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!

 

[Zocker4444]

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

They are installed on SD. so you always need some free space on your SD, if you would like to install NSPs.

 

[felixsrg]

Great find! I am now finally able to play Limbo on my 4.1 Switch, it is Keygeneration 4, thought I might as well let you know, thank you so much.

 

[kylum]

Confirming that it works with LEGO The Incredibles. Im on 4.1.0

OP should put up a list of confirmed working games.

 

[XpertXP1]

Confirming that it works with LEGO The Incredibles.

OP should put up a list of confirmed working games.

Agreed, i feel this should be getting more publicity....essentially there is no reason to upgrade to a higher firmware, granted their might be a handful of releases that don't work.

 

[felixsrg]

Confirming that it works with LEGO The Incredibles.

OP should put up a list of confirmed working games.

I also agree this is a great idea, this way we can also know if a game can or cannot be played on our current version.

 

[bonoboy]

What ir I'm on 5.X.X?

 

[OkazakiTheOtaku]

This is fantastic. I got some 5.x games running on my 4.1 console. Thanks!

 

[Loke]

So.. Does mario odyssey work on 3.0.0?

EDIT: Okay, so I tried to install it for 5 times now but I get stuck with a 0x0000805 error in tinfoil. I've had this happen before with legit nsp files, so i don't know if it's the actual file.

EDIT2: So i tried another 5 times and can't get past the 805 error with mario. Then I tried golf story and it installed. However, the icon on the menu didn't show up and when trying to launch, the system gave me an could not start this software message. I don't know what is causing the error, as I've also encountered this with a game that is supporting by my firmware (shantae). I'll try some different game with the 3.0.1 key.

EDIT3: Installed 2 more games, enter the gungeon and stardew valley, both installed without any errors. Same problem on the home menu though. Grey icon and could not start the software message. So no luck for 3.0.0 sadly.

 

[pausuri]

Is this method compatible with SX OS as well? I mean, can I install the data folder with the built in nsp SX os installer?

Cheers

 

[Zocker4444]

So.. Does mario odyssey work on 3.0.0?

EDIT: Okay, so I tried to install it for 5 times now but I get stuck with a 0x0000805 error in tinfoil. I've had this happen before with legit nsp files, so i don't know if it's the actual file.

EDIT2: So i tried another 5 times and can't get past the 805 error with mario. Then I tried golf story and it installed. However, the icon on the menu didn't show up and when trying to launch, the system gave me an could not start this software message. I don't know what is causing the error, as I've also encountered this with a game that is supporting by my firmware (shantae). I'll try some different game with the 3.0.1 key.

EDIT3: Installed 2 more games, enter the gungeon and stardew valley, both installed without any errors. Same problem on the home menu though. Grey icon and could not start the software message. So no luck for 3.0.0 sadly.

For the Mario game... I don't know anything about that error since I've not even tried to install a game, that has a higher Keygeneration than my switch. Maybe that really is the problem.

But I think that you are using either a broken build of tinfoil or your sigpatches aren't working correctly. Please try a version of tinfoil that is confirmed to work and tell us your results.

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Confirming that it works with LEGO The Incredibles. Im on 4.1.0

OP should put up a list of confirmed working games.

could you tell me the key generation? you'll find it in the XML

 

[Loke]

For the Mario game... I don't know anything about that error since I've not even tried to install a game, that has a higher Keygeneration than my switch. Maybe that really is the problem.

But I think that you are using either a broken build of tinfoil or your sigpatches aren't working correctly. Please try a version of tinfoil that is confirmed to work and tell us your results.

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could you tell me the key generation? you'll find it in the XML

Nah my tinfoil is fine, also my patches are fine. I just installed 3 games (shovelknight, overcooked and bomberman) without errors. This method isn't working for 3.0.0 with games using a 3.0.1 key. Also i tried like 5 different games, only mario kept giving the 805 error, the other games installed without errors but the system isn't able to launch them

 

[Zocker4444]

What ir I'm on 5.X.X?

there might be games that are forcing you to update to 5.1.0 but if you're e.g. on 5.0.0 you should theoretically be able to play every game with this method, since you should have the latest keys in your FW.

So it could still be useful for you

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Nah my tinfoil is fine, also my patches are fine. I just installed 3 games (shovelknight, overcooked and bomberman) without errors. This method isn't working for 3.0.0 with games using a 3.0.1 key. Also i tried like 5 different games, only mario kept giving the 805 error, the other games installed without errors but the system isn't able to launch them

they injtall without errors, okay I get that. But they should be able to run or at least give you a picture on the home menu? so what exactly are you seeing when you`re trying to boot an installed game?

 

[Loke]

I said what happens in the edits of my post, please read the full post.
There is a grey logo with a loading wheel. When pressing the system says could not start the software.
This method does not work with 3.0.0, I tested it thoroughly.

 

[Zocker4444]

I said what happens in the edits of my post, please read the full post.
There is a grey logo with a loading wheel. When pressing the system says could not start the software.
This method does not work with 3.0.0, I tested it thoroughly.

yeah, okay, just wanted to double check since I read that at the beginning. That really sounds like there is something wrong with your tinfoil setup... even without sigpatches, AFAIK, tinfoil should still install the games and you should be able to see a pciture of the game in the home menu - but you wouldn't be able to install them.

Do you have enough free space on your sd when installing the games? this could be the problem with mario... maybe

and delete the games in the system storage menu before you make any attempts to install it again

 

[Loke]

Please, try to read more carefully. There is no problem with tinfoil, only mario gave an error (which might be tinfoil related), the other games i tried installed with NO error.
I tried many different games, all with the same result (except for mario with the 805 error). I also deleted the files in the setting and tried to install them again, but with the same result.
It's probably because the keys are missing in 3.0.0.

 

[SkulllKid]

I'm on 2.1 mario + rabbids works fine key generation 0

 

[Zocker4444]

Please, try to read more carefully. There is no problem with tinfoil, only mario gave an error (which might be tinfoil related), the other games i tried installed with NO error.
I tried many different games, all with the same result (except for mario with the 805 error). I also deleted the files in the setting and tried to install them again, but with the same result.
It's probably because the keys are missing in 3.0.0.

And I understood that EVERY game installs without errors, but doesn't load from home menu (grey loading picture), and some have errors while installing (e.g. Mario). so it wasn't clearly stated that you can indeed install AND run some games.






THX @SkulllKid

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Is this method compatible with SX OS as well? I mean, can I install the data folder with the built in nsp SX os installer?

Cheers

AFAIK the SX installer isn't able to install extracted NSP files. But you can still use tinfoil and install the games that way

 

[adrifcastr]

I'm working on a lil something atm

 

[DarkyDragon]

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)

Ok, now it works perfect for me. Had the hactool corrupt.

Octopath traveler, hollow knight and Mario Tennis Aces works in 4.1 ^^

 

[Zocker4444]

I'm working on a lil something atm
View attachment 137544

Wohoo! Looking forward to it!