Nintendo 3DS Gamers Face Case Deterioration Disaster

Whoa, so here’s the thing. I just stumbled across this bizarre little tale about a Nintendo 3DS case that, believe it or not, crumbled into dust. Yeah, I know, sounds like a mystical curse or something straight out of a fantasy game, but hear me out.

So, this gamer, goes by Randolph Co (props if that’s their real name), had this Dragon Quest 8 themed 3DS case. The thing’s been chilling, sealed in storage, like, super safe—or so you’d think. Fast forward some years, they crack it open, and bam! It’s a dust explosion. Imagine expecting a shiny case and seeing crumbs instead. Go figure.

You know, Nintendo gadgets are usually tough as nails, right? But folks still wrap them in cases—makes sense. You don’t want them kissing the floor and shattering your heart. Plus, you get to stylize them without scratching up the OG look. But this whole case disintegration thing—makes you want to give your 3DS cover a health check, just in case. Literally.

Anyway—wait, what was I saying? Oh right, this mystery of the melting case. So, Randolph didn’t really spill the beans on why it happened, but I did a bit of digging. Turns out, it’s made from TPU. Not some new alien goo, just thermoplastic polyurethane. Stuff’s biodegradable, designed to break down over time—three to five years-ish. Sounds eco-friendly, but kinda tragic for your prized gaming relics, doesn’t it?

So, rewind to 2015 when this case hit the scene. We’re talking like a full decade ago. Yeah, it’s definitely past its “use-by” date. Maybe the makers thought it’d either get tossed or replaced, not realizing people hoard these like treasure. And strangely enough, not all cases were made from this vanishing material, so who knows, your collection might still be mint.

Thinking about it, with the 3DS launching back in 2011, there could be a whole graveyard of these ghost cases out there. I get it, biodegradable’s great and all, but sometimes, you just want something to stick around, you know? So, if you’re a 3DS fam, maybe sneak a peek at your stuff. Well, that’s the scoop on this dusty dilemma.