Switch ROM Format: XCI vs NSP

XCI files are dumped from physical Switch cartridges. Some top-selling Switch games, like BOTW and TOTK, are only available as cartridges. So you probably find XCI ROMs of these games.

NSP files are extracted from Nintendo eShop downloads. Since cartridges usually cannot be updated, all updates and DLCs are in NSP format. Most indie games are only available via eShop, thus you can only find NSP ROMs of these games.

However, here are some games available in both XCI and NSP format, because these games are distributed as both physical cartridge version and eShop digital version. You may ask, which format to choose? I would say, it doesn’t really mater. All emulators have fully support for both format, with no difference on compatibility or performance.