SNES Controller Assembly Guide

Please take extra care with the fasteners-- the heads and threads are very small. Using machine screws is NOT the same as the fasteners used when screwing together plastic parts. They require very little force and should have minimum resistance when turning. If you're careful, you'll do just fine!
Ensure parts are fully seated and held in place when fastening. I recommend against using the fastener to pull the parts together. This is especially important when fastening the front and rear housings
When assembling, do not force the fastener! If you feel resistance, re-evaluate your fastener length or back out, clean, and try again.

0.0 Before you begin

0.1 Materials needed

Donor SNES controller

Boxy Pixel SNES-1005 Housing Kit

    • SNES-1000 front housing
    • SNES-1001 rear housing
    • 4x6mm pan head screws

Boxy Pixel SNES-1006 Front Button Kit

    • SNES-1002 D-Pad
    • (4) SNES-1003 ABXY buttons

Boxy Pixel SNES-1007 Shoulder Button Kit

    • (2) SNES-1004 Shoulder Button

Replacement Silicone Set (Optional)

#0 Phillips screwdriver

Tweezers (Optional)

Small bowl or similar (Optional)

Masking tape, twist tie, or similar for securing cable

Something to support the controller above your work surface

0.2 Testing

Plug you donor controller into your console and verify that all front and shoulder buttons and the D-Pad function properly

1.0 Disassemble the donor controller

1.1 Secure the cable 

Coil the cable loosely around your hand and secure it with tape or a twist tie. This is not strictly necessary, but it prevents frustration from the loose cable knocking small parts off the table or dragging the controller to the floor.

1.2 Position the controller

Support the donor controller face down a little bit above the work surface. The Boxy Pixel MSC-1039 Universal Assembly Fixture is perfect for this, but you can use all sorts of common objects such as a pair of CD jewel cases or two books of similar thickness. Just be sure the buttons are free to hang in their resting position when the rear housing is removed.

1.3 Remove the rear housing

With the #0 Phillips screwdriver, remove the five (5) screws holding the case halves together. Turn counterclockwise. Note the self-tapping screws used for the plastic assembly feel “grabby” as you back them out. If your screwdriver is magnetic, you can use it to carefully lift the screws out of their pockets. A pair of sharp tipped tweezers also works well. Alternatively, hold the case halves together with thumb and fingers and tip the screws into your hand or a suitable container. The screws will not be reused.

1.4 Remove the PC board 

    • Note the position of the PC board relative to the alignment pins and screw bosses of the factory front housing; the placement of the wing boards relative to the main board and adjacent features; And the routing of the cable through the three strain relief pins and exit hole. Free the cable from the strain relief pins. It is a snug fit.
    • You can use the screwdriver to pry between the housing edge and the cable to pop it free. Do not use the board as a handle to yank the cable free.
    • Gently unseat the wing boards being careful not to pull on the two small wires connecting each board to the main board.
    • Lift the main board with wing boards attached straight up and set it aside.

1.5 Remove the conductive pads and buttons

    • Note how the Start/Select, ABXY, and D-Pad pads fit over their pins and locating features, and the Shoulder button pads seat in their towers.
    • Lift the five (5) pads straight up and set them aside. A small bowl will prevent them from getting lost. Tweezers are very helpful for removing the shoulder button pads. Note the Select/Start pad has integral buttons.
    • Note how the “wings” of the A, B, X, and Y buttons align with “cut outs” of their locating features. The factory buttons use a third wing with a unique angle to ensure they are installed in the correct position. If you plan to reuse them it is a good idea to take a picture of their positions. The Boxy Pixel SNES-1003 Buttons included in the SNES-1006 Front Button Kit are identical and can be installed in any position.
    • Remove the D-Pad and A, B, X, and Y buttons. You can push the buttons up from below with the screwdriver and grab them with your fingers or tweezers.
    • With fingers or tweezers, grasp the protruding end of the steel shoulder button pivot pins and lift straight up. It is likely the button will remain engaged with the pin. If so, separate them and set aside. If not, carefully set aside the pin, then retrieve the button. The pins will be reused.

1.6 Disassembly is complete

    • Set the factory front housing aside.
    • Note: The factory housing has the appropriate button colors cast in near each of the four holes. This can be a useful reference if you plan to reuse your factory buttons.

2.0 Assemble your new controller

2.1 Test fit

To verify the quality of your product, fit the SNES-1000 front housing together with the SNES-1001 rear housing prior to assembly. They should fit neatly together with no force and should not rock once seated. Separate the housings and set the rear aside.

