Gaming DS Phat hinge/upper screen question.

[FFdreamer]

I just got a DS Phat off ebay for my little sister, but before I give it to her I wanted to ask a question. I noticed the whole hinge/upper screen connecting part is a little loose, you can move the upper screen from left to right a little bit and vice versa with your hands or if you slightly tilt the console to the left/right. Is that normal for DS Phat hinges? My DSi upper screen doesn't do that, it only falls down a little bit if I tilt it towards me a little bit. The DS Phat does that, too... Granted, it's only a mm or two...

 

[FFdreamer]

Noone?

 

[Private|Par]

Yep this is normal for DSPhats, at least for the ones I've come into contact with. I was a bit worried about it but yeah, as you say it's only a mm or two. Welcome to GBAtemp, I hope you enjoy your stay!

 

[Jamstruth]

I have a DSPhat and mine definitely does not do that. I have replaced the case on mine though so possibly its just a bit tighter. Still it sounds like something in the hinge might be a bit loose. Not sure if you can get replacement DS hinge parts for the originals

 

[FFdreamer]

Yep this is normal for DSPhats, at least for the ones I've come into contact with. I was a bit worried about it but yeah, as you say it's only a mm or two. Welcome to GBAtemp, I hope you enjoy your stay!

I bought the adult preowned DS Phat and it's actually in pretty good condition for a 4-year-old console, light scratches only, I noticed that the screen is a little loose like that just yesterday when I was closing it and accidentally pulled it a little bit and noticed it moves. I doubt I broke it since I touch my consoles with great consideration and didn't feel anything crack or something like that. It just feels like the screws inside aren't screwed supertight so the screen kinda moves for a few mm forward (like the DSi) and left/right when you tilt the console or push the screen a little bit with your hand, no forceful pushing of course. Thanks for the welcome!

Jamstruth your replacement case is original or?

 

[dysan]

I guess it's normal...mine moves around a bit as well

but nothing extreme!

 

[PeregrinFig]

I've used my Phat for five years and yes, that's perfectly normal. However, I suggest you don't use the farthest-back hinge lock position. My sister would always put her top screen back all the way, and the left hinge broke.

 

[Jamstruth]

Jamstruth your replacement case is original or?

3rd Party case. Its black. It was quite a tight fit in the hinger area (required some filing) but I have never noticed my screen sliding left or right when I tilt the console, even on my old, original Silver case.

 

[FFdreamer]

I've used my Phat for five years and yes, that's perfectly normal. However, I suggest you don't use the farthest-back hinge lock position. My sister would always put her top screen back all the way, and the left hinge broke.

Don't worry, I only use the first lock, I can play perfectly fine with it, never tried anything else on my DSi, either. But thanks for the advice!

 

[Orsted]

Normally a DS phat doesn't do this if they are cared for properly. The DS was probably abused a bit by its previous owner, as long as you don't shake it violently or smack it around it should be fine.

 

[FFdreamer]

Would it be possible to take it to a Nintendo service (there's one about 30 min away from my place) and ask them to screw it tighter or something? Althoug now it's 3-2 of you saying normal-not so normal XD... I'll probably just leave it alone, but if it can be tightened, it's no problem to take that 30 min trip...

 

[Private|Par]

might be worth the trip to ask them anyway, if it's only 30 minutes there and back. I'd like to know if Nintendo knows about it.