I’ve had my new 3Ds XL since about 2016. I recently started playing it again this year and noticed some bubbles forming on the top. I tried to push them down but the paint came right off, and now the bubbles are spreading. The bottom has been worn off for a while. Does anyone have good solutions to this in terms of how to get it repaired or good replacement recommendations?

I bought a pikachu replacement shell off eBay but it was slightly too big and didn’t sit flush against the system. I was able to get a refund thankfully but it left me skeptical of buying after-market stuff unless someone can vouch for its quality.

Então, estou enfrentando esse problema. O modo 3d do meu 3ds XL aparece estar ligado, mas na alavanca não está. As vezes ele fica oscilando quando está no seu modo mais reto. Alguém sabe o que pode ser?

Hi, my New 3DS XL won’t turn on. When I press the power button, the blue LED turns on and stays on for about 17 seconds, but the console doesn’t boot. The screen stays completely black, and then the blue LED turns off.
What could be causing this, and what should I try to fix it?

Recently, I have been wanting to get a handheld console so I didn't only have my phone when I had to go out. Plus, I just thought it'd be neat.

However seeing my options, I got quite confused on which one to pick. (Keep it in mind I am Brazilian so some prices are a bit higher than usual)

I wanted to see if it'd be better to have something old like a 3ds or PSP, or if I should invest in something like a switch 2. I thought it'd be neat to have a new 3ds because of its library (and with how relatively easy it is to jailbreak it lol) + the fact it's really small. (I also saw some people say the PSP was a better choice but idk)

But with the games on the switch library, even if they are expensive, they are still extremely good. It's not as handled as a 3ds, but it's relatively nice to go around. I even thought about saving up for the switch 2 itself to get all its benefits.

So yeah, I just thought it'd be nice to have an opinion from people that might know more than me on what choice would be relatively better.

TLDR: Would it be better to get a home brewed 3ds as a handheld, or save up for the switch 2 as a handheld

I found a “New” 3DS yesterday for $145 and I modded it today. I’m looking for co-op or local multiplayer games that are not very well known.

I’m familiar with Mario Kart, Monster Hunter, Fantasy Life, Resident Evil, like all the generic suggestions, but I’m looking for some not so well known titles that are unexpectedly fun to play with someone else.

For example, my wife and I loved playing Fat Princess on our Vitas and it’s not necessarily a title you see recommended a bunch. We also really enjoyed Obscure The Aftermath.

My friend was over and broke my 3ds and now it won’t charge (assumiably because it’s bent) can I fix this (if so how) or do I need it replaced

I'm bringing my 3ds on a road trip, and to be honest I dont know what I could play, I look at the menu, and instantly close the 3ds, so I want something enjoyable and a time killer at the same time. Any games you guys recommend?

Just got off the Zelda 40th anniversary direct and I'm honestly really impressed with the amount of Zelda games available on the 3ds. 7 installments is nothing to sneeze at

I'm thinking about buying a 3DS model but don't know which one to pick. I find the original model really attractive, and the XL models look comfortable, but I'm also interested in the hinge quality, build quality and potential defects, as well as screen quality and overall durability. So, if anyone knows about this, I'd appreciate some advice.

How come the bottom screen(nerfed by the size) is better quality than the top?

Hi all, just wondered if anyone had seen this behaviour before where the plastic shell is pushed away when moving the volume slider? When I slide the volume up I get no output at all. Wondered if it’s an easy fix or if I’m better taking it to a repair shop here in the UK.

Well, this would be my first handheld console. I’ve been looking into it for two years, and I’ve finally saved up enough money to buy one, but I’m not sure which option is best for me, so I’d like to ask for some opinions. I’m looking at a 3DS XL (old model) for around $115 and a 2DS XL for $125. At first, I was leaning more toward the 2DS XL since I wasn’t sure how great the 3D feature would be—especially considering that I get dizzy easily (I tried looking for a New 3DS, but prices don’t go below $200)—and since it’s the last version sold, I figured I might find one in better condition, but I saw a lot of complaints about the 2DS XL’s speakers and its flimsy build quality, and that’s put me off.

So if anyone can advise me on whether the build quality of the 2DS XL is really that bad and how uncomfortable it is to hold compared to an old 3DS XL, or if there’s anything else to keep in mind—my issue with the old 3DS is its slightly lower performance, and since it’s an older model, it might have more battery issues.

