My A and X buttons are having a bit of trouble. I have to press them relatively hard to make them work. During a normal gaming session when I don't think, I sometimes miss pressing one of the buttons at the right time.

Currently, I have three options:
- Disassemble the entire bottom half of the system and clean the buttons and contacts
- Perform a system transfer to my 2DS
- Ask you guys if there are any alternatives

I'm obviously doing the third option now, before doing the drastic first option or usage-deducting (what's the limit? 5?) second option. It's an Ambassador system with a few eShop games and DLC purchases, so breaking it would be infuriating.

My A button was like that for most of the main story in Pokémon Y, but then it just fixed itself. It was probably stickiness or dust. I assume you're looking for an alternative that isn't sending it to Nintendo. If you're a risk taker then do the first option.
Nintendo also suggests a toothbrush quickfix, that might tell you something.

You know darn well the first option is the best (and you know, you have a friend who has done this before without problem.

Why is it everytime I suggest something to you you still don't trust it?

I have this problem for my ps3 controllers sometimes. I normally take a small paper-size thing and clean the buttons that way (Like a store label you see at walmart or a grocery store). So it might work for a DS system.

Going to bump this up. Any other ideas before I perform a system transfer?

Yes, but I'm not going to use it near as frequently.