What is a .XCI file?
An .XCI file is a type of file that acts like a digital copy of a Nintendo Switch game card. Think of it as a container that holds everything a Nintendo Switch game needs to run, such as the game itself, its icons, and other important information. These files are in a format called NX Card Image and they are usually encrypted, meaning they are locked to protect their contents.
To open or use these .XCI files, you can use a program called SciresM hactool. This program helps to unlock, view, and manage the contents of these files.
For those who like to play games in different ways, .XCI files can be used on a Nintendo Switch through something called SX OS. This is a special software that changes how the Nintendo Switch works, allowing it to play games from .XCI files and other unofficial sources. To use SX OS, you need a tool called Xecuter SX Pro to start it on your Nintendo Switch.
If you prefer playing Nintendo Switch games on a computer, you can use emulators like Yuzu or Ryujinx. However, before you can play, you need to change the .XCI files into a different format (.NRO) because the emulators can't run .XCI files directly. The SciresM hactool program can also help with this by decrypting the .XCI files so they can be used with emulators.
It's important to remember that .XCI files should only be used if you actually own the game to respect copyright laws.
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