.XCI format games: How do install? (2024)

c0dehunter

Well-Known Member

OP

Newcomer

Level 3

Joined
Oct 11, 2019
Messages
72
Trophies
0
Age
23
XP
327
Country
.XCI format games: How do install? (2)
  • Jan 19, 2020
  • #1

Dear all,
How do I install (with what utility/app that is) the .XCI format games?

Also what is the difference between .XCI and .NSP formats? Which one is better, etc.

Thanks!

Gammazeth

Well-Known Member

Newcomer

Level 4

Joined
Jul 9, 2019
Messages
93
Trophies
0
Age
24
XP
395
Country
.XCI format games: How do install? (4)
  • Jan 19, 2020
  • #2

Hi, so you can install .xci games with homebrews such as Goldleaf, Tinfoil, AwooInstaller (I personally recommend you Tinfoil or Awoo).
The difference between the nsp and xci files is that the nsp is taken from the e-shop and the xci is taken from the game cartridge itself.
I don't think there's any big benefit/inconvenient for taking a specific version of a game.

c0dehunter

Well-Known Member

OP

Newcomer

Level 3

Joined
Oct 11, 2019
Messages
72
Trophies
0
Age
23
XP
327
Country
.XCI format games: How do install? (6)
  • Jan 19, 2020
  • #3

Thank you so much for clarifying this!

Gammazeth

Well-Known Member

Newcomer

Level 4

Joined
Jul 9, 2019
Messages
93
Trophies
0
Age
24
XP
395
Country
.XCI format games: How do install? (8)
  • Jan 19, 2020
  • #4

Your welcome!

TunaKetchup

The Goose is Loose

Member

Level 9

Joined
Mar 20, 2018
Messages
580
Trophies
0
XP
1,625
Country
.XCI format games: How do install? (10)
  • Jan 19, 2020
  • #5

XCI can be mounted while NSP need to be installed

XCI mounting is only supported by SX OS last time I check although that might have changed

Last edited by TunaKetchup,

  • .XCI format games: How do install? (11)

Reactions:

sith

linuxares

The inadequate, autocratic beast!

Global Moderator

Level 26

Joined
Aug 5, 2007
Messages
13,397
Trophies
2
XP
18,349
Country
.XCI format games: How do install? (13)
  • Jan 19, 2020
  • #6

TunaKetchup said:

XCI can be mounted while NSP need to be installed

Incorrect. Some installers can install the xci to your Switch, the same it does with nsp.

TunaKetchup

The Goose is Loose

Member

Level 9

Joined
Mar 20, 2018
Messages
580
Trophies
0
XP
1,625
Country
.XCI format games: How do install? (15)
  • Jan 19, 2020
  • #7

linuxares said:

Incorrect. Some installers can install the xci to your Switch, the same it does with nsp.

Nothing incorrect about it

"XCI CAN be mounted" keyword is "can"

I never said anything about being able to install them

But yeah you can install them if you desire

  • .XCI format games: How do install? (16)

Reactions:

sith and MJrolla07

linuxares

The inadequate, autocratic beast!

Global Moderator

Level 26

Joined
Aug 5, 2007
Messages
13,397
Trophies
2
XP
18,349
Country
.XCI format games: How do install? (18)
  • Jan 19, 2020
  • #8

TunaKetchup said:

Nothing incorrect about it

"XCI CAN be mounted"

I never said anything about being able to install them

But yeah you can install them if you desire

.XCI format games: How do install?

  • .XCI format games: How do install? (19)

Reactions:

nWo

TunaKetchup

The Goose is Loose

Member

Level 9

Joined
Mar 20, 2018
Messages
580
Trophies
0
XP
1,625
Country
.XCI format games: How do install? (21)
  • Jan 19, 2020
  • #9

linuxares said:

.XCI format games: How do install?

