Sounds like contact issues. If it works on latest firmware on a 3DS it should work on a 2DS as well (assuming the 3DS has also no CFW). No flashcart offers the additional processor the DSTwo has for emulating.
It is worth noting that backing up save data of paid eShop games right on the 2|3DS in decrypted form requires homebrew access or even better full CFW. Backing up saves for the case of theft, loss or damage beyond repair was one of the main reasons why I installed CFW in the first place.
However, (thanks to Seedminer) obtaining movable.sed (KeyY) on time by using bruteforcemovable.com is enough to decrypt (SD) save data on a computer with ninfs even if the source console is destroyed. Restoring the data to another console requires homebrew/CFW if the game(s) in question use the Anti-Save-restore "feature".
Hope this helps.
Have fun!
How would I got about fixing contact issues, short of hardmodding the console? I COULD just use an old DS Lite, but, well... I don't see very well, and the Lite's screen is actually too small for me to see these days.
The other information is noted. I am a little more interested in CFW now that you mention its capabilities for making backups, which is actually a constant source of anxiety for me, given how locked-down the console is. I had to transfer my system data from my old system to the new one, which also involved the utter pain of removing the back of the console just to retrieve my microSD card since the console itself wouldn't transfer the data to the new one.
Obviously, and thankfully, they don't make 3DS XLs that require such extreme measures just to replace the microSD, and having it in a reasonably accessible place on my new 2DS should make potentially homebrewing in future easier.
I know nothing I say here will change the way you feel at your core but I want to address this the op had irrational fears. admittedly there was once a brick chance when installing custom firmware on your 3DS but that chance has been greatly reduced over time, to the point where it's nearly impossible. its to the point where it's almost like saying that you refuse to walk because you're afraid of tripping its just silly ... also the op mentioned things like not wanting to have to play Tech Support to his 3DS for Life. updates are simple as replacing a single file on the root of your SD card before you update the firmware
I acknowledge what you're saying, but part of my reason is that the warranty on my console is still good and I'd like to not void it until it runs out. I'm not against doing it in the future though, when Nintendo officially stops supporting the console and I don't need to worry about remembering not to brick my system just by accidentally updating. That sounds like the kind of potato thing I would do, believe it or not.
I take it that a DSTwo is as good as I'm going to get for DS games then? My primary interest in flashcarts (besides the obvious I need not state) is that they allow me to have an easy, convenient means of transporting multiple games around without carrying several physical carts. As I mentioned, I don't see very well, and another constant source of fear is losing something as tiny as a cartridge. (I invite you to now imagine how much I hate the Switch's carts. XD) While playing eShop games would be nice, I don't really mind buying those...although being able to back them up, considering Nintendo's known propensity to axe a console's online without users having much recourse to redownload their purchases, besides hacking the system to make their own backups, is definitely not a point in favor of legitimate customers...
If you don't mind me asking (and are still reading my absurdly long post), how often does the most active and most robust CFW for 2/3DS systems update, is it current with the most recent OFW update, is it possible to revert the system to OFW via backups if the system were even to brick (similar to what I used to do with the Wii), and would making backups without using CFW as mentioned above also allow me to transfer data between microSD cards and have those cards be compatible with a new OFW system or would I specifically need CFW for that? (Mostly asking about the last one in the event I'd like to upgrade the size of the microSD, which is currently grazing its storage limit...)
Thank you both for your replies. I appreciated them a lot.