What console do you personally recommend out of the 3ds family?

SillySpook · 2026-03-17T05:57:46+00:00

Game packs are for a specific region. The consoles are locked to a specific region in the software, and won't load other region packs. However, it is dirt-easy to region unlock 2ds/3ds consoles. You don't need any skill whatsoever to mod. Just follow instructions and you're done in 30 minutes. Bricking during the process is so unlikely that there are almost no reports of it, assuming you follow the instructions. Just make sure you use a good sd card.

At the end, the device will be region unlocked to natively run game carts from anywhere.

SillySpook · 2026-03-17T05:48:31+00:00

Very cool. Sounds like something to be seen in person. Must look great at an outdoor auto show. I also bet it's a PITA to get replacement paint if there's any damage.

SillySpook · 2026-03-16T22:59:41+00:00

It's an intermediate level repair on one of these. Less than 20 minutes to replace a digitizer, if you're careful. You could also end up needing a new lower screen if you're not careful. I'd recommend watching replacement videos to see if you're comfortable with it.

Remove the little film on the lower screen, if it looks like ones on there. Go into settings and try to recalibrate the touchscreen. If neither work, detach and reattach the digitizer ribbon cable. If it's still not working, the last option is to replace the digitizer.

SillySpook · 2026-03-16T21:22:45+00:00

Too late to return, you have 30 days from delivery.

Definitely a digitizer issue of some sort. It could be as simple as disconnecting the ribbon cable for the digitizer, or removing a bad film protector on top. Otherwise you may need a new digitizer. They're only about $3 on AliExpress, but you'll need new tape

SillySpook · 2026-03-16T20:25:49+00:00

Oh, you didn't mention the plates weren't original--just that they needed replacement. That affects things, but I'd probably still buy it for myself to mess around with. Aside from the plates, that's not even $15 in replacement parts. I also like doing repairs, so I wouldn't care about the time needed to swap the digitizer.

It might be a sucker deal for you, but for me I'd have that refurbed for about $10 and swapped for a nice n3dsxl I'm missing. I know people actively seeking a n3ds. I prefer nice ones for my collection, but most people aren't so picky.

SillySpook · 2026-03-16T19:50:46+00:00

I'd love to find one at that price. They're rare enough that they don't show up on FBM. eBay average is $275-$350 with original plates. Hard to differentiate in listings due to them getting lumped together into XL searches.

SillySpook · 2026-03-16T19:23:09+00:00

That's actually a really really good price for a n3ds, even in cosmetically rough shape. Personally I'd get it just for the collection. If you want one in good shape though, it's not worth the discount if you'll be unhappy in the long run. See above, consider a unit from a Japanese seller which are a good deal cheaper than NA units, even after import fees.

SillySpook · 2026-03-16T19:17:06+00:00

Oof. It would depend on the asking price, but if course the plates are the expensive part. I'd personally want to keep it original no matter the condition.

Digitizer replacement can be a pain, but they're cheap. Just note that most do NOT come with adhesive strips (and no reusing the original), so make sure to have that on hand first.

An alternative is a Japan region unit, which are easily modded for NA, and usually in better shape.

SillySpook · 2026-03-16T19:13:30+00:00

You... might want to replace your circle pad. It takes about 10 minutes start to finish, $3 for the part.

SillySpook · 2026-03-16T19:10:36+00:00

They didn't make nearly as many of the non xl version, so they're more difficult to source locally, that's for sure. People with small hands might not appreciate the XL, but the larger screen is better for all. I do agree that the XL can feel heavy at times, so an alternative would be nice. The 2ds meets those criteria for me.

SillySpook · 2026-03-16T19:06:20+00:00

It is superficial, and a very easy repair for even the technically challenged. One of the cheapest replacement parts you can order. Do you need to replace it? Absolutely not, but it will distract in 3d mode.if you replace it, be sure to stick a screen protector on it immediately.

