Sealed Nintendo 3DS Case Crumbles to Dust in Gamer’s Hands

Sure thing! Here’s a reimagined version of that article:

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So, I’m just scrolling mindlessly through gaming forums—don’t judge, we’ve all been there—when I stumble upon this wild story. A gamer, let’s call them Randolph, finds out their precious Nintendo 3DS case, which, by the way, was sealed and untouched, has turned into what I can only describe as dust. I mean, imagine opening a box expecting a mint-condition treasure and instead getting… crumbs. Seriously, crumbs.

Alright, we all know Nintendo consoles are like the cockroaches of the tech world—they survive almost anything. Throw a case on a 3DS, and you’d think you’re safe from drops and scratches and whatever else life throws at it. But surprise, surprise. If this mess is any clue, maybe it’s time to peek at those old cases.

Anyway—hold on, where was I? Oh yeah, Randolph’s case. So, this wasn’t just any GameStop bargain bin snag. It was this Dragon Quest 8 New Nintendo 3DS case from ages ago, stuck in a box like a ship in a bottle. Which sounds cool until you realize it’s more like a shipwreck in a bottle now. Once white with little slimes all over—are you feeling the nostalgia?—it’s now colorless dust. Poof!

Okay, let’s back up. So why does a case crumble into dust? Well, turns out it’s made from TPU, a biodegradable plastic that’s supposed to be eco-friendly. Neat, right? Except that it breaks down after a handful of years. Obviously, no one thought folks would treasure these things for decades. It probably seemed like a good idea at the time—use it, wear it out, toss it. Except, no one planned for today, when we’re all feeling sentimental about retro tech.

And hey, not every case is made of this dissolving stuff, so some collectors are probably still in the clear. But man, if you’ve got one of these, maybe give it a once-over before it goes the way of Randolph’s. Nintendo launched the 3DS in 2011—can you believe it’s been that long?—and who knows how many others are just dust in disguise. Weird, right? Anyway, ever found something bizarre when cleaning out your old stuff? Makes you think about what else is lurking in our closets.