Was There Ever a Purple Nintendo 3DS? (Japan & Beyond)

If you're hunting for a factory-released purple Nintendo 3DS, you'll come up empty—no standard purple 3DS, 3DS XL, or 2DS was ever sold in Japan or any other region. However, there is a purple-adjacent option that often gets confused: the Purple & Black 3DS XL, which launched in Japan, Europe, and Australia in 2014.

The Purple & Black 3DS XL (2014)

This two-tone model features a deep purple upper shell with a matte black lower half and buttons. It was released as a standard retail SKU (not a limited edition) in the regions above, but notably not in North America. If you're in the US or Canada, this model was never officially sold—you'd need to import.

Other Purple-ish Releases

• Purple Nintendo DSi: Released in Japan (2009) and other regions.
• Purple 2DS: Never officially produced.
• Purple New 3DS / New 3DS XL: No purple variants exist for the "New" models.

Want a Purple 3DS Today?

Your best bets are third-party solutions:

• Replacement Shells: Sites like eBay, AliExpress, and specialized retro modding shops sell full housing kits in purple (matte, glossy, metallic, translucent). Installation requires a tri-wing screwdriver and patience.
• Vinyl Skins/Wraps: Non-permanent, easy to apply, and available in countless shades of purple.
• Custom Paint Jobs: Commission a modder for a one-of-a-kind finish.

Just remember: any shell swap voids your warranty (long expired anyway) and risks damaging ribbon cables if you're not careful. But for a truly purple 3DS, it's the only way.