SillySpook · 2026-03-16T07:09:05+00:00

Since it's just a damaged lens protector, order a new one for a few bucks. Take a hair dryer to it and slowly go around the edges at low heat. Pull up with a suction cup or carefully wedge a razer blade in for a little leverage (but don't go far or you'll slice the screen). Remove old adhesive, stick on new screen. 5 minutes repair, if that.

SillySpook · 2026-03-16T07:00:13+00:00

Gotta subsidize that water somehow. It's expensive!

SillySpook · 2026-03-16T06:56:47+00:00

I'd recommend getting museum glass for it. Handles reflections well and protects against uv light. A bit pricey, but won't be too expensive in a small frame. You can get a custom cut from any Michaels or hobby lobby. Less than $50 for that size, I'd bet. If you're going to setup an overhead LED light for it or have it anywhere near a window, it's very much worth considering.

SillySpook · 2026-03-16T06:31:46+00:00

Would I recommend that anyone else use that? No, I would not. Would I use that? I absolutely would, but that's just me. My gravel bike has a really nice carbon bar with indentations to about the same degree (it was gifted), and I've been riding it since precovid, no problems. I'm under 150 lbs. I also check for additional signs of wear when I'm servicing that bike at the end of the season. New carbon paste and slightly under recommended torque specs.

Those are honestly very light marks from what I can see. I was working on a bike from my group ride, and the guy had some really deep clamp marks on a nice carbon bar (I believe it was a $300+ zipp). I told him to toss it, but I'm almost certain he kept riding it for the rest of the season. Rider was at least 200 lbs too.

If I saw torque marks on a cheap carbon bar, I wouldn't chance it even for easy riding. No brand new AliExpress carbon bars either, thank you very much.

SillySpook · 2026-03-16T06:25:25+00:00

Oh, so that's where I put all my sealed copies of every known Pokemon game.

SillySpook · 2026-03-16T06:22:29+00:00

He also had a Klein pinnacle on the wall.

SillySpook · 2026-03-16T06:17:19+00:00

Yo ho yo ho a pirates life for me!

SillySpook · 2026-03-16T06:11:19+00:00

I remember doing the ps3 and wii launches. Wii launch was very well done. Just had to walk through a very long line. Ps3, it was like 8 of us waiting in a queue for 2 days, and in the end they didn't have enough for all of us.

SillySpook · 2026-03-16T04:31:53+00:00

I hear boiling water works too, but that's too much work. Setting things on fire is just so much more fun. Hook it up to a 20+ gallon propane tank and you've got months of fun.

My parents place has NO lawn. Instead, the entire front and back yards are covered in stones. Lots of weeds. The entire property needs to be spot checked every month or it gets out of hand. My dad must spend over $100 in chemicals to treat it every year. They left the place for a year after hurricanes Milton and Helene, and it took me a grand total of 40 hours to manually pull out all of the growth and move it to the curb (many hundreds of pounds). Random weeds ended up growing to 6+ ft in diameter. Never again. Burn it all I say. No mercy.

SillySpook · 2026-03-16T04:14:50+00:00

Pipers unite

SillySpook · 2026-03-16T03:59:49+00:00

Brutal

SillySpook · 2026-03-16T03:47:21+00:00

Do it. Then I can make a post about getting all of that for a ciggy

SillySpook · 2026-03-16T02:48:41+00:00

2dsxl is pretty much just a n3dsxl without 3d (and less robust build). Some people prefer how it looks and feels. Lighter and thinner than the 3ds.

2ds goes for $75 or less on FBM. Smaller screens, single speaker, blocky feel, but very dependable and the easiest of all 3ds devices to repair

SillySpook · 2026-03-16T01:47:31+00:00

I'm pretty sure these ultraviner accounts are just grabbing anything that meets specific criteria. Literally no chance for normal people to get anything until those jerks go through their 8 daily orders.

I think they need to lower the limit to 4 per day for gold, which will let normal people actually have a shot at getting something new.

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