So I've never been one to seek out import games, but I just found out there is a Japan exclusive Theatrhythm Dragon Quest game and, being a huge Koichi Sugiyama fan, I must have it and play it. What is the best option to play import games now? Is the Cubic Ninja exploit still a thing (used to have a CIB copy before the hack, sold it for $6 )? Or should I just import a Japanese system? Or is there a hardware mod available? One more question: After release, there where 3 packs of dlc released. How would I gain access to those? 

i thought the 3ds was region free?

Nope- DS is region free. 3DS is region locked.

I bought Cubic Ninja CIB before the hack and price jump...thank goodness...but idk how to use it for the hack...might look into that.

You can use the program included in the Starter pack to run Out of Region games. Have fun bro.

http://smealum.github.io/3ds/...