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Can You Play DS Pokémon Games on a 3DS? A Comprehensive Guide for Trainers

The short answer is a resounding YES! The Nintendo 3DS is backward compatible with most Nintendo DS games, which means you can dive back into those classic Pokémon adventures on your 3DS device.

Delving into the World of Pokémon on 3DS

The 3DS was a fantastic handheld console that offered a rich library of both native titles and older DS games, providing players with a diverse gaming experience. For Pokémon fans, this meant access to both the new generations of games specifically designed for the 3DS and the ability to revisit beloved classics from the DS era. Let’s explore the specifics.

Compatibility and Limitations

While the 3DS is generally compatible with DS games, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Almost Full Compatibility: The vast majority of DS games, including Pokémon titles, will work perfectly fine on a 3DS. Simply insert the DS cartridge into the 3DS slot, and you’re good to go.
2D Experience: While you can play DS games on a 3DS, they will be displayed in 2D. The 3D functionality of the 3DS is reserved for games specifically designed for the console.
No Upscaling or Enhancement: The 3DS doesn’t upscale or improve the framerate of DS games. You’ll experience the games exactly as they were on the original DS. This means that you’ll still experience the games in their native resolution.
AGB Slot Games: Some DS games required the use of the AGB slot (Game Boy Advance slot) and these are not compatible with the 3DS.
Region Locking Considerations: DS games are generally region-free, allowing you to play games from different regions on your 3DS. However, there are a few exceptions. DSi-enhanced games, like the Gen 5 Pokémon games (Black, White, Black 2, and White 2), can sometimes be region-locked, but the western versions of these games are often region-free.
DSi-Exclusive Games: While the 3DS can play most DS games, it cannot play games that were exclusively designed for the Nintendo DSi.

Pokémon Games on the 3DS: A Generational Overview

The 3DS offered a varied Pokémon experience, from revisiting past regions to exploring new ones.

DS Era (playable on 3DS): The 3DS can play Generation 4 Pokémon games (Diamond, Pearl, Platinum), and Generation 5 Pokémon games (Black, White, Black 2, White 2). These games are fully playable on the 3DS as they were on the original DS.
3DS Era (native 3DS titles): The 3DS also features Generation 6 Pokémon games (X, Y) and Generation 7 Pokémon games (Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon). These games were designed specifically for the 3DS hardware, taking full advantage of the 3D capabilities and other features. There are also 3DS downloadable titles such as Pokedex 3D, Pokedex 3D Pro, Pokemon Dream Radar.
Game Boy/Game Boy Advance Games: Unfortunately, the 3DS cannot directly play Game Boy, Game Boy Color, or Game Boy Advance Pokémon games (Generations 1-3) without the use of emulators or other unofficial methods. However, remakes of Gen 1 (FireRed, LeafGreen) and Gen 3 (Omega Ruby, Alpha Sapphire) are available to play on the 3DS. The Gen 2 games (Gold, Silver, and Crystal) were available through the eShop before it closed.

The End of the eShop Era

The Nintendo eShop for the 3DS and Wii U officially closed on March 27, 2023. This means that you can no longer purchase digital games, including some classic Pokémon titles, directly from Nintendo. While you can still redownload previously purchased games for a limited time, the closure represents a significant shift in how we access and play older titles.

However, Pokémon Gold Version, Silver Version, and Crystal Version were available on the Virtual Console for Nintendo 3DS before the eShop closed. These games featured wireless communication for trading and battling.

Emulation and Homebrew

While not officially supported, the 3DS has a vibrant homebrew community that has developed emulators for playing older Pokémon games. This allows users to play titles from the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance eras on their 3DS. However, it’s important to note that using emulators and homebrew software can void your console’s warranty and may carry other risks.

The Games Learning Society has worked extensively on understanding the impact of gaming on learning and development. They have many useful resources on GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about playing DS Pokémon games on a 3DS:

Can I play Pokémon Diamond and Pearl on 3DS? Yes, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl are DS games and are fully compatible with the 3DS. Just insert the cartridge and play!
Does Pokémon Platinum work on 3DS? Absolutely! Pokémon Platinum is another DS-era title that functions flawlessly on the 3DS.
Can I play Pokémon Black and White on my 3DS? Yes, you can play Pokémon Black and White (and their sequels, Black 2 and White 2) on your 3DS. These are DS games and compatible.
Are Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver playable on a 3DS? Yes, Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver work perfectly on the 3DS, just as they did on the original DS.
Why can’t I play older Game Boy Advance Pokémon games like Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald on my 3DS? The 3DS doesn’t have native support for Game Boy Advance cartridges. You’ll need to use unofficial methods like emulation. However, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, which are remakes of Ruby and Sapphire, are available on the eShop.
Is the 3DS region-locked for DS Pokémon games? Generally, no. Most DS games, including Pokémon titles, are region-free. However, there are exceptions. DSi-enhanced games, such as the Gen 5 Pokémon games, can sometimes be region-locked, though western versions are often region-free.
Can I transfer Pokémon from my DS games to the newer 3DS Pokémon games? Yes, but it’s a multi-step process. You’ll need to use the Transfer Lab in Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, or White 2 to move Pokémon from your Gen 4 games (Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, SoulSilver) to those Gen 5 games. Then, you’ll need Pokémon Bank (a paid service) to transfer them to the Gen 6 and Gen 7 games on the 3DS. Note: As the 3DS eShop has closed, the Pokemon Bank can no longer be purchased.
Will DS games look better on the 3DS? No, the 3DS doesn’t upscale or enhance DS games. They’ll look exactly as they did on the original DS, though the screen might be sharper.
Can I use the Circle Pad on my 3DS to play DS Pokémon games? Yes, for most games, you can use the Circle Pad as an alternative to the D-pad.
Are there any DS Pokémon games that won’t work on my 3DS? Almost all DS games work on the 3DS, but any DS games that required the use of the GBA slot will not work.
What are the best Pokémon games to play on 3DS? That’s a matter of personal preference! However, popular choices include Pokémon X & Y, Pokémon Sun & Moon, Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire, and the classic DS titles like Pokémon Platinum and HeartGold/SoulSilver.
Can I still buy Pokémon Red and Blue on my 3DS? No, since the eShop closure, you can no longer purchase these games digitally on the 3DS.
Can I play Pokémon Crystal on 3DS? Yes, Pokémon Crystal was available on the Virtual Console for 3DS before the eShop closure. If you purchased it before the closure, you can still download and play it.
What was the last Pokémon game released for the 3DS? Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, released in 2017, were the last main series Pokémon games for the 3DS.
Is it worth buying a 3DS just to play old Pokémon games? While the eShop is closed, making it harder to acquire certain digital titles, a used 3DS can still be a great option for playing a wide range of DS and 3DS Pokémon games. If you’re a dedicated fan looking to revisit these classics, it could be worthwhile.

Can you play DS Pokemon games on a 3DS?