

[@cryptiic2063]

Nice and entertaining vid again Elliot, keep it up!

[@TheRetroFuture]

Thank you!!!!

[@superdupercorp]

I really like your PSP videos! You should make more!

[@TheRetroFuture]

Coming soon!

[@mikecollins7704]

Just did this shell swap last weekend. Looks great and functions well, but the hinge is a little loose on the side that the ribbons go in. I had replaced the hinge and metal piece that goes in around the cables too.. I really do not want to take it apart again 😩

[@jaguar4120]

Wow. 😱 It looks like a nightmare with all those ribbons cables.

[@blakegriplingph]

Shame that there's practically none in the way of aftermarket 2DS shells though. Most of those on eBay were cannibalised from broken units from what I gather.

[@skyc02]

I had the aqua blue 3ds I loved it I droped it one time and the left trigger was then damaged so it did't work anymore then a few months later in summer school I was letting someone in lunch barrow it and the the bell rang and I could not find him so it was stolen I will one day buy another to have it again

[@ramonatalizio7315]

Yea man this was super tough for me and mine came out a lot like this. Functioning just some random flaws. This was tough, but I’d do the replacement again.

[@ChicagoMel23]

My purple 3ds has the same issue, the rubber on the analog stick crumbled in my hands a few months ago

[@headassbtw]

i actually did this but with a purple "for parts" system that booted and my main red one. put the red into the purple, now i want to work on more 3dses

[@MrJ0mmy]

amazing video as always man

[@TheRetroFuture]

Thanks!

[@lord_beethoven1169]

When I got my replacement shell; I was disappointed to see that the little plastic hoop that the hinge sits in was already broken. So my top screen just flops back and the back shell has a gap at the hinge. 😣

[@coulsonbeach6390]

Does anyone know where you can get a replacement shell for the “new” 3ds? (Full body not just plates) I Can only find them for the XL version

[@rmn4348]

aliexpress, alibaba or banggood

[@carlosmdhzherranz9672]

Could I ask where you got your housing shell, I plan to do a housing shell swap too. Also, you mentioned the buttons and D-pad are spongy, what if I used the OEM membranes? Many many thanks, love your videos, keep up the great work!

[@marismarisaivis1929]

Your channel deserves 1 million subscribers! :)

[@germaineliew2012]

Is it me or many of these original 3DS batteries have the tendency to expand as I noticed on the one in this video? I have 2 3DS's the same model in the video. One I had since 2013, another I bought recently but is slightly older than my first one. Both had their original batteries and both had expanded. I know cell phone batteries can expand too but I've only experienced one phone in the past that had an expanded battery out of all the phones I had for a few years.

[@dujavufear]

Germaine Liew yeah it happens with lithium ion batteries, they really aren’t supposed to last more then 2 to 3 years even if they are unused. They start to become unstable and either bloat or start fire. That’s the reason why so many places have very big restrictions on them when shipping, example being the place he lives.

[@yeaaaaaaaaaaahff]

Huh, I've had my original 3ds for 8 years and the battery seems like it's still perfectly fine and holds a charge well, though I do notice that it may be starting to expand just a tiny bit so I have to keep that in mind

[@ChicagoMel23]

I took mine out so I could install a extended life battery. The original still seems okay to me though

[@cubechan1938]

My 3DS has a broken hinge and a half, a missing stylus (not as important) and the top screen doesn't display visuals at all, making it nearly impossible to play any game on it, can I go to a basic repair shop in Lancaster to fix those problems or do I have to do something more complicated?

[@MatejGames]

Another beautiful thumbnail. But anyways i really like the black and purple shell!

[@TheRetroFuture]

Haha thanks!

[@wolf_line]

Lol my 3ds (aqua) battery expanded and I managed to get a replacement and it works amazing so I am very happy

[@SutekiRedux]

2 years late but I'm gunna be re shelling my old 2011 3DS, but it seems I can only find shells on Etsy for 30$ I got it anyways but I am worried about it not being as good as I hope it will. Might just keep all the buttons and membranes from my old one since there's nothing wrong with them. (and to be fair red buttons in a new black shell might look pretty poggers)

[@NecromancerAdr]

If you ever need a 3DS battery and have a Wii U Pro controller you could simply swap the batteries. I did that with my 3DS since I don't use the controller that much anyways

[@cesarmendieta7954]

finally i see someone using those ally express 3DS shells they are quite nice, i want a white one just because the polar white never got release in america.

[@marymclove7153]

So I have a purple 3DS but the casing is so scratched up from the past user that had it before me and the digitizer on the bottom screen needs to be replaced because it’s so scratched up how much would it be for somebody to reshell a 3DS and replace the Digitizer screen on the bottom

[@germanopolito5294]

Hi im sercing far an original back plate for the new 3ds xl black, do you know there i can find It?

[@naydra6075]

Hey....uhhhhhh can you fix my 3ds... it’s a bit uhhhh.....fallen apart... the top screen is separated and the ribbon cable is broken. I’ve had this thing for years and I don’t think I can part with it just yet....it’ll be cleaned up before it’s sent.

[@darkshadowstorm7056]

It's cool seeing these get fixed and run again. Especially if they are super damaged.

