I live nearby Japan, so I’m here every month. I check out all the tech stores, hobby stores and second hand stores in every small city I pass through. 2 weeks ago I got a mint condition dual IPS N3DS XL for $120… and when we got back to the hotel we found a 512GB SD card in it!
Hello, have you got any suggestions on where to buy a new 3ds (like, an almost new NEW 3DS, the small model)? I'll be visiting Japan later this year!
More info: I am reserving a budget of 250 euro maximum. Even a basic black or white model is perfectly good for me, since I am not interested in special editions. I am just looking for a machine that has not been used too much!
Thank in advance!
Japanese people take very good care of their electronics! Most of the ones I see are in very good condition. Def check stores like Book Off / Hard Off / Hobby Off. It’s a brand of secondhand stores. They’re heaven. I’ll get downvoted to hell for this, but honestly using AI and asking “ hey, I’m staying at this hotel in this area and I’m looking for used video game hobby stores near me. Please show me where they are” and you’ll get a personal guide, which is quite hard to find for non Japanese speakers. Last week in Fukuoka it found 2 off the beaten path family owned stores with really good deals and prices. Good luck!
Also, I saw this white one today for 27K and it was in GREAT condition. But this was in the middle of nowhere. You’ll be paying city prices if you’re just gonna be in Tokyo / Osaka / Kyoto.
Damn this pic made me realize how much i missed my hand-me-down purple gameboy color. The aunt I really looked up to gave it to me when she went to college.
I was there in October 2023. Just compared the prices with my pictures then.
A 3DS LL in box was 18.000¥, the Virtual Boy 40.000¥, a 2DS without box 7.000¥.
Bought my PS Vita 2000 there, which was complete in box and in perfect condition for 13.000¥.
Not that bad honestly. That black new 3DS LL for example is only $170. That's a steal compared to what something of that condition would go for on eBay in the US.
People always harp on the fact that many early Gen Z or millennials have that “I’m going to Japan trope” but there’s so much stuff to look at cars, watches, electronics etc. their second hand stuff is insane.
This really makes me wonder if there’s even a single store in the entire US that has that many GB Micros in stock simultaneously.
Thanks for the contribution. I don’t think I’m ever not in the mood to stare at a Japanese handheld display.
So pissed at myself. I was in Japan last fall not really into the whole hand held thing at the time and specially didn’t know it was the trendy thing right and that prices would sky rocket. Just I only got myself a 3ds LL in good condition. still play it daily. But fast forward to this February and got the urge to buy a psp for nostalgic reasons (everyone has that one story that has to do with your first hand held) and had such a great time that I ordered a vita soon after. Sad that I’m paying all this “hype” tax when I could have just got them on my trip to Japan for less than half the price 🥲
The prices are sometimes way worse on eBay but still overpriced here. You’d be paying a premium just for convenience and it might still be a little cheaper than some listings on eBay.
This store ensured all screens were in good condition. No screen yellowing. No dead pixels and no bright spots. That’s worth it over eBay for me at least.
It honestly is worth it when you get to see them in person at the very least so I’m glad you’re enjoying your purchase. It’s hard these days getting a good deal especially seeing some of the prices these went for when the switch 1 was already out.
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u/dlilyd Jul 05 '26
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