Hello there! I just found a way to play .NSP games for higher firmwares on my 4.1.0 Switch.

THIS ALSO WORKS WITH ATMOSPHERE /w sigpatches


These methods seem to be obsolete, since the newest Tinfoil builds ignore the "minimum required firmware"-info in the xml-files of any NSP. Just Install any game/update/DLC with the newest Tinfoil and it should just work out of the box! (If the keygeneration limitation is still met!)

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KEEP IN MIND:
1. only basegames and updates can be installed with newest tinfoil! DLC don't work, yet! But update patching doesn't work with my method (yet?)
2. Not every game can be used with every Switch Firmware! Read the red text at the end of this post for more Information!


I tested this method with Pokemon Quest and Captain Toad, both start after editing the games.

NEW Method for playing games with lower Firmware:

1. Open NSP with Hexeditor e.g. HxD (https://mh-nexus.de/en/programs.php)
2. search for "RequiredSystemVersion" in the file
3. change <RequiredSystemVersion>335675392</RequiredSystemVersion> to all zeroes like that <RequiredSystemVersion>000000000</RequiredSystemVersion>
3.1 Count the digits again! dont forget any of them!
4. save file and install nsp!

That means no extracting anymore! Installable with e.g. Devmenu, too!

Sadly this method doesn't work for game patches/updates: they still force you to update!

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Old Method for playing games with lower Firmware:
You need to do the following:
1. extract the .NSP file with hactool in a cmd window:
"/path/to/hactool.exe" -tpfs0 --pfs0dir=GameFolder "/path/to/YourGame.nsp"

keep in mind to change the path and name of hactool.exe and YourGame.nsp according to your setup!

2. edit the ....cnmt.xml file in the extracted folder with wordpad:
change e.g <RequiredSystemVersion>335675392</RequiredSystemVersion> to <RequiredSystemVersion>0</RequiredSystemVersion>

protip: the string is almost at the bottom of the xml file!

3. copy the folder of the game with all the nca, etc. files to
SD:/tinfoil/extracted/GameFolder/....

4. Boot ReiNX and install extracted NSP with tinfoil

5. ????

6. Profit!



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If you plan on doing this often, prepare a batchfile:

1. make a new whatever.txt file
2. edit and put in the following command (but according to your setup):

"/path/to/hactool.exe" -tpfs0 --pfs0dir=GameFolder "%1"
pause

3. save the file and rename the fileextension to .cmd.
4. you can now drag/drop any .nsp file on this .cmd file and you will get your game extracted into GameFolder.


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PLEASE HELP ME:

It seems that only some games run on lower firmwares through this method, since the game encryption etc. has changed over time!
The "Keygeneration" in the XML file should tell us which FW is at least needed to play a game!

Keygeneration 0=at least FW ??? needed?, e.g. VOEZ, Mario+Rabbids
Keygeneration 1=at least FW ??? needed?
Keygeneration 2=at least FW ??? needed?
Keygeneration 3=at least FW ??? needed?, e.g. Super Mario Odyssey
Keygeneration 4=at least FW 4.1.0 needed?, e.g. Captain Toad, Pokemon Quest, Octopath Traveler, Limbo, Lego Incredibles, Hello Neighbor
Keygeneration 5=at least FW 5.0.0< needed! e.g. Nekopara Thanks @puppydg68

I need help testing those games on low firmwares! Please tell me on which firmware you are on and what games work/don't work.

If I get enough data (game name+firmware of your switch+key generation of the game) I'll compile a list of compatible games!

When you try to install a game with higher key generation than your FW is capable of the game will install fine with tinfoil (no Error)! But in the home menu you will only have a grey box with a loading circle in it!
We have currently no way to play those games!
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Get the newest Tinfoil by Adubbz here: Click!
Added old Tinfoil build. Works for me but no updates allowed!
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UPDATE: Keyfile not mentioned anymore, since it doesn't seem to be needed for .nsp extraction! Thanks @Wizard0f0z for accidentally finding that out!
UPDATE2: Keygeneration in cnmt.xml should be an indicator which fw you at least need for the game to be played
UPDATE3: Newest Keygeneration (5) added. Those games seem to work only on 5.0.0+.
UPDATE4: Error when installing higher key generation game added.
UPDATE5: easier method added!
UPDATE6: Added Tinfoil files! @Adubbz I hope it's okay?
UPDATE7: greyed everything out (methods are obsolete as of Aug. 5th), since Tinfoil ignores the min. Fw. requirement!

