3DS - Marks on top screen

Does anyone else get two vertical marks on the top screen of their 3DS where the ridges from the bottom screen have marked it?

I've scrubbed mine and tride to get them off but it seems like they're permanant. I'm a little annoyed.

If you don't have them, did you put a screen protector or anything on your machine?

This is a common issue it seems. I am paranoid about it (just bought my 3DS) and wish there was a good permanent solution, but for now I am just treating it good, then when I am done, slipping the piece of foam back in between the screens that came with it (packaging), but you could use a cloth apparently.

Screen protectors are the best solution.

*EDIT* There are other options such as placing a cloth between the screen but screen protectors don't require you to keep track of a piece of cloth and remember to put it in place after playing.

I only seem to get it on the right hand side and a quick wipe with a LCD cloth gets it off each time. However, you've got me a little paranoid now by suggesting it could become permanent, because it is quite annoying.

I've scrubbed mine with the cleaning cloth to no avail. I should have mentioned that I carry mine around in my pocket quite a bit as I use it at lunch and whilst travelling.

Might try and find a screen protector as mentioned above. Normal retailers around me don't seem to sell them so I guess it's time for eBay :)

I've scrubbed mine with the cleaning cloth to no avail. I should have mentioned that I carry mine around in my pocket quite a bit as I use it at lunch and whilst travelling.

Might try and find a screen protector as mentioned above. Normal retailers around me don't seem to sell them so I guess it's time for eBay :)

Chickan_117

[QUOTE="Chickan_117"]

I've scrubbed mine with the cleaning cloth to no avail. I should have mentioned that I carry mine around in my pocket quite a bit as I use it at lunch and whilst travelling.

Might try and find a screen protector as mentioned above. Normal retailers around me don't seem to sell them so I guess it's time for eBay :)

hydralisk86

[QUOTE="hydralisk86"][QUOTE="Chickan_117"]

I've scrubbed mine with the cleaning cloth to no avail. I should have mentioned that I carry mine around in my pocket quite a bit as I use it at lunch and whilst travelling.

Might try and find a screen protector as mentioned above. Normal retailers around me don't seem to sell them so I guess it's time for eBay :)

TankZorz

[QUOTE="TankZorz"][QUOTE="hydralisk86"] If the marks are permanent, call nintendo, and they might fix it for you for free. Then, when you get it back, use screen protectors and keep a cloth between the top and bottom when not in use.hydralisk86

He means you dont need screen protectors AND a cloth.

If the marks are permanent, call nintendo, and they might fix it for you for free. Then, when you get it back, use screen protectors and keep a cloth between the top and bottom when not in use.hydralisk86

Seems a particularly bad design. Surprised the Ltd Editions and the new Pink / red ones didn't come with a modified design.

[QUOTE="hydralisk86"][QUOTE="TankZorz"] You don't need to do both. If you have screen protectors, that will be enough.NaveedLife

He means you dont need screen protectors AND a cloth.

[QUOTE="hydralisk86"]If the marks are permanent, call nintendo, and they might fix it for you for free. Then, when you get it back, use screen protectors and keep a cloth between the top and bottom when not in use.Chickan_117

Seems a particularly bad design. Surprised the Ltd Editions and the new Pink / red ones didn't come with a modified design.

Mine is the Zelda one, and I was very mad to see a slight line on my left side, luckily it wasnt a scratch yet, just grease or something. I wiped it off and now use the strip that came with it in the packaging.

Mine is the Zelda one, and I was very mad to see a slight line on my left side, luckily it wasnt a scratch yet, just grease or something. I wiped it off and now use the strip that came with it in the packaging.

NaveedLife

[QUOTE="NaveedLife"]

Mine is the Zelda one, and I was very mad to see a slight line on my left side, luckily it wasnt a scratch yet, just grease or something. I wiped it off and now use the strip that came with it in the packaging.

Chickan_117

[QUOTE="NaveedLife"]

Mine is the Zelda one, and I was very mad to see a slight line on my left side, luckily it wasnt a scratch yet, just grease or something. I wiped it off and now use the strip that came with it in the packaging.

Chickan_117

lol I think you are misunderstanding. its just a strip of foam that is between the screens. It is the same material that the DS is in (like a little flimsy case) in its packaging. Its nothign special, and is essentially the same as a cloth.

The other thing you COULD do, is add some rubber pads (360 rubber feet are common to use) to the top of your 3DS on the inside, so it doesnt close fully. That is one of the common solutions I have seen, but I am worried that would hurt the hinge or something.

I started getting these marks but im not panicing, just started keeping cloth between screen. Its not really noticeable when playing.

This is a common issue it seems. I am paranoid about it (just bought my 3DS) and wish there was a good permanent solution, but for now I am just treating it good, then when I am done, slipping the piece of foam back in between the screens that came with it (packaging), but you could use a cloth apparently.

NaveedLife

I just got the 3DS less than a week ago. I already have the marks on both sides. I knew about the problem when I purchased the unit, but didnt do anything preventive. I just feel when I spend $170 on something I shouldnt have to do anything special to it to protect it from normal use. I dont like screen protectors and I think putting a cloth between the screens is BS. We shouldnt have to do that to prevent the screens from scratching.

Hopefully when Nintendo fixes the issue I can send my 3DS in for another one. If not ill be pissed. Does anyone know if the screens can get scratched worse once the initial scratches are on the screen. Meaning, once the damage is done, there is no reason to try and protect them now is there?

