Pull out your VHS tape rewinder and skip back to 2011, when I purchased my limited edition, Zelda-themed 3DS (the one with the golden Hylian crest and other designs emblazoned onto it). The 3DS was so new to me at the time, and it really felt like I was holding the future of gaming in my palms in the form of a sexy fingerprint magnet. 
Now, jump back to the present and my Zelda 3DS doesn't look so hot. 
Don't get me wrong, it's still a great piece of hardware that works fine, but it is suffering from the 3DS hardware problems that most people deal with (inevitable screen scratching, creaky d-pad, touchscreen that moves in housing, worn-out circle pad, etc.), and although I have made a number of modifications to it myself to prevent further issues, there is only so much I can do (especially considering the warranty expired).
Anyway, I thought it was high time I got me a fresh 3DS, and like any veteran 3DS owner would, I hoped that the next 3DS I purchased wouldn't suffer from the same issues as my last 3DS. Well, today I purchased a midnight purple 3DS, and the moment I began playing it--after a lengthy system transfer
--I quickly noticed that many of the hardware issues of older 3DS models were not present on my new 3DS. It appears as though Nintendo has stepped up to the plate and released a newer, more refined model of the 3DS right under our nose! 
Suffice to say, I'm quite the happy camper right now. 
Also, while I was at Walmart purchasing the 3DS, I noticed that newer 3DS SKUs have smaller, more compact packaging, and I'm almost certain that if you were to purchase a new 3DS and it came in that newer, more compact packaging, it would have the hardware revisions previously mentioned (which is obviously a good thing!)
For the sake of the 3DS community (and because I don't believe anyone has done this yet), I'm going to list the hardware improvements I noticed on my new 3DS (compared to the older models):
Sadly, I am unable to testify if the new, extended rubber bumpers actually DO prevent the screen scratching issue, as I have only owned my new 3DS for less than 24 hours. However, I haven't seen a single grease mark from the bottom screen pressing against the top screen yet, which is a good sign!
So, if you're looking to buy a new 3DS, my advice would be to buy a new color, or a 3DS with the newer, compact retail packaging. It will save you a lot of trouble in the future for sure, because it seems as though Nintendo has really stepped up their quality control!
In conclusion, I just wanted to get this info out into the community in hopes that it will help someone out! Feel free to reply and tell me if you've had a similar experience, or just let me know your thoughts on the subject.
Now, jump back to the present and my Zelda 3DS doesn't look so hot. Don't get me wrong, it's still a great piece of hardware that works fine, but it is suffering from the 3DS hardware problems that most people deal with (inevitable screen scratching, creaky d-pad, touchscreen that moves in housing, worn-out circle pad, etc.), and although I have made a number of modifications to it myself to prevent further issues, there is only so much I can do (especially considering the warranty expired).Anyway, I thought it was high time I got me a fresh 3DS, and like any veteran 3DS owner would, I hoped that the next 3DS I purchased wouldn't suffer from the same issues as my last 3DS. Well, today I purchased a midnight purple 3DS, and the moment I began playing it--after a lengthy system transfer
--I quickly noticed that many of the hardware issues of older 3DS models were not present on my new 3DS. It appears as though Nintendo has stepped up to the plate and released a newer, more refined model of the 3DS right under our nose! Suffice to say, I'm quite the happy camper right now. Also, while I was at Walmart purchasing the 3DS, I noticed that newer 3DS SKUs have smaller, more compact packaging, and I'm almost certain that if you were to purchase a new 3DS and it came in that newer, more compact packaging, it would have the hardware revisions previously mentioned (which is obviously a good thing!)For the sake of the 3DS community (and because I don't believe anyone has done this yet), I'm going to list the hardware improvements I noticed on my new 3DS (compared to the older models):
- The bottom screen does not move or pop in its housing
- The buttons have a much more solid click to them
- The d-pad paint is not cracked
- The circle pad is slightly smaller, has more grip, and uses a different type of rubber that seems to be more sturdy and rigid
- The plastic covering over the select, start, and home buttons does not bulge
- The rubber bumpers on the top half of the 3DS extend further (which, in theory, should prevent the screen scratching issue that has plagued many 3DS users)
- The d-pad does not creak and is not mushy
Sadly, I am unable to testify if the new, extended rubber bumpers actually DO prevent the screen scratching issue, as I have only owned my new 3DS for less than 24 hours.
However, I haven't seen a single grease mark from the bottom screen pressing against the top screen yet, which is a good sign! So, if you're looking to buy a new 3DS, my advice would be to buy a new color, or a 3DS with the newer, compact retail packaging.
It will save you a lot of trouble in the future for sure, because it seems as though Nintendo has really stepped up their quality control!In conclusion, I just wanted to get this info out into the community in hopes that it will help someone out!
Feel free to reply and tell me if you've had a similar experience, or just let me know your thoughts on the subject.
