why I spent $700 on two 3DS consoles

I spent a lot of money on two 3ds consoles which look completly normal... One of them looks pretty rough around the edges. Why?
I bought these from Sendico: bit.ly/45YHm0q
Main Channel: / theretrofuture
#TheRetroFuture #Nintendo #3ds
Sendico link is an affiliate link.

[@TheRetroFuture]

hey cool harmonica bro

[@TheRetroFuture2]

hey thanks dude

[@TheRetroFuture]

@@TheRetroFuture2hey don’t mention it!

[@TheRetroFuture2]

@@TheRetroFutureokay

[@funnyxusername]

ha! elliot coll knockoff XD

[@KatSoEpic]

Yea true epic harmonica

[@OneSmallStepWeb]

I've not laughed as hard at one of your videos for a long time.

[@barnlimeenthusiast7701]

Why did you end the video like that? I did not like that because why didn’t you cover the settings more, why did you focus so hard on it not looking correct if you’re just going to end it as soon as it’s fixed? I’m just confused

[@_neko_neku_]

FINALLY A 3DS VIDEO!

[@kinkydervish]

I very much enjoyed the harmomica. I hope you can do what you want with those bad boys Elliot. I believe in you!

[@nintendo-sans9723]

Within the last year Loopy started making capture cards again, specifically for the New 3ds XL which you could've gotten for $120 by buying a self install kit or for $200 a complete install into a console by Loopy themselves. Additionally from what I remember Katsukity Capture cards are somewhat unrelieable. The Loopy ones from my own experience have no issues what so ever.

[@64scener]

Indeed the "Katsukity" was not a quality product

[@straubulous9511]

When he said who knows how to mod a 3DS perhaps he also doesn't necessarily know how to solder or anything. I don't know but that's the route I would have gone and thank you for the info.

[@Dave01Rhodes]

I’ve never had an issue with my Katsukity capture card, so ymmv.

[@syzzle342]

@@straubulous9511 The "who knows how to do that" was about hacking his 3DS and was probably a joke because of the running gag of "hacking a 3DS is surprisingly easy to do".

[@OQTIZZLE_ORLANDO]

Duuuurrrrrr?

[@eeveeblazelol]

you could’ve bought one of the new3ds xl self install loopy boards for $120 and had a usb c one that charges lol

[@lasskinn474]

120$ more than the sendico placement deal.

[@radiocaf]

@@lasskinn474the loopy one is vastly easier to install, which is a big plus imo

[@goticogordo]

how to do that? any video guides around? i have a N3DSXL with IPS screens and i was looking around to get a capture card on it

[@eeveeblazelol]

@@goticogordo 3dscapture is the website that sells the cards

[@BooleanDev]

@@goticogordosearch for "Nintendo 3DS Capture Board" requires soldering if you dont have them do it

[@Nazo422]

Homebrewing a 3DS is actually fairly easy nowadays and I believe even works up to the latest version as I’ve done it recently myself

[@slrxmas]

I agree. I've homebrewed a few different 3DS models for myself and a friend, even with the latest version.

[@celestialeel]

i have been modding and flipping them. it takes about 5 mins to mod once you know what youre doing

[@sheik124]

it's stupidly easy...and it allows you to replicate the capture card functionality over wi-fi

[@Frenomnom]

But if he wants to play DS games he needs the capture card. The 3DS boots up a different engine that disconnect the homebrew. So that is not gonna work :)

[@star43able]

my first time homebrewing my 2ds xl was literally maybe 10 mins total super easy

[@PowerSynopsis]

Man, plugging in that 3DS to the computer...I love watching a good struggle.

[@nathanstrik]

These capture card 3DS units are amazing. I'm so lucky I managed to get one at the tail end of the business, so it didn't cost me too much. The post did lose my original grey 3DS XL I had sent in for modding. So I ended up buying a pre-modded white unit, but it works like a charm and I love it so much! Also hacked mine, so I can play whatever region I want on it. So please hack at least one of your units. It's worth it! Oh, and tip: pressing SELECT when booting any regular DS game will enable 1:1 scaling. It will result in a smaller window, but there will be no ugly uneven pixel scaling this way. Including in your captures.

[@GLXY23]

Thanks for the tip at the end, if you do ever get a new 3ds xl and wanted it modded loopy sells his for 200 send in modded (self install for 120). I got mines sent in and it's a blast.

