If your 3DS console has been collecting dust on the shelf since its final official games were released back in 2019, it may be time for you to consider breathing new life into Nintendo’s final dedicated handheld system. And no, I’m not here to convince you to hack your system, nor am I here to add my voice to the rising populous of AYN Thor users.
No, if you want to give your 3DS a spark post-mortem, or simply have a fascination with customization, you may be interested in the transparent reshell project, headed by KLSS, a joint effort by Kennedy Labs and Raretro Consoles. Promising high-quality shells that allow the user to peer behind the curtain and see the inner workings of their game system, this project is set to release on June 5.
The 3DS family of systems spans a wide variety of form factors, including the original layer-cake model, a refined XL, the cheese wedge-adjacent 2DS, and finally, the “New” line of pro 3DS systems, complete with a pencil-eraser C-nub, ZL and ZR buttons, and face-tracking 3D. Each of these models was released with countless themes, skins, and colorways, but none were fully transparent, like the KLSS shell project.
Clear reshells were very popular during the original DS generation, so it’s fun to see that side of the fandom rejuvenated for the follow-up. Have you ever wanted to peer into the soul of your 3DS console? In a complete invasion of the handheld’s privacy, the clear shell project by KLSS allows you to do just that.
From the beginning, this project was built for fans of the 3DS, hoping to build something completely unique.
This is a brief explanation of the project from the creators’ website:
KLRR is a collaboration between KendyLabs and Raretro Consoles, bringing together years of experience in design, restoration, and precision craftsmanship.
Built from the ground up and with zero outside funding, this partnership was formed with a single goal: to create something the industry hasn’t seen before.
Each shell is handcrafted and the result of extensive research and development, countless iterations, and a relentless focus on precision.
This project has been fully self-funded by both Raretro Consoles and KendyLabs, driven by a shared commitment to quality and originality.
Manufactured entirely in the United States, these shells represent a level of fit, finish, and transparency that has not previously been available.
Our intention is to deliver a one-of-a-kind product that no one else has been able to produce.
The results are very beautiful, I have to admit, but please don’t pass that information along to my beloved galaxy model — it’s already jealous of all the time I’ve been burning into my Switch 2.
Reshelling a 3DS console is a risky procedure, so please know the risks of deconstructing your system before purchasing a custom shell.
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