Hacking Any difference between XCI and NSP on a permanently offline Switch?

jimbo11 · Aug 20, 2018

Assuming my Switch will never see the internet (I don't even have wifi information entered into it, except for LAN FTP - no internet connection) and I backed up my NAND before doing anything hacky, is there any difference between using XCIs and installing NSPs, given that I could restore from my clean NAND backup in the unlikely event that I ever feel like reverting all of this? Or do we not know the answer to that?

Basically is there any reason I should be using XCIs instead of using CDNSP on computer and transferring and installing them on the Switch - from a safety standpoint anyhow?

Deleted User · Aug 20, 2018

.XCI files emulate a cartridge off a SD card which have a slower time loading the game and in some sense can be undetectable (not 100%). Installing .NSP games into the Switch's internal storage has a faster loading speed time. CDN has a greater chance of getting your entire system banned. Which means no more installing system updates or game updates.

jimbo11 · Aug 20, 2018

Okay, but the question is whether there's any difference between the two for a Switch which will always be offline. I won't be installing system or game updates online because the Switch will never be online. And CDN isn't running on the Switch itself, it's running on my computer, which is where I will download system or game updates from, with public keys not tied to my Nintendo account or to my Switch, then transfer them to the Switch via LAN FTP or microsd card. What I'm asking is if there is any difference between NSP and XCI in this specific circumstance, under the provision that I never plan to go online anyway, and have a clean NAND backup if I ever decide I want to restore back to original and take the Switch online.

Draxzelex · Aug 20, 2018

When you restore your NAND backup, it'll wipe everything from your NAND. This includes updates, DLC, and most importantly any installed titles. This means you'll have to reinstall the NSPs (or restore a NAND backup with them pre-installed) after you restore your clean NAND. However, XCIs aren't stored in the system (except for their save data which you can easily backup) so they're easier to use after a NAND restore. So in terms of detection, the difference is meaningless if you're going to restore you're NAND which makes the difference a quality of life issue.

jimbo11 · Aug 20, 2018

Thanks that's what I was looking for, the detection issue. Suppose I could have been more clear. I don't plan to be restoring from NAND often or even ever, basically only if I decide to sell the Switch, or if a future method comes out to allow un-banned Switches to play online without detection, that kind of thing. Just wanting to keep my options open and keep myself un-banned, even if it means instituting a self-ban by never going online.

OkazakiTheOtaku · Aug 20, 2018

On this issue, is there any difference in installing an NSP to Internal Storage vs. SD? I've been installing my NSPs to SD card but I can't really find an answer on whether there is a difference or not. This is a dedicated second Switch just for hax, so I don't care if it gets banned.

Halm · Aug 23, 2018

OkazakiTheOtaku said:
On this issue, is there any difference in installing an NSP to Internal Storage vs. SD? I've been installing my NSPs to SD card but I can't really find an answer on whether there is a difference or not. This is a dedicated second Switch just for hax, so I don't care if it gets banned.

I've installed NSPs to internal storage with tinfoil.
No difference as far as I can tell.

Regarding the NSP/XCI debate for a completely offline Switch (and not caring about bans), just whether you want to click on game icon and start playing or load the XCI loader to "load" the cart then click game icon to start playing.
XCI also works with preventing people from accidentally loading the GalGun game if other people click on the game icon....

Andalitez · Aug 23, 2018

Short answer : No
Long answer : Negative

Not sure why there's paragraphs for answers for this question.if it's always offline it makes no difference. No explanation needed

Mr. Wizard · Aug 23, 2018

Convenience. xci>nsp

tides · Aug 23, 2018

no....all nintendo can do is stop you from going online...

since you're not going online....stopping you from going to their eshop or anything don't mean a thing...

nyder · Aug 24, 2018

Personally I like xci's better because I can move them on and off my sd card easy. Quicker for me to just copy the file then to download the game from nintendo (like if I needed room and had to archive it). I also have my sd card set on fat32 so I have to swap out sd cards to install nsp bigger then 4gb, so that can be a hassle.

I have a 64gb card currently, plan on upgrading that when the 256's fall in price.

Just want to point out that I don't mind nsp, i just like the xci betters.

jakkal · Aug 24, 2018

There are tons of eshop only games that will never be on game carts

Mr. Wizard · Aug 25, 2018

jakkal said:
There are tons of eshop only games that will never be on game carts

No loss there, 90% of them suck.

godreborn · Aug 25, 2018

nyder said:
Personally I like xci's better because I can move them on and off my sd card easy. Quicker for me to just copy the file then to download the game from nintendo (like if I needed room and had to archive it). I also have my sd card set on fat32 so I have to swap out sd cards to install nsp bigger then 4gb, so that can be a hassle.

I have a 64gb card currently, plan on upgrading that when the 256's fall in price.

Just want to point out that I don't mind nsp, i just like the xci betters.

that actually got me interested - the prices of a 256GB micro sd card. I already own a full size 256GB card for my wii u. I thought the price would be over $200, but to my shock, the price is less than $80. there seems to be a good one on newegg.

Mr. Wizard · Aug 25, 2018

godreborn said:
that actually got me interested - the prices of a 256GB micro sd card. I already own a full size 256GB card for my wii u. I thought the price would be over $200, but to my shock, the price is less than $80. there seems to be a good one on newegg.

Or you could get a 400GB for $160 but I don't trust Sandisk.
https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Ultr...00G-GN6MA/dp/B074RNRM2B/?tag=androidpolice-20

The 512s are almost here for $350MSRP.

Deleted User · Aug 25, 2018

.nsp's are much more convenient, because you can install them to your system NAND and also you don't have to go into album every time you want to change games.

Giga_Gaia · Aug 25, 2018

There is no difference between the two.

noctis90210 · Oct 1, 2018

Mr. Wizard said:
Or you could get a 400GB for $160 but I don't trust Sandisk.
https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Ultr...00G-GN6MA/dp/B074RNRM2B/?tag=androidpolice-20

The 512s are almost here for $350MSRP.

What brand do you recomend? tnx

Mr. Wizard · Oct 2, 2018

noctis90210 said:
What brand do you recomend? tnx

I've used samsung evo pro and pro+ in the past because they use to use MLC nand.
Any card with MLC nand will last you a while. They are not cheap though but you get what you pay for.
Want to cheap out on a sandisk TLC? Then don't expect it to last.

https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/threads/microsd-options-including-mlc-cards.26035/

So it depends on if you can afford a good card that lasts, or buy a cheap shitty card and expect it to crap out on you.

Hacking Any difference between XCI and NSP on a permanently offline Switch?

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