So... when I first read this article, I thought it would never happen to me:
http://kotaku.com/super-smash-bros-is-wrecking-some-peoples-3ds-handheld-1634549128
Well wouldn't you know it - I bought the game at the eShop shortly after midnight, played it for about an hour, and my circle pad broke off just like in those pictures.
I called Nintendo but was told they consider that damage and that it's not covered by the warranty. They want $130 for repairs... I could buy an entire 'nother 3DS XL for that price! That is just absurd!
I've bought almost every mainstream 3DS game released, with well over 30 games on my SD card... and Nintendo thanks me by charging me an arm and a leg to repair something that isn't even my fault? If it only happened to one person I'd understand, but lots of people in Japan have already had their circle pads break off due to poor hardware design, and it appears I'm now one of them.
Can anything be done? If Nintendo would offer to repair the circle pad under warranty, that would help...