Convert Switch Roms from .NSZ to .NSP and convert .XCZ to .XCI files (2024)

  • November 1, 2022
  • 18 Comments

Your Nintendo Switch, Yuzu and/or Ryujinx can’t run compressed .NSZ and .XCZ files. You need to convert them to .NSP or .XCI files first. Luckily I discovered a must-have tool called Switch Army Knife (SAK) which can do just that, and so much more…

Decompress and convert NSZ Roms to NSP, and XCZ roms to XCI

The main feature I needed was to (de)compress .NSZ or .XCZ roms to save on space. This free tool can easily ‘unzip’ and convert .NSZ roms to .NSP files; And convert .XCZ files to .XCI. You can also use it to save storage by compressing your roms.

But Switch Army Knife (SAK) can do pretty much everything you’d want to do with .XCI, .NSP and .NSZ Roms

Convert Switch Roms from .NSZ to .NSP and convert .XCZ to .XCI files (1)

SAK can do a lot with .XCI files:

  • Extract firmware from .XCI files
  • Patch your .XCI to a lower firmware version or update it to a newer
  • Split or merge .XCI files
  • Convert XCI files to .NSP and/or .XCZ

The same goes for .NSP files… SAK can:

  • Patch your .NSP to a lower firmware version or update it to a newer
  • Split or merge .NSP files
  • Convert .NSP files to .NSZ and/or .XCI

Finally it can also extract your Save files from the the eMMC. The fun don’t stop!

How to download and install Switch Army Knife

  1. Download the latest Swiss Army Knife version from Github (or my mirror of version 0.7.14)
  2. Extract the downloaded .zip file anywhere you want and run SAK.exe

The software itself is extremely simple to use. You’ll be decompressing .NSZ and .XCZ files in no time. I hope this helped you out! Did you know you can also stream your Switch emulator to your smartphone and play on the go with Parsec? It’s awesome!

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18 thoughts on “Convert Switch Roms from .NSZ to .NSP and convert .XCZ to .XCI files”

  1. Convert Switch Roms from .NSZ to .NSP and convert .XCZ to .XCI files (2)

    Claudio Moura

    July 28, 2022 at 10:41 pm

    Só esqueceu de dizer que o programa precisa do Prod.keys para funcionar em alguams conversões.
    translation: Just forgot to say that the program needs Prod.keys to work in some conversions.

    Reply

    1. Convert Switch Roms from .NSZ to .NSP and convert .XCZ to .XCI files (3)

      PowrUsr

      July 29, 2022 at 8:00 am

      Thank you for sharing this info Claudio!

      Reply

    2. Convert Switch Roms from .NSZ to .NSP and convert .XCZ to .XCI files (4)

      carlos

      January 13, 2023 at 5:44 pm

      disculpa y donde se encuentran esas prod.keys , podrias dar esa informacion, la pagina o enlace donde encontrarlas

      Reply

  2. Convert Switch Roms from .NSZ to .NSP and convert .XCZ to .XCI files (5)

    Mac

    November 28, 2022 at 10:41 am

    Mac OS Please

    Reply

    1. Convert Switch Roms from .NSZ to .NSP and convert .XCZ to .XCI files (6)

      PowrUsr

      November 28, 2022 at 11:42 am

      Hi! I’m afraid -for now- it’s Windows-only. But perhaps another tool exists for this platform… You could indeed just use virtualization, like DD suggests.

      Reply

    2. Convert Switch Roms from .NSZ to .NSP and convert .XCZ to .XCI files (7)

      DD

      December 4, 2022 at 2:03 pm

      Just install virtual machine, come on

      Reply

  3. Convert Switch Roms from .NSZ to .NSP and convert .XCZ to .XCI files (8)

    eduardo

    December 6, 2022 at 7:22 pm

    Estou tendo problema em atualizar a rom do Pokemon Violet. Diz que falhou, e aparece como se nao fosse o arquivo do jogo e uptade. mas sao eu baixei do mesmo site, e a rom base esta funcionando no emulador.

