To play a DS game in a 3DS or 3DS XL, simply insert the game into the 3DS cartridge slot and pick the game from the 3DS main menu.
How to Play DS Games in Their Original Resolution
Nintendo 3DS and XL automatically stretch lower-resolution DS games to fit their larger screens. This results in some DS games looking blurry. Fortunately, you can boot your Nintendo DS games in their original resolution on your 3DS or 3DS XL. Here’s how to fix this resolution issue.
3DS Backward Compatibility Limitations
In addition to the resolution issue, there are some limitations to playing older DS or DSi games on a Nintendo 3DS system:
Older titles don’t work with StreetPass or SpotPass. You cannot access the HOME menu. Older games that use the Game Boy Advance game slot on the Nintendo DS cannot access accessories when playing on a 3DS system. Some DSi games that weren’t purchased in the PAL region might not be playable on a 3DS from the PAL region. In other words, you might not be able to play a DSi game unless it was purchased in the region where it’s being played.
