Update (2018.10.15)
Original Post is outdated. Quite remarkable that the scene evolved so much in just three months (less than 2 years since the console was released). Now I'm going to differentiate the PROs and CONs of the two instead.
Let's start with XCI:
Pros:
Next up, NSP:
Pros:
Note:
* = moot
With all of those being said, I still prefer NSP over XCI since all my games now are in NSP format and because I'm quite used to using them already.
Did I miss anything? If so, post it here and I can update the OP.
Since the dawn of backup loading, especially the release of SX OS, the number of game backups from the net are starting to grow. Because of this, my storage drives are starting to fill up. As a matter of fact I already have one 500GB external hard drive full of games, some are duplicates of XCI and NSP and I'm having a hard time choosing which one to keep so I made this poll.
Personally I prefer NSP because of a few reasons:
1. I can install it in my internal storage.
2. I can use my cartridges without having to worry if I've emulated a game cart using SX OS.
3. I feel like the games load faster when installed than emulated (placebo?)
4. The games are readily playable in Horizon OS, no need to choose from the album.
However, there are also a few things I hate about NSPs:
1. To install the game is not as easy as how we use the XCI
2. Not to mention the risk (at the moment) with DevMenu in installing NSPs
3. I need twice as much storage space as the game size if I'm planning to install the game in the sdcard.
What do you guys prefer? And what are your inputs about it?
Original Post is outdated. Quite remarkable that the scene evolved so much in just three months (less than 2 years since the console was released). Now I'm going to differentiate the PROs and CONs of the two instead.
Let's start with XCI:
Pros:
- Easy to use, just copy it to the sdcard and run it via SX OS.
- Flexible, you can run it as is using SX OS (as mentioned above) or you can install it like an NSP.
- *Safer to use compared to NSP since you can use a private cartridge cert and it doesn't use a fake ticket.
- Can be installed to the internal storage.
- You can split it into 4GB files so you can use it in a fat32 sdcard.
- (NEW) Can be loaded from an external drive.
- You cannot run the XCI files as is (without installing it) on free CFWs like Atmosphere, ReiNX, RajNX, etc. Only SX OS, which is a paid CFW, can do that.
- Larger file size than NSP, even when trimmed.
- You cannot use a cartridge when you're emulating one using XCI on SX OS.
Next up, NSP:
Pros:
- Smaller file size than XCI.
- *There is a method in which we can modify the NSP files to remove the fake tickets from them so it'll be safer to use.
- Can also be installed to the internal storage.
- Loads faster than an emulated cartridge using XCI.
- Can also be split into 4GB file size so you can use them in a fat32 sdcard.
- Needs to be installed first before we can play them.
- The process of removing the fake tickets is not for the casual users.
Note:
* = moot
With all of those being said, I still prefer NSP over XCI since all my games now are in NSP format and because I'm quite used to using them already.
Did I miss anything? If so, post it here and I can update the OP.
Personally I prefer NSP because of a few reasons:
1. I can install it in my internal storage.
2. I can use my cartridges without having to worry if I've emulated a game cart using SX OS.
3. I feel like the games load faster when installed than emulated (placebo?)
4. The games are readily playable in Horizon OS, no need to choose from the album.
However, there are also a few things I hate about NSPs:
1. To install the game is not as easy as how we use the XCI
2. Not to mention the risk (at the moment) with DevMenu in installing NSPs
3. I need twice as much storage space as the game size if I'm planning to install the game in the sdcard.
What do you guys prefer? And what are your inputs about it?
Last edited by annson24,