2.2 Position the Boxy Pixel SNES-1000 front housing

Use the same fixture used for disassembly to support the housing above the work surface. Note: Due to the rigidity of aluminum and the differences between machining and injection molding, the inside of the Boxy Pixel housing does not appear identical to the factory housing, however, all critical features and dimensions have been maintained.

2.3 Install buttons

All front buttons should drop in easily and hang freely in their resting positions.

Boxy Pixel SNES-1003 - With fingers or tweezers drop the A, B, X, and Y buttons (identical) and D-Pad into their locating features. Be sure to align the “wings” of the buttons with the cutouts in the housing.


      • Factory ABXY buttons – With fingers or tweezers, use your picture, the factory housing markings, or the illustration below to properly place the red, green, yellow, and blue buttons in their locating features.

      • Factory and Boxy Pixel D-Pads can install in any of the four possible orientations.
    2.4 Install silicone conductive pads - Installation is the same for factory and aftermarket pads.
      • The Boxy Pixel SNES-1000 front housing Does not use alignment pins for the ABXY pad. It is located by a long face and the button surround features. It can be installed in either orientation.
      • Align the single hole in the D-Pad silicone over its pin to properly orient it.
      • The Select/Start pad can be installed in either orientation. Install it with its hole over its locating pin.
      • Tap gently around all three pads to ensure they are positively seated on their pins and locating features. 
    2.5 Install shoulder buttons and pads
      • Install the two (2) steel pivot pins reserved in 1.5 . They are a very snug fit. You can use the flat of a coin held between thumb and finger to press it in.
      • Slide the shoulder buttons over the pins.
        • Boxy Pixel SNES-1004 Shoulder buttons can be installed on either side of the housing.
        • Factory shoulder buttons are handed and must be installed in their original positions. They are marked L and R on their faces. Because the controller is upside down when oriented as in the illustrations, the left button will install on your right hand and vis versa. If the button will not seat easily, try the other side.
      • Pivot the buttons until they rest against the outer wall of the housing. Slide the button pads into their towers with the small actuator facing the back of the button. Use tweezers or a pencil point to ensure the actuator is seated squarely against the back of each button.

    2.6 Install the PC board and cable

      • NOTE - Our housing is fully compatible with the 8BitDo Old Edition (Classic) mod kit. Follow the included instructions for the charging port. The rest of the installation is identical to the factory board.
      • Gently pull the wing boards away from their cutouts in the main board. This will allow you to fit the main board without trying to align the wing boards at the same time.
      • Place the PC board over the locating pins and housing screw bosses. The board is a tight fit and may require slight wiggling to seat it flat against its support surfaces but does not require any force. Once in place it should not rock. If it does, lift it off and recheck the seating of the silicone pads.

      • Slide the wing boards into the pockets formed by the main board and the button towers. They may need some slight wiggling to get them started but require no force to seat. Once seated, push them into contact with the towers.
      • Route the cable through the strain relief pins and exit hole as pictured. Gently push it down into full engagement with finger or a dull pencil point. Recheck the board alignment as it is easy to dislodge it while seating the cable.

    2.7 Install the rear housing

      • Engage the pin holes in the SNES-1001 rear housing with the shoulder button pivot pins and use them to help guide the rear housing onto the front. As the housing nears closure, use finger and thumb of one hand to hold the cable in the exit hole. It should fit neatly into place with no force and should not rock. If this is not the case, recheck the alignment of the silicone pads and board and the seating of the shoulder buttons and the cable in the strain relief pins and exit hole.
      • Place the five (5) included screws into the pockets in the rear housing using magnetic screwdriver, tweezers, or fingers. Turn the screws just until they seat. IMPORTANT: The feel of a properly engaged screw in machined metal is very different from the “grabby” feel of a self-tapping screw in plastic. They should turn freely with almost no force until the head seats against the housing. If a screw feels like it is getting tighter as it turns in stop. Back the screw all the way out and carefully restart it paying attention to aligning it straight with the threaded hole. When all screws are seated tighten them an additional 1/8 – 1/4 turn. Do not over tighten.

    3.0 Test your new controller

    Operate all the front and shoulder buttons and the D-Pad. They should feel crisp and return freely to their resting positions. If they do not, place the controller back on your fixture, disassemble, and check the seating of the silicone pads, board, and cable. If you still have troubles, feel free to contact us

    Remove the tape or twist ties from the cable and unwind it.

    Plug your new controller into your console and enjoy!