: These sites often track user data or require suspicious "download managers." Summary Table: Archival vs. Piracy Legal Status Dumping Creating a digital copy of your own physical cartridge. Generally considered a "grey area" for personal use. Downloading Obtaining a game file from a third-party website. Illegal distribution/infringement. Emulation Using software (like Citra) to play digital backups. Emulators are legal; the files used in them may not be.
: Many "ROM sites" bundle downloads with adware or malicious executables. Download 3DS (USA)
: Standard image of a physical game cartridge, primarily used with flashcarts (like Gateway) or emulators. : These sites often track user data or
: While some users argue that downloading a copy of a game they physically own constitutes "fair use" for personal backup, Nintendo’s official stance is that any unauthorized reproduction or distribution is illegal. 3. Digital Preservation and Archival Downloading Obtaining a game file from a third-party website
: In the United States, downloading a game you do not own is generally considered copyright infringement under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) .