r/macgaming • u/Antique_Luck9614 • 16h ago
Native Since so many of you asked for this, Here's MetalNX
Been using nxnative to run Switch games natively on my M1 Air but the terminal setup was a pain, and there was no easy way to configure settings, so I built a simple frontend around it.
Shoutout to nxnative which made this possible in first place.
MetalNX provides a one click to install, manage and configure your switch games to run natively on mac.
- Drop in your .nsp, click one button , wait and game appears in /Applications as a mav native,optimised port.
- MetalFX AI upscaling toggle, resolution scale, 60fps patches
- 72-game compatibility database built in so you know exactly which update version to download
- Verifies your NSP before installing so you don't waste time on the wrong dump
Tested on M1 Air running Zelda BotW 1080p at 60fps.
Mario Kart 8 gives locked 60fps on 2k.
These native ports only utilise upto 3 cores but the performance is still amazing.
It auto-detects and applies performance settings according to you mac specs.
Fixed in game-ui prompts for correct xbox button layouts.
Needs your own prod.keysand obviously legally dumped game files ;)
GitHub + DMG download: https://github.com/krushant1122/MetalNX/releases/tag/v2.0.0
Feel free to contribute.
Happy to answer questions!

Edit: I see a lot of you are facing issues mainly related to missing dependencies, I am working on the fix. Will update soon~~.~~(FIXED)
Missing .NET Runtime 10.0.14 / Exit Code 131 & 134(FIXED)
Missing collections Module (Hang at Stage 1/7)(FIXED)
Missing Python Modules (lz4.block, capstone, fontTools, backports.zstd)(FIXED)
Git Clone Failed with Exit Code 128(FIXED)
issing spirv-cross Shader Compiler(FIXED)
App Bundle Resources Mistaken for Engine Repository Root(FIXED)
Edit2: Please download the exact version as specified in the installer, older versions of updates might not work.
Added one click log reports on github, please paste the logs and send a report on git(the logs will be automatically copied to clipboard).
The build was only tested on two machines before, major fixes are on their way.
Please share any errors or bugs you find in dms, I am actively working on them.
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u/Ok_Professional_8123 15h ago
How does this compare to other GUI forks, like this: https://github.com/LNPANDY/NX2Apple
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u/Antique_Luck9614 15h ago
Seems like it’s for building native ports specifically for ios. Look much more complex, what I’ve made is a simple front end and my emphasis was on configuration and game optimisation.
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u/Minimum-Sleep7093 14h ago
It does both there a button for ipa and a button for app
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u/Antique_Luck9614 14h ago
Then its similar to what Im doing, we just have the ability to tweak and configure graphics.
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u/Minimum-Sleep7093 14h ago
How does yours support controller I know on that one gyro doesn’t work on iOS and no graphics options for Mac (can resize window I guess) also neither support local network on macOS like mush8 does can yours do any of that?
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u/Bushimotter 7h ago
I made a mistake and used my desktop as a stage, when I cleared cash it deleted my whole desktop, is there a way to get that back? It didnt go in the trash, so i dont know if i can recover.
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u/Bushimotter 6h ago
I hope there is a fix, i have no time machine, and all my files were on the desktop in a folder, my whole mac storage.
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u/icecoldrootbeer 6h ago
This is why you don't blindly try vibe-coded software written by non-programmers.
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u/Antique_Luck9614 2h ago
App did what it was supposed to, it was bad on my part that I didn’t give out proper instructions for staging. It’s used AI help but coded by an cs engineer 😎. I think if you can purely vibe code smth so complex and actually get it working it’s hard off to you.
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u/Antique_Luck9614 2h ago
Okay so the stage feature is used while porting the games to Mac, this consumes extra storage on top of the already required storage so to give the option to users with 256 ssd, I made the option to use a storage drive as stage.
Never use desktop for staging, create a separate directory for staging. Will be adding instructions on this on priority, don’t want this happening to more people.1
u/Antique_Luck9614 2h ago
Im so sorry you had to face this, unfortunately there isn’t a way I know of to recover those files, please do not use desktop for staging, I am working on a staging guide on priority. Thank you for bringing this to attention.
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u/Bushimotter 14h ago
Just tried the latest build, doesnt make it past stage 1, I cant drop an image so here is the copy/past:
[Stage 1/7: Preparing Packages] Indexed 3436.8 MB of Switch packages Traceback (most recent call last): File "/Applications/MetalNX.app/Contents/Resources/install_nsp.py", line 677, in <module> main() File "/Applications/MetalNX.app/Contents/Resources/install_nsp.py", line 594, in main recent_lines = collections.deque(maxlen=40) NameError: name 'collections' is not defined
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u/Antique_Luck9614 11h ago
Hello! Thank you for the report, This issue is fixed, I have also added a report issue button if you face any edge cases in future.