[@nathanstrik]

⁠@@GLXY23 you’re welcome! Good tip about the new 3DS XL. I’ll keep that in mind. 👍🏻

[@TANKTREAD]

All I care about is the love for any of the DS family members. If anyone can mod any of them, then have at it! Just glad that in 2024, people are STILL enjoying any type of a DS iteration.

[@klezmorim1980]

Changing 3DS shells is terrifyingly complex. It's probably the most complex shell replacing job you could ever imagine.

[@paulkendrick4153]

How much does it cost to get it done by a professional? I need it for my 3ds I just bought online. It’s modded and has so many games I’m still amazed

[@klezmorim1980]

@@paulkendrick4153 would there be any professional willing to go through that process for less than what a brand new boxed 3DS is worth? I highly doubt it.

[@tydshiin5783]

​@@paulkendrick4153 money isn't the problem, its who will want to do it with effort I'd be able to do it, but only for myself because I wouldn't trust anyone to not fuck something up

[@TheKingOfSpain]

This guy single handedly ruining the secondhand market for the rest of us

[@strizy]

I'd definitely recommend having loopy mod the "NEW" 3DS XLs, it's way cheaper than those 3DSs you bought. It's a more modern mod and you can have multiple 3DSs plugged in at once and the picture is far better.

[@strizy]

it would be roughly the same cost.. if you buy a used 3DS XL to have modded.. but the job would be a lot better and you at least have more variety on the consoles you want to have modded (not beat nor japanese 3DSs)@@c29o

[@heyyitsultima]

@@c29oI would imagine most people looking at getting any form of 3ds capture card likely already own 3ds units and intend on using them regularly for video recording. So they've likely already sunk the cost into the 3ds systems, potentially when they were nowhere near as expensive (as I personally did) and are only going to have the cost of the mods. In that case it would be $400 plus postage to get the Loopy install.

[@ImMadHD]

You can do this wirelessly with a modded new 3ds, But it's still pretty cool to see this kind of Tech!

[@SpielefreakJ]

There are still services that provide these kinds of hardware mod, like Loopy and resellers like Merki

[@clydefrosch]

I hear streaming over wifi is somewhat unreliable though

[@Strashky]

​@@clydefroschi think its a cool gimmick but not viable for actual use

[@TheMoriPlays]

You can get an even clearer picture in OBS if you set the scaling to “point”. Also if you’re playing DS games on the 3DS, boot the game in the native DS resolution for a clearer picture 🙂

[@TheMoriPlays]

There’s also a setting in the software from the drop down menus to remove all that noise from the bottom screen. It’s not the consoles don’t worry. Lol

[@TheMoriPlays]

Oh awesome, you found it. Definitely boot DS in native resolution though, and change OBS to “point” scaling. Awesome video as always.

[@spider_sf]

IReally love your videos Elliot, youve helped me a lot. Now let me help you a bit instead: 1. The full shell swap on the 3ds is very difficult to begin with and with the complexity and value of the katsukitty I really wouldn't attempt it. But if its just the metallic parts peeling, you should be able to replace those panels decently easy without having to touch the motherboard or the dreaded hinge. 2. Homebrewing/hacking the 3ds is so incredibly easy that it is a running joke, it really only takes 20 minutes and would immediately fix the region lock issue. I strongly recommend that you do not swap the motherboard just to do a region change, as you will basically have to reinstall the katsukitty, at which point you could just have bought a capture kit and done it yourself from the start. Edit: Just want to clarify that applying the homebrew immediately unlocks the region without extra tweaks and allows you to play cartridges from any region, without needing to do a full region swap. That means you can leave the 3ds in japanese and play your EUR carts.

[@BEN-rp5kc]

loopy (usa) and merki (250 eur for install, europe installs ds and 3ds cap cards today. and that is even for the new3ds xl. theyre also better than the japanese cap cards. im afraid you got ripped off

[@The_Freestyle_Skater]

Must have bought from DK oldies if it’s $700

[@jarredkrum9894]

🤣right. The one place id never buy from

[@Kwikpanik]

"Has the world ever had two DS capture cards plugged in at the same time?" Shiny Hunters with six capture cards at once: 🤔

[@Veqx]

harmonica transition went hard af

[@shy_doge]

the artifacts on the bottom screen could be because you are also streaming audio over usb. if you disable that and it is fixed you can get a male to male headphone jack, plug one end to the 3ds and another to the MIC input on your pc. then on windows make sure you have listen to the device on and you should be able to hear your 3ds sound coming from your pc.

