Nintendo DS Single-Card Download Play: 8+ Players Not Supported

No DS game supports 8+ players via Single-Card Download Play.

Hardware Limits

• DS/DSi/DSi XL: Max 16 local wireless connections theoretically, but Single-Card Download Play caps at 4–8 depending on game engine and RAM
• Download Play sends a stripped-down client to guest systems (no save, limited assets). Most titles cap at 4 (Mario Kart DS, New Super Mario Bros., Tetris DS).
• Only a handful of homebrew/demo apps pushed 8+; no commercial release.

Multi-Card (Each Player Owns Cartridge)

• Mario Kart DS – 8 players
• Pokémon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum/HG/SS/B/W/B2/W2 – 4–5 (battle/trade)
• Advance Wars: Days of Ruin – 4
• Clubhouse Games – up to 8 in some minigames

Online (Nintendo WFC – Discontinued)

• Supported 4–8 in some titles (Mario Kart DS 8, Tetris DS 4, Pokémon 4)
• Now only via Wiimmfi (fan server) + patched ROMs / homebrew

For 8+ local players today: use Switch (Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 8 local wireless, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 8) or PC LAN party.