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]

@Zocker4444

Here's a gist with a very early (and slow) prototype I put together in 30min: https://gist.github.com/rdmrocha/e4318816d9abd4b5831702caf6ba0aaa
Should work OK but use it with caution.

When I have time, I'll speed up the binary file search properly. But for now it should work and you can compile it for all platforms.
Or if someone wants to pick it up and optimize it, be my guest

If I understand it correctly (unfortunately I'm not fluent in coding language) this should patch a NSP without extracting it? Nice!!!

If this proves to be good, I will definetly push your file/code to my OP, if you're okay with it

 

[rrocha]

If I understand it correctly (unfortunately I'm not fluent in coding language) this should patch a NSP without extracting it? Nice!!!

If this proves to be good, I will definetly push your file/code to my OP, if you're okay with it

It's exactly that. But bear in mind that it's prototype code. No proper error handling, pattern search is slow and ugly, no help... But it works. Tested it with Sonic Mania, Octopath and Captain Toad. All install and run on my 4.1.0 switch.

I'm also pretty sure that "on the fly" patching for NSP installs is something we should expect to get in the next SX OS. It would be great to drag and drop, while their launcher/installer takes care of it for us

 

[Panpan]

So I've patched my .nsp with the tool and manually with HxD, but none of the edited .nsp works after I install them, they always say I need to update. What am I doing wrong? My Switch is on 4.1.0 and I'm trying to play Captain Toad.

 

[Cdoan34]

So I've patched my .nsp with the tool and manually with HxD, but none of the edited .nsp works after I install them, they always say I need to update. What am I doing wrong? My Switch is on 4.1.0 and I'm trying to play Captain Toad.

What tool are you using to install them? I got the same problem when i used the SXOS nsp installer but didnt have any issues when using the version of tinfoil linked in OP

 

[hellogbatemp]

Devmenu work on 3.0.0?

 

[Panpan]

What tool are you using to install them? I got the same problem when I used the SXOS nsp installer but didnt have any issues when using the version of tinfoil linked in OP

I've used the SX installer through ReiNX rommenu, but I already tested installing them with tinfoil, although I started tinfoil with the ReiNX rommenu, and again it won't let me play the installed games instead, it prompts me to update.

So should I start tinfoil with the proper HBmenu? Or should i install the NSPs completely without using ReiNX and just play them with it?

 

[rrocha]

@Zocker4444

gist updated. now it's fast. there are some more optimizations that can be made, like a reverse search but this is good enough for me and it's open-source so people can tweak it at their will

here you go: https://gist.github.com/rdmrocha/6c74d8c238751f3e5a0aac3119dfc586

 

[kylum]

I've used the SX installer through ReiNX rommenu, but I already tested installing them with tinfoil, although I started tinfoil with the ReiNX rommenu, and again it won't let me play the installed games instead, it prompts me to update.

So should I start tinfoil with the proper HBmenu? Or should i install the NSPs completely without using ReiNX and just play them with it?

Patched games don’t install correctly with RomMenu. Tinfoil is the way to go for now. You can use tinfoil with ReiNX. Just make sure you have an older version of tinfoil as the latest one is broken, well from what I read. I’m using tinfoil with the latest ReiNX and it’s working great. I’m only using tinfoil for patched nsp’s

 

[pausuri]

Is the newest version of TinFoil(the one compatible with updates) still broken?

Thanks!

 

[Kobigov]

Is the newest version of TinFoil(the one compatible with updates) still broken?

Thanks!

Probably, has anyone tried Rommenu with this? That might also work.

 

[Draxzelex]

Probably, has anyone tried Rommenu with this? That might also work.

Rommenu doesn't work with these. It'll still ask you to update.

 

[pausuri]

Rommenu doesn't work with these. It'll still ask you to update.

Same with the lastest TinFoil unfortunately..

 

[Kobigov]

Same with the lastest TinFoil unfortunately..

Oof, it works with the build in stash 1.5 for anyone that needs it.

 

[1219chicho]

Same with the lastest TinFoil unfortunately..

to get it working go to first page and download tinfoilbutold.rar and it will work its write under your nose buddy

 

[CampofMusic]

Will Wolfenstien II with an update version 1.1 will work on my 4.1 switch?

 

[Zipper]

Is there a reason this works with tinfoil but not other installers?

 

[Kobigov]

Is there a reason this works with tinfoil but not other installers?

No idea, and it seems like it only works with a specific version.

 

[pausuri]

to get it working go to first page and download tinfoilbutold.rar and it will work its write under your nose buddy

to get it working go to first page and download tinfoilbutold.rar and it will work its write under your nose buddy

I am asking about the new TinFoil the one that supports updates, the one you mentioned works but you can only use it to install base games.
Apparently, when you mod the update (for instance Mario Tennis latest update 1.1.6) and use the newest TinFoil version it keeps asking to update the game to play the updated game... Am I missing something? Or this method doesn’t fully support updates yet?
Cheers

 

[Kobigov]

I am asking about the new TinFoil the one that supports updates, the one you mentioned works but you can only use it to install base games.
Apparently, when you mod the update (for instance Mario Tennis latest update 1.1.6) and use the newest TinFoil version it keeps asking to update the game to play the updated game... Am I missing something? Or this method doesn’t fully support updates yet?
Cheers

You could try patching the update with this: https://gbatemp.net/threads/nspatch-patch-nsp-files-to-their-actual-needed-fw-version.513138/

 

[kylum]

I am asking about the new TinFoil the one that supports updates, the one you mentioned works but you can only use it to install base games.
Apparently, when you mod the update (for instance Mario Tennis latest update 1.1.6) and use the newest TinFoil version it keeps asking to update the game to play the updated game... Am I missing something? Or this method doesn’t fully support updates yet?
Cheers

As far as my testing has gone thus far with the games I have, which is only 8 games. The update has only worked out of the box(not editing). If they didn’t work, editing didnt help, even if they look as if they should have based on Keygeneration and required version. I can not speak for others though.

I’m thinking it has something to do with how updates are installed and the changes might have been implemented in the base game install as well. Hence, why the newest version of tinfoil, SX OS and RomMenu won’t install patched base games they way older versions of tinfoil does. However I’m no Dev/coder so I really have no clue.

 

[Zocker4444]

@pausuri Update patching still doesn't work! The newest Tinfoil will install the update but it will still need an systemupdate!! This Tinfoil is the newer one in the OP. I think this problem is a limitation of the patching method and not a bug of Tinfoil, to be honest.

from OP:

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?)