[@shy_doge]

nvm I just got to the ending lmao

[@somebutter6755]

If you’re going to hack that 3ds anyway I don’t see a need in swapping the motherboard. Just region swap the system when you hack it. Also I think the camera on that pink 3ds is bad and that’s why it freaked out that one time.

[@SiIverDragon]

I would just put an custom Firmware on it than you can play all games region free also you can change the display language via custom firmware.

[@WhatAboutZoidberg]

I have worked on many 3DS devices and they are a nightmare to work on, even as a profesisonal. Watch some videos on the screen cable connections before taking it apart, they are such a pain. might be worth it to just keep the Monster hunter shells on it and maybe swap a new analog stick in.

[@Magmafrost13]

2:36 google. Google knows how to do that. And its increadibly easy to do and has been for many years Also Im pretty sure there was a way to wirelessly stream video from a custom firmware 3ds anyway, no hardmod needed. And of course katsukitty's capture cards were infamous for being just... terrible quality. Lots of youtubers had several because they crapped themselves so frequently

[@Lar_ry]

Pretty sure you can now stream in home brew without a capture card.

[@vhfgamer]

Hey Elliot I've done a few purchases from Japan, and one of the auctions I got had a random 3DS LL in it. I didn't care much at all about the 3DS, I only got it because of other stuff in the listing (mostly DS lites and gameboys). But I figured that since I had it, I might as well mod it to play western games. It's not the easiest thing to do, but there are some seriously excellent step by step guides online. I had mine modded in about an hour or so. And most of that hour was sitting around waiting for progress bars to progress. Now I kinda like the 3DS. I'm glad I got it.

[@masonhales]

why would you change the motherboard? Literally just install cfw it takes like 15 minutes lmao

[@soli-ethd]

2:33 HEY BUT YOU KNOW IT'S ACTUALLY SURPRISINGLY EASY TO HACK YOUR 3DS, ANYONE CAN DO IT

[@Robato-yuh]

Are you going to pax east 2024 for the find mii 2 panel?

[@mvevitsis]

Change the entire motherboard just to change the region? Are you insane?

[@Kalphalus]

That issue with the capture card software might be that some pc apps require you to restart your pc before it works properly

[@torokcreations1483]

To have multiple captures, you might need to connect to a different USB Bus. So Front I/O and back I/O and maybe a separate capture software that will let you choose inputs based on the Bus assuming it is not software specific. An old school camera or document camera software might see it. Not sure if OBS would allow it or not. These things are always fun to tinker with and see what you can get it to do. Using an external screen with similar 3D tech would also make for an amazing video if it works and would output the 3D image information needed. Cannot wait to see how it turns out if you decide to risk swapping in an English board. I do not see why it would not work with English boards since it looks to tap into the screen signal and not a function of the 3DS that would be Japan specific.

[@xKAZOMBIEx]

I'm looking forward to seeing you do the switch over on both of them :)

[@ProfJeffy]

The paint chipping off of the New 3DS XL is pretty common.

[@Gold_Yoshi]

Can confirm

[@WindyREDPanda]

Armor Time! Gotta defend my Galaxy theme.

[@clydefrosch]

Yeah, I switched back to my small n3ds because the area where the paint chipped irritated my skin...

[@htsunmiku]

​@@WindyREDPanda if it's metallic. If it's not metallic finish, you're fine.

[@WindyREDPanda]

@htsunmiku Regardless if it is or Isn't. Armor up and it'll last Years maybe Decades. Even with the 3DS off the Market i still carry mine cause there's still games i haven't touched yet.

[@NickGoblin]

Always hated how the metallic finishes begin to peel on the New 3DS XL. I bought one last year and made sure to buy the best condition one in my price range. 2 hours into a game and it started to peel. I was beyond mad, I just have an aluminum case on it at all times now.

[@sarcasticmcspastic]

Hold up I've got a galaxy edition system that has had absolutely zero flaking despite a couple hundred hours being put into it Does this only happen with the standard units??

