What is Download Play?

Download Play is a feature of the Nintendo 3DS system that allows players to play multiplayer games with other 3DS systems using only one game card. The system with the game becomes host and all other systems within range can launch the Download Play app and download the game in order to join. This process is completely seamless and once the multiplayer session is over and the guest systems have shut down the game will no longer be on the unit. Games can still save local data on each separate system in this mode, allowing for each player to have their own data despite there being only one copy of the game.

Transfering a game typically takes about a minute, and after that all players can start playing together immediately.