    Translation: I’m having trouble updating the Pokemon Violet rom. It says it failed, and it appears as if it wasn’t the game file and update. but i downloaded it from the same site, and the base rom is working on the emulator.

    Reply

    1. Convert Switch Roms from .NSZ to .NSP and convert .XCZ to .XCI files (9)

      PowrUsr

      December 6, 2022 at 7:41 pm

      Hi Eduardo! Have you tried installing said update to the NAND memory of the emulator? I believe, in Yuzu, you should see the update in the ROM’s options after the installation. Good luck!

      Reply

      1. Convert Switch Roms from .NSZ to .NSP and convert .XCZ to .XCI files (10)

        Eduardo

        December 7, 2022 at 2:28 pm

        Eu uso o EGG NS. E a rim precisa estar atualizada em um arquivo só. O programa que eu usava não funciona na ROM do Pokémon violet. Eu tenho a ROM base 1.0.0 e a atualização 1.1.0. As duas .NSP mas preciso unir as duas em um arquivo.

        Translation: I use the EGG NS. And the rom needs to be updated in a single file. The program I used doesn’t work on the Pokemon violet ROM. I have base rom 1.0.0 and update 1.1.0. The two .NSP but I need to unite the two in a file.

        Reply

  4. Convert Switch Roms from .NSZ to .NSP and convert .XCZ to .XCI files (11)

    eduardo

    December 8, 2022 at 12:55 am

    Thats the error…

    Updating failed D:\Jogos\Emuladores\Roms\Switch\Pokémon Violet [01008F6008C5E800][v131072][US].nsp\Pokemon Violet [01008F6008C5E000][v0].nsp
    Something failed!?
    Is the selected NSP file a game and the NSP the update?

    Needed time 6 seconds.

    Reply

  5. Convert Switch Roms from .NSZ to .NSP and convert .XCZ to .XCI files (12)

    Capistro

    June 10, 2023 at 5:34 pm

    how to split NSZ files ?

    Reply

    1. Convert Switch Roms from .NSZ to .NSP and convert .XCZ to .XCI files (13)

      PowrUsr

      June 10, 2023 at 7:40 pm

      Hi Capistro, as far as I know, there is no way to split .nsz files, since they are just compressed .nsp files; This means they will always need to be decompressed to run on the Switch. If it’s purely for external storage limitations, you could still use tools like 7zip or Winrar to split the file in multiple smaller archives. I hope that helps!

      Reply

  6. Convert Switch Roms from .NSZ to .NSP and convert .XCZ to .XCI files (14)

    Anonymous

    September 16, 2023 at 5:21 am

    It doesn’t work for me. I got a window that asked me: “Place keys.dat or prod.keys inside the bin folder”. How to solve it?

    Reply

  7. Convert Switch Roms from .NSZ to .NSP and convert .XCZ to .XCI files (15)

    God

    November 26, 2023 at 5:51 am

    We need Android version

    Reply

  8. Convert Switch Roms from .NSZ to .NSP and convert .XCZ to .XCI files (16)

    CARLOSARIELOPEZHECHAVARRIA

    November 28, 2023 at 11:33 am

    Friend, I have a problem, I already converted it from .XCI to .NSP but the yuzu emulator does not recognize it, what can I do, I have to patch it, I see where it says NSP split, what do I do?

    Reply

    1. Convert Switch Roms from .NSZ to .NSP and convert .XCZ to .XCI files (17)

      PowrUsr

      November 28, 2023 at 10:43 pm

      Hey Carlos! Hmm, Yuzu should easily be able to run/install said .xci (and .nsp) file, so I’m not sure why or if you need to split or convert any files? Perhaps this can helpful: often, if Yuzu can’t detect a (newly released) game, it can help to install newer firmware in Yuzu, and/or find a newer prod.key file. Good luck though!

      Reply

  9. Convert Switch Roms from .NSZ to .NSP and convert .XCZ to .XCI files (18)

    nsz to nsp

    March 1, 2024 at 6:54 pm

    Dobrý den potrebuji prevest nsz na nsp a nevim kde sehnat prod.key nejake rady?
    edit Translation: Hello, I need to convert nsz to nsp and I don’t know where to get prod.key, any advice?