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u/HalfBurntToast 13h ago
Are these releases even being tested before they're shipped lol?
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u/Bushimotter 13h ago
Probably hard to test doing this as a solo project, we are testing it now!
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u/HalfBurntToast 13h ago
Catching a missing dependency is one of the most basic unit tests of all time. I don't think they're even opening the program to test the patches before publishing them.
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u/motorboat_mcgee 5h ago
More likely OP had the nxnative dependencies already installed, so didn't really think about it. I had all the dependencies installed, myself, so didn't run into any issues, since I had already messed with nxnative. I think we should give some grace to folks instead of instantly attacking them, OP responded quickly and updated things. I get we are all frustrated with "AI Slop", but this looks like someone is actually maintaining this (for now at least) and actively responding to issues, vs just dumping slop and disappearing.
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u/Own-Junket-4088 12h ago
Same error 2.0.3 version, runtime 10.0.14, error 131
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u/Antique_Luck9614 12h ago
Working on it, should be fixed soon, I will update.
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u/Own-Junket-4088 12h ago
update:
new error
[Stage 2/7: Extracting Game RomFS & Assets] [RED] cannot find the repository root above /
Applications/MetalNX.app/Contents/Resources/scripts/build_ipa_from_nsp.py (no dm/tools/nx_extract)
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u/Appropriate-Ad-1351 15h ago
I like how it also shows your game catalog in Applications, but can u make it so that we can change the path of the game shelf since I have my games in a different folder
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u/FeralTames 13h ago
This is fantastic, thank you. Trying to do FF: Resonance and it’s hanging on step 1/7:
NameError: name “collection” is not defined.
Will say I am totally new to this sort of thing, just been trying to get Resonance running the last couple days. I am unfortunately locked to MacOS 15.6 because this is primarily a machine used for audio work (often live) and can’t risk anything becoming unstable or unusable on that end. So might be a total non-starter… though I could make a partition.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
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u/Antique_Luck9614 13h ago
Currently, the only supported games are the ones listed in database, more will be added soon.
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u/FeralTames 13h ago edited 13h ago
Final Fantasy: Resonance seems to be in the database. Is there something I should be selecting from there?
My process so far has been:
Select “1-click-port” at the top
Select the base and 1.0.1 update .nsp files
Select the 22.5 prod.keys file
Hit big blue button for 1-click compile and install
Once again, apologies if any of this seems mind numbingly dumb, hah.
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u/Antique_Luck9614 10h ago
Please update the app and let me know if the issue still persists, should be fixed.
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u/Antique_Luck9614 13h ago
I added a bit of compatibility for sequoia, try updating and reinstalling the app from git.
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u/motorboat_mcgee 5h ago
Just as a heads up, I did FFR earlier and there's an audio crackle bug that can be fixed adding DM_DBG_AU_FRAMES=240 to the env.txt file, I assume at some point that'll be added to the recipe on nxnative's side.
There's also flickering transparency effects of some sort, haven't found a fix to that yet. But, beyond that, performance is good, so hopefully that last visual bug gets squashed some day, can't wait to play it
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u/JPNMinkiya 12h ago
Rispetto il tuo lavoro e non ho niente da ridire sull'uso dell'IA se usata in modo giusto e con parsimonia ma c'è un problema che avete in molti, prima di fare uscire una release perché non la provate? perché non la rendete facile da usare senza scaricare Xcode o Rosetta 2?
Di questa ondata di Recomps/Decomps gli unici che mi sono piaciuti sono quelli relativi a Virtua Fighter che sono ben curati e facili da usare senza bug o ulteriori download di altri programmi.
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u/Antique_Luck9614 12h ago
I agree and it was my bad on the testing part I only tested on machines I had my hands on, I am actively working on fixes as we speak, thank you for the support.
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u/JPNMinkiya 12h ago
Non ti devi scusare il mio era solamente un consiglio e rispetto il tuo lavoro!
Grazie a te per quello che stai facendo.
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u/cheese_life 11h ago
How much ram does your M1 have? I am running 8gb myself and wanted to know if it’s worth my time or no?
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u/Antique_Luck9614 11h ago
I tested on m1 with 8GB ram 7 gpu cores, I would say the experience is pleasent.
