: Stands for eXtracted Cart Image. XCI files are essentially dumps of Switch game cartridges, similar to NSPs but often used for games that are distributed physically. XCI files can be used to install and play games on a Switch console without buying the physical copy, but it's worth noting that using XCI files for games you haven't purchased can infringe on copyright and intellectual property rights.
When looking for game backups or updates, you will typically encounter two primary file formats. Both serve the same purpose but come from different sources: Mario Kart 8 - Википедия mario kart 8 deluxe switch nsp xci update 30 repack