The Nintendo Switch uses game cards (tiny game cards at that) as its primary means to play video games. I know many out there are wondering if they can play Nintendo 3DS games on the Switch since the Nintendo 3DS also uses tiny game cards.
The short answer is no. The Nintendo Switch cannot play Nintendo 3DS games. Not only will Nintendo 3DS game cards not work with Nintendo Switch, the game cards will not fit in the Nintendo Switch’s game card slot due to Nintendo Switch game cards being even tinier than Nintendo 3DS game cards.
I will be covering a few topics in this helpful article:
- Can you play digital 3DS games on Switch?
- Can you transfer games from 3DS to Switch?
- Is there a 3DS to Switch adapter?
- Will 3DS games come to Switch?
- Can 3DS connect to Switch?
- THE VERDICT: Can you play 3DS games on the Switch?
And what about Nintendo 3DS digital games: are they playable on the Nintendo Switch?
Are you also wondering if its even possible to connect the Nintendo 3DS to the Nintendo Switch at all?
Read on as I answer all of these questions and more!
Can you play digital 3DS games on Switch?
Nintendo 3DS digital downloaded games cannot be played on a Nintendo Switch. Nintendo 3DS download vouchers, codes, and so forth cannot be redeemed on the Nintendo Switch, either.
This is because the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS have entirely different hardware inside of them and entirely different game libraries.
But, if you create a Nintendo Account and link your account to your Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Switch, you can share available funds on both digital stores.
This is a neat feature if you tend to buy games on both 3DS and Switch eShops.
Steps to Sharing Funds on Nintendo Switch and 3DS eShops:
- Create a Nintendo Account.
- Link your Nintendo Account to your Nintendo 3DS (Perform this on your 3DS)
- Link your Nintendo Account to your Nintendo Switch (Perform this on your Switch)
- Open the Nintendo eShop app on either system
- Navigate to your wallet and add funds
- Your current fund balance should now be available on both systems
- Happy shopping!
It is best to think of the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Switch as two entirely separate gaming entities that do not intermingle besides an exception or two (which I will get to later in this guide).
Can you transfer games from 3DS to Switch?
Nintendo 3DS games cannot be transferred to the Nintendo Switch.
It is all not doom and gloom, though.
The Nintendo Switch is more powerful than, and just as popular as, the Nintendo 3DS which means some of the games that were available on the Nintendo 3DS eShop are also available to be purchased on the Nintendo Switch.
Games Available for Purchase on both Nintendo Switch and 3DS eShops:
- Toki Tori. A great puzzle game that stars a cute, yellow bird.
- Mercenaries Saga. A strategy role playing game with hours of playtime.
- Pirate Pop Plus. A simple, addictive, and challenging puzzle game similar to arcade games of the past.
These are just a few of the games you will be able to play on your Nintendo Switch that are also on the Nintendo 3DS.
Yes, the downside is that these games will need to be re-purchased if you want to play them on the Nintendo Switch.
Again, the Nintendo Switch is brand new hardware that has vastly different innards than its handheld only brother console so games have to be made specifically for it.
Is there a 3DS to Switch adapter?
Although it is an interesting topic many Nintendo online communities have dreamed about, an adapter to play Nintendo 3DS games on the Nintendo Switch is not currently available. Perhaps, though, maybe someday there will be.
If we delve deep into the past, Nintendo has released methods to play its handhelds games on consoles multiple times.
The company released the Super Game Boy in the 1990s to allow people to play their Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System home console (I owned one of these and played tons of Pokemon Silver on this for hours on end).
The company also released the GameCube Game Boy Player, allowing people to play their Game Boy Advance games—along with Game Boy and Game Boy Color games—on the Nintendo GameCube home console in the early 2000s (I also owned one of these and it is quite a cool piece of gaming history).
Historically speaking, then, Nintendo could release a 3DS to Switch adapter in the future. The likelihood is higher than none at the very least.
Personally, I would not purchase a Nintendo Switch on rumor, hope, speculation, or even historical data alone.
I always recommend friends or family to buy a video game system based on what is available currently and releasing in the near future (say, 3 months or so) in order to prevent disappointment and buyer’s remorse.
At this point in time, it is safe to say Nintendo has shown no sign they will be developing a 3DS to Switch adapter.
The good news?
The Nintendo Switch has over 1400 games available, so there is no shortage of fun titles to play on the system, even if they are not Nintendo 3DS games.
There is something for everyone to enjoy.
Will 3DS games come to Switch?
Nintendo has yet to speak about bringing its vast library of Nintendo 3DS exclusives to the Nintendo Switch.
But if we look once more at Nintendo’s past, the company is known to re-release games on newer hardware.
There is always a chance, but Nintendo is focused more on delivering new iterations of their popular franchises rather than bringing the Nintendo 3DS versions to the Nintendo Switch.
Luckily, those new Switch iterations—such as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Pokemon games—are a blast to play.
Can 3DS connect to Switch?
Remember earlier in this help guide I mentioned there are some exceptions to Nintendo 3DS interacting with Nintendo Switch?
The two Nintendo systems can connect to Switch in two main ways:
- Linking Nintendo Accounts to both systems to share funds
- Transferring Save Data in applicable games
We have already covered sharing funds on both digital stores, so let us move onto save transferring.
Nintendo Switch gives game developers the ability to allow save transferring from a game they created for the Nintendo 3DS to games they created for the Nintendo Switch.
This is awesome for players who have spent hours on a Nintendo 3DS game and want to continue playing where they left off.
To date, only one game allows this feature:
- Monster Hunter Generations for the Nintendo 3DS.
Yes, the 3DS connects to the Switch to allow the Monster Hunter Generations save data to transfer from the Nintendo 3DS to Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate for the Nintendo Switch.
If you want to learn how to transfer your Monster Hunter Generations save file from 3DS to Switch, I wrote a helpful guide detailing the process for you.
Speaking of game saves, every game made specifically for Nintendo Switch has one save file that is used whether the system is connected to the TV or being played in handheld mode. No transfer required.
This feature allows nearly every game made for the Nintendo Switch to be played at home and then continued on the go.
This constant use of a single save file per game has been a game changer for me, no pun intended.
It has allowed me to start Super Smash Bros. Ultimate at home on my big screen and continue playing at a waiting room, in the passenger’s seat on the way to my brother’s birthday party, and many other places with the same save file.
I really enjoy this feature and I know you will, too.
THE VERDICT: Can You Play 3DS Games on the Switch?
Ultimately, the Nintendo Switch is a new home console made with modern hardware and is not compatible with Nintendo 3DS physical or digital games.
The Nintendo Switch and 3DS can connect, but in very specific ways.
I suggest investing in a Nintendo Switch on the merits of the Nintendo Switch itself as it has games for everyone and even a few that have appeared on the Nintendo 3DS.
I hope this helpful guide assisted you with many of your Nintendo 3DS to Nintendo Switch questions.
By Wally
(Screenshots taken by me. Images sourced from product pages on the Nintendo website. Logos, characters, and images are owned by their respective owners)
