Topic: Looking to buy an original 3DS, what are some tips and tricks I should know?

I've always been nostalgic for the original 3DS. My best friend had (and still has) a cosmo black original 3DS that we used to play games on all the time. Now, several years later, I've been feeling a bit nostalgic for the 3DS. My friend who has the 3DS recently found it after losing it around 3 years ago, and I got to explore it and it's made me decide to finally get a 3DS (which is what I should have done in the first place, as this will end up being my 4th DS/3DS console that I've bought so far. Oops).
I'm planning on saving up enough money to buy a new, CIB 3DS so I can have a perfect 3DS, so tips and tricks with accessories and that stuff should work as I should have the accessories.
So yeah, I'm really just asking if there's any good tips and tricks to know with the 3DS. Thank you to all who can provide some!

Unless 3D is a main factor for you, a 2DS might be cheaper, and it’s my favorite console.

So my tip would be: get a 2DS.

Yeah, I know the 2DS is cheaper but the fact that it won't fit in my current carrying case is one of the main things that makes me shy away from that. Aside from that there's the lack of 3D, the fact that you can't really find them CIB, and also the lack of nostalgia that I have compared to the original 3DS. But I will probably consider getting a 2DS if I find a CIB one for a good price!

I'm debating on getting a new 3DS XL or a 2DS. I still have my OG launch 3ds and since they aren't making them anymore i figured i might as well get my last 3DS ever. The OG one is way too small and my big adult hands cramp up real bad after just an hour of playing it. I don't really care about the 3D thing honestly. I was over it pretty quickly. it just gives me headaches and drains the battery like crazy so maybe a 2DS is the way to go.

On the other hand a new 3DS XL does have the advantage of having a slight power boost to run more demanding games plus i do plan to mod it now that the eshop is dead.

Here's a general tip, shake it to do the pedometer instead of actually walking with it! Sort of joking because the point is to get exercise but I used to do that if I needed coins for streetpass plaza and was feeling lazy lolol

But in terms of accessories. I didn't really have any for OG 3DS. I needed to get handle grip clip for the New 3DS XL though because I found it much more uncomfortable (I suspect my aging hands had more to do with that though as I was in my early 20s for the 3DS and late 20s for the new 3DS XL

I do have that circle pad pro thing for the original 3DS actually which I've had attached every time I've used that device in recent years

The only accessories I use are the basic stuff: Carry case, screen protector, cleaning cloth, headphones, usb charger, and a couple of spare styluses. I'd also recommend getting a replacement battery, as the originals are pretty old by now.

Back when the eShop was still a thing, I'd have recommended getting a larger SD card too, but there's not much point if you're keeping it stock and running everything from cartridge. It'll really come down to whether you want to mod it or not.

In terms of models, the New 3DS XL is the best by most objective standards, especially if you can land one with IPS displays. I don't like the 2DS on account of it not being very pocket friendly, but if that's not an issue it'll play all the good exclusive games and could be worth a look at if you can pick one up at a bargain price.

I personally can fit a 2DS in my pockets, but I prefer to keep all my non-smartphone tech in carry cases anyway.

One point towards the 2DS is the lack of a hinge, which tend to go loose over time.

Speaking of that, I absolutely second the recommendation of buying separate styluses, because those also go loose and you will lose them once they start sliding out on their own. I very much prefer keeping a separate stylus in the carry case, and avoid removing the original system’s stylus whenever possible.

Just figured I'd give an update on my position buying 3DS consoles...

I just bought a red 3DS! The seller said it was only used a couple times and had basically no cosmetic flaws (aside from a small scratch on the L button), and I ended up getting it (along with the original charger and stylus) for $90 after taxes and shipping. Honestly for a basically brand new 3DS it's not a bad price from what I've found, especially with the super high prices of 2DS and 3DS systems. Really the only other accessories I need are the charging cradle (just because I don't want my new-to-me 3DS to get scratched on my desk because of some crumb or something under it) and the Mario Kart 7 racing wheel. Fortunately, since I'm selling my DSi consoles I should be able to afford those so I'll be set (as far as accessories go) by the end of the year!

Again, just figured I'd share my accomplishments with you all, I get super excited whenever I meet a goal, especially expensive goals, so this is huge for me. No need to reply or anything!

Ah that's indeed a great deal!

Is it a sparkly OG red model?

Yep! "New" 3DS models are a bit out of my price range so I couldn't get a new one even if I wanted to.