NSP Versus XCI
NSP is an eShop-style package. XCI is a cartridge image. This page starts with the comparison table.
1. Introduction
Nintendo Switch software is listed here in two catalog formats: NSP for digital packages and XCI for cartridge images. Both carry Nintendo Content Archives (NCA). This page is the staff explainer for those formats on romsns.xyz — not a store and not Nintendo.
2. Format Comparison
| Property | NSP | XCI |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Digital eShop-style package | Physical game cartridge image |
| Container | PFS0 (PartitionFS) | HFS0 (HashFS) |
| Extension | .nsp | .xci |
| Typical size | Smaller — trimmed NCAs | Larger — includes cart padding |
| Hub on this site | NSP hub | XCI hub |
| Not listed | NSZ and XCZ are not catalog formats on romsns.xyz. | |
3. How to use this catalog
Open a listing
- Start from Switch ROMs or a format hub. Each row is the official name only.
- Read the file table on the game card: format, size, and checksum before any Get button.
- Stay on this host. Download gates use /file/{slug}/ on romsns.xyz.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some desktop utilities can rebuild an NSP from an XCI if your workflow only accepts NSP containers. This site does not host converters.
Game pages show every available file in one table. Get NSP appears before Get XCI when both exist.
No. Pick the format that matches your workflow. Updates may still arrive as NSP even if you started from XCI.
No. Those names appear on this page only to say they are not catalog formats on romsns.xyz.