Just be more gentle with your 3DS’s. The people who broke their circle pads were just too hard on it. Some people really just do a little too much for Smash. I’ve heard horror stories of broken Gamecube controllers from playing Smash Bros. too much.

I don’t know about you, but like I said I have a Gamecube controller that I’ve used for Smash since Melee was new. And it still works fine. It absolutely puzzles me just what some players do to their controllers while playing Smash Bros.

Now just imagine those kind of players getting the 3DS Smash Bros. in their hands. Good gracious!

In short, even if you’re in an intense match against other players and/or hard CPU. Try not to put too much pressure on your 3DS. The players that broke their circle pads just abused their 3DS too much while playing and/or they wore out the circle pad from playing other games and Smash Bros. was just the last straw.

A circle pad is easily replaceable though. You can find some backup ones online. (The only bad thing would be not being able to play Smash until you got it, playing with the stick on the 3DS without the circle pad can be harmful for your fingers because the edge of the stick without the circle pad is sharp)