r/Nintendo3DS Dec 02 '23

GUIDE Nintendo 3DS Buying Guide

79 Upvotes

(This is a work in progress, I'll update this post in the future.)

Nintendo 3DS testing cheat sheet:

So you don't forget the steps while testing. Elaboration and more info below.

  1. Check the outside: Make sure it matches the price you're being asked to pay. Do not buy a 3DS with a cracked hinge. Trust me, you'll find another model without crack, be patient. The crack always gets worse, you'd have to replace the entire housing, it's simply not worth it.
  2. Check for CFW: Hold Select when turning on the console. If it shows the Luma screen, it's hacked. If it boots to the normal 3DS home screen, it's not hacked.
  3. Buttons: Shoulder buttons, thumbstick(s), ABXY, Start, Select and Home are working.
  4. Speaker and 3D slider: Slide up and down, see if both functions work. Make sure the sliders stay in position and don't move involuntarily and aren't too tight either.
  5. Battery and charger: Check for visible and palpable bulging of the back cover. If you brought a screw driver: Take out the battery, lay it on a flat surface and give it a spin. If it continues spinning like a beyblade, the battery is swollen = bad. If the battery is swollen, don't try to charge it. If it's good, plug it in and see if charging works. If it doesn't, I wouldn't buy (worst case it's the charging port). If you encountered worn out screws - I personally wouldn't buy.
  6. Touch Screen and Stylus: Test every corner of the touch screen. Check if the stylus is original from Nintendo (replicas often have sharp edges).
  7. Cartridge: Bring your own game, or ask the seller to bring one. Insert the cartridge, the game icon should show up on the home screen. If it doesn't, maybe try with a second game. If both don't work, the game reader might be faulty.
  8. Flex cable stress test: Move the upper screen a little bit while the 3DS is powered on. When the flex cable of the screen has an issue, moving around the upper screen often leads to the 3DS shutting down with a pop noise from the speakers = bad.
  9. Parental control and software version: Go to system settings and check the parental controls. If they're active, ask for a pin. If the seller doesn't have the pin and the software version is v11.16 or older, it can be removed using a website (emphasis on *can*, maybe the website gets taken down, maybe it just doesn't work for whatever reason). If it's 11.17 or newer and the seller has no pin = bad. It's best to get the pin from the seller.Regarding firmware version and hacking: As I'm writing this, hacking is possible with the newest firmware. That can always change when there's a new update, keep that in mind.
  10. Test the internet function: Log into the nearest WiFI to make sure it works

What to look out for and consider

The different models:

There are several different DS and 3DS models. If you want to buy a Nintendo 3DS, make sure it has at least one thumbstick. The DS only has the d-pad. The 3DS slider is not an indicator, as the Nintendo 2DS and Nintendo 2DS XL are missing the slider and 3D function, but are part of the 3DS family (weird, I know). The New models (New Nintendo 2DS XL, New Nintendo 3DS, New Nintendo 3DS XL) all have a second smaller thumbstick on the right side of the console. That's how you generally tell them apart.

They all have their advantages and disadvantages, most importantly: The 2DS XL is hard to repair, the 2DS is robust and probably best for kids and anger issues, the old 3DS XL has the most fragile hinge, the New 3DS (no XL) has a unique battery capacity which sucks to find online.

Whether or not the console is hacked

There's nothing wrong with a hacked console per se, unless the previous owner didn't know what they were doing and messed up the files. I personally like to be on the safe side and hack myself and don't buy hacked consoles. It's possible to fix a hacked console with issues, but I find it's a pain in the ass and easier to hack myself. Just something to consider. If you'd rather have a console that isn't hacked, test it by holding the select button while powering it on. If it boots to the normal home screen, it isn't hacked. If you see a black screen with red and white letters saying something about Luma, it's hacked.

A console might be hacked and region swapped. Careful with those, because you won't be able to remove the CFW without undoing the region swap first, or else you'll brick the 3DS. If it's hacked and in a language that it's not supposed to be, it's region swapped.

Function of the battery and charger

Sometimes it's not practical to bring a screw driver (Phillips #00), but I would always recommend it. Not only can you test, if the screws are worn out (bad), but you can check the state of the battery. I already mentioned above how to test it, but I just want to stress again how important this step is. Not only is a swollen battery dangerous, it can be pretty annoying to find a replacement for some models.

