A Guide to Playing Game Boy Advance Titles on Nintendo 3DS or 3DS XL

Neither the Nintendo 3DS nor the Nintendo 3DS XL can play physical Game Boy Advance cartridges.

Nintendo has not offered virtual Game Boy Advance games to the general public, which means they're not found in the eShop Virtual Console either.

While both systems are compatible with Nintendo DS games, if you want Game Boy Advance action, you’re going to have to go back to your original style Nintendo DS or Nintendo DS Lite.

Ambassador Program

If you’re a Nintendo 3DS Ambassador, you’re entitled to download several free Game Boy Advance games. The games that are part of the Ambassador program run on the 3DS through a virtual, simulated Game Boy Advance. This is why they don't have the same features as some regular virtual console games such as support for saved states and the ability to wirelessly take part in multiplayer games.

You have to be part of the Nintendo 3DS Ambassador program to get these Game Boy Advance games on your Nintendo 3DS. Follow the link for more information, such as what the program is and why it was started, to see if you're eligible for the free games and for a list of the free Game Boy Advance games with instructions on how to download them.