Are you looking to upgrade from an OLD 3DS to a New2DS LL being sold online for way cheaper than US/EU versions, but you do not want to lose the ability to use online services like Pokémon Bank?

Here are your 4 options:

Option 1: Keep Your New 3DS In Its Original Region

AKA: “Just Learn Japanese, Bro lol”

1. Buy Japaneses/foreign region device

2. mod it

3. Use Luma Locale Switcher for US games that don’t like being played on a Japanese device.

4. Reinstall all your stuff manually.

Pros:

• Low likelihood of screwing up

• Streetpass & download play will work.

• Can still use online services, including Pokemon Bank. source

• People think you’re cool and can read Japanese.

Cons:

• May not be in your native language.

• Local play may not work depending on the game. See cross-region multiplayer list.

• Must set everything up from scratch. Can’t do a system transfer.

• Would have to use a new NNID for the original region of the device. Can’t use your NA/EU one. Not a big issue but something to keep in mind.

Option 2: Region Change & Disable eShop-Related Online Services

AKA: ‘Bye Bye Butterfree x a million’, AKA: ‘Blow Up the Bank’

1. Buy Japaneses device (or whatever device not in your region that’s cheapest)

2. mod it

3. do a Region Change

4. Reinstall all your stuff manually.

I also found these other guides but I’m not sure what circumstances they’d be relevant.

Pros

• Everything’s in your native language

• Easy enough for you to do on your own

• Local play, online multiplayer, friends menu, Streetpass & download play will all work.

Cons

• Must set everything up from scratch. Can’t do a system transfer. No NNID.

• Cannot use any eShop-related online services, including Pokémon Bank, system transfers, & system formats

Option 3: SOAP Transfer

“SOAP” stands for “Simple Object Access Protocol,” a communication method used for accessing services over HTTP. It makes it so you can still access online services even after doing a region change. This explains how to do it but it’s best to leave it to the professionals. The procedure is:

1. Buy Japaneses device

2. mod it

3. do a Region Change

4. Join the Homebrew Discord Server here

5. Go to #3ds-assistance-1, and explain that your eShop isn't working after a region change and that you need someone to help you with a SOAP transfer to fix it.

6. Wait a bit, and those with donor consoles will help you out. The staff will create a private channel for you and the helper where you will upload your otp.bin to complete the SOAP process. Nintendo will put a one week cooldown on system transfers.

7. After the wait, format your system

8. Wipe your NEW 3DS’s SD Card

9. Restore Homebrew apps

10. Do a system transfer, then put old SD card in new system & use faketik to get your games back. full instructions

If everything goes right, you should now be on your regions NNID, with all your games, AND still have access to online services like Pokémon Bank.

I also found these other guides but I’m not sure what circumstances they’d be relevant.

Pros

• You get everything you’ve ever wanted and saved like $50-$100.

• Local play, Streetpass & download play will work.

Cons

• Apparently SOAP Transfers don’t always work? I’ve asked the Discord and they made it seem like it wouldn’t be a problem, but I read elsewhere that they can fail?

• You’re putting your trust and sending files to people you don’t know on the internet who may or may not be able to help you.

• Takes more time than other methods. Up to a week?

Option 4: Buy A 3ds From Your Region

AKA: the easier yet possibly more expensive option

1. Buy a device in your region

2. mod it

3. Do a system transfer, put old SD card in new 3ds & use faketik to get games back. full instructions

Pros

• The easiest option, if money isn’t the issue.

Cons

• Prices are crazy right now so you’ll be paying 50-$100 more, possibly more than that if you get a special edition version

Let me know if there’s anything I’m missing here, any steps I don’t have listed, any pros or cons not mentioned. I’d love to hear from others about their experiences following either of these methods, or if you went down a different route.

Note: this is a copy of a nearly identical guide posted on a subreddit about 🏴‍☠️. In order to repost it to other subs that do not allow links to 🏴‍☠️ subs, even if the post isn’t actually about 🏴‍☠️. I have removed references to that 🏴‍☠️ subreddit. If you want to go look for it to see the more useful guide, by all means do so by going to my profile.

Thanks!

^edit: ^method ^clarification ^via ^the ^Nintendo ^Homebrew ^Discord. ^last ^updated: ^2023-08-14. ^v2.0