An NSP (Nintendo Submission Package) is the format used for digital titles downloaded from the Nintendo eShop. It is essentially the “installer” package.
For most users, an XCI Base + a separate NSP Update is the gold standard. This allows you to keep the base game read-only (like a cartridge) while applying patches on top. If you only have an NSP base, that works too—just be prepared for a longer initial install time.
Update Version: v1.3.0
Size: ~600 MB
Required Firmware: 6.2.0 (or higher) Super Mario Odyssey Switch NSP XCI UPDATE
What’s New in v1.3.0:
Update includes all previous patches (v1.1.0, v1.2.0). An NSP (Nintendo Submission Package) is the format
If you are using an XCI file on a modded Switch (via SX OS or a dumper like nx-dumper), updates are handled slightly differently. You can either:
For users with a modded Switch (Atmosphere or SX OS), the process is different. Update Version: v1
This is usually a signature check issue. On a modded Switch, ensure you have SigPatches installed via Atmosphere or Lockpick. On an emulator, re-dump the update from a clean source—corruption often occurs during the download, not the installation.
An XCI (NX Card Image) is a 1:1 dump of a physical Nintendo Switch game cartridge. It is the raw, unaltered data pulled directly from a game card.