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Verify the game files (installer and console) #48

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@Pulpparty

Nothing checks the game's data files (content/) today:

  • make_sd.py (and the installer that runs it) checks only that code/cking.rpx, content/ and meta/meta.xml exist (setup.valid_game_folder). It checks the SHA-256 of cking.rpx only, not the ~16,000 data files.
  • The SD card step skips files that are already there: robocopy /E skips files with the same size and date, and the MTP copy skips files with their full size. A file that is damaged but has the right size is never replaced.
  • On the console, nothing checks the files at start.

So an incomplete dump, a cut-off copy or a damaged SD card shows up only as a crash somewhere in the game, often a game assert like d_s_room.cpp:637 fileList != (0) in #46. It is hard to tell apart from a bug in the port.

Idea (for later):

  1. A list of the expected files with sizes and hashes for the supported games (USA 00050000-10143500 and Europe 00050000-10143600), shipped with the tools. File names, sizes and hashes only, never game data.
  2. make_sd.py / the installer: check the extracted game against the list before copying, and say which files are missing or wrong.
  3. Optionally, a Verify game files button in the settings menu on the console, to check sdmc:/switch/wwhd/game/ against the same list (slow on the SD card, so only on request), with a short report in the log.
  4. The SD step: an option to copy everything again even if the files look the same (robocopy /IS, or an MTP copy without the size check).

Related: #46.

Activity

  1. added
    enhancementNew feature or request
    setupBuild, install or start-up problem
    on Oct 18, 2026
  2. added this to the v0.4.8 milestone on Oct 20, 2026
  3. Pulpparty commented on Oct 20, 2026

    @Pulpparty
    CollaboratorAuthor

    Fixed on main (ccec6af), in the next release (v0.4.8):

    • Game files: make_sd.py (and so every installer) now checks every file of content/ against a list of sizes and SHA-256 for the USA and the European game. A missing or damaged file is a warning with the file names, not an error, so modded games still build; the installers show it on the last page.
    • SD card copy: the Windows, Mac and Linux installers read every file back from the card after copying (past the computer's cache), copy again once any file that differs, and stop with a message if it still differs.

    Not included: a check on the console at start, and the MTP copy is unchanged.

  4. Pulpparty commented on Oct 24, 2026

    @Pulpparty
    CollaboratorAuthor

    Note: the next release will be v1.0.0 instead of v0.4.8 (milestone renamed). This fix ships in it.

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    enhancementNew feature or requestfixed on mainFixed on main, waiting for the next releasesetupBuild, install or start-up problem

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