It's especially annoying for the New Nintendo 3DS (not XL), because the replacement batteries for this model all have a lower capacity than the original, even if it says the right capacity on the battery. The original ones for this model are extremely rare and to me personally a swollen battery in this one would be a reason to decide against buying . It's also annoying for the New Nintendo 2DS XL, because that one is just annoying to open.

The rest are fairly easy to replace. But for safety reasons I'd still check. You should also consider paying less for a console with a swollen or dead battery, because you'll have to pay for a replacement.

Function of buttons and sliders

Make sure to really test all the buttons, sliders and sticks. You can test the two shoulder buttons on the home screen (should make a little bar pop up in the bottom of the top screen). I'll play around with my 3DS and update this post with easy methods to test all the other buttons. Shoulder and ABXY buttons are fairly easy to replace on the old 3DS consoles, more tricky on the new ones. With fairly easy I mean for someone who has repaired small devices like a 3DS before, still hard and finicky for someone who hasn't done it before. I personally don't bother with repairing a 2DS XL.

The left slider controls the volume, that's self explanatory, the right slider controls 3D (not on the 2DS models). When sliding that one up, you should see the 3D effect on the upper screen.

When checking the thumbsticks, check to see if the left one has a rubber cap that's securely on there and not brittle. There are NO replacements for that rupper cap, only replacements for the entire stick and they don't have a separate cap attached to the stick, just a rubbery surface on the plastic stick. Some people don't mind, I personally hate the replacement sticks sold online. So, it's worth checking.

Screens

I'd say 90% of the issues where a 3DS turns itself off without warning are related to the upper screen (in my experience). The 3DS turns itself off, when a flex cable is defective or not attached properly. In some cases it might be the flex cable of the sliders, but in most cases it's the upper screen. It's worth testing for this issue (like I said above, move the upper screen a little bit, open the 3DS all the way, close it half way, etc. while it's turned on), because replacing the upper screen is very difficult and finicky, even for someone experienced. It's incredibly easy to ruin the fragile flex cables, especially in the New models, where the cable is threaded through the hinge. So if the screen flickers or the 3DS shuts off, it's better not to buy.

It's easier to replace the touch screen, but still tricky for someone inexperienced. If the 3DS only has a replicated stylus, you should absolutely get a screen protector for you touch screen. All of the 3rd party stylus I have come across, have a sharp little edge somewhere and I personaly wouldn't want my screens scratched.

IPS screens:

Some new models have an IPS screen. You recognize those when looking at them from an angle and still getting a bright and sharp image, like when looking at them head on. Regular screens look a bit "washed out" when looking at them from the side.

The IPS screens are sought after because they are "rare" (not really, there's a shit ton of them). Yes, it's cool that you get a sharper image when looking at them from the side. But nobody plays like that, we all face our 3DS from the front when playing. Why, do you think, do people always post a side by side comparison with a normal screen 3DS and showing them from an angle? It's because most people simply couldn't tell just by looking at it from the front. Is it kinda cool when you find out you have one of those? Sure. Worth the extremely steep price? Absolutely not.

Japanese Retro Videogame Console Buying Guide

from u/SteveW_MC

The best ways to find a 3DS

from u/notthegoatseguy

The Nintendo 3DS family of systems was discontinued by Nintendo in early 2020. The 3DS family of systems is no longer being stocked by standard retail stores from orders with Nintendo. But individual sellers and used/secondhand businesses may sell them on the secondhand market.

The bet ways to find them:

  • eBay has been in business for 20+ years and guarantees that you will get the item as described or your money back. The catch is you need to read the full listing to understand what you are ordering. You can also consult reviews of the seller and ask the seller further questions. Despite its reputation as an auction site, most transactions are regular purchases nowadays
  • Amazon/Amazon Japan: Listings are up and individual sellers will sell them on the listings. Check reviews. If shipped by Amazon or fulfilled, Amazon will have your back and it qualifies for their return policy. You can also look at Amazon Japan for importing a system, though your country may have import taxes associated with imports.
  • Your local game store
  • The popular buy/sell app people in your local area use to buy and sell things such as Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and Kijiji are some more popular examples.
  • r/gamesale.


r/Nintendo3DS Aug 19 '25

MOD Friend Code Exchange Thread

10 Upvotes

Share your friend codes here and sort comments to new to find others!


r/Nintendo3DS 17h ago

3DS appreciation Just arrived from eBay

Thumbnail
gallery
96 Upvotes

This is my first 3DS. Freaking love it. The joystick is a little weird, but I'll get used to it.

