Can Nintendo 3DS Connect Directly to DS Lite? (No – But DS Games Work)

No direct wireless link. The 3DS uses 802.11b/g (standard Wi-Fi) for local multiplayer; the DS Lite uses a proprietary low-latency protocol (NiFi) on the same 2.4 GHz band but incompatible framing.

What Works Cross-Generation

• DS Game Cards: 3DS plays most DS cartridges (region-free for NTR- titles).
• DSiWare: 3DS eShop (closed) sold DSiWare; transferred via System Transfer tool.
• Local Multiplayer in DS Games: If a DS game supports "DS Wireless Play," 3DS and DS Lite can connect within that game (e.g., Mario Kart DS, Pokémon Gen IV/V). The game handles the protocol translation.

What Doesn't Work

• 3DS PictoChat / Flipnote Studio ↔ DS Lite PictoChat.
• 3DS Friend List / StreetPass ↔ DS Lite.
• 3DS Download Play → DS Lite (only DS Download Play works).

For multiplayer, launch the DS game on both systems and use the in-game wireless menu.