A Nintendo fan got the shock of their life recently when they opened up a brand-new, sealed Nintendo 3DS case—only to find that it had completely disintegrated inside the box. Yep, what was once a cool Dragon Quest 8 themed case is now nothing more than a pile of dust and colorless crumbs.
The discovery was shared by a gamer named Randolph Co (via NintendoSoup), who had kept the case safely stored for years. The packaging looked totally normal on the outside, but inside? The protective case had practically vanished, with all of its vibrant colors completely gone.
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So What Happened to the Case?
While the original post didn’t include a technical breakdown, there’s a pretty solid explanation for the meltdown: the case was made from TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane)—a biodegradable material. TPU is great for the environment but not so great for long-term collectors, since it typically starts to break down after just 3 to 5 years.
This particular case was released around 2015, so it’s well past its expected shelf life. Even though it was sealed and kept in good condition, the material had already started to do what it was designed to do—decompose.
Biodegradable… But Not Collector-Friendly
While using eco-friendly materials is generally a win, it’s definitely a letdown when those materials take a rare piece of gaming merch with them. Odds are, the manufacturers never imagined someone would be keeping the case in pristine, sealed condition a whole decade later. Most cases get scratched up, tossed around, or swapped out—so longevity probably wasn’t a top concern.
That said, not all 3DS cases were made from TPU, so if you’ve got some in your collection, don’t panic just yet. Still, if you’ve been holding on to a few rare or special-edition accessories, now might be a good time to check on them—especially if they were produced around the mid-2010s.
A Reminder for Collectors Everywhere
This story is a reminder that even sealed items aren’t immune to time, especially when they’re made from materials meant to break down. Whether you’re collecting for nostalgia or investment, it’s worth looking into how your gaming gear is made—and how it holds up over time.
If you’ve got a shelf full of unopened accessories or cases from the 3DS era, it might be worth opening one up just to be safe. Who knows what kind of surprise is waiting inside?
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