eXtremeRate DIY Replacement Shell Buttons for Nintendo Switch, Back Plate for Switch Console, Housing with Colorful Buttons for Joycon Handheld Controller – Clear Candy Pink [No Electronics Parts]

eXtremeRate DIY Replacement Shell & Buttons for Nintendo Switch: A Deep Dive into Customization

For Nintendo Switch owners who have grown weary of the ubiquitous standard gray, the desire to inject personal style into their console is a common one. Enter the eXtremeRate DIY Replacement Shell and Buttons kit in Clear Candy Pink—a comprehensive modification package promising a dramatic, eye-catching transformation. This isn’t a pre-assembled console or controller; it’s a full custom housing solution designed for the intrepid DIY enthusiast. After a thorough analysis of the product specifications, included components, and installation guidance, this review provides an objective assessment of what this kit offers and the significant commitment it demands.

What Exactly Is This Product?

First and foremost, critical clarity is required: this is not a Nintendo Switch or Joy-Con controller. It is a complete replacement shell—the external plastic casing—and a set of colorful buttons for both the main console and the Joy-Con controllers. The package provides every physical part you need to re-house your existing electronics. You must carefully disassemble your original Switch and Joy-Cons, removing every internal component, circuit board, battery, and button membrane, and then transplant them into these new, vibrant pink and clear housings. The core electronic parts (motherboard, sticks, batteries, etc.) are not included and must be salvaged from your own devices.

Unboxing and Included Components

The kit arrives in a well-organized package, a necessity given the hundreds of tiny screws and delicate parts. For the Switch Console, you receive:

• One back plate with an integrated kickstand.
• The necessary screw set (including longer screws for the kickstand) and a small adhesive sponge pad.

For each Joy-Con (Left and Right), you receive:

• A complete transparent-pink outer shell (top and bottom halves).
• An internal middle tray that houses the button membranes and circuitry.
• A full set of replacement buttons: the A, B, X, Y, and directional pad buttons in a contrasting, vibrant color (likely a lighter pink or white based on “colorful buttons” and the candy pink theme).
• Speaker dustproof nets.

Crucially, the kit also includes a dedicated tool set:

• A small screwdriver handle.
• PH00 and Y00 precision screwdriver bits (the Y00 is specifically for the notorious triangular “security” screws on the Joy-Con outer casing).
• A total of 55 screws and 6 replacement springs (for the shoulder buttons ZL/ZR).
• Two speaker dustproof nets.

This all-inclusive approach is a major plus, as sourcing correct, tiny screws separately for this kind of mod is a frustrating and risky endeavor.

Material, Design, and Aesthetics

The shells are crafted from durable, non-toxic ABS plastic. The “Clear Candy Pink” descriptor is accurate—the plastic has a translucent, rosy hue that allows the internal components and the colorful buttons to subtly show through. It’s not a crystal-clear glass-like transparency; it has a gentle, frosted or tinted quality that diffuses light nicely and hides some of the internal clutter, maintaining a clean look. The pink itself is a saturated, cheerful candy shade that is far more playful than the standard issue.

The buttons are a key design feature. While the shell is translucent pink, the A, B, X, Y, and D-pad buttons are a solid, opaque color (likely white or a very pale pink). This creates a striking, two-tone contrast that immediately signals a custom mod. The tactile feel of these new plastic buttons will differ from the OEM rubber-dome buttons. They may feel slightly harder and produce a crisper, more clicky press, which some users prefer for precise inputs, though this is subjective.

Fit and finish appear to be excellent. The parts are precision-cut to match the original geometries. All cutouts for ports, rails, and sensors are correctly positioned, ensuring full compatibility with the Switch dock, charging cable, and Joy-Con rail system. There are no gaps or misalignments reported in the product description, which is essential for a modification of this complexity.

The Installation Gauntlet: A Test of Patience and Skill

This is the defining—and most challenging—aspect of the eXtremeRate kit. The product description is refreshingly blunt: Installation Difficulty: High. Time Spent: 4 hours or more. Patience Needed: High. This is not an exaggeration.

