Nintendo Switch 2’s GameShare Brings Back Classic DS Download Play Magic!

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Summary

  • The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct revealed the upcoming GameShare feature, which many feel is similar to Nintendo DS Download Play.
  • GameShare lets players enjoy multiplayer titles locally across different systems, with only one user needing to have the game installed.
  • The Switch 2 will be released on June 5, 2025.

In the much-anticipated presentation of the new Nintendo Switch 2, a feature called GameShare was unveiled, resembling the Nintendo DS Download Play. It seems that Nintendo Switch 2 is emphasizing social interaction with the introduction of GameChat, activated via the system’s C button, and GameShare, designed to enhance local and online multiplayer experiences for some games in their collection.

Some gaming enthusiasts have expressed a desire for Nintendo to reintroduce beloved features from past systems, with DS Download Play being a frequent demand. On hits like “Mario Kart DS”, players who didn’t own the game could still join the host’s session. This single-card Download Play feature greatly enhanced the accessibility of the Nintendo DS, contributing to its popularity among gaming groups. However, this feature was absent during the Nintendo Switch era. Now, it seems that Download Play is returning in a new format.

During the Nintendo Switch 2 Presentation on April 2nd, a new GameShare function was demonstrated for the system. Many people view GameShare as a nostalgic return to the Nintendo DS era, evoking memories of the popular DS Download Play feature. The preview for GameShare suggests that with the Switch 2, players can share a single game copy to enjoy the experience together.

Nintendo Switch 2 GameShare Revealed

With GameShare on Switch 2, as many as four players can enjoy games together in person, regardless of the specific Switch system each player owns. For those who prefer online gaming, Switch 2 users with a Nintendo Switch Online membership and access to GameChat will be able to exchange and receive content using GameShare. However, please note that GameShare functionality is only available for select titles that are compatible. Nintendo plans to roll out this feature through updates, starting with the popular party game Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics.

It’s hard not to notice the similarities between GameShare and this well-known feature from the past. The logo for GameShare, in fact, acknowledges its roots by rotating the original DS Download Play icon while maintaining the bars that represent the requirement of a connection. While some parts of GameShare are more complex, such as online play through GameChat, the fundamental idea that many recall from the DS era has returned, and gamers can’t wait to give it a try. It remains to be seen which games other than Clubhouse Games will leverage GameShare, but Mario Kart World might prove to be a strong multiplayer option alongside others, stirring up nostalgia for fans who enjoyed playing Mario Kart DS and Mario Kart 7 via Download Play.

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2025-04-02 22:34