[@NickGoblin]

@@sarcasticmcspastic From what I've gathered online, the Galaxy Edition and SNES editions are the only ones that don't flake. I'm sure there might be more obscure models that don't either, but I don't remember.

[@TheTotallyRandomGuy]

Yeah, I absolutely love my red New 3DS XL, but the finish peeling really sucks. I need to get a case... what's the aluminum one you got?

[@NickGoblin]

@@TheTotallyRandomGuy Just one of the generic aluminum ones off Amazon. There's multiple colors, but I picked black. They have this weird semi-gold looking bit near the bottom, so that's how you'll know which one I got. It adds some heft to the system, which I like. + the metal gets cold so it cools your hands for a while when you first pick it up. Can't wait until there's actual aftermarket aluminum plates for the system so I don't have to use a case.

[@SergalCheeseHead]

@@NickGoblin I have the Pokémon Sun and Moon New 3DS XL, and it doesn't appear to be flaking

[@Trololo231]

With a jailbroken N3DS you can stream it to your PC, it's not perfect since one of the screen will have lower framerate (one stays at 30 ~ 34, the other stays at idk how many but pretty low). It's not ideal, but since you can choose to prioritize the top or bottom screen, it's perfect if you want to play on a bigger screen.

[@vhateg]

True and nice for pointing it out. Yet, for a youtuber, it is a very justifiable expense, lol. The extra quality is worth the extra price, I suppose.

[@qactustick]

If he now has hardmodded consoles, I don't really see a reason to go the software route for capturing footage lol

[@rebelfriend47]

Hey Elliot. Do you have a PO box that we can send things to? I have something that i think you would find super interesting.

[@Nickrulz4u]

what is it?

[@TooMuchRGB]

“bit more of my ds fell off” 😂😂😂

[@TheAnimeexpansion]

I install these for a living if you need any advice on doing a shell swap.

[@SpielefreakJ]

pff, "install these for a living" I've heard you take about ten consoles a year, needing almost a year to install them too started in 2020 or so?

[@TheAnimeexpansion]

@SpielefreakJ there are multiple factors at play. The business isn't active currently whilst I review my stock situation. I do quality installations and this isn't what this post is about. Simply offering to help

[@SimplyStevii]

​@@SpielefreakJMe when I spread misinformation on the internet I guess?

[@KyLesCaster]

Bro goes through all this hassle just to capture Chinese Cabbage Salad

[@Pixiuchu]

It's crazy because I have the exact same pink 3DS XL Japanese region capture card. This video is actually eerie to watch because you wouldn't expect there to be the same 3DS with the same color and region having the capture card edit: actually mine has a Micro USB port, not a Mini USB port

[@NootNToot]

Man, I love the sleek design of the n3DSXL, but the only reason I've still only gotten my hands on the normal n3DS, and original 3DSXL is because I would hate to buy an n3DSXL only to have the shell start peeling (like the one in the vid). Seems to be happening more and more as these consoles get older

[@michaellvoltare]

Just avoid the metallic black, red, and blue variants. Edit: stuff like the monster hunter editions and hyrule as well. Those have metallic sheen too.

[@Kanaltot]

Ehm... you can buy new 3DS capture cards in Germany (with USB-C)

[@Dirty_Habit]

Harmonica cuts and my new favourite

[@IPrpl_]

For when your doing DS games you can hold start and select when the game is booting up to use pixel perfect mode

[@rcmatheus02]

You can literally homebrew the 3DS, install a EUR image of the system and just swipe the shell.

[@MegaBlindy]

Wait... you paid how much?? You can still buy 3ds capture cards from a lot of sites... I should start a business lol

[@JasonSquirrels]

I ended up getting a capture card for my 3ds because I got tired of having to look at such a small screen, so now I can play it on my computer monitor.

