Handheld buying guide
Buying Nintendo DS & 3DS games in 2026
The DS and 3DS libraries run from Pokémon to Zelda and are still the heart of every retro collection — but six different models, one region lock and a closed eShop make “just buy a DS game” less simple than it sounds. This is everything to know before you buy, from a shop that tests every console and cartridge by hand.
The short answer
Every 3DS or 2DS plays both DS and 3DS games; a DS-family console plays DS games only. DS games are region-free — any region works on any console — but 3DS games are region-locked, so a European console needs European (EUR/PAL) 3DS games. Only the original DS and the DS Lite also take Game Boy Advance cartridges. And since the eShop closed in 2023, cartridges are the only way to buy these games at all.
Which model plays which games?
| Model | DS games | 3DS games | GBA slot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo DS / DS Lite | Yes | No | Yes — the only models with the GBA slot |
| Nintendo DSi | Yes | No | No |
| 3DS / New 3DS (XL) | Yes | Yes | No |
| 2DS / New 2DS XL | Yes | Yes (in 2D) | No |
- Nintendo DS / DS Lite: The budget choice for DS and Game Boy Advance libraries.
- Nintendo DSi: Adds cameras and DSiWare, drops the GBA slot. For DS-only play.
- 3DS / New 3DS (XL): The full library: every DS and every 3DS game. New 3DS is noticeably faster.
- 2DS / New 2DS XL: Same library as the 3DS without the 3D effect. The flat 2DS is the sturdiest for kids.
Region locks: the one thing that catches people out
Nintendo DS games have no region lock. A US or Japanese DS cartridge starts fine on a European DS, DS Lite or DSi — and on any 3DS. The only exceptions are DSi-enhanced titles and DSiWare downloads, which are region-locked. The vast majority of DS cartridges, including most Pokémon games, are not.
3DS games are the opposite. The 3DS, 2DS and New 2DS/3DS XL are region-locked: an American 3DS game will not run on a European console and vice versa. Buying a 3DS game as an import? Make sure it is the European (EUR/PAL) version if your console is European. We state the region of every 3DS game in the listing, so there are no surprises.
Note the asymmetry: a DS game inside a 3DS always works, whatever its region — it is the 3DS game that is bound to the console's region. One more thing region-free does not mean: language. A Japanese import stays Japanese, so check the language of an import before you buy.
The eShop is closed — and what that means
Nintendo closed the 3DS eShop in 2023. There is no legal download route anymore: cartridges are the only way to buy DS and 3DS games. That has two practical consequences. Prices of the popular titles have a floor under them that is not going away — and the second-hand market is where everyone now shops, which makes knowing what to check more important than it has ever been.
Buying a second-hand console: the five checks
Every console that reaches our shelves goes through the same hands-on test — boot, screens, hinge, charging and buttons. Check the same five things yourself when buying anywhere:
1. Screens
Dead pixels, scratches on the top screen, stylus wear on the touchscreen.
2. Hinge
The weak point of every clamshell. A clicking or loose hinge is a future problem, priced in or not.
3. Charging & battery
Does it charge, and does it hold for hours? A swollen battery is a hard no.
4. Buttons & slots
Test the shoulder buttons (L/R) and check that the cartridge slot grips firmly.
5. Repair history
Loose handhelds have been opened more often than you would think. We state it when we know it.
And the cartridge itself?
DS and 3DS cartridges are robust, but not fake-proof — Pokémon in particular is heavily counterfeited. The quickest DS-era example: genuine HeartGold and SoulSilver cartridges have an infrared sensor in the top edge for the Pokéwalker; counterfeits leave it out, so the game boots but pairing does nothing. The full authenticity check is here — we run it on every cartridge we buy, and reject roughly 12% of what we are offered.
Or buy one that has already been tested
Every DS and 3DS game and console we sell has been play-tested on real hardware, with the save verified and the region stated in the listing. We have been doing this since 2019, with 1400+ verified reviews at 5.0★, and we ship tracked to all 27 EU countries.
Browse tested DS & 3DS stockQuestions we get asked
Can you play DS games on a 3DS?
Yes. Every 3DS and 2DS model plays Nintendo DS cartridges — and because DS games are region-free, that includes US or Japanese DS games on a European 3DS. It does not work the other way round: a DS cannot play 3DS games.
Are 3DS games region-locked?
Yes. The 3DS and 2DS are region-locked: a European console needs European (EUR/PAL) 3DS games, and an American 3DS game will not start on it. This is why we state the region of every 3DS game in the listing.
Are Nintendo DS games region-locked?
No — regular DS cartridges, including most Pokémon games, play on any DS from any region. The only exceptions are DSi-enhanced titles and DSiWare, which are region-locked.
Which models play Game Boy Advance games too?
Only the original DS and the DS Lite have the GBA slot at the bottom. The DSi and the entire 3DS/2DS family dropped it — so if you also own GBA cartridges, a DS Lite is worth its weight in gold.
Is the Nintendo eShop still open for the 3DS?
No — the 3DS eShop closed in 2023. Cartridges are now the only way to buy DS and 3DS games, which also puts a floor under the price of the popular titles.
What should I check on a second-hand DS or 3DS?
Five things: both screens (dead pixels, scratches), the hinge, charging and battery health, the shoulder buttons and cartridge slot, and the repair history. Every console we sell has been through exactly that check, with the results in the listing.
Do you ship outside the Netherlands?
We ship to all 27 EU countries with track & trace. Parcels go out from the Netherlands, and there are no customs charges within the EU. The exact rate for your country is shown at checkout before you pay.
Deciding between generations first? All Pokémon games in order — nine generations with buying notes per console.
Dutch reader? Welke Nintendo handheld kopen? — DS, DSi, 3DS en 2DS eerlijk vergeleken.