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u/Injustice_Warrior 15h ago
Is there the ability to install game mods?
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u/Antique_Luck9614 15h ago
Will me looking into it, Rn the focus is on getting games to install and run smoothly.
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u/bluegreenie99 15h ago
Does it install Xcode, homebrew and python?
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u/Antique_Luck9614 15h ago
They are a dependency, yes
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u/bluegreenie99 15h ago
If your app installs everything it needs, is there also a way within the app to easily remove everything it downloads? Like Xcode, files and whatnot.
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u/Antique_Luck9614 15h ago
I haven’t added that yet but can surely add the functionality as I fix bugs and make it better.
Seems good to have as there isn’t much use of Xcode unless you’re a developer and takes a lot of space.
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u/The-Holiest 15h ago
I've got a question, is this going to run better than the native Mac emulators out there?
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u/Antique_Luck9614 15h ago
This is not emulation, we are using actual Apple hardware to run converted switch code . Performance will always be significantly better than emulator because of lack of translation layers.
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u/Educational_Leg_6167 14h ago
Thank you for your work!
For me it says "[Stage 4/7: Translating Maxwell Shaders to Metal] Build process failed with exit code 1." Not sure what I do wrong. Trying to convert MK8 Deluxe 4.0.1.
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u/Antique_Luck9614 14h ago
The build is optimised only for the exact same version number you need to get updated ver 4.0.0. The app will show verified and you’re good to go.
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u/Educational_Leg_6167 12h ago
Thank you. What would it take to update to 4.0.1? Is it recipe-dependent?
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u/Antique_Luck9614 10h ago
Would need specialised fixes for thatversion, we are working on increasing compatibility.
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u/Bugbreaker 13h ago
It complains about not finding .net runtime then posts an URL to download I can't copy, then quits with code 134 if I remember correctly. I used nxnative before so the .net stuff should be installed.
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u/Antique_Luck9614 13h ago
This happens because older versions of nxnative used .NET 8 or 9, whereas the newest upstream nx_extract was updated to .NET 10. When the system AppHost doesn't find .NET 10, it prints the aka.ms download URL and aborts with code 134 (SIGABRT).
I just released MetalNX v2.0.1 to fix this permanently
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u/Arthur-Morgan-2025 9h ago
Post Generation Failed - Mario Kart 8. I don't think it will work for me because im on Sequoia.
### MetalNX Port Diagnostic & Crash Report
- **Date**: 2026-10-27T23:49:51Z
- **App Version**: MetalNX v2.1.1
- **OS**: macOS Version 15.8.2 (Build 24H232)
- **Hardware**: Apple M1 Pro (16.0 GB RAM)
- **Game**: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (`0100152000022000`)
- **Version**: 1507328
- **Failing Stage**: Stage 6/7: Prebuilding Metal Pipeline Bases
- **Failure Reason**: air-tt: air-tt command failed
#### Source Configuration:
- Base NSP: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe [0100152000022000][v0].nsp
- Update NSP: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe [0100152000022800][v1507328][US][Up v4.0.1](nswvault.com).nsp
- Folder Source: None
- Destination: /Applications
[Stage 5/7: Compiling Native macOS Host Shell] [10:30:13] [6/7] Mac host · building …
[Stage 5/7: Compiling Native macOS Host Shell] [10:30:41] [6/7] Mac host · button-icon font …
[Stage 5/7: Compiling Native macOS Host Shell] [10:30:43] ✓ [6/7] Mac host (0:29): /Users/kevinsmith/Library/Caches/nxnative/port_stage_mg91lng5/0100152000022000_build/tools/dmhost
[Stage 6/7: Prebuilding Metal Pipeline Bases] [10:30:44] [7/8] Pipeline archive · applegpu_g13s (metal-tt, minutes when its inputs changed) …
[Stage 6/7: Prebuilding Metal Pipeline Bases] [10:31:14] [7/8] Pipeline archive · applegpu_g13s (metal-tt, minutes when its inputs changed): 0:30
[Stage 6/7: Prebuilding Metal Pipeline Bases] [10:31:44] [7/8] Pipeline archive · applegpu_g13s (metal-tt, minutes when its inputs changed): 1:00
