Can a Nintendo DS play Gameboy games?

The Nintendo DS is capable of playing Game Boy Advance games, but it is not compatible with Game Boy Color or original Game Boy games due to the lack of a link cable port and a special processor required to play these games. To play Game Boy Advance games on the Nintendo DS, users need to insert the Game Boy Advance cartridge into the Slot-2 on the bottom of the DS and select the “Start GBA game” option on the touch screen.

Understanding Gameboy Games on Nintendo DS

Gameboy Compatibility

The Nintendo DS and DS Lite are the only models that feature a GBA cartridge slot, allowing them to play Game Boy Advance games, while other models such as the DSi and 3DS are not compatible with GBA cartridges.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do Gameboy games work in DS?: Game Boy Color Games will work on Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, and Game Boy Advance SP systems, but not on the DS, DS Lite, or DSi, while Game Boy Advance Games will work on Game Boy Micro, Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Advance SP, DS, and DS Lite systems.
2. How do I get my Gameboy games to work on my DS?: Insert the Game Boy Advance cartridge into the Slot-2 on the bottom of the DS and select the “Start GBA game” option on the touch screen.
3. Why can’t DS play Gameboy games?: The Nintendo DS and DS Lite systems lack the special processor required to play Game Boy Color and original Game Boy games.
4. Which Nintendo DS has a Gameboy slot?: The Nintendo DS and DS Lite have a GBA cartridge slot, which allows them to play Game Boy Advance games.
5. What kind of DS can play Gameboy games?: Only the original DS and DS Lite models feature a GBA cartridge slot and can play Game Boy Advance games.
6. Do Gameboy games work on switch?: Game Boy Advance games can be played on the Nintendo Switch, but a Nintendo Switch Online membership is required.
7. Why can’t the 3DS play Gameboy games?: The 3DS is not powerful enough to emulate GBA games and include additional Virtual Console features.
8. Are DS games locked?: Nintendo DS and DSi games are not region-locked, except for the iQue DS.
9. Can you play GameBoy games on DS Lite?: The DS Lite only supports Game Boy Advance games, not original Game Boy games.
10. How do I know what Nintendo DSi have?: The system’s menu version can be found in the System Settings icon on the HOME Menu.
11. Which Pokemon DS version is the best?: The top-rated Pokemon DS versions include Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver, Pokemon Black & White, and Pokemon Platinum.
12. Are DS games rare now?: DS titles have become rare and expensive due to the closure of the Wii U eShop and high demand.
13. Why are DS games so expensive?: DS games like Ocarina of Time and Kingdom Hearts 3D are expensive due to limited copies and high demand.
14. What replaces Nintendo DS?: The Nintendo 3DS succeeded the DS, offering a similar dual-screen setup with stereoscopic 3D capabilities.
15. Do they still make DS?: The Nintendo DS line was discontinued in 2014, following the release of the Nintendo 3DS in 2011, and Nintendo officially ended the production of DS consoles in 2020.