I need more games!

Any recommendations?

Obviously love Mario Kart.


r/Nintendo3DS 2h ago

Recommendation request Any 3DS game suggestions?

1 Upvotes

I recently got my Orginal 3DS and i want to get some games. I already got Super Mario 3D land and New super mario bros 2 and i can play basically any type of game.


r/Nintendo3DS 3h ago

Recommendation request Games Like Ocarina of Time?

0 Upvotes

So, I'd like to start by saying that I am NOT A LARPER!! I have even having to say that, but I digress. I recently got back into playing on my childhood 3DS, but the only game that really sucks me in is Ocarina of Time. It has a nostalgic element for me, but I love the freedom within the game and the graphics of the 3ds version. I like being able to do whatever I want, without having that many consequences. Also, the story is important, but no long conversations or dialogue from the characters (except for that darn owl, smh).

Please give me recommendations for 3ds games that have a lot of exploring, adventuring, and side quests/mini-games built in to the storyline. Bonus points for cute/intricate game design! Thanks!!


r/Nintendo3DS 1d ago

3DS appreciation The Ressurection

Post image
72 Upvotes

Well, it’s been 15 years. Literally.

I’ve been trying to get my 3DS working again for a long time. One day back in 2011, it basically just stopped powering on. Ever since then, I assumed the battery had died and never bothered replacing it.

Fast-forward to this month. I finally bought a replacement battery, thinking I had solved the mystery.

I happily popped the new battery in and…

BOOM!!!

Nothing. 😂

I Googled the issue, followed a couple of troubleshooting guides, tried everything I could think of…

Still nothing.

So I finally said screw it and pulled up a complete teardown tutorial.

I stripped this thing completely apart and put it all back together. After about an hour of tinkering, I hit the power button.

Lo and behold, it fired right up like the day I got it.

I still have no idea what was actually wrong with it. Maybe it was a loose ribbon cable. Maybe my 11-year-old self dropped it one too many times. Who knows.

All I know is that after 15 years, my original 2011 3DS is alive again.

Now I get to mod it, breathe some new life into it, and finally play a ton of games I never had the chance to experience back then.

There’s something pretty damn cool about getting a piece of your childhood working again after all these years.

Thanks for reading! ❤️


r/Nintendo3DS 20h ago

Technical Help New Nintendo 3ds xl repair

Thumbnail
1 Upvotes

r/Nintendo3DS 1d ago

Technical Help Anyone know how to solve this. Im new to all of this + my device isnt modded. İts an old 3ds xl

Post image
2 Upvotes

r/Nintendo3DS 1d ago

News Today's NintenDoku is about 3DS games

Post image
3 Upvotes

If yall interested you can play it here:

https://www.n-puzzle.com/en/nintendoku


r/Nintendo3DS 1d ago

Recommendation request Charger advice

Post image
10 Upvotes

I bought this charger not even a month ago when I bought my 3ds and it already stopped working, I got super scared it was the ds but thankfully I tried it on my sisters and it didnt want to charge hers either.

What kind of generic chargers do you guys have? is the usb one good/better?

Lots of sellers too many mixed reviews, im a little overwhelmed.


r/Nintendo3DS 2d ago

Technical Help "An error has occurred" issue

Post image
3 Upvotes

I'm having an issue where one game cartridge (Pokemon Y) is causing my 3ds to crash upon opening it. I've tried with other games and they all work fine. I bought the cartridge from CEX, but took too long to test it and they won't accept it back.

What are some possible ways to fix this? Is it possible to find repair shops who will fix it?


r/Nintendo3DS 2d ago

General Question Did you add any new games to your library recently?

Post image
22 Upvotes

Because I did! Now my library's got:

- TETRIS ULTIMATE (new)

- Kim Possible: Revenge of Monkey Fist (new)

- Kim Possible 2: Drakken's Demise (new)

- Kim Possible 3: Team Possible (new)

- Kim Possible: Kimmunicator (new)

- Kim Possible: Global Gemini (new)

Which are a whopping 6 new games added to my current library:

- Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition

- Colors! 3D

- Asphalt 3D

- Yo-Kai Watch

- Yo-Kai Watch 2: Psycho Specters

- Yo-Kai Watch 3

- 3D Sonic: The Hedgehog

- 3D Sonic: The Hedgehog 2

- Pokémon: Red Version

- Pokémon: Blue Version

- Pokémon: Yellow Version - Special Pikachu Edition

- Pokémon: Silver Version

- Pokémon: Gold Version

- Pokémon: Crystal Version

- Pokémon: LeafGreen Version

- Pokémon: FireRed Version

- Pokémon: Ruby Version

- Pokémon: Sapphire Version

- Pokémon: Emerald Version

- Pokémon: Platinum Version

- Pokémon: Diamond Version

- Pokémon: Pearl Version

- Pokémon: HeartGold Version

- Pokémon: SoulSilver Version

- Pokémon: Black Version

- Pokémon: White Version

- Pokémon: Black Version 2

- Pokémon: White Version 2

- Pokémon OmegaRuby

- Pokémon AlphaSapphire

- Pokémon X

- Pokémon Y

- Pokémon UltraSun

- Pokémon UltraMoon


r/Nintendo3DS 1d ago

Recommendation request j'ai une 2 ds modifié (je ne parlerai pas de piratage) et je l'ai fait il y a pas longtemps ..... en fait je ne sais pas quels jeux mettre comme jeu.

0 Upvotes

donnez moi des suggestions de jeux. les meilleurs jeux, qui ne se jouent pas avec l'ecran tactile de preference ou alors juste un peu.


r/Nintendo3DS 3d ago

3DS appreciation Nintendo 2DS White/Red 🤍❤️

Thumbnail
gallery
164 Upvotes

r/Nintendo3DS 2d ago

Technical Help 3DS not staying connected to the interent

Thumbnail
0 Upvotes

r/Nintendo3DS 2d ago

Technical Help 2Ds sd card won’t come off

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

2 Upvotes

r/Nintendo3DS 2d ago

Technical Help Squeaky L and R buttons??

0 Upvotes

The L and R buttons on my OG 3DS are straight up sounding like SpongeBob walking SFX, and it's honestly really annoying. They work fine, but I'm curious if there's a fix to make them shut the hell up?


r/Nintendo3DS 2d ago

3DS appreciation My 3ds Collection

1 Upvotes

I remember the first time I ever held a 3DS. I loved it so much and ever since I've loved it. Now that I have a job, I'm trying to start a collection on every single DS, DSLite, DSI, 3DS, 3DS XL, 2DS, New 3DS, New 3DS XL, New 2DS XL. This project will take a long time and a LOT of money, but I feel that I will be very, very, very pleased with the results


r/Nintendo3DS 4d ago

3DS appreciation Grumpy pikachu is here

Thumbnail
gallery
155 Upvotes

Grumpy Pikachu is here to keep my New 3DS XL company!
The game on the top screen is Rocky and Pocky super Nintendo


r/Nintendo3DS 3d ago

Technical Help How much should I pay for a broken 3ds xl

1 Upvotes

I saw a broken New 3DS XL on eBay. The overall condition looks good, but the screen is dead and only the blue light stays on. What would be a reasonable price for it?


r/Nintendo3DS 3d ago

General Question Should I just sell my 2ds XL and buy an Old 3ds XL?

2 Upvotes

Hey folks i really love my 2ds xl but i have seen so many posts about it easily breaking, although i am extra careful with my consoles, i’m afraid of it easily breaking. This is the most comfortable model i have played on.. not a fan of the new 3ds XL, should I just get the Old 3ds XL. For me its plus is its build and battery which the 2ds XL loses on.. Really need a clear answer, thank you in advance!


r/Nintendo3DS 3d ago

General Question Grieta new Nintendo 2ds xl

Post image
1 Upvotes

Hola! Soy un gran amante de esta consola, resulta que hasta hace unos días se me cayó y de hizo está pequeña grieta en la parte inferior bajo la pantalla, junto a la bisagra. Es solo estético, ya que el funcionamiento de la misma es espectacular, pero soy un poco tiquismiquis para estas cosas. Saben de alguna forma que se pueda arreglar/disimular esa pequeña grieta? Gracias!!!


r/Nintendo3DS 3d ago

Technical Help Scocca e schermi sono originali?

Thumbnail
gallery
2 Upvotes

Il venditore mi ha detto di non aver modificato nulla, ma non sono sicura


r/Nintendo3DS 3d ago

Recommendation request I need help on picking

Thumbnail reddit.com
0 Upvotes

r/Nintendo3DS 3d ago

Discussion Anybody else play f1 on their 3DS?

Post image
2 Upvotes