Can You Play The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords on Nintendo DS?

No. The original Four Swords (2002) was a Game Boy Advance multiplayer-only pack-in with A Link to the Past. It required a GBA Link Cable and 2–4 GBAs.

Why Not on DS?

• DS lacks GBA Link Cable port (only single-player GBA backward compat via slot-2).
• Multiplayer used proprietary local wireless, not compatible with GBA link protocol.

How to Play It Today

• Four Swords Anniversary Edition (2011) – Free DSiWare/3DS eShop download (now delisted). Added single-player mode. Playable on 3DS family via backward compatibility.
• Four Swords (Switch Online) – Not currently available.
• Emulation: mGBA (PC/phone) + local netplay supports 4-player link cable emulation.

Related Zelda Multiplayer

• Tri Force Heroes (3DS) – 3-player co-op, download play supported (1 cartridge).
• Phantom Hourglass / Spirit Tracks (DS) – Single-player only.

If you have a 3DS and downloaded Anniversary Edition before delisting, it's the best way to play. Otherwise, emulation is the only path.