Cajun Panda's
Retro Gaming

The Process

Six steps. Same on every restoration. About a third don't make the cut.

We restore retro hardware so that we can build new things for it. Every console that ships from the workshop has gone through this loop. It's also why the mods we design feel right when they touch original hardware.

  1. Step 01
    of 6

    Sourcing

    Where the hardware comes from. We buy in bulk lots from estate sales, retro shops, and trusted brokers — never from auction sites where condition is unknowable.

  2. Step 02
    of 6

    Triage

    Power on, screen test, button test, audio test, port test. We log what's wrong before we open anything. About a third of incoming units don't make the cut and go back into the parts pool.

  3. Step 03
    of 6

    Disassembly

    Tri-wing, Phillips, gamebit — every retro system uses something different. We catalogue every screw, every ribbon cable, every silicone pad. Nothing gets forced.

  4. Step 04
    of 6

    Cleaning + replacement

    Boards get isopropyl + a soft brush. Old electrolytic capacitors get desoldered and replaced with fresh ones. Buttons and silicones get swapped. Shells get the choice of clean original or new.

  5. Step 05
    of 6

    Reassembly + calibration

    Back together with the right torque on every screw — too tight cracks shells, too loose loses contact. Screens get aligned, audio levels checked, contrast pots set.

  6. Step 06
    of 6

    Final QA + packing

    Each unit gets tested on a real cartridge. Photos for the listing. Then it gets packed in foam-lined kraft, with a printed insert card and the warranty terms.

FAQ

Common questions.

What's the warranty?
30 days against any defect we caused. We can't warrant the original 30+ year-old Nintendo board against the heat death of the universe — but anything that fails because of work we did, we fix or refund.
Can I send you my console for a custom restoration?
Yes. Use the Special Orders form — tell us the console, the symptoms, and what you want done. We'll write back with a quote and a turnaround estimate.
Do you do mods on commission, or only your own designs?
Both. The Bluetooth NES Advantage is a Cajun Panda design. We also install third-party mods (IPS kits, region-free chips, RGB outputs) on consoles you ship in. Same intake as a restoration.
Where does the hardware come from?
Mostly bulk lots from estate sales and a couple of trusted brokers. We don't buy from auction sites where condition is unknowable.

Have a console you want restored?

Tell us about it.

We take in custom restorations and mod installs. Send the model, current state, and what you want done. We'll write back with a quote and timeline.

Special Orders