Yes and they can also be mounted unlike NSP

OP asked what the difference was

"XCI can be mounted"

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

You honestly shouldn't be a mod

I'm embarrassed for you right now

  • .XCI format games: How do install? (22)

Reactions:

sith and teelo

Kafluke

Well-Known Member

Member

Level 14

Joined
May 6, 2006
Messages
5,474
Trophies
0
Age
47
XP
4,636
Country
.XCI format games: How do install? (24)
  • Jan 19, 2020
  • #10

c0dehunter said:

Dear all,
How do I install (with what utility/app that is) the .XCI format games?

Also what is the difference between .XCI and .NSP formats? Which one is better, etc.

Thanks!

XCI can be played without installing them. SX OS mounts them and emulates the game cartridge so the switch thinks you have put in a physical game.

NSP's must be installed. Some homebrew apps can install XCI's but technically all they are doing is converting them to NSP's then installing them.

Only XCI's can be mounted and only SX OS CFW can do this.

  • .XCI format games: How do install? (25)

Reactions:

404kinnie and Eternalpublic

nWo

The Game Master

Member

Level 12

Joined
Oct 20, 2016
Messages
1,004
Trophies
0
Website
www.facebook.com
XP
2,935
Country
.XCI format games: How do install? (27)
  • Jan 19, 2020
  • #11

Your first answer was evasive AF and didn`t give any light to the original question. You can`t talk like that to a mod that is correcting your confusing answer. The OP wanted to know how to install XCI and the differences with NSP, and you talked like a caveman.

Not trying to pick a fight but just sayin`, if the question was to know HOW TO INSTALL THEM and WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES you should have been more clear about it saying that was one of the differences.

TunaKetchup said:

Yes and they can also be mounted unlike NSP

OP asked what the difference was

"XCI can be mounted"

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

You honestly shouldn't be a mod

I'm embarrassed for you right now

  • .XCI format games: How do install? (28)

Reactions:

404kinnie

linuxares

The inadequate, autocratic beast!

Global Moderator

Level 26

Joined
Aug 5, 2007
Messages
13,397
Trophies
2
XP
18,349
Country
.XCI format games: How do install? (30)
  • Jan 19, 2020
  • #12

TunaKetchup said:

Yes and they can also be mounted unlike NSP

OP asked what the difference was

"XCI can be mounted"

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

You honestly shouldn't be a mod

I'm embarrassed for you right now

Sigh, one of these users. Fine, lets do it since I'm bored and don't mind lecture someone.

The OP clearly ask how to ask to install an xci file. The difference between the format wasn't very well explained by you or any other. Some where a lot better than other.

XCI is a file format, mostly used with the dumping of the cartridge. XCI files can be both installed and (only) mounted via SXOS. NSP files are "packaged" that need to be installed via an installer.

NSP files can be made via a lot of methods. It's not only "eshop" titles. Some of them are converted from XCI to NSP. Aka. just repacked in to another format.

So do please explain how my moderation responsibility has anything to do with correcting you? Stop being a jerk and just accept that you got corrected. Plain and simple.

  • .XCI format games: How do install? (31)

Reactions:

404kinnie, Damian666 and pr0dukt

404kinnie

New Member

Newbie

Level 1

Joined
Mar 10, 2022
Messages
2
Trophies
0
Age
20
Location
not comfortable with that haha-
XP
40
Country
.XCI format games: How do install? (33)
  • Mar 10, 2022
  • #13

linuxares said:

Sigh, one of these users. Fine, lets do it since I'm bored and don't mind lecture someone.

The OP clearly ask how to ask to install an xci file. The difference between the format wasn't very well explained by you or any other. Some where a lot better than other.

XCI is a file format, mostly used with the dumping of the cartridge. XCI files can be both installed and (only) mounted via SXOS. NSP files are "packaged" that need to be installed via an installer.

NSP files can be made via a lot of methods. It's not only "eshop" titles. Some of them are converted from XCI to NSP. Aka. just repacked in to another format.

