How can I fix my DS Lite's cracked hinge?

"This is a common problem with Lites. Amazingly, Nintendo has SUPPOSEDLY agreed to repair Lites with cracked hinges for free, even if it's out of warranty. See: http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/21/ninte... The comments here say it's kind of dubious, though.

This doesn't actually affect the hinge's action at all; what is actually cracked is just the housing. It doesn't really affect the integrity of the thing. If it doesn't bother you that much, you can live with it.

Nintendo's support line is 1-800-225-3700."

"well there are 2 things i did to solve the problem;

1: super glue the crack

2: get a same or different color backing, take the old cracked one off by using a thumb tak and get those little plastic screw covers off, next take the screws out and put them on a white pice of paper, then grab the front half with your thumbs on the smooth side and push up with your thumbs, then lift the back plate up and off the DS and TA-DA! you got the back off now get the new one and put it on the oppisite way you took it off."

"Just a heads up for anyone new coming here looking for hope to get a free repair direct from Nintendo. as of 2.21.12 they do not and will not provide free repairs.

It would be around $80 for the repair."

I have a launch DSLite. Mine suffered from the cracked hinges and I called up Nintendo before Christmas '09 wayyyy out of warranty. The support person I spoke with was fantastic and got the process started by sending me a shipping label via e-mail and actually had it shipped UPS RED back to me free of charge so I'd have it back before Christmas. It came back with the same serial number just a different top half If I'm not mistaken. I have to hand it to Nintendo for this one.

Both my boys' DS Lites ended up with cracked housings at the hinge. The narrow plastic loop on the right side cracked. Nintendo wanted $50 each to repair them. I used JBWeld epoxy to glue the cracks after encircling the cracked housing with one loop of steel florist wire. The wire provided strength, and the epoxy held it. It's been two years and they both held up fine.

oh well my ds was red and i had a hinge crack. i loved to play on it so much but a wire always dangled down over my view. i touched it and got a electric shock. suddenly, a few weeks later my ds chopped in half. the screen shattered and it was dead. All because of a bloody hinge crack! Dear oh dear.