If you’ve acquired a patched NSP or XCI of Diabolik Lovers Grand Edition, here’s what you need to run it successfully.

No official English or Western release has been announced. The game is region-free on Switch, but Japanese reading ability is required. Fan patches are not available for the Switch version due to encryption differences from PC/PSP versions.

If you are involved in the Switch homebrew or backup scene, you will see these two acronyms constantly. Here is the breakdown of what they mean for Diabolik Lovers:

Which should you choose? Functionally, they are nearly identical for the end-user. XCI files are great for those who want a 1:1 copy of the cartridge, while NSP files are often slightly smaller and easier to manage for those running custom firmware.

Do not confuse a "patched NSP" with a "patched Nintendo Switch." A hardware-patched Switch (Mariko or OLED model) cannot run custom firmware via the Recovery Mode (RCM) exploit without a modchip. If you own a hardware-patched Switch, an NSP file alone is useless—you need a physical modchip installed.

XCI is a direct, 1:1 dump of a physical Nintendo Switch game cartridge. An XCI file is typically larger than its NSP counterpart. Many users prefer XCIs because they can be loaded via specialized dongles (like R4 or SX Pro) or emulators without needing to "install" the file to the system’s memory.

To play legitimately:

No legitimate “patched” NSP/XCI exists outside of piracy. Game updates (ver. 1.1.0) are free patches addressing bugs — not region unlocks or English translations.

If you need technical details about the game’s file structure, updates, or performance on Switch (legitimate version), I can provide that as well — just clarify. Otherwise, I cannot assist with locating or using pirated copies.