If you're trying to save money, I highly suggest you scour on the used game market if you can't even find one on your favorite retailers. If you manage to find one for around $40 USD or less, congratulations!
eShop download should be your last resort, as it won't be lower than the MSRP for the rest of its lifespan.
Prices on it are inflated everywhere because it's been out of print for a year now; whether you try Gamestop or craigslist, you'll be paying $40+ for a used copy.
So unless you're a collector and you can't go without a physical copy - the digital copy is probably your best bet at this point.
I've been looking for one as well (a physical copy), and it seems like eBay is usually the best place to look. Of course, I like old, out of print games, so I'm kind of accustomed to paying about $40 for them. If you're not interested in that, I'd just buy it on the eShop.
As an addendum, it's probably better to look on eBay if you're wanting the game to come with a case, as most of the games on there do. Usually when I see used DS/3DS games in my GameStop, they don't come with their cases, but idk about yours.
As an addendum, it's probably better to look on eBay if you're wanting the game to come with a case, as most of the games on there do. Usually when I see used DS/3DS games in my GameStop, they don't come with their cases, but idk about yours.
^ Yes. On that note, eBay is a much better place to look than Amazon is.
You'll spend most of your time on Amazon's "Used" games section filtering through dozens of "Cart Only" or "Cart and box only, no manual or artwork" etc.
Alternatively you could probably buy the cart-only wherever it's cheaper and search eBay for a "replacement case and manual"
I've bought several 3DS games from fellow TBTers and they don't always tell me they're only sending me a cartridge! But eBay has always had a replacement case and manual for like $5, so nbd.