To dump a game on a Nintendo Switch using a PC, you will need a Custom Firmware (CFW) installed on your console. There are different CFW options available, but for this guide, we will assume you are using hekate as your CFW.
Here are the step-by-step instructions to dump a game on a PC:
1. Launch your Nintendo Switch into the Sys CFW by booting up your console while holding the desired button to access hekate. This may vary depending on your specific setup, but commonly it is the Volume Up button.
2. Once you have successfully launched into the Sys CFW, open the Homebrew Menu. This can usually be accessed by selecting the Album icon on the Nintendo Switch home screen.
3. Inside the Homebrew Menu, locate and open the nxdumptool application. This tool will allow you to dump your installed SD card or eMMC content.
4. In nxdumptool, select the option to “Dump installed SD card / eMMC content.” This will initiate the dumping process.
5. A list of installed games and applications will be displayed. Select the game you want to dump by highlighting it and pressing the A button.
6. After selecting the game, you will be presented with various dumping options. Choose the option for “Nintendo Submission Package (NSP) dump.” This will create an NSP file, which is the format commonly used for installing games on a Nintendo Switch.
7. The dumping process will begin, and you will see a progress bar indicating the status of the dump. Depending on the size of the game and the speed of your SD card or eMMC storage, this process can take some time.
8. Once the dumping process is complete, you will see a confirmation message. The NSP file will be saved to a location specified by nxdumptool. You can transfer this file to your PC for further use or backup purposes.
It’s important to note that dumping games using CFW and creating NSP files can be a legal gray area. It is essential to only dump games that you own and avoid distributing or sharing these files without proper authorization.
Additionally, if you are using an EmuMMC (Emulated NAND) setup on your Nintendo Switch, make sure to launch the EmuMMC CFW instead of the Sys CFW to access and dump the games installed on your EmuMMC.
Remember to always stay informed about the legal implications of game dumping and follow ethical practices when it comes to personal backups and sharing of copyrighted material.