[@cheezyfriez12]

I love the og 3ds design, so if i could, i would make a n3ds xl shell modeled after the og 3ds

[@HollowRick]

I still have the Cosmo black the original 3ds felt more premium than the newer models imo

[@TheRetroFuture]

Yeah I totally agree.

[@ubahnlexi]

If a shell replacement is possible, maybe a clear shell is too!

[@fkxd88888]

Hi! do you have any idea how to fix a 3ds xl that turns on, well the blue light is on but the screens are black, they dont even light up... any ideas? i tried pulling the wifi out and puting it back, but that didnt work :/, also the usual pull the battery out and that kind of things, also the recovery mode doesn't work ://

[@kenanz7613]

can you make a tutorial on how to fix blotches on the screen, the game card thing cause it wont read any game, and the left bumper? its stuck

[@joemata5713]

@TheRetroFuture I love the vids thank you so much!! I did my Switch and it came out clutch! i was wondering if you can do a video of the Ds Lite

[@DouglasVervloet]

Yesterday I disassembled my old 3DS to change the DPAD. It is very complicated to remove the 9 screws below the back cover with a 1.5mm philips screwdriver. Of the 9 screws only 3 left normally, for another 4 I had to use WD-40 and the remaining 2 had to use a 2mm drill bit.

[@CommodoreFan64]

yeah that's because they are not Philips screws, but JIS screws which are similar but just enough different that a Philips can damage them. they are found in a lot of Asian electronics, and are designed not to cam out. This link should help explain it more. www.instructables.com/id/When-a-Phillips-is-not-a-Phillips/

[@Maxxedoubt]

its so cool to see the same color shell on my 3ds being used as a replacement because i seemed to be the only person in my school with that purple color when its the real case whoops

[@ChicagoMel23]

Same. I hadn't seen any til my coworker brought hers in and it was identical to mine lol

[@Vinmono]

I also have a 3ds since it came out(red) , I dont know if Its my carger that died or the Jack, but im buying the Jack and hopefully getting another charge soon.

[@_neko_neku_]

Song Epiphany (JULIAN AVILA - Epiphany) will always associate with you repairing a 3ds. I loved the dsi i had and i'm waiting to get a new 3ds

[@haroldguarino8391]

I love how he opened it up, tore it down completely and didn’t replace the circle pad

[@leighdappa]

I like how he's put his Fan Club Address in the Description. I'm going to start sending him letters📝

[@MightyOwl_01]

Hey dude, would be nice if you could answer my question about my 3DS as its the same model and as this one and I have the parts to repair it but some of the screws don't budge and im certain it's because there is glue in the screws or something, would using a hair dryer on the screws work or no? The screws are on the second layer where the battery and all that is, or would heating it by heating a screwdriver and pressing down on it work? This was a first time project with okay experience taking apart electronics but I gave up a few months ago cuz I couldn't get into the 3DS, tried so many things but anyway I appreciate the time for reading this message, only found your channel a few days ago but your videos are really entertaining (also we have the same first name :)

[@AussieNexus7408]

Make sure you have the right bits for the screws and if they don’t budge then use a hair dryer on the low setting then be carful opening it up look a guide up on iFixit should help

[@MightyOwl_01]

@@AussieNexus7408 hello, I managed to open it up about a year ago, I bought screw drivers and everything which were the correct size, but it didn't work, borrowed my friend's screw driver and that seemed to work even though it was the same size. Also my original comment looks really snarky, sorry about that

[@genshinluminie877]

Elliot does the throat bass in the beginning 😂😂😂

[@LumbyMcGumby]

When you find a stripped screw on one of these it's a nightmare just happened to me and I'm living the nightmare

[@WizardSquares]

Becoming one of my favourite channels. Keep it up dude.

[@TheRetroFuture]

Ah thanks James!

[@WizardSquares]

The Retro Future incredibly satisfying, Always something I’ve wanted to get into my self but I don’t trust myself. Maybe Oneday. But love the content man.

[@stanseel8900]

Would have been nice to get some voice over action explaining exactly what you were doing

[@iEatcandy.]

Was going to replace my scratched top cover, so searched for a video, found this..seen how to replace....NOPE..way too compicated lol.

[@verylongchannelhandle]

I really needed this

[@thunderbolt_blitz]

My L and R buttons Don't work, top screen is kind of loose and top of L button cables are exposed

[@efrainfierro3820]

@TheRetroFuture where did you get the 3ds shell? I looked online but there was just knock offs and they had the purple close to being just black and not purple and I found the purple of the shell you used hella nice

[@Maxygamez]

ive been trying to find the purple shell so I can fix my current 3ds but I cant find one.

[@mandh14]

Solid content as always!

[@thegoathead7538]

Do you happen to have any dimensions for the interior for each shell part? I have been thinking about milling my own replacement case, but I'm a bit hesitant to take my 3DS apart.

[@JN20022]

I had two of those and I loved them.

[@roborobo8370]

you should have made a mod with the new 3ds components on the old 3ds shell.. (it probably isn't possible but might also be.)

[@someone1050]

Hey do you know what to do if my Nintendo ds lite wont turn on? By the way the charging lights not work also

[@moogi3610]

U could sell this for more than £19 anyway like way more since it’s customized

[@slashy777]

Can you do a shell swap for the 2ds

[@todogenial119]

My red one has a screen burn, 3ds slider is toast, the speakers are trashed and start button won't click anymore, I might try this to give it new life