A Nintendo DS multiplayer session needs very little: charged systems, a few people in the same room, and the right cartridge. That simplicity is why the best Nintendo DS multiplayer games still hold up for game nights, road trips, and retro meetups. The catch is that multiplayer support varies a lot. Some games offer single-cart Download Play, while others need every player to bring a copy.

For collectors, this is one area where checking the case, manual, and cartridge matters. A complete copy is nice, but the multiplayer mode, player count, and whether local wireless is supported are what determine whether a game earns regular play.

Best Nintendo DS Multiplayer Games for Local Play

Mario Kart DS

Mario Kart DS is the safe first pick for almost any group. The racing is quick, the courses are memorable, and the local multiplayer setup is still easy to understand. Up to eight players can race with a copy for each system, while Download Play lets a group get started with fewer cartridges.

There is a trade-off with single-cart play: players using Download Play have a reduced character selection. It is still excellent for a casual session, but multiple copies are the better setup for a regular group. The missions and strong single-player Grand Prix also make Mario Kart DS worth owning even when nobody else is around.

Tetris DS

Tetris DS is one of the strongest competitive puzzle games on the system. Its standard versus mode is exactly what it needs to be: fast, readable, and increasingly mean once players start sending garbage lines. The Nintendo-themed presentation gives it more personality than a basic Tetris release without getting in the way of the game.

It works especially well with mixed skill levels. A new player can understand the objective immediately, while experienced players can turn a friendly round into a serious contest. If your group likes repeatable two-minute matches more than long campaigns, this should be near the top of the stack.

Metroid Prime Hunters

Metroid Prime Hunters is a proper handheld arena shooter, not a watered-down side mode. Local matches support several players across maps built around vertical movement, weapon pickups, and the different abilities of each hunter. The controls take some adjustment, particularly for players using the original DS stylus aiming setup, but the game has a distinct competitive identity once everyone gets comfortable.

It is best with players willing to learn the maps rather than just jump in for one round. Hunters can be unbalanced in the hands of experienced players, and the touch-screen controls are not for everybody. Still, for a DS library with more action than kart racing and minigames, it is an essential pick.

New Super Mario Bros.

New Super Mario Bros. includes a two-player Mario vs. Luigi mode that turns familiar platforming into a scramble for stars, coins, and control of the level. It is not cooperative campaign play, so set expectations before passing systems around. This is competitive Mario, with plenty of bumping, stealing, and last-second reversals.

The mode supports Download Play, making it one of the easiest games to bring out when only one person owns the cartridge. It is a great choice for short rounds between longer games, especially if your group already knows its way around classic Mario movement.

Bomberman DS

Bomberman DS is built for the kind of local multiplayer the DS did so well. The rules are simple: place bombs, trap opponents, grab power-ups, and try not to corner yourself. The matches become hectic quickly, but there is real strategy in controlling open lanes, timing explosions, and forcing other players into bad positions.

This is one of the better choices for a larger group because it supports a high player count with the proper setup. It is also forgiving as a party game. Newcomers can contribute immediately, while longtime Bomberman players can show exactly why grabbing one extra bomb can be dangerous.

Clubhouse Games

Clubhouse Games is less flashy than the big Nintendo releases, but it may be the most useful all-purpose multiplayer cartridge on this list. It packs card games, board games, darts, bowling, billiards, and more into one package. Not every game will land with every group, but the variety means there is usually something that fits the room.

It is particularly good for families, mixed-age groups, and players who do not all want the same kind of game. A competitive card game can follow a round of bowling without changing cartridges. For a retro collection meant to be played rather than displayed, that versatility matters.

Advance Wars: Dual Strike

Advance Wars: Dual Strike rewards players who want to slow down and think. Its multiplayer battles are turn-based tactical contests built around terrain, unit counters, production choices, and careful positioning. A good move can take several turns to set up, which makes victories feel earned.

This is not the right game for a loud ten-minute party session. Matches can run long, particularly with inexperienced commanders or large maps. But for two to four players who enjoy strategy games, it remains one of the deepest local multiplayer experiences on the platform.

Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver

The main Pokémon DS games are not traditional couch multiplayer games, but they were designed around local interaction. Trading, battling, and filling out a Pokédex gave players a reason to bring their systems together. HeartGold and SoulSilver add the Pokéwalker connection and retain the strong local trading and battle foundation of the generation.

For collectors, these games also have a practical warning: reproduction cartridges are common in the retro market. An authentic copy with a working save is worth verifying before you plan a trade session. Local wireless is one of the best reasons to own original hardware and legitimate cartridges, especially when moving long-trained teams between friends.

Star Fox Command

Star Fox Command takes a different approach to multiplayer. Rather than trying to duplicate a console-style dogfighting game exactly, it combines touch-screen flight controls with quick tactical decisions. Local multiplayer supports aerial battles that are easy to start and noticeably different from the usual DS racing and puzzle options.

The control scheme can be divisive. Some players will enjoy drawing paths and managing boosts, while others will want more traditional buttons. It is worth trying because its multiplayer is unusual, not because it is the universal Star Fox pick.

Ultimate Mortal Kombat

Ultimate Mortal Kombat brings arcade fighting to the DS with a surprisingly strong package: Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, classic Mortal Kombat content, and local versus play. For a group that wants direct one-on-one competition, it is a better fit than a lengthy adventure game.

The DS buttons are small, and players accustomed to an arcade stick or full controller will feel that limitation. Even so, the game is fast, recognizable, and ideal for winner-stays-on sessions. Keep the rounds short and let everyone rotate through.

Custom Robo Arena

Custom Robo Arena is an overlooked multiplayer option for players who enjoy arena combat and loadout tinkering. Before a battle, players choose parts that affect movement, attacks, and defenses. Then they take those customized robots into compact arenas where positioning and weapon choice matter.

It has more setup than Mario Kart or Bomberman, which can be a strength or a weakness depending on the group. If everyone wants immediate action, use a quick-pick game first. If your friends enjoy comparing builds and finding combinations, Custom Robo Arena has more staying power.

Worms: Open Warfare 2

Worms: Open Warfare 2 delivers turn-based artillery matches with the usual mix of careful planning and total accidents. A perfectly aimed grenade can win a round. A badly timed jump can send your own worm into the water. That unpredictability makes it a good social game, even for players who are not normally into strategy.

The pace is slower than Tetris or Mario Kart, but it creates more conversation between turns. It is a solid choice when the group wants to trade jokes, plan ridiculous shots, and let the match develop instead of reacting at full speed.

Check Your Multiplayer Setup Before You Buy

The original DS, DS Lite, DSi, and Nintendo 3DS family can play standard DS cartridges, and local DS wireless remains useful on compatible systems. Nintendo's original online service for DS games is no longer active, so buy these games for local play rather than expecting official online matchmaking.

Before setting up a session, check the back of the game case or manual for the wireless icon, supported player count, and Download Play details. Single-cart play is convenient, but it sometimes limits courses, characters, maps, or game modes. If a title is going to be a regular favorite, finding additional authentic copies is usually worth it.

Also check hardware basics. A weak battery, unresponsive shoulder button, damaged stylus, or loose cartridge slot can ruin a multiplayer night faster than a close loss. Clean carts carefully, test save functions, and make sure every system can hold a charge before the group arrives.

The right DS multiplayer game is not always the rarest or most expensive one. It is the cartridge your group will actually bring back to the table, argue over, and ask to play again after one more round.