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Download Play is a feature first introduced on the Nintendo DS that allows units to share one Game Card for multiplayer gameplay, or send and receive game demos via infrared connectivity. Download Play has since then been included in all Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
Usage[]
Download Play as a concept revolves around a host system using wireless communications to send game content to. Clients rely on the host system being on, as if the host system powers off, the other players will then be forced to turn off their systems as well or go to the system's menu. Some games that allow Download Play include Mario Kart DS, Metroid Prime Hunters, The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, Kirby Super Star Ultra, New Super Mario Bros. 2, and Nintendogs + Cats.
One non-game example is the Wii's Nintendo Channel, users could submit rating for Nintendo DS titles if they had the physical game cartridge inserted. This is alongside the DS Download Service that the channel had, which let users download game demos.
Interface[]
On Nintendo DS[]
The original Nintendo DS (Lite) had Download Play as one of its only two applets. It is a simple button that when clicked, starts searching for hosts. In the later DSi (XL) models it was added to the DSi Menu and given an animated icon to go alongside the row of system apps.
On Nintendo 3DS[]
The entire Nintendo 3DS family of consoles uses the same Download Play app to share DS and 3DS titles. When searching and downloading DS titles, the console will boot into DS Mode to launch its Download Play applet. The icon colors were upgraded from grey to orange.