 

[Solitario]

I tested it here at 4.1 with Mega Man x legacy collection and it worked perfect thanks

 

[Ghassen-ga]

Octopath traveler, hallow knight, dead cells works for 4.1, thanks so much op!

 

[DarkyDragon]

The CMD gives me Failed to read file! in the middle of the process with Hollow Knight and Darkest Dungeon, any solution?

 

[kumikochan]

did anyone test some games out on 3.0 ?

 

[Zocker4444]

The CMD gives me Failed to read file! in the middle of the process with Hollow Knight and Darkest Dungeon, any solution?

Are you sure that your files are not corrupted? it's weird that it stops reading the file during the process.

did anyone test some games out on 3.0 ?

We still need people to test for several games as stated in OP. I really want to know, which Keygeneration games will work on which FW.

 

[koyuki38]

Dont tell me i updated for nothing last week. I waited son long with my 4.1 ;-;

 

[KoopaKhan]

This worked perfectly to get Hollow Knight working on 4.1.0, many thanks!

 

[DarkyDragon]

Are you sure that your files are not corrupted? it's weird that it stops reading the file during the process.

Yep, Darkest Dungeon works perfect in my switch and i try it on Hactool for test and gives me Failed to read file! =S I can't upload images because I'm new to the forum...

(sry for my english)

 

[XpertXP1]

Ok got the game extracted and ready for install, i either need to repack the release as a NSP file or need Tinfoil to install. How do I either repack it as a NSP or where can I find tinfoil?

Thanks!

 

[suzsuzuki]

I edited the ARMS's update but didn't works, still asks to update the system. The game without update works fine. I'm on 4.1.

Ow, works with Hollow Knight

 

[Solitario]

Does not work with updates, tested with sonic mania plus and still asks for the update

 

[XpertXP1]

Found tinfoil, Installed Octopath using firmware version as 0 - works. Gave an error during the install process but the game booted up and is working. - SX OS 1.4....

 

[puppydg68]

Tried one with Keygeneration 5. It installs, but i have a spinning circle where the icon is, and no way to uninstall it or launch it. Looks like for a very recent software a 4.1 switch doesn't have the encryption key. Anything tried keygeneration 4 or lower has worked.

Is there a way to search for it on the SDCard and remove that installation manually?

 

[Zocker4444]

Tried one with Keygeneration 5. It installs, but i have a spinning circle where the icon is, and no way to uninstall it or launch it. Looks like for a very recent software a 4.1 switch doesn't have the encryption key. Anything tried keygeneration 4 or lower has worked.

Is there a way to search for it on the SDCard and remove that installation manually?

could you please give me the name of the game?

normally you should be able to delete it from the storage management menu

 

[loler55]

memloader^^

 

[puppydg68]

could you please give me the name of the game?

nekopara

Switch is 4.01 So far everything else is good.

PS. Thanks for the system storage tip. I was able to delete it from there.

PSS. I'm trying to determine which RequiredSystemVersion is good. So far I've found for Firmware 4.01 which I'm on. Required SystemVersion < 201457664 will run. > 269484032 wants an update. I suspect Firmware 5.0 = 335675392
I can now basically unpack a NSP and know if its going to run/install as a straight NSP, or if it needs a firmware version mod. Not sure if this is important at all.

 

[Zocker4444]

nekopara

Switch is 4.01 So far everything else is good.

PS. Thanks for the system storage tip. I was able to delete it from there.

Are extracted updates working for people? I try to install an update via tinfoil and it always errors and crashes. usually a kernel panic.

I've heard that Tinfoil isn't designed for installing updates or DLC, yet. Give it some time.

 

[Solitario]

nekopara

Switch is 4.01 So far everything else is good.

PS. Thanks for the system storage tip. I was able to delete it from there.

Are extracted updates working for people? I try to install an update via tinfoil and it always errors and crashes. usually a kernel panic.

Does not work with updates, tested with sonic mania plus and still asks for the update

 

[OperationNT]

Tried on Sonic Mania update "V2" (required for "Plus" mode): it doesn't work on FW 4.0.1.

 

[XpertXP1]

When games are installed with Tinfoil, where are they installed to? System memory or SD card?
Thanks