Topic: What is the lifespan of the 3DS/Wii under normal conditions

Hi everyone, how would you go about calculating the exact or even average lifespan of a 3DS system? This entails any and all sticky buttons, back light blow outs, L/R button difficulties, disc read errors or any other errors that would render a system hard to operate. So about how long do you think it would last under normal wear and tear based on your experiences?

You can't hope to get a reliable answer to this sort of question. All you're gonna get is some anecdotes of individual experiences, but ymmv.

Why do you ask?

Try writing to Nintendo.

If you look after it like I do it will last longer. My consoles look clean & new where I look after them. Only my GBA has trouble with the power switch, it doesn't always turn on.

If you take good care of it, you can make them last 10 years easy enough. Assuming you have an average system and haven't got an unlucky combination of components.
My PSP and GBA still both work perfectly.

@gcunit I realize that some of the responses will be highly subjective to their unique situations but I was hoping that there was some resource that actually tested it extensively. It seems all gaming companies do not give out this information freely. @Starz thanks do you have a year count and daily use count? @Dezzy thanks I figured the luck of the components could derail results so I was seeking a average lifespan under average use.

My NES is still going strong at 30. My Genesis with CD attachment is 25 years old and going strong. I have a SNES, an original Gameboy, Gameboy Advance and all work fine. Basically as long as you take care of your things they will last.

My Wii's disc drive kinda crapped out around 4 years, it was a launch system too...my Wii U seems to be working find so far since launch.

Well I never get consoles at launch due to first time bugs etc so I normally wait about 6 months before getting one. With my 3DS I only waited 3 months & I got the New 3DS on 12th January so was breaking my 6 month rule but they seem to be ok. I play them everyday for quite a few hours but when I have work I don't have time to play them for hours. I waited a whole year before getting my Wii U.

Hope this info helps.

Most Nintendo systems last a legendary amount of time. However, I know my launch Wii (the ones that had bad disk drives) started loading most games really slow and stopped reading dual layer disks altogether after about 5 years. That said, I didn't have many other systems, and I had way to much time on my hands at the time, so I played that thing a whole lot more than most.

I think anything after the Gamecube is not made as well as they used to be. Having a look inside makes it pretty clear to me.

Well, I'm on my third 3DS, but they never gave out on me, I was just a bit rough on 'em. I'd only be on my second, but Nintendo couldn't repair my Aqua Blue one anymore, so I have a Flame Red now. The Cosmo Black one I got to replace my Aqua Blue was working fine and it's with my brother now, so...they'll last a while if you're gentle with them (or you don't play them all the time like I did).

As for the Wii, I still have my close-to-launch Wii (came with wrist strap and has GCN ports). It works fine. Never given me any trouble.

I got my 3ds when the price dropped and my little brother got one around the same time. I got a case and took good care of it and it still works like a charm. My brother did not get a case a dropped it constantly, and now the touch screen doesn't work. It really depends on how well it gets taken care of.

...and then you will get some nutter who will come along and tell you that their 3DS has been working fine for 20 years.