The process for the Joy-Cons is an intensive microsurgery. You must:

1. Remove four tiny, fragile triangular Y00 screws. Stripping these is a constant threat.
2. Carefully pry open the shell without cracking the plastic clips.
3. Disconnect and remove multiple extremely delicate ribbon cables that connect the button membranes, analog sticks, and SL/SR buttons to the main board. These can be easily torn if handled with fingers; tweezers are mandatory.
4. Manage spring-loaded mechanisms for the ZL/ZR triggers and the shoulder buttons.
5. Transfer every single internal component—the motherboard, battery, rumble motors, stick assemblies—into the new middle tray and shell, ensuring all connectors are perfectly reseated.

The Console Back Plate is comparatively straightforward, requiring you to remove the original back plastic and kickstand and replace them. However, even this requires care to avoid damaging the kickstand hinge.

The manufacturer strongly recommends a specific YouTube installation guide (searching “ExtremeRate New Horizon Style for Switch” or the provided code). Watching this video is not optional; it’s a critical companion. The advice to watch in half-speed, pause, perform a step, then repeat is the only sane approach. The warning about screw tightness affecting button actuation is vital—overtightening can bind the buttons, making them stiff or unresponsive.

Pros and Cons: A Balanced Verdict

Pros:

• Unmatched Personalization: Transforms your device from a generic gray slab into a unique, colorful handheld. The Clear Candy Pink is aesthetically pleasing and modern.
• Complete Solution: Includes every necessary screw, spring, tool, and dustproof net you could need. No mid-project trips to the hardware store.
• Quality Materials: The sturdy ABS plastic feels robust and is an upgrade from the somewhat flimsy feel of the original Joy-Con shells.
• Revitalizes Old Hardware: A perfect way to breathe new life into a scuffed or discolored original Switch, making it feel new again with a fresh look.
• Functional Integrity: When installed perfectly, all buttons, sticks, and functions (HD rumble, NFC, motion) remain operational as the original electronics are preserved.

Cons:

• Extremely High Difficulty: This is a craftsman-level project, not a user-friendly upgrade. Beginners will almost certainly damage ribbon cables, strip screws, or crack plastic.
• Time-Consuming: Block off an entire afternoon. Rushing guarantees a mistake.
• Risk of Bricking Your Device: Incorrect handling of ribbon cables or components can permanently damage your Switch or Joy-Cons, rendering them inoperable.
• “Clear” is Translucent: Don’t expect a crystal-clear view of internals; it’s a milky, tinted transparency.
• Potential Feel Change: The new buttons and shell may have a slightly different tactile feel than stock, which may or may not be to your liking.
• No Electronics Included: The absolute requirement to have a fully functional, disassembled Switch and Joy-Cons to start with is a barrier.

Who Is This For?

This kit is explicitly engineered for experienced electronics hobbyists, skilled modders, or patients with a very steady hand and a background in small device repair. If you have successfully replaced a phone battery, repaired a gamepad, or own a good set of precision tools, you are the target audience.

It is categorically not for casual users, children, or anyone without genuine confidence in delicate work. If the word “mod” makes you nervous, walk away. The risk of turning a $300+ console into a paperweight is real.

Final Conclusion

The eXtremeRate Clear Candy Pink DIY Replacement Shell Kit delivers exactly what it promises: a complete, high-quality set of parts for a stunning visual overhaul of your Nintendo Switch ecosystem. The materials are good, the design is thoughtful, and the included accessories are comprehensive.

However, its value is entirely contingent on your ability to successfully complete the installation. The astronomical difficulty level is the product’s defining characteristic. For the right person—someone who views the installation not as a chore, but as a rewarding technical challenge—this kit offers the ultimate in Switch personalization. For everyone else, it represents a high-stakes gamble with a beloved piece of tech. There is no middle ground. If you possess the requisite skill and patience, the reward is a uniquely beautiful, one-of-a-kind Nintendo Switch. If you do not, the most prudent decision is to invest in a pre-modded system from a professional modder or accept the stock aesthetic. This is a tool for artists, not for the merely curious.