    Reply

    1. Convert Switch Roms from .NSZ to .NSP and convert .XCZ to .XCI files (19)

      PowrUsr

      March 1, 2024 at 9:55 pm

      Hi! Here’s a guide on how to legally obtain prod.keys from your Switch Console. Of course there are ‘easier’ ways and just look for them on Google, as plenty of sites offer these files. Good luck!

      Reply

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Convert Switch Roms from .NSZ to .NSP and convert .XCZ to .XCI files (2024)

FAQs

How to open nsz file? ›

You need a suitable software like Tinfoil 5.0 from Nintendo to open an NSZ file.

What is a switch nsz file? ›

A compression/decompresson script (with optional GUI) that allows user to compress/decompress Nintendo Switch dumps loselessly, thanks to zstd compression algorithm. The compressed file can be installed directly with supported NSW Homebrew Title Installers.

What is the difference between NSZ and NSP? ›

NSP files are standard format for Nintendo Switch game files. They are essentially raw, uncompressed files. NSZ files are compressed versions of Nintendo Switch game files. They are essentially NSP files that have undergone compression to reduce their size.

What is the XCZ file format? ›

XCZ File Summary

The XCZ File Extension has one primary file type, BuzzLetter Encrypted Stationery Templates format, and can be opened with BuzzLetter released by DynaSend. Generally, these files are considered Compressed Files. The XCZ File Extension can be viewed on the Windows operating system.

What is the file type for Switch games? ›

ROM Images
File extNameSystem
.nspNintendo Switch ROMNintendo Switch
.xciNintendo Switch ROMNintendo Switch
.ngp/.ngcNGP/C ROMNeo Geo Pocket/Color
.pcePC Engine ROMPC Engine
31 more rows

How to open .nsp files? ›

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.

Which file is better, NSP or 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.

What does NSP mean on Nintendo Switch? ›

NSP stands for “Nintendo Submission Package.” It is file format used by Nintendo for distributing and installing games, updates and DLC (Downloadable Content) on Nintendo Switch system. NSP files are essentially containers that contain all necessary data and assets for particular game or content.

What is the QGZ format? ›

The QGZ format is a compressed (zip) archive containing a QGS file and a QGD file. The QGD file is the associated sqlite database of the qgis project that contain auxiliary data for the project. If there are no auxiliary data, the QGD file will be empty.

What is a .PES file? ›

A PES file, standing for "Program for Embroidery Stitch," is a digital file format specifically designed for embroidery. It serves as the digital blueprint for your embroidery machine, dictating the stitch patterns, color sequences, and other intricate details necessary to create a flawless embroidered design.

What is the ASAP2 file format? ›

An ASAP2 description file (A2L) is a prerequisite for using CCP and XCP as a measurement and calibration protocol. The ASAP2 Tool-Set is used to create and check such ECU description files.

Can Ryujinx open NSZ files? ›

Note: When downloading, you might be presented with three file types. NSP, XCI, and NSZ. Yuzu and Ryujinx do not support NSZ, so don't download that.

Does Yuzu accept XCI files? ›

The Yuzu official will now dump the Cartridge Image (XCI) file from your game cartridge(s), to use in yuzu. Here is a guide designed to get you started with yuzu quickly. How do I open an egress switch file? Enter your credentials into the web browser that opens and select Sign in.

What files does Ryujinx use? ›

Ryujinx File Formats
  • .kp.
  • .nca.
  • .nro.
  • .nso.
  • .nsp.
  • .xci.

How to open PLN files online? ›

Online PLN Text Viewer
  1. ArchiCAD by Graphisoft. ...
  2. CTP (scene definition) by Crater. ...
  3. Flight Simulator (flight plan) by Microsoft. ...
  4. Home Plan Pro (architecture design) by Home Plan. ...
  5. InDesign (third-party plugin) by Adobe. ...
  6. Pertmaster (plan) by Pertmaster. ...
  7. Psion Organiser (organiser spreadsheet) by Psion.

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