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does 3ds xl have screen scratching problems?

Only when it's compressed more than the default shutting width the 3DS screen normally is. Most circumstances it will be pocket that causes the strongest compression, as long as you don't pack the 3DS too tightly against other objects in your bags you are fine.

This puts me a little more at ease, thanks.
 
Could being in a laptop bag or backpack or pocket for instance cause the scratches by forcing the screen down?

This is the thing I'm mainly worried about.

From my own experience, no (pockets, courier-bag for biking, and backpack for plain/train trips). If other people here are saying it's happened to them, I'd be curious about what they have to say, but like I said, the "feet" pads prevent the parts from touching. Even a bag that's packed pretty tight shouldn't be pressing on the system hard enough to overpower that unless it would be making problems for any electronics in the bag period.
 
i found out the hard way: yes, and it's fucking inexcusable, much less that the flaw stayed in the redesign.

ive got bumpers on it now but the damage to the right side of the screen is done - you cant see it while playing, but it's annoying all the same. if they do a sharp Zelda model like OoT got i might swap out, but always have bumpers of some kind
 
I've had no issues whatsoever with this. I have however been careful with my XL, and I wouldn't be all that surprised to find that it's a simple lack of TLC that's causing this. Jut make sure to close the system gently instead of harshly snapping it shut, and keep it in a padded case or compartment instead of letting it flop about in your bag.
 
What kind of giant-ass handheld would that be?
It would be a glorious handheld that would have allowed the continued usage of the book style DS gameplay =P and I just realised you meant the XL XD, would have worked if it was the OG 3DS.

But the XL =S, I would have taken a slightly smaller upper screen if they were equal size and the scratch problems wouldn't exist on the top screen if that was the case.
 
I've got an XL that has the problem and an LL that doesn't. I store/treat them in the exact same way, no pressure, only play them at home, set them in a drawer on their original foam pouches with nothing pressed against either when done.

It's just a case by case thing. People who don't have the problem shouldn't make assumptions that it's because others are mistreating their consoles, or assurances that it won't happen as long as they treat them a certain way.
 
I have an original 3ds and a pikachu 3ds. My original 3ds has the scratching and the 3ds XL does not. I used to take my original 3ds everywhere to get street passes and I started to notice that it was scratching itself. I have not taken my pikachu 3ds anywhere and it has no scratches. It may depend case to case, but as long as your 3ds does not have pressure applied against it, I think it should be fine.
 
Would look better symmetrical, IMO at least XD...now you've inflamed my need for another game in the Hotel Dusk series =(, I do hope book style resurges for a similar game to come out...

I think the reason for it's scarcity of use isn't necessarily the differences in screen size, but more the 3D feature.
 
My XL doesn't have any scratches, and I have a launch one (PAL). I use it moderately, but take it a lot of places for streetpass/steps. I never use a case any more, I just throw it in my bag or whatnot.
 
I don't think a screen protector would solve the screen scratching issues caused by the lower screen bezel. Just go to your local hardware store and pick up some rubber bumpers.

i found out the hard way: yes, and it's fucking inexcusable, much less that the flaw stayed in the redesign.

ive got bumpers on it now but the damage to the right side of the screen is done - you cant see it while playing, but it's annoying all the same. if they do a sharp Zelda model like OoT got i might swap out, but always have bumpers of some kind

Where on the xl do you put the bumpers? And how big did you go?
 
Yes, not as horrible as OGs, but yeah, XLs still have them, including mine (thank god I use screen protectors)
 
I've haven't had any issues with my XL and I put it my pocket and take it everywhere. I had plenty of issues with the original.
 
It's anal, but I cut out a piece of the thin foam sleeve the 3DS comes in and keep it between the screens when I close it.
 
I think it's worth asking: Could someone look up some pictures with the XL scratches? Like, more than one system with the same style damage? I've literally never heard of it being a problem before this, and I haven't been able to find any actual photos of the damage (as opposed to the damage on the original 3DS, which are very common).

Tada:
sxP2gsf.jpg

This is a launch LL, btw.

Some of those white specks are dust, but the vertical line on the right side are nicks as is the horizontal line on the bottom of the screen (which I just noticed for the first time taking this picture!). Basically as other people have said, any pressure put on the lid while closed causes the bezel around the bottom screen to scratch the top. I keep my LL in a soft case which really doesn't protect much from pressure. If I had known about the screen scratching still being an issue I would have gotten a hard case or put rubber strips on the bottom screen's bezel. Now that it's too late I just don't care any more. You can't see the scratches when you're playing a game so whatever.
 
YES, i have mine being repaired right now because of it. Its under warranty so i should be good. Hopefully they put something between the screens so when i get it back it doesnt scratch itself during shipping lol.
 
I've had the black monster hunter 3DS XL bundle since it launched and mine does not have any sort of scratches on the screen. If I turn the 3DS on it's side and put my eye to where the screen meets the controls I can see a gap all the way down. It does not touch the screen anywhere.
 
I got a red 3ds xl in anticipation of smt 4. It arrived today and even though I have nothing for it, I really like the hardware so far.

Hey, not to derail but I'm exactly in your case, red, smt 4, should arrive today (got DHL'ed yesterday ;_; )
Screen scratching-wise I "should" be safe : hori hardcase and screen protectors. Fingers crossed.
 
Yes. Yes it does. I'm starting to see signs. :(

To be fair, I was a cruel master, throwing my xl around. If you be gentle, it shouldn't be a problem. I do see a tiny gap between the screens, the rough treatments are causing the problem more likely.

Me too... Noticed just yesterday >_>
 
Damn, didn't know this was such a widespread problem. I have my Vita ontop of my shut 3DS XL all the time and the screens are not even near to be touching each other... are all 3ds manusfactured the same?
 
I don't have any scratches on my 3DS XL screen.
My guess is the scratches come from adding pressure to the top while out and about with the 3DS XL in a bag or something like that.
I rarely take mine with me and if I do I make sure it doesn't get squeezed between other things.
 
Had a Blue XL for about 6 months then sold it and got the Pikachu XL when it came out. Both of them didn't get scratches on it, no screen protectors but I do use a case that wouldn't compress it. The case is also surprisingly durable. I have seen people have issues with this since just a week or so after it came out, usually a pattern of white dots appear but they can't be seen when the system is on. This problem does exist, maybe I have just been luckly.

Got this in Bestbuy for 10 bucks the day the XL came out. Great price and like I said, it's actually very durable.

3DS XL Hard Case
 
c'mon people, just be careful with your 200 dollar purchases. Put a wiping cloth between the 2 screens, fixed! and you now always have a wiping cloth at hand
 
YES, i have mine being repaired right now because of it. Its under warranty so i should be good. Hopefully they put something between the screens so when i get it back it doesnt scratch itself during shipping lol.

Did Nintendo give you any gruff when you initiated a warranty claim? Did it cost you anything for the repair?
 
I'm in Team Nope

If I should take a guess, the difference probably lies in wether or not you keep it in your (thight)pocket? Mine is mostly on a shelf when not used, and haven't noticed any scratches at all
 
Yes but it's less of an issue IMO, and I've owned both XL and the original. Just use a screen protector on the top screen and/or put a cleaning cloth in-between the screens before you close it each time

Another major issue, IMO, is the exterior scratches very easily on the XL compared to the original, especially the top part which is colored/textured differently than the bottom.
 
I got a line of dots.

After that I put a microfiber clothe in between, and a particle of something got stuck in it, and put a big dot on the middle of the screen.

Only noticeable when the screen is black, but damn annoying. Should've put on a screen protector, but I assumed it was fixed.


Launch White LL.
 
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