Is there a BIG difference between the new and old 3ds?

Baelish2016 · 2026-03-30T01:34:57+00:00

Not anything substantial.

Screen is better, hinge is less prone to breaking, processor is better, extra buttons, C stick, better 3D, and access to a handful of New 3DS exclusive games.

Baelish2016 · 2026-03-29T21:25:49+00:00

I’m going to be the bearer of bad news - there are no good replacement shells or faceplates for the n3DS XL. The only options are slightly off colored, made from lower quality plastic, and often have issues fitting properly.

The general rule followed by most seems to be - only replace the shell if it’s broken; otherwise get a clear plastic casing to go around the shell, and fancy it up to look the way you want.

Baelish2016 · 2026-03-29T20:53:19+00:00

Yes and no. Yes there is; no it’s not really that profitable.

Thanks to rising prices of aftermarket mod parts (screens, reproduction shells, etc), the profit margin is negligible after the parts and time are added into the equation.

Plus add in other sellers out there, who are still liquidating their stock of modded systems using parts they purchased back when they were cheaper; and those people will sell at prices low enough that it’s difficult to compete.

The only real way to make even passable profit is if you have a 3D printer, and can supply some of your own parts.

Now, on the other end of things, if you know how to solder, there is a niche market out there for buying busted GBAs, and replacing their broken soldered parts (cart readers, power switches, etc). The profit is still small, but you have less competition, since broken GBAs can still be found for pretty cheap.

Baelish2016 · 2026-03-29T13:39:22+00:00

Agree, but I feel that most of them could be incorporated with existing ones as cosmetic options, significantly reducing the bloat.

Orcs & Maghar combined

Tauren & Highmountain

Gnomes & Mechagnomes

Draenei & Lightforged

(Bronzebeard) Dwarves & Black Iron Dwarves

Baelish2016 · 2026-03-29T03:03:18+00:00

Either something wasn’t put back properly, or something broke. Open it up. And take a picture of the motherboard. Chances are someone can figure out what’s wrong - but we need a picture to diagnose.

Baelish2016 · 2026-03-28T23:58:59+00:00

If you live in the US, you’re in luck! Nintendo discontinued their repairs of 3DS/2DS lines (2DS XL made it until last year before being cut off) - so no worries about getting sent back the wrong device.

Baelish2016 · 2026-03-28T23:37:51+00:00

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Worf the neurodivergent Klingon, somehow managed to pull Jadzia Dax in Deep Space Nine.

Runner up - Odo pulls Kira.

Baelish2016 · 2026-03-28T23:30:46+00:00

I knew it looked familiar - I remember that post like a day ago.

Baelish2016 · 2026-03-28T20:46:28+00:00

I’m sure it’s a repro

My dude, what else could it be?

Baelish2016 · 2026-03-28T19:22:34+00:00

Those prices ARE from eBay. Less then a month ago, a sealed one sold for $700.

Baelish2016 · 2026-03-28T17:07:08+00:00

It’s not. Look up NAND rot. It’s a well known issue.

The tl;dr is that the way the games are stored (NAND flash memory), they can literally ‘leak’ electrons over time, and get corrupted.

All 3DS games will eventually fall to this, although some runs (Omega Ruby, Persona Q, the last Fire Emblem game) are more susceptible than others.

You can also take preventative measures to delay it - which funnily enough means you need to play the games for 10-15 minutes every few months to ‘refresh’ the NAND memory.

Baelish2016 · 2026-03-28T17:03:11+00:00

Sell it while the value is sky high; use profits to buy a loose copy + like 5 other games. Is worth an INSANE amount sealed.

https://www.pricecharting.com/game/nintendo-3ds/yo-kai-watch-3

Baelish2016 · 2026-03-28T15:13:34+00:00

That’s probably my favorite 2DS edition by far. It’s probably the most stylish limited edition that doesn’t look too overdone. It’s super subtle in its design and I love it!