[Stage 6/7: Prebuilding Metal Pipeline Bases] [10:32:14] [7/8] Pipeline archive · applegpu_g13s (metal-tt, minutes when its inputs changed): 1:30
[Stage 6/7: Prebuilding Metal Pipeline Bases] [10:32:44] [7/8] Pipeline archive · applegpu_g13s (metal-tt, minutes when its inputs changed): 2:00
[Stage 6/7: Prebuilding Metal Pipeline Bases] [10:33:14] [7/8] Pipeline archive · applegpu_g13s (metal-tt, minutes when its inputs changed): 2:30
[Stage 6/7: Prebuilding Metal Pipeline Bases] [10:33:45] [7/8] Pipeline archive · applegpu_g13s (metal-tt, minutes when its inputs changed): 3:00
[Stage 6/7: Prebuilding Metal Pipeline Bases] [10:34:15] [7/8] Pipeline archive · applegpu_g13s (metal-tt, minutes when its inputs changed): 3:30
[Stage 6/7: Prebuilding Metal Pipeline Bases] [10:34:45] [7/8] Pipeline archive · applegpu_g13s (metal-tt, minutes when its inputs changed): 4:01
[Stage 6/7: Prebuilding Metal Pipeline Bases] [10:35:15] [7/8] Pipeline archive · applegpu_g13s (metal-tt, minutes when its inputs changed): 4:31
[Stage 6/7: Prebuilding Metal Pipeline Bases] [10:35:41] ✗ [7/8] Pipeline archive (4:57)
[Stage 6/7: Prebuilding Metal Pipeline Bases] ---- last lines of /Users/kevinsmith/Library/Caches/nxnative/port_stage_mg91lng5/0100152000022000_build/logs/pso_offline_mac.log ----
[Stage 6/7: Prebuilding Metal Pipeline Bases] pso_offline: 21413 pairs: 21413 bases, 0 left to the device (function constants), left out as the host leaves them: reflection 0, stage inputs 0, library 0, layer 0, entry 0 (17.7 s)
[Stage 6/7: Prebuilding Metal Pipeline Bases] pso_offline: applegpu_g13s: metal-tt, 21413 bases (minutes) ...
[Stage 6/7: Prebuilding Metal Pipeline Bases] [RED] pso_offline: metal-tt failed for applegpu_g13s (exit 1): applegpu-nt: note: Fragment input(s) `user(locn0),user(locn1),user(locn2)` mismatching vertex shader output type(s) or not written by vertex shader
[Stage 6/7: Prebuilding Metal Pipeline Bases] applegpu-nt: error: plugin '/private/var/run/com.apple.security.cryptexd/mnt/com.apple.MobileAsset.MetalToolchain-v17.3.7003.10.gSuVxo/Metal.xctoolchain/usr/metal/32023/lib/wrapper-nt.dylib' cannot emit pipeline
[Stage 6/7: Prebuilding Metal Pipeline Bases] air-tt: applegpu-nt command failed
[Stage 6/7: Prebuilding Metal Pipeline Bases] air-tt: air-tt command failed
[Stage 6/7: Prebuilding Metal Pipeline Bases] [RED] pso_offline.py exit code 1 (full output: /Users/kevinsmith/Library/Caches/nxnative/port_stage_mg91lng5/0100152000022000_build/logs/pso_offline_mac.log)
[Stage 6/7: Prebuilding Metal Pipeline Bases] air-tt: air-tt command failed
```
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15h ago
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u/Antique_Luck9614 15h ago
Are your product keys in a zip file?
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u/Upbeat-Substance7941 13h ago
[Stage 1/7: Preparing Packages] Indexed 14751.7 MB of Switch packages
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/Applications/MetalNx.app/Contents/Resources/install_nsp.py", line 677, in ‹module>
main()
File "/Applications/MetalNx.app/Contents/Resources/install_nsp.py", line 594, in main
recent lines = collections.deque(maxlen=40)
NameError: name 'collections' is not defined
I’m getting this error, even though the search bar at the top indicates—in green—that the files are compatible.
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u/Antique_Luck9614 10h ago
Issue is fixed, Please update.
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u/Intelligent_Box6937 10h ago
Still getting this issue with one provisional game (Mario 3D world provisional) and Mario Kart 8 (green verified). I am on the latest version 2.0. Not sure what's up.
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u/DueWar579 12h ago
This sounds amazing, tysm <3.
May I ask if you can put in on Homebrew? I only install apps using brew since it's super easy to keep 'em updated. Thanks in advance!
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u/Bushimotter 11h ago
Well done, I have a working game! 2.0.6 was the working version!
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u/Antique_Luck9614 11h ago
What game were you trying to install and did it install correctly? Are you able to configure resolution and use metalfx?
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u/Bushimotter 11h ago
I tried unicorn overlord with an update, it installed correctly, game runs perfect, sound works, controls work. I still have to try changing settings.