So do please explain how my moderation responsibility has anything to do with correcting you? Stop being a jerk and just accept that you got corrected. Plain and simple.

sorry for bumping i just wanna say im sorry you had to deal with this guy and hope things are better nowadays .XCI format games: How do install? (34) (i never used a forum before so sorry if my post looks really weird)

.XCI format games: How do install? (2024)

FAQs

How do I open an XCI game? ›

How to play XCI files on Switch
  1. Prepare Your Nintendo Switch: ...
  2. Obtain Custom Firmware (CFW): ...
  3. Prepare Your XCI Files: ...
  4. Transfer XCI Files: ...
  5. Access Homebrew Launcher: ...
  6. Run the Homebrew Software: ...
  7. Launch XCI Games: ...
  8. Play the Game:

What is the XCI format for games? ›

XCI files are typically used to install and play games on a Nintendo Switch console using a custom firmware, such as Atmosphere or SX OS. XCI files contain the entire game content, including game data and updates.

Can nut install xci? ›

Nut is a multi-purpose utility to organize, manage, and install Nintendo Switch files (NSP, NSZ, XCI, XCZ).

What is the difference between NSP and XCI? ›

Xci is a cartridge dump, nsp is an eshop file. Since dlc updates ALWAYS come from the eshop, you can only get dlc updates as nsps. So in short, yes don't worry about using nsp files for updates, as that's your only option. XCI are only bigger if you don't trim them.

Is XCI or NSP better for emulation? ›

Go for the XCI. But if speed and convenience are your jam, the NSP is your digital download destiny. Remember, this is just the tip of the iceberg (or should we say, the Korok seed?). There's a whole world of Switch emulation nuances to explore, but hopefully, this lighthearted guide has demystified the XCI vs.

What is the XCI format? ›

This is the format used for storing the contents of a Nintendo Switch Gamecard.

How to play PC game ROMs? ›

When you are wondering how you can play roms on your computer, then a best way to find out the answer for this question should be to simply start the rom folder that will can be found on your hard disk. Simply open it up up and you should see a list of the different video game titles that you have attached to your pc.

What file type are Nintendo Switch ROMs? ›

ROM Images
File extNameNotes
.nspNintendo Switch ROMDump of SD and NAND games, Updates
.xciNintendo Switch ROMDump of a game cartridge
.ngp/.ngcNGP/C ROM
.pcePC Engine ROM
31 more rows

How to split xci files? ›

The solution would be to first convert the file from XCI to NSP, and then split that NSP into 4GiB chunks which can fit on the Micro SD card. Then, set the Archive attribute on the folder and files so that NSP install tools can read the converted software and install it.

What is Xilinx XCI file? ›

Vivado Design Suite Xilinx Core Instance files (XCI) XCI format IP cores are native to the Vivado Design Suite and can be added to the design or project by customizing the IP core from the Xilinx IP catalog, or by using the File > Add Sources command to directly add the files.

How do I open an XCI file in Ryujinx? ›

Make sure you have an untrimmed XCI file of a recent game cartridge you dumped, or have compiled your dumped firmware into a ZIP file.
  1. Open Ryujinx. ...
  2. Now that Ryujinx is open, click Tools > Firmware > Install from XCI/ZIP. ...
  3. Using the Ryujinx window, navigate to the location of your dumped XCI file and click Open.
Jul 25, 2020

How to open an nsp file on a PC? ›

You need a suitable software like SAP to open an NSP file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your NSP file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Corie Satterfield

Last Updated:

Views: 5919

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Corie Satterfield

Birthday: 1992-08-19

Address: 850 Benjamin Bridge, Dickinsonchester, CO 68572-0542

Phone: +26813599986666

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Table tennis, Soapmaking, Flower arranging, amateur radio, Rock climbing, scrapbook, Horseback riding

Introduction: My name is Corie Satterfield, I am a fancy, perfect, spotless, quaint, fantastic, funny, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.