Eden Emulator: NSP File Not Loading / Game Not Showing — NSP vs XCI Format Guide

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XCI files (physical cartridge dumps, extension .xci) are the easiest format to use in Eden. They work like a folder full of games — you add them to a game directory and they appear automatically in your library.

To add XCI files to Eden:

1. Place your .xci files in any folder on your PC (e.g. C:\SwitchGames\).
2. Open Eden → Settings (gear icon) → User Interface → Game Directories.
3. Click Add and navigate to the folder containing your XCI files.
4. Click OK / Close. Eden will scan the folder and add all valid XCI files to your game list.

If an XCI file does not appear after adding its folder:

• Ensure your prod.keys file is present and up to date — Eden needs valid keys to decrypt the XCI. Without keys, the file is not recognized. See the prod.keys guide for how to provide them.
• Make sure the XCI is not split into multiple files (some dumpers create .xc0 / .xc1 parts). Eden expects a single .xci.

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NSP files (Nintendo Submission Package, extension .nsp) are the Switch's digital distribution format — equivalent to what you'd download from the eShop. NSP files cannot be added to a game directory and played directly. They must be installed first.

This is the most common mistake: dropping an NSP file into a game folder and wondering why it doesn't appear. The NSP format requires an install step before Eden can see and launch it.

To install an NSP in Eden:

1. Open Eden.
2. Go to File → Install Files to NAND (or in some Eden versions: File → Install NSP/NSZ).
3. Navigate to your .nsp file and select it.
4. Eden will install the game to its virtual NAND. Once installation completes, the game appears in your Eden game list automatically.

Alternatively: drag and drop. In some Eden versions, you can drag an NSP file directly onto the Eden game list window. Eden will prompt you to install it.

NSZ files (compressed NSP) work exactly the same way — install via File → Install Files to NAND.

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Switch games separate the base game, updates, and DLC into different files. If you have separate update.nsp or dlc.nsp files, install each one the same way as the base game:

1. File → Install Files to NAND → select the update NSP. Install it.
2. File → Install Files to NAND → select each DLC NSP individually. Install each.

To verify an update was applied: right-click the game in Eden's game list → Properties. The version shown in the title should match the update you installed (e.g. v1.0.0 → v1.4.0 after the update NSP).

Common problem — "Update not applying":

• The update NSP must be for the exact same Title ID as your base game. A mismatched Title ID (e.g. an NTSC update on a PAL base) will fail silently or show an error.
• Check in Eden's game list: right-click → Properties → View and compare the base and update Title IDs.
• Also ensure your prod.keys cover the firmware version required by the update. Updates that require newer Switch firmware need newer keys.

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If you have installed an NSP but the game fails to launch or shows an error, the cause is almost always missing or outdated keys / firmware.

"Keys not found" / "Decryption failed":

• Eden needs prod.keys (and optionally title.keys) in its keys directory: %APPDATA%\eden\keys\ on Windows, or ~/.config/eden/keys/ on Linux.
• Newer games released after your last key dump may not decrypt. You need to re-dump newer prod.keys from your Switch (using Lockpick_RCM on a modded Switch).
• See the dedicated prod.keys guide for the step-by-step process to get and place your keys.

"Firmware not found" or game won't launch on first run:

• Some NSP games require a specific Switch firmware version to launch. Eden can emulate the firmware: go to File → Install Files to NAND and install a firmware package (a set of .nca files from your own Switch's firmware). After installing firmware, try launching the game again.

"Content not found" after NSP install:

• Try reinstalling the NSP. If the install was interrupted or the file is corrupted, the installed package may be incomplete.
• Check that the NSP contains the base game (not just an update): an update-only NSP has no standalone launcher — you need the base game NSP installed first.

Quick format reference:

File Type	How to use in Eden	Notes
.xci	Add folder to Game Directories	Most straightforward; appears in game list automatically
.nsp	File → Install Files to NAND	Base game, updates, DLC — each installed separately
.nsz	File → Install Files to NAND	Compressed NSP; Eden decompresses on install
.xcz	Add folder to Game Directories	Compressed XCI; treated like XCI
.nca	File → Install Files to NAND (firmware only)	Raw format; only used for Switch firmware packages