A gamer shared their shocking discovery that their Nintendo 3DS case, which was brand-new and sealed in its box, disintegrated into dust. The strange Nintendo 3DS discovery has an explanation, but it’s nonetheless surprising to see.
While Nintendo systems have a reputation for being pretty resilient, putting a case on a 3DS was considered wise. A case could help to protect the device from impacts, like falling on the ground, and also allowed gamers to customize their 3DS without altering the original finish. However, it seems some fans may want to check up on their 3DS cases, if this situation is any indication.
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A gamer called Randolph Co (via NintendoSoup) showed off a Dragon Quest 8 New Nintendo 3DS case that they had kept in storage, sealed in its original box. The gamer was shocked to discover that despite being sealed and presumably having been stored in a safe place, the case itself had completely dissolved into dust within the packaging. A photo shows that the packaging itself is in normal condition, but the inside of it looks like it’s full of crumbs. The original design was white with blue, green, and brown slimes dotted all over it, but all of the color has been completely lost, as well.
What Happened to This Nintendo 3DS Case?
Although the original owner didn’t provide an explanation, it’s likely that the case’s material simply wasn’t meant to last this long. The box indicates that the product was made out of TPU, or thermoplastic polyurethane, which is considered to be a biodegradable substance. The material can typically be expected to break down over the course of three to five years. This particular Nintendo 3DS case launched back in 2015, a decade ago, so it’s well past the window of opportunity for it to break down.
While biodegradable plastics are typically viewed as a good thing, it’s unfortunate that what would have otherwise been a pristine piece of gaming memorabilia is no more. Presumably, this case style was manufactured with the intention of owners not using their Nintendo 3DS for more than a few years, or that the case itself would get beaten up and be discarded or recycled as a result. Not every Nintendo 3DS case was made of this material, so some gamers’ collections are likely intact, but fans may want to check up on their own gaming devices just to be on the safe side. Given that the Nintendo 3DS launched in 2011, there may be many more cases that have disintegrated like this one.
Dragon Quest 8: Journey of the Cursed King
9/10
- Released
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November 15, 2005
- ESRB
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T For Teen Due To Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
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Level-5
- Publisher(s)
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Square Enix
- Engine
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Unity
