3DS Black Screen of Death

[kupomogli]

RRoD, YLoD, and now the BSoD.


Quicker than an Xbox 360 (don't hit me!), the 3DS has only been on U.S. store shelves for a few hours, and it is already having system errors. This is coming from numerous reports from all over the internet: Go Nintendo, DigitalSpy, AVForums, and nintendo 3ds blog. Check out what happens to some users mid-game, seemingly without reason:

According to VG24/7, the errors are in connection with multiple titles: Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition, Pilotwings Resort, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars, LEGO Stars Wars III: The Clone Wars, Super Monkey Ball 3D, and even some of the Mii applications. It seems to be affecting only the individual titles rather than the actual hardware. However, merely pressing the power button only seems to fix the crash some of the time.

Other gamers have resorted to reformatting their SD cards to FAT-32 format to fix the "recurring" crashes, while still others have had to go so far as returning the system to the retailer. This crash has already garnered the nickname "The Black Screen of Death," but we'll see if it becomes a long-term problem or if it's merely some launch day jitters.

http://gamrfeed.vgchartz.com/galleries/2010-06-03/nicks-pics/nicks-pics_1301276679.jpg

http://gamrfeed.vgchartz.com/story/85182/3ds-black-screen-of-death-reports-already-appearing/

[Swamperon]

I've seen reports of this, not sure whether it's something to get overly concerned about yet.

I do remember registering a mental 'uh-oh' reading about the 3DS LED colours/setting a while ago, with one of them indicating a hardware failure like RRoD.

For me that shouldn't even be an option on a handheld, much less a Nintendo handheld. I like them as durable as a brick.

[WanganRunner]

Wow, that sucks. Haven't experienced that yet, thankfully.

Does it actually brick the thing, or just repeatedly happen and need to be reset?

[heybtbm]

Considering that 100% of 3DS's are still under warranty, I wouldn't be too concerned.

Still, Sony and Microsoft both had hardware issues at the height of their arrogance...what does that say about Nintendo?

[Wolfrider31]

Considering that 100% of 3DS's are still under warranty, I wouldn't be too concerned.

Still, Sony and Microsoft both had hardware issues at the height of their arrogance...what does that say about Nintendo?

All consoles have hardware issues, and I don't think Sony's failure rates were anywhere near Microsoft's RROD.

As for my 3DS, I haven't seen this happen. Then again, I immediately updated my system software, so that might have something to do with it.

[The Shawn]

Nintendo has ruined my life.

[WanganRunner]

Then again, I immediately updated my system software, so that might have something to do with it.

^^
Did you see that impossibly lame music video that comes with the update?

I thought the 3D effect was less convincing than in the games.

[c0ldb33r]

I had pilotwings crash on me once. No black screen or anything, it just froze. I powered off and on and it was fine.

Since that update I haven't noticed any problems.

[exit]

I'm only here to point out the spelling error of center, wonder if they'll fix that in an update!

[Jorpho]

I'm only here to point out the spelling error of center, wonder if they'll fix that in an update!Technically that is the Canadian spelling. So it's not incorrect; you're just living in the wrong place. :D

[Streetball 21]

^^
Did you see that impossibly lame music video that comes with the update?

I thought the 3D effect was less convincing than in the games.

I'm glad I wasnt the only one who thought the same. Either way, I'm sure Nintendo won't give us the run around like Microsoft's customer service center gave me. Hope my 3DS stays strong.

[Oobgarm]

I'm only here to point out the spelling error of center, wonder if they'll fix that in an update!

+1000 meseta

[Smashed Brother]

Nintendo has ruined my life.

Lol...I think I'm the only one here who got that in-joke :D

[APE992]

Technically that is the Canadian spelling. So it's not incorrect; you're just living in the wrong place. :D

There was a letter some kid wrote Nintendo Power back in the GBC days asking why they spelled it "Gameboy Color" and not "Gameboy Colour". Nintendo told him it was because they were marketing it under that name and it wasn't going to be region specific. Plus to be fair they'd have to put it in French all over the place for Canada too.

How's that poutine eh? :)

[megasdkirby]

Lol...I think I'm the only one here who got that in-joke :D

I think I did too...does the "clue" start with a "K"? :p

[kupomogli]

People copying me.

[megasdkirby]

People copying me.

:p

Don't let it get to you, though. I'm pretty sure it was just for fun. :)

Anyway, from what I can gather, the fix is a firmware upgrade. Is there a way to upgrade via an SD card? That way, if a customer returns a unit because of this issue, I can do the upgrade in the store to prevent an unnecessary return.