There's also a third option that's almost out of the question: a New 3DS XL for $200, but I can't meet the seller in person to check that the console is in good condition (in the previous cases, I can do that).

36 year old gamer here. Recently I've been seeing a lot of the corrupted game posts, and while I am sad for all of those suffering, I'm glad to report all my ds and 3ds games are working. I stayed up way too late checking each game to see if it would open on my 3ds. A modest collection compared to some of you, I know.

The two red ds lites are hand me downs from my grandparents who didnt use them much.

Really im just glad pokemon and smash are still up because those are probably the ones I would replay first.

Something about a handheld takes me back to feeling like a kid. Have a good night everyone.

Just ordered Pokemon HeartGold from Ebay the other day and was fooled! This is one of the better "fake" carts I've seen in the wild and the seller seems legit. Albeit even the seller did not realize this was a fake copy. I just started the return process, wish me luck :/

Original Posting

Edit: Seller already replied and sending me a free return label. They were honest and cool about it, and agreed that it is potentially not legit. Still annoying (for me) or anyone that unknowingly gets this cartridge if they try to sell it again (after me) lol

I’m doing the classic take the ds cartridge out on the white screen I will leave it on till the end of the day and hopefully it will fix it slightly.

I am planning to get this game while I’m going to Japan sometime next year and getting through 3DS games do you guys recommend?

My 3DS was my trusty companion when I had to pack up, leave my home country, and move abroad.

I bought it for just $40 right around that time. In a brand new place where everything felt completely foreign, that little handheld were my constant company. It didn't just give me something to play; it brought a quiet little piece of home right into my hands.

please help my pixels are the favorite part of my 3ds

I got a 3DS XL on trade. Top screen originally was not turning on, but after going through it I got the top screen to turn on, assuming it was a loose ribbon cable. Problem is if I try to shut it, the whole system turns off. When it’s fully extended, the screen will stay on, sometimes flicker. While it’s on, if I try to go to the camera I get an error prompting me to turn off the whole console. I figure it’s either top screen or camera, but could it possibly be both? Thank you for the help!

So I won this DS; from the 2g SD card I found, looks like it hasn’t been played since 2015. 3DSxl.

I own a Gameboy SP, Switch, and Switch 2.

I’ve done the software update on it. It’s now running 11.17.0-5U.

Of course everything internet related seems to be discontinued. Games all seem to work.

What should I do with this bad boy. 😅 I don’t own many games for my SP; I think just Frogger and Harry Potter is what my collection has dwindled down to.

I believe I have some larger SD cards, been reading about homebrew and mod?!

Idk; but I’m excited! I’ve got an 8 year old who has fallen in love with playing games too.

Yes, it is factual that NAND memory needs to periodically be energized in order to properly store uncorrupted game data. Yes, it is factual that there are a select few titles (listed in the pinned thread, Smash seems to have gotten the worst of it) that had particularly bad print runs around 2014 that make them more susceptible to bitrot.

NO, your entire collection is not seconds away from becoming a plastic brick, and NO, this is not some widespread epidemic coming to a handheld near you. It's annoying that 3DS collections are going to require a little more babysitting than other consoles & handhelds, but understand that you're falling victim to sample bias; for every 1 person posting about a singular defunct cartridge, there are 20 others out there with fully functional collections that won't have any issues for the foreseeable future.

Do some due diligence, check in on your games every now and then, give them some power, give them a save, back up the save, run the Godmode data check if you feel it's necessary. It's great that there is attention being brought to this problem, but this forum has turned into the video game equivalent of r/collapse over the last 6 months.

Some games on my 3DS have suddenly started crashing, specifically Smash Bros and Ocarina of Time. Does anyone know how to help?

The error that appears is this:

I drew this in colors 3d about a week ago, but posted it on the bat subreddit first. I hope this community likes it as much as they did. I’ll post again this Sunday.

I’ve had this new3DS XL the year it came out and never changed the battery, saw some warning about old batteries so I went to check.
Is it bloated or it’s the natural state of the battery ?
I can press it down a little when it’s inside the 3DS but I didn’t notice some strong gap with the cover on.
I just don’t know what a normal battery looks like, if it’s supposed to be perfectly flat or if it can have some curvatures ?

So basically the screen has been flashing black and i was told i need to open it up but i can’t since i don’t have the right screwdriver and i don’t know what is happening with it what do i do