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How to Download Nintendo 3DS Game Demos

Want to try out a game before you buy? Download the Demo

By Nadia Oxford Nadia Oxford Writer William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute Nadia Oxford is a former Lifewire writer with 10+ years' experience. Her articles have appeared in Pocket Games Magazine, Play Magazine, Game Pro, IGN and others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on January 6, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Consoles & PCs Xbox Buyer's Guide

What to Know

Tap Nintendo eShop (shopping bag icon) > Demos. In the Demos menu, select a game.To download the demo, tap the Download Demo icon > Next > Download.You'll need a stable Wi-Fi connection to access the eShop. This article explains how to download Nintendo 3DS game demos.

Here' s How to Download a 3DS Demo

Demos are an excellent way to sample a game before deciding whether to buy it. Here's how to download a demo.
Turn on your Nintendo 3DS. On the Main Menu, tap the icon for the Nintendo eShop (the orange shopping bag). You'll need a stable Wi-Fi connection in order to access the eShop. Once you've connected to the eShop, scroll to the right until you see the icon for the "Demos" category. Tap on it to enter the Demos menu. When you're in the Demos menu, you should be able to see the Nintendo 3DS game demos that are available to you. Tap on the game that you want to preview. Note that if you select a demo for an M-rated game, you will be required to enter your birth date. Once you've selected your game, you can look at its details (including screenshots and summaries), and any available video clips. To download your demo, tap the "Download Demo" icon. It looks like a 3DS system receiving a Wi-Fi signal. Make sure to take note of the game's ESRB rating. A game that's rated "T" or "M" won't necessarily have mature content in its demo, but it's better to tread cautiously if you'd rather not encounter any potentially offensive material. If you'd still like to proceed, tap "Next" on the bottom screen. Otherwise, you can tap "Back." On the next screen, you'll be informed of how many memory blocks the demo will take up on your SD card, and how many will remain. If you need to manage your data, you can cancel the download. If you're ready to proceed, tap "Download." Depending on the size of the demo, the download might take a little while to complete. When it's done, it'll appear as a gift-wrapped box on your Nintendo 3DS's Main Menu. Tap on the box to unwrap it. Enjoy!

Tips

You can only play a demo 30 times. A demo experience typically remains the same each time you play it, so exhausting those 30 playthroughs would admittedly be an interesting exercise. To delete your demo(s) once you're done playing, go to the 3DS's Main Menu, select System Settings, then Data Management. Tap the Nintendo 3DS icon, and then the Software icon. This is where your downloaded data hangs out, including demos. Tap the demo you want to download and then Delete.

A Free Playable Snippet

If you're interested in a Nintendo 3DS game but aren't sure whether you'll like it, download a free downloadable game demo via the eShop. Like most game demos, the Nintendo 3DS demos are for preview purposes only. You receive a playable snippet of the game, usually enough for you to get a good handle on what it offers in terms of graphics, sound, setting, and gameplay. Chris Weeks / Getty Images Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Setting Up Nintendo 3DS Parental Controls How to Download and Play Fortnite on Nintendo Switch Can I Play Nintendo 3DS Games on the Wii U? How to Redeem Nintendo 3DS Codes How to Buy Games From the Nintendo 3DS eShop How to Perform a Hard Reset on Your Nintendo 3DS Can I Play Nintendo DS Games on the 3DS? How to Transfer Data From a Nintendo 3DS SD Card How to Organize Your Nintendo Switch Games Into Groups How to Get More StreetPasses on Your Nintendo 3DS Are the Nintendo 3DS and 3DS XL Backward Compatible? How to Set up Wi-Fi on Your Nintendo 3DS XL How to Add a Friend Code on Your Nintendo 3DS How to Cancel Nintendo Switch Online How to Transfer Save Data Between Users on the Switch How to Delete Games and Apps From Nintendo 3DS Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies