3dscapture.com

I'm mostly just curious if the N3ds XL boards will work on the Non XL version of the N3ds.

Yes, but it won't fit without modifying both the N3DS and the capture board.







This is my attempt. The last attempt I saw someone else do, they gutted the back housing and used a clear case instead of the back plate.

Looks great! Any chance you could share a quick shot of the internals? Curious how it all fits together. Optimize's installation service isn't available anymore, so this post might be the most up-to-date info out there on fitting a capture board into a non-XL New 3DS.

I've since sold it so no pictures inside.

Sits sort of like this inside. Trimming the board required. This is why I relocated the micro SD slot. I also cut off the USB-C port and used a different one in place of the charge port. The interceptor FPCs are compatible as well but may sit awkward. In my first attempt, I soldered directly to the gold fingers of the FPCs to the solder blobs. There are two more on the back for the top screen. I have some breakout board to make it easier to do now.

The capture board also works with the New 2DS XL, but you have to use the same solder points as Optimize's kit since the interceptor FPC for the top screen is not compatible.

u1f992 wrote: ↑

Wed May 13, 2026 3:34 pm

Optimize's installation service isn't available anymore, so this post might be the most up-to-date info out there on fitting a capture board into a non-XL New 3DS.

I hope this is not permanent. I saw on their order page that they have no date set to resume orders for the capture boards. This leaves the 3DS, 3DS XL, and even the 2DS with zero options except pre-owned.


Also, I recognized your username! I've seen your Qingpi project. Very cool.

Thanks for sharing the details, and I'm honored to be recognized! Regarding the 6 pads that are soldered directly to the motherboard, are they the same on the New 3DS and the New 3DS XL?

They are slightly shifted but in the same location relative to the IC.

Thanks, now I know what I need to do.