Can I download a 3DS game to more than one console at the same time?

I'm buying some 3DS consoles for my kids, 3 to be exact. If I buy Smash Bros for the 3DS digitally, will I be able to download that game to all 3 consoles or does the purchase only allow for download to one console? Will they be able to play together like this?
Best Answer
3DS downloads are tied to the console, so if you buy it once, it will only be valid for the 3DS it is downloaded to. If all of the kids want to play together, you will need multiple copies of the game (one per 3DS) for them to do so.
Unlike some games in the past, this game doesn't have any sort of download play that allows more than one 3DS to play using one cartridge/downloaded copy.
Pictures about "Can I download a 3DS game to more than one console at the same time?"



Can you download Nintendo games on multiple devices?
Purchases made using a Nintendo Account can be redownloaded and played on any Nintendo Switch console it is linked to. You can link your Nintendo Account to user profiles on multiple consoles.Can you share downloaded 3DS games?
The short answer is no, you can't transfer individual eShop games. From Nintendo's 3DS General Information page: Can the downloadable version of a Nintendo 3DS game be transferred to another 3DS console? It is not possible to transfer a specific software title to another Nintendo 3DS console.Are 3DS purchases tied to console?
Are eshop games still tied to the 3ds or your account if you change your console? Yep, the games are still tied to the 3DS. Every 3DS has a soul, and you need to transfer this soul to a new 3DS, to use these purchased eshop games on it.Can you redownload 3DS games on another 3DS?
A Nintendo Network ID is required to download game demos and other free software. If you previously formatted your Nintendo 3DS family system and are redownloading content that was purchased while you had a Nintendo Network ID associated with your system, that ID must be relinked to your Nintendo 3DS family system.How to Merge Preinstalled 3DS Content to Your Main 3DS
More answers regarding can I download a 3DS game to more than one console at the same time?
Answer 2
You cannot play between multiple consoles (3ds) with a single copy of the game.
Fortunately, there is a solution, but if you don't already have a Wii U, it will be substantially more expensive then buying them separate games.
If you buy the game for the Wii U, there is an in-game option to sync a 3ds with the game. If one of them has the game, he/she could play, but unless more than four people are playing, you might as well just play on the Wii U.
Basically, there is no good solution to your problem other than buying them all the game.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Ryutaro Tsukata, Ketut Subiyanto, Ryutaro Tsukata, Ketut Subiyanto