While reading about Capcom’s upcoming Amaterasu phone strap, it struck me that most DS Lite and DSi owners in the US and Europe are probably unaware that the two small holes in the back of the DS near the cartridge slot can be used to attach cell phone charms or phone straps.

Here’s a photo of the back of an Onyx DS Lite with the two holes used for attaching cell phone charms and phone straps circled in red:

Here’s a photo of my an Onyx DS Lite with maneki neko (fortune cat) cell phone charm attached:

Very few brick and mortar stores in America sell cell phone charms or phone straps. I recommend the following stores for purchasing cell phone accessories online:

• Strapya World
• Play-Asia

Strapya World specializes in cell phone accessories and has an extensive selection of cell phone charms and phone straps, including items based on popular anime and video game franchises like Hello Kitty, Final Fantasy, Death Note, My Neighbor Totoro, Dragon Ball, One Piece, and Sgt. Keroro.

Here are five example cell phone straps from Play-Asia:

1. Gurren Lagann Mini Gurren Team Strap Figure: Simon with drill
2. Gurren Lagann Mini Gurren Team Strap Figure: Simon on Gurren
3. Gurren Lagann Mini Gurren Team Strap Figure: Little Gurren Brigade
4. Gurren Lagann Mini Gurren Team Strap Figure: Kamina
5. Gurren Lagann Mini Gurren Team Strap Figure: Yoko

For instructions on attaching a cell phone charm or strap to your DS Lite or DSi, click past the break.

Step 1: Thread cell phone charm strap through left or right hole adjacent to cartridge slot.

Step 2: Pull cell phone charm through strap loop.

Step 3: Pull cell phone charm strap tight.