[@enbe3188]

Hi, thats really a crazy amount of Money to spent on more or less children toys. Well, i think you can justify it as business-invest. This vid will probably pay the bill ;-) The error where you have to do the "Lower screen Clock?"-thing. What does that mean? Lower the gpu clock for the lower screen? That might be processor-degredation. Can happen with time depending on silicon-quality

[@Club_Michas]

WTF are you talking about? you can still buy the Nintendo 3DS Capture Kit. Please do some research before spreading misinformation. Just because you are getting scammed constantly it doesn't mean it's not available for purchase. Btw: Spawnwave just made a video where he installed a Brand new Kit he ordered recently into his New 3DS XL

[@anokata-kd8oc]

6:30 F*** I hate this game, this is more cruel like some horror games. Imagine chilling in a nice colorful world while having peaceful thoughts, disconnected from the evils of the world and flying 'high' and some nasty a**hole tries to destroy your beautiful baloon. And you have to play this a**hole. No, I don't like this. I want a big unusually dense cloud named Kirby jumping on other partially innocent creatures.

[@OQTIZZLE_ORLANDO]

Nice 👍 ❤🎉

[@Notpoop906]

obviously both ports suck compared to USB-C but if I had to choose I'd probably take Mini USB over Micro USB. Micro just broke so easily. The cables AND the ports were terrible and broke with like 10 insertions 😂Having phones from those years where they used Micro USB like 2009ish - 2015ish was fucking awful. The amount of times I put a phone on charge only to wake up to find it dead in the morning because the shitty micro USB fails so easily are uncountable.

[@evgenivasileuski559]

Lol, I've done USB C port mod on 3DS (temporary solution v1.0), and now waiting for a better fitting port from AliExpress. Soldering skills are neat in this field

[@Tomtrocity]

OOF I believe I got mine back in 2017, paying $500 bucks for one, I think it's from Loopy. I know the one I have is a New 3DSXL, still works for normal console use but I haven't tested the capture card port in a while. I should go see if it still works lol

[@cossakrose]

So what exactly makes these rare? With the 3DS having come out so long ago, and the countless amounts of consoles modders out there modding these things should be more common. Is it an artificial scarcity like the "It's not real Parmesan unless it comes from the region of Parmesano and made by the only three Parmesani families n the world!!1!" situation? Or is it like a Tony Stark Arc Reactor thing where only a handful amount of people can *actually* make this because they're super geniuses?

[@KJM321]

I promise, hacking it will be so much better than any sort of hardware swaps you try to do. You don't have to do anything once you hack it, it'll still look and behave completely vanilla. SO much less risky than trying to swap hardware.

[@switchfoot19802000]

between the ds, 3ds, and the switch and ps3,ps4. Im fucking burnt out on video games. The rising prices are a factor plus the gaming corporations cracking down hard on rom sites. It just isnt fun any longer.

[@dodgydruid]

I picked up this week an absolute rare beast with a Japanese movement... Accurist BR10 kinetic yes kinetic full chronograph, Seiko only made solar chrono's and Citizen made the BR10 "autoquartz" movement for Accurist, Bulova and Invicta with none of 'em selling very well as seen as too niche for mainstream watch wearers. So technically its an eco-drive in there, my one is the very desirable "pepsi" deep blue diver style so doubly pleased :) I was told Invicta had on their shelves up until a few years back a whole caseload of BR10 movements they just chucked in a skip as no one bought them originally and thus replacements were never needed in the volumes expected so into the skip and landfill they went to be dug up in a thousand years by archaeologists wondering about the madness of this time lol

[@butterccm]

You’re joking about hacking the 3DS right? It’s super easy lol. Definitely needed new shells regardless tho.

[@xcruell]

Bro the new 3ds xl capture card is 120$ for self install or 200$ if you want him to do it for you.. 700$ sounds like a lot of overpay, considering one isn't even a new and the condition of them.

[@JB-js4xi]

Yuck. Don't you have pawn shops there? The pawn shops here always have a few although they have really gone up on the prices. 300 pounds???? Surely y'all have pawnshops....

[@GNTloveYT]

*slowly raises hand* yes... i can sorta mod a 3ds... no illegal stuff on it... nothing whatsoever...

[@Mattson402]

To check if the console was jailbroke and can play US games just turn off the console and hold select and power it back on while holding down select. If it boots into the normal 3ds menu you've got an unhacked 3DS but if it boots into custom firmware then your 3DS is hacked.

[@_MJ07_]

I'd just "jailbreak" it mate. Its super easy nowadays and you wont risk damaging the ribbon cables for the capture card.

[@kyr0x]

Jesus Christ, can you try disabling scaling? For a DS/3DS specialised channel you're just so clueless sometimes.

