I have a game that I purchased used for my 3DS. It will play for five, ten, or maybe three minutes and then crash, producing an error code. I keep searching the net for answers but have found nothing that satisfies. The Nintendo help section only addresses "the thinking" that the console is defective. But I have the same issue with this game on all four of my 3DS consoles. I think that simply verifies that it is a game issue.
The question that I have floating around in my mind is, "When games and their consoles enter the realm of "old hat," which are no longer supported, would this result in issues to play the game, or certain games?
I am not expecting any answers so don't feel pressured. I am just thinking out loud. Do updates that fix bugs in the firmware of a console effect the gameplay, or booting, of games creating the situation for the need of the game update? When going back to something like the SNES it is a closed system, never needing an update, neither the games. But then again is it the internet and security that instigates the need for an update?
None of my DS consoles can connect to the internet anymore. Not sure why. The original DS and the DS lite never connected to the internet, so no updates were ever needed. I don't remember of any games for the DS ever having an update either. I have been reading and watching YouTube addressing the problem of some 3DS games deteriorating and becoming unplayable.
I have been playing this game that motivated this post. If I get to a save point before the game crashes, I can restart the game and continue at that point. It is some what frustrating, but the game is fun to play. Puzzles & Dragons Mario edition, I hesitate to invest any money trying to purchase another one, even a brand new one. Now I am somewhat cautious about the 3DS format and its games. I do have another one that has quit working.
Any thoughts?
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@retro junkie - I have a few thoughts. How are the contacts on the system? Could it be a corrosion issue or something else with the physical cart? Maybe it's a physical damage of some sort.
Outside that, I'm not sure it would be an update issue. I guess it could be, but the only way to know is to try to update your 3DS and to see if it works.
What are you thinking of for 1st steps? If it's a cheap game, you might be able to buy a 2nd one in and see if there is an issue with that one as well. That would or should fail if it was an update scenario (though not 100% fallible).
BTW - My original DS did play online... I played Tetris online with it... and it was a lot of fun.
Quote from: BLUEVOODU on July 03, 2025, 02:31:29 PM@retro junkie -
BTW - My original DS did play online... I played Tetris online with it... and it was a lot of fun.
The "original DS" did not have any feature that would enable it to be connected to the internet. Neither did the DS Lite. The DSi was the first model that featured internet access. Now they did have the ability to connect with another DS in the same area for gameplay, or using the picochat.
I know for sure that it is not the console, per say, that is the problem. And that is because the same issue manifests itself on all four 3DS, one of them is a 2DS. And that is a big assumption on my part.
The pins on the game looks good, no corrosion. I have tried cleaning in case there is something that I cannot see. I do want to purchase another copy. I will try that route to see if I find the same issue. Knowing that some games as they are released can have fixes, like the first batch can have bugs, and the next batch would have a fix in the game. I have read that some 3DS games have an issue with some of the flash memory deteriorating which effects the game.
How long has it been since it's been played? Did the cart work for a while and now has stopped working while it's been in your possession?
Something that has been coming up lately on the internet is that there is now a "best practice" to boot all of your carts at least once every 5 years or so to keep them from corrupting. Just like computer SSDs, they need to be powered with electrical current in order to help prevent that. If they are not powered for years then they can corrupt.
Not sure if this might be your case, but the older the NAND that hasn't been played much, the more likely you would encounter this.
QuoteNone of my DS consoles can connect to the internet anymore. Not sure why.
Could be that your router is just too modern. I remember my PSP wouldn't connect unless I downgraded the password security to one of the older, less secure types. My current router doesn't support this anymore.
Quote from: retro junkie on July 03, 2025, 11:38:20 PMThe "original DS" did not have any feature that would enable it to be connected to the internet. Neither did the DS Lite. The DSi was the first model that featured internet access. Now they did have the ability to connect with another DS in the same area for gameplay, or using the picochat.
Yes - to connect the internet. HOWEVER, prepare to have your mind blown
@retro junkie Image 7-4-25 at 1.58 PM.jpg
Image 7-4-25 at 1.57 PM.jpg
This is my original Nintendo DS :great: I used to play Tetris DS online! You can see that I cannot connect right now... the servers are down. I never took the time to set up the WiFi to my new Wifi because of this.
Mind Blown?! Limitation... it was WEP Wifi. Also, these settings are accessible IN THE GAME. I could not find these settings outside the game, however, they are system wide settings once set.
Quote from: CreepinDeth on July 04, 2025, 01:23:56 AMould be that your router is just too modern. I remember my PSP wouldn't connect unless I downgraded the password security to one of the older, less secure types. My current router doesn't support this anymore.
@CreepinDeth --> That generally was the older WEP that you needed. What you can do... you can chain an older wep router to your more secure setup via LAN cable... and just feed your WEP devices that way. I wouldn't keep it on if you're in a populated area. However, that's how I used to do things. I believe it's still achievable these days.
@BLUEVOODU I do not have that feature on my old original DS. :o I find this interesting. Yours looks like a totally different firmware. Or is it modded? There is nothing in my menu that will enable me to set up for wifi.
(So you had to have a game that contained the software to connect to the net. Hardware was there but no way to access unless you had an "online play" game. That is why I never knew it had that capability. Not until they included the software in the DSi.)
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@CreepinDeth just purchased this game last week I do not know the history of the game.
@retro junkie - it's not in the standard settings. Your settings look just like mine. Once you have a WiFi enabled game, you are able to access these settings. The settings are directly IN Tetris DS. But once set, it appears to be system wide. There are a few other WiFi enabled games as well.
@BLUEVOODU so those particular DS models never received any firmware updates.....
@retro junkie - not that I'm aware of! I could be wrong, but I don't think so.
Quote from: BLUEVOODU on July 04, 2025, 02:13:17 PM@CreepinDeth --> That generally was the older WEP that you needed. What you can do... you can chain an older wep router to your more secure setup via LAN cable... and just feed your WEP devices that way. I wouldn't keep it on if you're in a populated area. However, that's how I used to do things. I believe it's still achievable these days.
That's a cool workaround but I would need the older WEP router, which I no longer have. It's okay though, no reason to connect those devices online anymore.
Quote from: retro junkie on July 04, 2025, 04:07:21 PM@CreepinDeth just purchased this game last week I do not know the history of the game.
It's possible the game sat around not being played by the original owner and then probably sat around some more until you bought it. Not sure if you can fix it. I would recommend returning it if the return policy is still in effect.
Quote from: CreepinDeth on July 04, 2025, 11:12:30 PMIt's possible the game sat around not being played by the original owner and then probably sat around some more until you bought it. Not sure if you can fix it. I would recommend returning it if the return policy is still in effect.
^ That's a good idea just in case! Might as well... and try it again with another cart. If there is something wrong, you can at least get your money back.
I returned the game for a refund. Hesitant but considering purchasing it again. Might look for the game new, not used.
The WEP issue is probably the reason my DS consoles will not make the connection. I have fiber optic internet with my service provider supplying the router. Modern tech.
lol
@retro junkie --> In this case, you won't want WEP. It's been hackie hacked.
As far as the refund... good idea! However, I'd say... don't be afraid to try again. Just ensure you get it from somewhere that will refund in case there is an issue.
@BLUEVOODU I am going to pull out all my 3DS games and start going through them just to see if I have any that exhibits any of the characteristics of the failing flash memory. I have two, maybe three, games that are still sealed, several years old. :))