Topic: 3DS Paint peeling. How to handle this when no new cases are being made?

I have a New Nintendo 3DS XL model. I've had it for a good few years, and it's one of the few systems I still use to this day. Used to have a plastic cover for it, but it ended up shattering because of me dropping it as a kid. Recently I got more into using my 3DS, and I noticed that the plastic finishing on the system is starting to chip off. Looked it up online because I wasn't sure if it was dangerous or not, and basically read that it was an issue with the materials they used to make the console, and that it commonly happens to people's 3DS systems. That it was something related to the oils in a person's skin and how it causes the finish to deteriorate.

This brings me to my current issue. In order to get it to stop doing this and not bring massive damage to the console, I have to get a new hard-case for the system. I was looking all over the place for a suitable one last night, but all I could find were cases made for the original 3DS XL and cases for the New Nintendo 2DS XL. Nothing really for the New Nintendo 3DS XL, save for some cheap covers made by an unknown third party source with dubious bot-generated reviews on the page.

I originally wanted to get a Hori case, and was even hoping to find one sealed (since I have a weird thing with not liking used stuff due to not knowing where it's been). I wanted Hori because I knew that their products are probably the safest bet. Made out of safe materials, and officially licensed. Given that I can't get ahold of any made for the model that I have though- the only other options are the cheap unknown third party brands that still make cases today. I'm far more weary about them though- since I know some could probably contain lead paint or cheap metals that either mess with the console or make the user sick.

Given that those are my only option, I wanted to ask if any of you have any ideas on what I can do for this? Any good brands for these hard-cases that are still being made now. I know it's a long-shot, given that companies stopped making accessories for this thing ages ago- but I'd appreciate if anyone had any ideas.

Another thing to note is that I'm from the USA. Don't know if this really matters or not, but if that helps anything I'll put that here.

It sounds an obvious solution, but could you track down another 3DS and ‘sacrifice’ it by swapping the shells? The that way your 3DS (with all its games and save data) gets a new shell and the replacement can go in the old, peeling shell. You then have the added advantage of a back up 3DS in case you ever needed to do a system transfer.

@Gamecuber I guess that could work. My only issue in that regard is how pricey the consoles are now that Nintendo stopped manufacturing them. I also don't know how to get the top shell off the console.

I’m no expert but there’s bound to be a few tutorials on YouTube. I’ve taken a few consoles apart to clean and rebuilt them successfully using videos and not had an issue yet.

Another alternative is to get a broken 3DS for spares or repairs or cheap on something like Facebook Marketplace. Much cheaper if all you want is a replacement shell.

Probably the easiest is to contact Nintendo and set up a repair if it bothers you that much.

@Tasuki I mean Nintendo stopped doing repairs on 3DS consoles a long while back.

The shells on Ali express don’t look too bad. I also have chipping on my n3dsxl and have considered an Ali express shell, but then I picked up a Japan original 3DS and put my xl aside for now

IIRC, iFixIt sells some replacement casings for New 3DS XLs. You might have some luck there.

Have you tried looking on eBay? I did some searching on there myself & the only (and hopefully suitable) options I see are the clear plastic hard case covers. I'm not...REALLY...sure if that's what you're looking into. Without breaking the bank. Cause these New 3DS XL are getting pricey every month it seems.

The only option I can think of that might slow down the chipping/peeling process would be to get a 2DS. Mind you a regular 2DS. Granted I know this may not be the best advice since it's the only one I can think of on short notice. But you can alternate between the two systems & you can delay the chipping. just play the New 3DS XL once in a blue moon.

Plus, 2DSes are quite affordable still. Since that was my only option ever since my Crimson Red OG 3DS hinge started having problems. Still need to find time to fix it soon.

It's up to you if you think it might help. Also apologies for the LONG comment of mines...

@N00BiSH Looking at their site, they don't seem to sell casing replacements. Only circle-pad replacements, battery replacements, and replacements for the hinges.

@NinChocolate I'm a bit iffy on Ali-Express. The casing there is similar to the casing I saw on Ebay which looks a bit cheap. No clue if it contains harmful materials either like Lead paint.

@DanijoEX-the-Pierrot The clear plastic covers are the ones I've seen on Amazon and Ebay. Those seem like the safest options if I had to get one, since at the very least I could rest easy knowing that it won't have lead paint in them. As for the new console, I feel like unsealed New 2DS XL systems would probably be pretty pricey. I could look into those though.

Unless you have any SNES games downloaded or one of the handful of New 3DS only games, transferring to an OG 2DS isn’t a bad idea. They are Tonka tough like Nintendo machines traditionally were. You could reserve your 3DS for games where the 3D is worth playing with that way. My first system was a 2DS 10 years ago. It has survived many holidays, hours of play and two children and the only damage is the rubber in the circle pad coming loose (an easy fix at some point) and the clear sticker over the serial number on the back coming off. It’s a real tank of a system!