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New 3DS XL Owner Here, General Thoughts and Hardware Issues

S

Serandur

Member
Hello, yesterday after much thought and an overwhelming surge of desire to play Alpha Sapphire, I walked into a Gamestop, drilled some very friendly employees with a million questions, and bought a new blue/black 3DS XL as well as Pokemon Y and a pre-order for Alpha Sapphire.

I haven't owned a Nintendo System or handheld in general in a very long time (not since the GBA) so I've been out of the loop for a while. I live in the U.S. and I am aware that a new 3DS model is about to release sometime, but I didn't want to wait anymore while Nintendo of America do whatever it is that they do by not acknowledging it. To be explicitly clear, I bought it pretty much because of Pokemon (was grinning like my 10-year old self when I caught a Pikachu :D). I rather like it in blue and the 3D effect is interesting. I'm actually more intrigued by the novel of a 3D Pokemon game than I thought, too; it's just as easy to jump into and play for hours as I always remember Pokemon being.

I've been having some problems, however, and I'm not sure if they're to be expected or not. My first 3DS had a glaringly obvious stuck green pixel and a very loose and rattling dpad, so I swapped it out earlier today for another one. This time, there are no pixel defects, but it came out of the box with a few scratches near the top edge of the bottom screen, a slash mark on the circle pad that looks like someone took a key to it, and what sounds like a blown-out right speaker during a lot of high-pitched sounds. Both models were purchased brand new, so... <shrug>

Are these normal or did I just get terrible luck? I've seen a lot of people online say the speaker problem is normal and recommended changing the system's settings to stereo, which I did and it did help. But the scratches? I'm very obsessive about these kinds of things. Should I swap it again? Do Gamestop mind if I swap it again? I haven't bought anything from there in a very long time so I've no idea. Should I go back and sign up for Gamestop's 1 year warranty this time? I get the impression I might want it.

I would also appreciate any JRPG or general system recommendations. Thanks.
 
Doesn't seem like bad luck but more like those systems weren't new... anyway, I just bought 1 3DS from them (I live in Italy), it's a normal 3DS, color red, and I haven't had any issue until now.

EDIT:

Also, about the games, if you're into tactical RPGs: Fire Emblem Awakening

It's so sad to know you woulnd't have the patience to wait for the New 3DS, Xenoblade Chronicles's going to come out for it (at least in Japan), as far as JRPGs go on Nintendo 3DS, I'd say Bravely Default is a must have, Kingdom Hearts 3D too (good luck finding that, it's pretty rare here in Europe, don't know about the US) take a look at Shin Megami Tensei IV, Persona Q (releasing later this month), Etrian Odyssye Untold, Etrian Odyssey IV, Tales of The Abyss and Fantasy Life, they're all great games, IMHO.

And since we're there, don't forget about some Zelda love, there is Ocarina of Time's 3D Remaster and the newly released A Link Between Worlds, do I need to tell you they're both awesome?

There's also Virtual Console for nostalgic gaming (and there's Zelda there too! :P), there's just too much on Nintendo 3DS to be listed on a single thread but if you only care about JRPGs, you shouldn't have too many issues :)
 
Your biggest snafu was not getting the XL but not waiting for black friday deals in 2 weeks.
 
A new system should not have those defects. Cosmetically it should be pure.

Also buy Fire Emblem: Awakening.
 
Are you sure you got a brand new 3DS? I've owned a couple of 3DSs and never had them come out of the box showing signs of wear or cosmetic damage.

Also for JRPG recommendations, Shin Megami Tensei IV and Bravely Default are both really good. Also it's more of an SRPG, but Fire Emblem: Awakening is one of the best games on that system.
 
LTWheels said:
New is a confusing word, considering how Nintendo titles their machines...
Click to expand...

yeah I was confused at first.

I have two 3DS, honestly sounds like bad luck/were sold used 3DS.

I'd trade it in for round 3, and open it right in the store.
 
Thanks to everyone who responded.

LTWheels said:
New is a confusing word, considering how Nintendo titles their machines...
Click to expand...

Oh... well, haha.

Jotamide said:
Your biggest snafu was not getting the XL but not waiting for black friday deals in 2 weeks.
Click to expand...

Meh. $20-30, whatever. I wanted it now.

rpowelll said:
Are you sure you got a brand new 3DS? I've owned a couple of 3DSs and never had them come out of the box showing signs of wear or cosmetic damage.

Also for JRPG recommendations, Shin Megami Tensei IV and Bravely Default are both really good. Also it's more of an SRPG, but Fire Emblem: Awakening is one of the best games on that system.
Click to expand...

Definitely brand new, or it should be anyway. I asked for new, the box says new, and it was $200. I wouldn't say they're signs of wear as in anyone actually used it, but I don't know. I have terrible, terrible luck with electronics. The rest of the system looks pristine and came with everything else brand new and unopened-looking.

