3DS locks up when DS carts inserted - thoughts?

[wowbobwow]

Hi fellow Racketeers,

My beloved 3DS (up-to-date software, only a few months old, etc.) is exhibiting an odd problem: when I insert a 3DS game, it loads and plays fine. However, when I insert nearly* any regular DS game, it is either unrecognized or the system completely locks up, requiring a hard reset. I say "nearly*" because "New Super Mario Bros." seems to work fine - but another dozen or so games either play dumb or kill the 3DS.

I've already started a repair order and will be shipping my 3DS off shortly. However, since the issue seems not completely clear-cut (i.e. some DS games may work fine), I'm nervous that they might just send it back unrepaired.

Has anyone else seen this?

[Hobie-wan]

I have not, but perhaps dirty contacts?

[zerexerez]

Possibly the non-working DS games you're trying are fake? Read that counterfeit carts don't work on NDSi, I suppose the 3DS will have stepped up security. If the non-working games work on a DS/DSL, it can almost be confirmed those carts are not original.

[wowbobwow]

I have not, but perhaps dirty contacts?

I thought the same, but both the carts and the 3DS are clean. I even took a rubber eraser to the contacts on a couple carts this morning just to be sure, but no change.

[wowbobwow]

Possibly the non-working DS games you're trying are fake? Read that counterfeit carts don't work on NDSi, I suppose the 3DS will have stepped up security. If the non-working games work on a DS/DSL, it can almost be confirmed those carts are not original.

I'm willing to imagine that I may have somehow ended up with one or two pirate carts, but there's no way that all ~20 of my retail-purchased games are pirate carts... right? That would be pretty crazy!

[D.D.D.]

Sounds like you should call Nintendo; they'll take care of you (likely even free shipping of your 3DS both ways).

[zerexerez]

I'm willing to imagine that I may have somehow ended up with one or two pirate carts, but there's no way that all ~20 of my retail-purchased games are pirate carts... right? That would be pretty crazy!

Heard there have been many fakes floating around, on ebay and even at Gamestop, so if it's not bought new at store, there's still a chance. But yeah, I agree with sending it in to Nintendo. Or if you have friends with a 3DS, check on their set if the same problem occurs.

[wowbobwow]

I'm willing to imagine that I may have somehow ended up with one or two pirate carts, but there's no way that all ~20 of my retail-purchased games are pirate carts... right? That would be pretty crazy!

Heard there have been many fakes floating around, on ebay and even at Gamestop, so if it's not bought new at store, there's still a chance. But yeah, I agree with sending it in to Nintendo. Or if you have friends with a 3DS, check on their set if the same problem occurs.

Yeah, agreed. I've got a repair order in for the 3DS, and should be shipping it out tomorrow. In the meantime, I'm going to see if I can find anyone nearby who can help me test my games on a 3DS.