Help on 3DS prices...

ghosty656 · 2026-06-13T18:42:57+0100

Hello, I like handhelds and Pokemon so I am of course looking for a Nintendo console I can buy. Naturally I had gotten the latest console back in 2018 but my experience was less than stellar because of a plethora of reasons(stick drift, patched console, bad pokemon games!!). Lately though I've kind of fallen in love with the 3DS, It just looks so cool and innovative and had a great game library too not even mentioning the modding community. It being an extremely old console I'd expected for it to be cheap but Its like 300 bucks. I can kinda see why, its a great console and I guess something happened for it to be relevant again. But I want to get this console nevertheless so I wanted a bit of advice on what to do. Should I buy it now since the prices will continue to rise or is this just a trend and shoul I wait for the prices to lower again? Many thanks.

KleinesSinchen · 2026-06-13T18:57:46+0100

ghosty656 said:
Should I buy it now since the prices will continue to rise or is this just a trend and shoul I wait for the prices to lower again?

If we had a magic crystal ball to find that out… well… with such a thing I would have bought several 1000s (I mean it!) of Nintendo games for pennies in the 1990s on fleamarkets and now would be rich.
====

Look for a good, possibly local offering. Prices online sometimes are insane.

Since the 3DS consoles suffer from certain age and wear related problems, notably ribbon cables going to the upper screen part, you should look for this: Console turning off when opening fully or at certain angles or sudden change in brightness on the upper screen when changing opening angle.
Repairs on the upper screen part are a nightmare, but eventually they will all need maintenance.

ChibiMofo · 2026-06-13T20:34:40+0100

Actual 3DS's, particularly the one you should buy: the New 3DS XL, will only go up. No chance they are going to go down. These devices provide a unique experience: 3D. Any other handheld just plays games that any other handheld could play. The 3DS is the only special handheld ever made, and people are starting to figure that out.

SpaceGameJunkie · 2026-06-13T20:36:12+0100

ghosty656 said:
Hello, I like handhelds and Pokemon so I am of course looking for a Nintendo console I can buy. Naturally I had gotten the latest console back in 2018 but my experience was less than stellar because of a plethora of reasons(stick drift, patched console, bad pokemon games!!). Lately though I've kind of fallen in love with the 3DS, It just looks so cool and innovative and had a great game library too not even mentioning the modding community. It being an extremely old console I'd expected for it to be cheap but Its like 300 bucks. I can kinda see why, its a great console and I guess something happened for it to be relevant again. But I want to get this console nevertheless so I wanted a bit of advice on what to do. Should I buy it now since the prices will continue to rise or is this just a trend and shoul I wait for the prices to lower again? Many thanks.

Personally I'd buy now because prices will just get worse as supply dries up. Don't forget to ask friends and family too. I found a lovely N3DS XL Galaxy edition at a great price because I asked on some forums I'm on, and someone had one in a drawer they weren't using any longer.

Good luck!

Orioncle · 2026-06-13T20:50:27+0100

ghosty656 said:
Hello, I like handhelds and Pokemon so I am of course looking for a Nintendo console I can buy. Naturally I had gotten the latest console back in 2018 but my experience was less than stellar because of a plethora of reasons(stick drift, patched console, bad pokemon games!!). Lately though I've kind of fallen in love with the 3DS, It just looks so cool and innovative and had a great game library too not even mentioning the modding community. It being an extremely old console I'd expected for it to be cheap but Its like 300 bucks. I can kinda see why, its a great console and I guess something happened for it to be relevant again. But I want to get this console nevertheless so I wanted a bit of advice on what to do. Should I buy it now since the prices will continue to rise or is this just a trend and shoul I wait for the prices to lower again? Many thanks.

Stick with buying a New 3DS XL or non XL New 3DS model. They are build really well. If you are on a budget, you can still find the original model 3DS and 2DS for $100 or less. Stay away from the 2DS XL, they are build like crap and prone to breaking. Not worth the price they are going for although their limited edition models are cool

Nakamichi · 2026-06-13T20:51:43+0100

Getting an Ayn Thor might be the cheaper and more versatile option there

cvskid · 2026-06-13T21:03:26+0100

A new 3ds xl f you want real hardware but at 300 dollars on up you are better off getting a ayn thor.

ghosty656 · 2026-06-13T21:26:16+0100

Nakamichi said:
Getting an Ayn Thor might be the cheaper and more versatile option there

I have considered it but to be honest I dont just want an android device shaped like a 3ds rather than the actual console. I could already emulate 3DS games on my phone.

Nakamichi · 2026-06-13T21:28:53+0100

ghosty656 said:
I have but to be honest I dont just want an android device shaped like a 3ds rather than the actual console. I could already emulate 3DS games on my phone.

covid increased the prices, because suddenly a lot of people had a lot of free time. people were buying just about anything fun and the 3DS skyrocketed in popularity again. Those prices stuck and never went down again from the Covid-levels. Thats why its so expensive still and its not coming down anytime soon.

ghosty656 · 2026-06-13T21:40:29+0100

Nakamichi said:
covid increased the prices, because suddenly a lot of people had a lot of free time. people were buying just about anything fun and the 3DS skyrocketed in popularity again. Those prices stuck and never went down again from the Covid-levels. Thats why its so expensive still and its not coming down anytime soon.

Ah so thats how it is, well that sucks but atleast I am 6 years late and not only a few months lol. I'll just have to get a NDS3 XL at an absurd price I suppose. However about the maintenance part KleinesSinchen talked about, how long til I have to look into it after buying a good grade one at say EBay?

Nakamichi · 2026-06-13T21:43:42+0100

ghosty656 said:
Ah so thats how it is, well that sucks but atleast I am 6 years late and not only a few months lol. I'll just have to get a NDS3 XL at an absurd price I suppose. However about the maintenance part KleinesSinchen talked about, how long til I have to look into it after buying a good grade one at say EBay?

i sold my new2ds xl hyrule edition during covid, i barely used it before, so mine never had much wear or tear, but testing any system you buy the way Sinchen described makes sense.
If and when any part needs replacement you will need to look for it then.

Help on 3DS prices...

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