[@tamino3777]

Bro, don’t spend all this time changing the motherboard, just switch the region using custom firmware, it’s not that hard. Tbh. you’re really lost 😅😂

[@MultiWirth]

I´m pretty sure those capture card modded 3ds system run cfw anyways, so i don´t know why i wouldn´t install a more recent cfw and have no disadvantages whatsoever.

[@x9x9x9x9x9]

Back during the 3ds's main run I really hated that the people who made the 3ds capture card kept it so secret. If I recall there were only 2 or maybe 3 people who sold capture cards and they wouldn't sell just the components to do it yourself. It wasn't even cost that was the issue it was the time it took to get one done. Then one of the guys stopped doing it. I just remember it was a mess.

[@pdj2975]

What would my new 3dsxl with ips top screen, homebrew and every 3ds game you can get with a 512gb sd xD

[@NipplesTheEnchilada2323]

I would suggest Modding the 3ds's so you can make them Region Free, as these are extremely complicated mods to deal with.

[@AnthonyCotto]

Changing the region in software isn't too bad. Just follow the 3ds hacks guide. Good luck!

[@leet-kitty-catface]

You could have bought a new console and sent it to delfino customs. That's where I sent my N3DS XL

[@CashOutCorspe]

I buy 5 pairs of shoes before I waste bread on that 😂😂😂😂

[@trobinson9342]

Shoutout to anybody who sent their 3DS to japan and got a katsukity capture card and actually got their 3DS back and it works. I did 😊

[@christopherdecorte1599]

You could probably run both if you make a second copy of the software and change the name Slightly like adding a 1 to the name. I used to do it at work to test multiple slot machines at the same time.

[@madmyc6836]

Seems like it would be much easier to just softmod the 3ds rather than desoldering the mod and then resoldering it to another board. It already has the hardware mod so it technically isn’t vanilla anyway.

[@JustJagsOG]

Oh god shell swapping a 3ds. Always so annoying especially if it's the Chinese shells that never fit properly.

[@SkylinkMC]

Just mod and region change these consoles it’s so so so sooooo easy I’ve done it over 30 times now. No problems. Just follow the 3DS hacks site and not a video tutorial

[@goticogordo]

i have a N3DSXL but i really dont wanna pay so much just to apply a capture card, maybe someday i do it

[@mortalc13]

Modding consoles is fairly simple with the aid of a guide. Blaine Locklair has many tutorials that are explained in great detail on his channel.

[@SandyRegion]

I tried a New 3DS XL shell swap mod, and it was a disaster. Not as straightforward as it seems. I wish you luck.

[@usernamesareweird4880]

I would not recommend disassembling a DS/3DS, they are rather delicate devices

[@ancientandbored]

Nevermind the handhelds, I want that Monster Hunter stories shell cover 😍😍😍😍

[@valshaped]

The 3ds hacks guide knows how. It's not terribly difficult either.

[@NOVAlyzr]

Yikes, I just installed the usb c Loopy card last month. Glad I'm not this guy

[@GingerBradMan21]

Spawn Wave recently did a video making one of these, you should reach out to him maybe he can direct you to guy the mod

[@ThePurple1234567891]

I have a new 3ds non xl from Japan. I have port where the port in this video is at. I don't think mine is a capture card

[@Christophersanchez1326]

First time touching a new 3ds XL, nope not gunna buy one feels cheep. Same for the 2ds.

[@karlmee1234]

Homebrew it and do a region swap on it. I'm sure that when you do that, you can use your pal carts on it

[@MSTRMNDWRX]

hacking a 3ds now is so easy that there are memes on how easy it is to do

[@GamingWithKirara]

Hey Elliot I love you videos keep up the great work if you believe it or not my last name is Elliott but yours has one t and mine has two

[@KaiserKaddu]

Hacking the 3DS to change language and allow region locked games is easy as pie actually. lol

[@casketpizza]

What's the advantage of hardware capture over NTR streaming?

[@aestheban]

upcoming Ocarina of Time 3D Masterquest series, maybe? 👀

[@DamianCentkiewicz]

Now you only have to install this capture card for dual IPS new 3DS

[@GingerBradMan21]

You have this many 3DS's and game boys and you've never soft modded a 3DS 😮 wtf

[@FatalErrorX]

why do you act like hacking a 3ds is this monumental task? you know its very easy.