Edit: Will Gamestop let me return it again, maybe even for a refund instead of a replacement? I knew I should have bought from Amazon.
 
Serandur said:
Thanks to everyone who responded.



Oh... well, haha.



Meh. $20-30, whatever. I wanted it now.



Definitely brand new, or it should be anyway. I asked for new, the box says new, and it was $200. I wouldn't say they're signs of wear as in anyone actually used it, but I don't know. I have terrible, terrible luck with electronics. The rest of the system looks pristine and came with everything else brand new and unopened-looking.

Edit: Will Gamestop let me return it again, maybe even for a refund instead of a replacement? I knew I should have bought from Amazon.
Click to expand...

I'd give returning it a shot yeah.
 
If you're really obsessive about how your 3DS looks, I'd strongly recommend either putting some sort of paper in between the screen when you close it up or to get screen protectors. The top screen is known to get scratched very easily because it and the bottom screen are 2 different sizes.
 
rpowelll said:
I'd give returning it a shot yeah.
Click to expand...

I'll ask them politely if they'd let me inspect the replacement unit before I commit to what may be something in even worse condition.

DonMigs85 said:
Man, you should have just waited for the New 3DS XL
Click to expand...

panama chief said:
this
Click to expand...

DonMigs85 said:
It's what you call "delayed gratification"
Click to expand...

Too delayed, I need a portable game machine and I need it now (got some long commutes coming up). If I decide to upgrade, I'll consider the difference between my resell price and the new 3DS price an "early adoption fee". ;)
Finale Fireworker said:
This thread title is a great example why the New 3DS is the stupidest fucking name you could possibly conceive.
Click to expand...

Agreed, sorry for not realizing before I posted it.

G0523 said:
If you're really obsessive about how your 3DS looks, I'd strongly recommend either putting some sort of paper in between the screen when you close it up or to get screen protectors. The top screen is known to get scratched very easily because it and the bottom screen are 2 different sizes.
Click to expand...

Will do, thanks for the tip.
nonnocere said:
What is the release date for the new 3DS?

Edit - out now in Japan, 2015 for everyone else except Australia and New Zealand.
Click to expand...

This BS is why I can't wait. Nintendo of America won't even acknowledge that there is a new 3DS, who knows how long it will be. :/
 
Might actually get an XL over regular this time.

I was one of the ones who have an old non-XL and used to have an XL. But I hated the XL because the "sweet spot" was microscopic and so I kept the standard size despite preferring the larger screen size.

With the new models that seems to no longer be an issue. Also as a Vita groupie I'm glad to see the GPU update which should open some doors if used properly.

Not sure how I feel about (major) HW updates within a gen on a handheld in general, but this seems like a case where the iteration is quite compelling and worthy of a strong look.
 
Re: the right speaker

The 3D slider on the XL actually touches and is alongside the speaker housing in the case. Usually, unless the 3D slider is completely turned off, anything above about half volume on the system will cause the slider to vibrate. You can test this by holding the slider with your finger while sounds play. The rattling sound will stop.

It does sound just like a blown speaker, and I even thought this was the cause myself, until I experienced it on 5/5 XL systems I have personally owned. Nintendo has a support article on this exact problem. Their solution? Turn down the volume. My temporary solution was to keep 3D at half. My final solution was to return back to using my regular 3DS until the new models (hopefully) arrive.
 
Well, I took it back to Gamestop again, swapped it; there were no signs of wear and tear on it, however now I've got another bright green stuck pixel in the middle of my screen and the Gamestop employees told me that was my last allowed return. They said I'd have to go through Nintendo now. I don't suppose a refund is possible? Can't believe this crap luck.
 
Serandur said:
Well, I took it back to Gamestop again, swapped it; there were no signs of wear and tear on it, however now I've got another bright green stuck pixel in the middle of my screen and the Gamestop employees told me that was my last allowed return. They said I'd have to go through Nintendo now. I don't suppose a refund is possible? Can't believe this crap luck.
Click to expand...
A refund probably isn't possible. That GameStop is probably intentionally ripping you off, too. :/
 
PreyingShark said:
A refund probably isn't possible. That GameStop is probably intentionally ripping you off, too. :/
Click to expand...

I went to a different Gamestop for this one. :/ If I go back and demand to speak with a manager, explain my situation, will they do nothing at all? Would Nintendo do something about this?
 
I'd swap it out again and maybe ask GameStop why they're giving you an apparently used 3DS XL when you're buying new.

Everything you described except the d-pad is NOT normal. The d-pad and shoulder buttons on some XLs are looser than others but that is normal. The other stuff though, not acceptable for a new product.
 
I think my Pikachu 3DS XL just started having that vibrating slider issue. Ugh. I don't have a warranty on it anymore.

Any ideas on how to fix it? I was hoping to sell it for the New 3DS Pikachu XL coming next month,
 
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