Most 3DS users use "NDS Forwarders." This places a shortcut on your home menu that launches the game via TWiLight Menu++ .
has found a second life on the Nintendo 3DS through homebrew communities. While the game was never officially ported to the 3DS, players often use .CIA files—digital application packages—to install and play it directly from their console's home menu. Technical Overview: The .CIA Experience mario and luigi partners in time 3ds cia
Since the 3DS is backward compatible with DS games, you have two main ways to play it on a modded console without a physical cartridge: 1. The DS Forwarder Method (Recommended) Most 3DS users use "NDS Forwarders
When looking for Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time specifically as a Technical Overview: The
Reinsert the SD card into your 3DS and launch . Open NDSForwarder . Navigate to your .nds file and press A to install. Play: The game will now appear as a gift on your Home Menu.
In the world of homebrew and custom firmware (CFW), enthusiasts found ways to play DS games on their 3DS systems without needing the physical cartridge. The 3DS contains native DS hardware (a literal secondary processor), but the OS doesn't natively support launching DS ROMs from the SD card menu in the same way it supports 3DS titles.