2. I've seen it written somewhere (maybe elsewhere on these forums) that depending on the version update, you don't always need newer patches. In the case of going from 16.0.0 to 16.0.1, apparently the same ones that worked for 16.0.0 will work for 16.0.1. For a x.y.z version structure, I read that it only requires a change when x or y increment and not when z does. Or did I misread that wrong and was it actually just talking about Atmosphere itself?
3. I did not know that. That actually makes me feel way better about the precautions I've been taking (most of which might be considered over-the-top.
4. The Switch I reference in 12. is running Firmware 13.2.1 with Atmosphere 1.3.2. On that one, I used NXDumpTool and GameCard Installer and both work just fine. The Switch that I use Tinfoil 16.0 on has Firmware 16.0.0 and Atmosphere 1.5.1 and I wasn't able to use either tool to dump or install. I saw mention that GameCard Installer is more or less deprecated and that Goldleaf is also fairly useless in newer firmwares. My experience has been similar, though it's entirely possible that I've done something wrong.
Either way, the workflow that I use with Tinfoil DOES seem to work and rather well. The only thing I wasn't sure of is am I creating these NSP files correctly (i.e. they will function and install on other consoles that are set up properly)? I have not tested installing the NSPs onto a second Switch (and the one I'm trying to sell is more or less full in terms of games stored on it already). Tinfoil's ability to dump installed games to NSP seems to make sense. But not being able to dump directly from the cartridge seems odd since Tinfoil otherwise seems to do what I need it to.
Again, I haven't tested installing the NSP files I've created using this process. But I can absolutely attest that it will install a game from a cartridge and that said game will launch without any issue whatsoever.
Do let me know if the NSP files I've been saving are likely to be useless. It's one thing if you and I do the same thing differently with two different tools and you just happen to prefer one. It's another if the tool I'm using is likely to present me with problems down the road. Would rather stem that tide now before I have spent all this time dumping NSP files that end up being worthless.
5. There's a lot of chatter about it on the SwitchPirates subreddit. I might've seen a post on here about it too. I'd post the links, but my account on here is so new that I'm not yet allowed to. Everyone seems to recommend Exosphere over 90dns. And, on paper, I get it. I'd much rather not have to make joining to every new WiFi network more complicated than merely entering the password to the SSID.
6. Good to know that primary vs. secondary doesn't matter. I was afraid that there were extra protections in play that would make dumping the game more...difficult?
7. Follow-up question here. I know that some games have DLC that gets downloaded with the base game (and is only merely activated upon purchase) and there's some where buying the DLC results in the download of a separate NSP file from the eShop. Is there a guide anywhere on which games handle DLC in which fashion? I'd imagine the Nintendo ones do the latter approach. But using Mortal Kombat 11 as an example again, I'd think that might be a case of the former. In either case, I'd have no real way of knowing. Tinfoil seems to provide some clues. But it's all still vague-seeming to me at this point.
9. Interesting. I'll keep doing it to be safe, but good to know that it's mainly done as a legality/formality more than a necessity.
11. I never tried the installed game via Tinfoil; but on the older switch that I'm trying to sell, I did use GameCard Installer and NXDumpTool and I basically got what you'd get when you stick the game card in the slot of any switch and opt not to download the extra download. Which is to say a minimal number of characters with only so many modes available. I don't know how my mileage might differ from using Tinfoil for both dumping and installing versus GameCard Installer/NXDumpTool/GoldLeaf, unless, per your response to 4., the NSP files made from Tinfoil won't work. Though, if that's the case, do tell me now.
12. eBay will take down the auction if "Jailbroken" "CFW" or other such terms are used in the auction. I've read about it and seen it happen with my own auction-tracking eyes. And yes, I know enough about Jailbreaking a Switch to know that there's no such thing as a "kit". My original idea was to sell the console, fully wiped, with the SD card, perfectly ready to go, but not installed in the console, and an RCMLoader and advertising it as a Switch that is pure, but with everything needed to boot and load CFW. But, if I do sell on eBay, my wording choice and what I include or don't include needs to be very deliberate, or else I might cause myself more trouble than it's worth.
14. For sure; I definitely know that newer games will necessitate newer firmware releases. And same with theming and customizations. More wondering about any OTHER reason I might have to do it. It seems like it makes more sense to just leave my first generation Switches on as low of a version as possible since my main use cases are emulators and installing games and DLC from NSPs.
Thank you very much for your time and your answers! It's helpful!
