Hardware Nintendo responds to the 3DS "yellow top screen" issue

[TripleSMoon]

Those of you who have seen or posted threads asking why certain 3DS models seem to have an issue with the top screen being darker or having a yellowish tint will be interested in this. Apparently, Nintendo has acknowledged the difference in screen quality between older and newer 3DS models, but is adamant that the issue is neither a defect nor in need of repair. You can read the story here...

http://www.zeldainformer.com/news/comments/nintendo-on-3ds-screen-controversy-this-is-within-manufacturing-specificati

My used 3DS has log data from March 2011, so it's one of the older models. In the picture shown in the link, the 3DS with the yellower screen looks a lot like my 3DS when using power-save mode. Personally, since I use power-save mode 24/7, this doesn't bother me at all personally.

But what do you guys think? Discuss.

 

[TheDarkSeed]

Yeah, we have a better chance of asking them to fix the yellowing of the Super Nintendo.

 

[The Milkman]

Eh, I don't even notice it anymore. Just keep it on an alright brightness and its finefin

 

[Deleted User]

It's just a slight tint. Deal with it.

 

[klim28]

I always thought it was just normal. My jp unit has that yellow tint. Us unit is much brighter.

 

[JoostinOnline]

I had to strain to tell the difference between the two pictures.

 

[Snailface]

zeldainformer misrepresented Nintendo's quote. Compare the two underlined parts and you can see where zelda informer added time difference and quality comparisons to their interpretation of Nintendo's quote.

ZeldaInformer:

Nintendo has officially commented on the situation, and their response is somewhat surprising. They admit that newer screens have become lower in quality, and that “this is within manufacturing specifications”. In other words, the shift does not have a serious impact on the actual ability of the 3DS and is fairly negligible. Here’s the full quote:

“Due to LCD manufacturing processes it is possible for system screens to look different from one another. The image may appear slightly darker, or have a different tint when compared to another Nintendo 3DS. This is within manufacturing specifications, and the unit does not need to be repaired.”

I have two 3ds's and I admit the newer one has a warmer tint, but the overall quality is the same.

 

[Black-Ice]

Bought 3ds in may 2011
#Winning

 

[dickfour]

I have the Zelda unit, it doesn't have a tint but then again I'm color blind so I'll have to get a second opinion

 

[emmanu888]

nintendo should address the screen scratching issue that all the 3ds have

 

[8BitWalugi]

Bought 3ds in may 2011
#Winning

Since when did this become Twitter?

On topic, I have a launch day Cosmo Black that has no tint, my younger brother has an Aqua Blue 3DS with no tint, and my older brother's Zelda 3DS DOES have a tint.

I don't know if this information can be used for anything, but these are just my findings.

 

[klim28]

Its not just the top screen. Even the touch screen has that yellowish tint.

 

[Lily]

This happened on the Lite as well.

People need to stop worrying about inconsequential things and just play games.

 

[byronjj]

This happened on the Lite as well.

People need to stop worrying about inconsequential things and just play games.

Some people just feel cheated that's all, but you're right the games usually matter most.

 

[PaulAldrich]

I had to strain to tell the difference between the two pictures.

How? Its so obvious... one 3DS is RED the other is BLUE

 

[TripleSMoon]

How? Its so obvious... one 3DS is RED the other is BLUE

I know, right?

 

[JoostinOnline]

But they're both purple...

 

[TripleSMoon]

But they're both purple...

The plot THICKENS!

 

[tronic307]

The 3DS on the right obviously has a yellow top screen and the touchscreens are both sort of on the magenta side, which wouldn't be a problem if Nintendo made the RGB level controls accessible to the end user. A firmware update could address this issue, but good luck with that one, as Nintendo has a tendency to sidestep overly complex or esoteric issues. If the color temperature is to be permanent, then it should be calibrated to 6500 Kelvins at the factory, and any error should favor a slight aqua-blue tinge. Any deviation as great as the one in the article is a defect, period, and should be repaired. My 3DS screen looks good, since I pre-ordered, but I had no idea that the quality had fallen with the price. Crappy parts are no excuse; the grayscale should be properly adjusted with colorimeters, and not by eye. If the screen on my Wii U GamePad looks yellow or has dead pixels, I am going to freak out.

 

[Hanafuda]

nintendo should address the screen scratching issue that all the 3ds have

my cosmo black launch 3DS, which i've owned for well over a year and used every single day, has no such problem.