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Sometimes consoles undergo version changes throughout their production runs, and it could be anything from older consoles using better hardware (or opposite, newer being better), or sometimes certain revisions of consoles may be able to be modded to run custom firmware or software, etc.
It's probably not fishy, just people hunting for a specific revision of the console itself.
Ah. I see. Then I'm relieved! :D
An example: If Im ever going to sell my Nintendo Switch (1), I'm absolutely going to include the model number. The reason: It's a launch day Switch. While this means that it is the oldest model and also the battery might have more wear than a newer model, it also suffers from an unpatchable hardware bug that allows you to hack the system (and run homebrew, pirated games, modded games,...).
Creepy. π€£ It's precisely what I'm selling and what I'm being asked about: a launch day Switch (European, if that matters). I of course gave them the number.
How much are these going for these days? I also have one of the first unpatchable switches.
With many vendors, you can look up serials to validate that it is a genuine item, as well as warranty status, manuals, etc.
Itβs buyer protection and due diligence.
Sweet! Thanks!
If they're looking to mod it to accept pirated games, when it was produced during that console's run would tell them if it has certain firmware versions that are easy to exploit. Otherwise, I have no idea.
Serial numbers are also used by pawn shops for the prevention of buying stolen goods. Only works if you report an item stolen and know its serial number, of course, and this is usually done with bicycles since they're expensive and the most commonly stolen item there is.
Ah, got it! Thanks! :)
For the nintendo switch for example, it makes it hackable or not.
For other consoles where it matters less, it can be to get information about hardware inside and such, as consoles can sometimes change internal components without changing the name of the console, and the serial number would be a way to determine it I guess.
Edit: what the other comment said better, basically
I had no idea. π I wonder how hard/fun it is to mod consoles, as opposed to fiddle with single board computers.
I've modded a few.
For the Nintendo DS, you just plug in a cartridge that looks like a DS game, but it has an SD card slot on the back. The DS boots the cartridge, which has custom firmware, including a list of games you might have on the card.
For the 3DS, you had to put an SD card in it, and the 3DS would store certain system files on it. You could take one off and modify it... it's been a few years since I did mine. Most of the work is on the computer. You then boot into the system and flash the custom firmware.
For the PlayStation 1, you installed a spring that made it always think it was closed, you plugged a dodgy generic GameShark into the back, and ran any game (including a demo disc) to bypass the copy protection, then you swapped in a burned game.
The Switch needs a hardware chip soldered onto the board. I haven't attempted it. I've heard it used to be easier but it's since been fixed. I have one of the newest Switch 1 models (it's the OLED variant) so mine can't even be modded AFAIK.
Modding most modern consoles runs a risk of "bricking" the console, which means it's damaged internally beyond repair and you might as well throw it out. So there is a risk sometimes.
The oled model can be modded: guide.nx-modchip.info
It's not easy though
Sweet! About ten years ago, I did want to mod my 3DS with an HDMI connector. Perhaps that being possible was just an urban legend? It would've been so cool to play Smash Bros 3DS on a big screen, back then.
Were there any performance benefits that came with modding Nintendo consoles or was it "just" region unlocking?
By modding I don't mean hardware mods, I mean the ability to back up your games to the SD card so you don't have to switch game carts. Also homebrew. The H-shop (Homebrew Shop) has a bunch of game mods. For example I'm playing Animal Crossing New Leaf, but it's not Welcome Amiibo, it's Welcome Luxury. Changes how some things look, and boosts what things sell for. I'm on day 2 and I've already got 100k in the bank and like 27k on my villager. I think they made fishing easier, too.
None of those games are sold new anymore, you're either buying them from a collector/scalper or you're downloading them. Nintendo isn't making any money off these games anymore. I don't endorse straight up stealing, but for what Nintendo charges and for how rare they run sales... and for how expensive they made the hardware these days... I think they're doing just fine.
If you want performance gains on 3DS, use Citra or the like (an emulator) on your computer. Then, you can do a little more.
At least one company made a hardware mod to allow the 3DS to stream video over WIFI, but as far as I'm aware they're no longer made. The New 3DS can do it without additional hardware, but the console must be soft-modded. That's trivially easy on both models of the 3DS though.
For the Switch I used a little plastic thing I slide into the controller part on the side, copied some files and that was it. No physical changes needed but if I power the device off fully I have to remod it again.
That's a V1, and has a low serial number.
There are "patched" V1s that the plastic things don't work on, V2, OLED, and Lite. All of these need a chip to mod. You could hard mod yours too, if you wanted.
V1 and V2 are super easy to hard mod. The lite has a few more points to do than V1/V2, and the OLED is quit difficult but still possible.
I've hard modded quite a few V1/V2 and a handfull of the Lites.
After reading all of those replies with which I agree then all I have to add is congrats on the sale.
<3 there is still good in this world
Since your main question was answered, but not your other question, it's generally "auctioning away"
EDIT: The best way to get a right answer on the internet is not to post a question, but to post the wrong answer!
This wasn't intentional, lol
American English speaker here. While I would understand what "to auction away" means, I'm not aware of anyone here in California that would say it like that. Usually, I would say "to auction off", which follows in a long series of other "X off" verbs, like "to bake off" or "to shake off", all of which usually involve some sort of adversary or competition.
Note that we do use the verb "to give away" but that would mean a gift without compensation, which is definitely not an auction.
Agreed as a non-Californian American. Also just "auctioning".
I would find that an odd phrasing.
I've always heard "auctioning off" or "putting up for auction" or just auctioning.
Oh wow!
Yeah, putting up for auction is more general and common. I guess I don't "auction off" enough things to know what most people say.
I've heard "auction away" enough -- maybe that's what the nom-professionals say? Lol
I think it definitely makes sense and I'm not sure I'd notice if I read it. I might assume it is a localized English thing ("how are you going" in Australis, or "standing on line" in New York)
"I'm auctioning off my gmaing collection" (many items)
OR
"I'm auctioning my gaming console" (single item)
Oh, interesting! I haven't heard "auctioning" on its own.
This made me smile. Thanks! π