My problem stemmed from the fact that I only recently started playing 3DS games on the thing (Ocarina of Time). This is my first DS so I'd been playing mostly DS titles and, as they don't use all of the top screen, I hadn't actually noticed the marks in time.

On a side note, for those interested, Nintendo's warranty doescover these marks providing they're actual scratches and not just smudges. Unfrotunately for me it looks like I didn't keep my receipt. I'm still going to head down there this arvo though and try to get them to look at it. It has a 12 month warranty and the system hasn't been available for 12 months yet so I'm hoping that'll allow me to bypass the red tape.

My problem stemmed from the fact that I only recently started playing 3DS games on the thing (Ocarina of Time). This is my first DS so I'd been playing mostly DS titles and, as they don't use all of the top screen, I hadn't actually noticed the marks in time.

On a side note, for those interested, Nintendo's warranty doescover these marks providing they're actual scratches and not just smudges. Unfrotunately for me it looks like I didn't keep my receipt. I'm still going to head down there this arvo though and try to get them to look at it. It has a 12 month warranty and the system hasn't been available for 12 months yet so I'm hoping that'll allow me to bypass the red tape.

Chickan_117

Nintendo's customer service is generally pretty good, I'm sure you'll be fine.

Nintendo's customer service is generally pretty good, I'm sure you'll be fine.

Haziqonfire

I put the rubber feet from a xbox360 on the top panel and have been to go.The 1st 3ds I got had this problem and I returned it gamestop for a new one then through the feet on the same day.3ds screen has been crystal clear ever since.I seriously cant take the 3ds with scratches...with the 3d on its super noticeable.

[QUOTE="Haziqonfire"]

Nintendo's customer service is generally pretty good, I'm sure you'll be fine.

Chickan_117

I put the rubber feet from a xbox360 on the top panel and have been to go.

xconbud

EDIT : Nevermind, I found this. Is this the sort of thing you did?

[QUOTE="xconbud"]

I put the rubber feet from a xbox360 on the top panel and have been to go.

Chickan_117

EDIT : Nevermind, I found this. Is this the sort of thing you did?

Yeah thats pretty cool and im sure it works great. But when you spend this kind of money on a system, why should you have to do something like this. Plus I dont like the fact that the 3DS wont completely close with the rubber things on it.

I agree, the system shouldn't have been designed like this and I'm surprised Nintendo haven't addressed it with a free rubber stopper pack or something. No doubt it's something they'll fix for the 3DSi XL Gamme Phasa

I need me that MacGyver game!

Along with this mark thing, I think there are a few design faults. I hope the next release fixes things up and I'll offload this one to my wife.

Just an update for everyone.

The marks on the top screen aren't covered under warranty however, as a gesture of good will, Nintendo are replacing the top screen once per unit for everyone who has this problem. Just dropped mine off to them then. They were really cool actually and even played Mario Kart with me whilst I waited for them to finish the paperwork :)

On a side note I'd lost my purchase receipt. Surprisingly K-Mart went back through their records, found a purchase that matched with the line item on my credit card statement and wrote a letter to Nintendo vouching that I had purchased the system from them (they rang Nintendo to see if that would suffice). If Nintendo wasn't going to accept it they were prepared to refund me the full amount. That's about $90 more than the system is now in their own store! Amazingly impressed with everything.

When I get my 3Ds back it's getting a screen protector, foam insert AND rubber stoppers. That'll tide me over until the 3DSiXL2 comes out.

Just an update for everyone.

The marks on the top screen aren't covered under warranty however, as a gesture of good will, Nintendo are replacing the top screen once per unit for everyone who has this problem. Just dropped mine off to them then. They were really cool actually and even played Mario Kart with me whilst I waited for them to finish the paperwork :)

On a side note I'd lost my purchase receipt. Surprisingly K-Mart went back through their records, found a purchase that matched with the line item on my credit card statement and wrote a letter to Nintendo vouching that I had purchased the system from them (they rang Nintendo to see if that would suffice). If Nintendo wasn't going to accept it they were prepared to refund me the full amount. That's about $90 more than the system is now in their own store! Amazingly impressed with everything.

When I get my 3Ds back it's getting a screen protector, foam insert AND rubber stoppers. That'll tide me over until the 3DSiXL2 comes out.

Chickan_117

I am confused. K-mart is sending it to Nintendo for you?

Nope. They offered to but I work a block over from Nintendo. MJC who posted above somewhere had a story where he returned his 3DS via the retailer and it took ages to get it back. I didn't want to take that risk.

Nintendo reckon I'll have it back tomorrow or the day after.

Yeah I had scratches on mine too. I send it in to Nintendo, they replaced the whole system for me (my L&R buttons were a bit funny too though). With my device, I always carry a cloth and foam in between the screens. The thing is, I did it with my first 3DS (and had rubber bumpers too), but unfortunately it was too late for it. At the moment, it seems to be working for my new system. A few days ago though,I carried it around for a day without a cloth for the first time, and unfortunately I can see that it was beginning to make marks on the top screen.

So yeah, carrying a cloth around is a bit annoying, so I'm gonna get some rubber bumpersto put in between the screens. I think this is a silly and too common a problem to have on a Nintendo product, and could've been solved quite easily during the manufacturing process in multiple different ways. Hope they don't make another blunder like this in the future.

It's a shaem they haven't been a bit more proactive in addressing the issue. IMO all new systems should come out with preventative rubber stoppers or similar already affixed and we should eb able to request some from Nintendo if we had the system prior to that. What really surprised me was that they didn't redo the design for the new colors, LoZ and Mario collector's versions.

Still, not I know... and knowing is half the battle so it looks like I'll be good from herein.