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u/GSvortexdavey123 11h ago
I've been having issues in stage 4/7 with the sahders while trying to get BOTW to work. Firstly, I had to add import collections to install_nsp.py, and after that, it gives me errors reading
[RED] translation chain tools do not match the lock file: xlate_source: lock af0a596483e1ec36 / actual
[RED] translation chain tools do not match the lock file: the translator was not built from the in-repo source: embedded source / in repo af0a596483e1ec36 (rebuild dmsh_xlate)
I honestly don't know much of anything of what I was doing, I was mostly trying to follow tutorials and whatnot, so its very possible this is user error.
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u/motorboat_mcgee 5h ago edited 4h ago
Love what you've been doing so far, and am happy to see how responsive you're being with updates.
Will the app update the "supported games" list as nxnative adds games over time?
Also, I may have missed it, but how do you apply DLC?
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u/Antique_Luck9614 2h ago
Thank you for the support and Yes, the app will update database automatically, DLC support and mods are currently being worked on.
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u/Heracles0007 11h ago
Getting dotnet error at stage 4. I tried nxnative earlier and had installed dotnet. Getting the error: dotnet exit code 1
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u/BenH1337 3h ago
Does this also decrypt the nsp with the prod.keys? Yuzu got legal trouble because of this.
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u/Rex505050 36m ago
I’ve tried the commands route for totk it was pain in the ass and was planning to build similar frontend, guess I don’t need to now. Will give it a try today!
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u/LingonberryRich3626 12h ago
I tried to do one for Mario Kart 8 deluxe using nx port builder (which your app directed to) and I got an error saying Running: /Library/Frameworks/Python.framework/Versions/Current/bin/python3 /Users//NX2Apple/scripts/build_ipa_from_nsp.py /Users//Games/MK8D -k /Users//Desktop/Switch/ProdKeys/prod.keys --progress lines --work-dir /Users//Games/MK8D/game_build --platform mac-app -o /Users//Games/MK8D/game.app
[16:39:37] game profile: 0100152000022000
[16:39:37] Mac app: the Mac shaders and the Mac host, packed into a Mac app; no iOS shaders, Xcode project or IPA
[16:39:37] work folder (extracted game files in extract/, kept for the next build): /Users//Games/MK8D/game_build
[16:39:38] base: mk8base.nsp
[16:39:38] update v1441792: mk8update.nsp
[16:39:38] [1/7] build nx_extract …
[16:39:40] ✓ [1/7] build nx_extract (0:01)
[16:39:40] [2/7] extract v1441792 …
[16:39:52] ✓ [2/7] extract v1441792 (0:12): 6,601 files, 11.3 GB
[16:39:52] not the builds game profile 0100152000022000 registers: v1441792: main 6a85262f21b903649bd7c62628d26e43 (registered 2c336a9bcf79c3040ce506cdd391b578); v1441792: subsdk0 ea3f2a9b705eef46ed08414f88c49ecf (registered d9de423efc1512328c3c05378c7cb031); v1441792: sdk f0d9307b48e4e8f147a40e44a9cbc555 (registered ba520906609c503227871a314a94fb5f): packing v1441792 from a profile derived from it
[16:39:52] derived game profile for v1441792 (3.0.3): /Users//Games/MK8D/0100152000022000_build/profile/0100152000022000
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/Users//NX2Apple/scripts/build_ipa_from_nsp.py", line 2094, in <module>
code = cli(sys.argv[1:])
File "/Users//NX2Apple/scripts/build_ipa_from_nsp.py", line 2077, in cli
main(parse_args(argv))
~~~~^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
File "/Users//NX2Apple/scripts/build_ipa_from_nsp.py", line 1955, in main
src = pg.build_sources(game / 'ExeFS', game / 'RomFS', g.words('modules'))
File "/Users//NX2Apple/dm/games/profile_guess.py", line 251, in build_sources
imports = {s for s, defined, _ in nso_syms.dynsyms(main) if not defined}; glsl_src = main.count(b'#version '); gl_names = main.count(b'glShaderSource'); gl_src = len(re.findall(GL_SRC, main))
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~^^^^^^
File "/Users//NX2Apple/dm/tools/nso_syms.py", line 29, in dynsyms
symtab, strtab = tags[6], tags[5]
~~~~^^^
KeyError: 6
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u/Leather_Reflection84 16h ago
Any option to change the install location? I don’t have much free space on my internal 256 Mac mini but my 6tb external had plenty of space. Crossover has this option.
Thanks for the amazing work!!