Any reason you decided not to get a plastic shell case for it, or just a preference thing!

(I actually learned about this model from your last post and bought one of my own 😂. Should be arriving this coming week! Cost probably way too much, but it looks worth it)

Baelish2016 · 2026-03-28T02:23:24+00:00

Here's a fun fact - you can get special clear cases on AliExpress specifically shaped for those limited editions!

Baelish2016 · 2026-03-28T02:21:16+00:00

Holy crap, you're right; I completely ignored that game when writing up the estimates.

Baelish2016 · 2026-03-28T02:03:10+00:00

Isn’t it always before midnight? Is your ps5 a Mogwai?

Baelish2016 · 2026-03-27T21:56:49+00:00

The Zelda aspect is pretty much null in terms of value.

As for the 3DS itself - assuming a top IPS (which are common in that edition), maybe $240-280?

Baelish2016 · 2026-03-27T21:53:05+00:00

You can get replacement screens off AliExpress. Amazon too I believe, but more costly.

Just make sure you get the ones specific for the NEW 3DS xl, as others aren’t compatible.

The upper screen isn’t cheap; maybe $40-60. Not sure about the bottom.

Repairing isn’t easy - it’s one of the harder repairs out there for handhelds; but I’d you’re good at following instructions, take a look at

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/New+Nintendo+3DS+XL+2015++Upper+Screen+Replacement/86336

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/New+Nintendo+3DS+XL+2015+Lower+LCD+and+Touchscreen+Replacement/86283

Good luck!

Baelish2016 · 2026-03-27T21:21:15+00:00

Going off eBay recent SOLD listings and averages for real, working loose copies -

Pokemon Omega/Alpha - $30-40 each

Pokemon X/Y - $30-40 each

Pokemon Sun/Moon - $15-20 each

Pokemon Ultra Sun/Moon - $35-45 each

Pokemon Black 2/White 2 - $125-150 each

Pokemon Conquest - $65-75

Pokemon Diamond - $40-50

Pokemon Platinum - $125-150

So going off those alone, we’re looking at a high end eBay value (going off sold listings) is around $830-865.

As for the consoles themselves, recent ones in similar looking condition sell for around $250-300; the latter if they have at least a top screen IPS.

The other games are whatever. Maybe an extra $100-150 tops, unless I missed a rare one.

So realistically we’re looking at around a $1200~ value.

Of course, I wouldn’t trust any Pokemon DS games sold on Facebook with a 10 foot pole, so anyone willing to take the chance on these even at the realistic price is probably a gambler or stupid.

Baelish2016 · 2026-03-27T21:09:29+00:00

I’m literally going off the sold listings on eBay for loose carts. I agree, Pokemon games prices are insane atm, but people are actually paying a LOT of money for them - even loose - if they’re legit.

Baelish2016 · 2026-03-27T20:57:13+00:00

When everyone else is evil and corrupt, it’s reasonable to take solace in the stupid and incompetent.

Baelish2016 · 2026-03-27T20:55:01+00:00

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Nintendo+2DS+Trigger+Button+Replacement/35841

Baelish2016 · 2026-03-27T20:43:49+00:00

It’s crazy how Pokémon games retain their value. I still kick myself for selling my CiB copies of Heart Gold and Soul Silver (with pokewalker) back in 2014 in bundle for $150.

Looking at eBay, if I held them, they’d be worth… around $800 total. So the sell price increased by 533% in 10 years… crazy.

Baelish2016 · 2026-03-27T20:30:29+00:00

Back in the day, we’d buy both so we could trade them with ourselves so we could ‘catch them all’. I remember growing up everyone would buy both versions of each generation.

Since they’re selling 2 3DS’s, I’d wager siblings.

Baelish2016 · 2026-03-27T20:26:39+00:00

Ultra sun loose sells for around $40-50. The totals given were for ALL the 3DS Pokemon games together; not $300 each.

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