List of filetypes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
†When listened to, the file will play white noise. If this noise is perfectly recorded on to a tape, that tape should theoretically be able to be used on a system. In practice, however, this is more difficult to do, as any interference can potentially ruin the tape and some copy protection systems may render the re-recording unusable
File ext. | Name | System | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
.rar | Compressed Archive | Use WinRAR or 7-Zip to open and extract. | |
.7z/.7zip | Compressed Archive | Use WinRAR or 7-Zip to open and extract. | |
.zip | Compressed Archive | Use WinRAR or 7-Zip to open and extract. | |
.tar.gz .gz |
Compressed Archive | Use WinRAR or 7-Zip to open and extract. | |
.tar | Archive | Use 7-zip to open and extract. | |
.001/.part1/.r01 | Split Archive | Use WinRAR or 7-Zip to open and extract. | |
.gzip | Compressed Archive | Use 7-Zip to open and extract. Can be loaded by PCSX2 directly. |
File ext. | Name | System | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
.iso/.img | Disk Image | Multiple | |
.ccd | CloneCD Control File | Multiple | Usually comes with .img files. |
.bin | Binary File | Multiple | Usually accompanied with, and used by, a cue sheet. |
.cue | Cue Sheet | Multiple | Metadata file for .bin/.iso/.img tracks. |
.chd | Compressed Hard Disk | MAME/MESS | |
.mdf | Media Descriptor File | Multiple | Disc image made from Alcohol 120% |
.mds | Media Descriptor Sheet | Multiple | Similar to .cue or .ccd, but for .mdf files. |
.ecm | Error Code Modeler | PlayStation | Compressed PS1 disc image, use UnECM to decompress it. |
.cso | Compressed ISO | PS2/PSP/GC/Wii | Compressed disc image, see here to convert to and from .iso |
.gcz | Compressed Dolphin ISO | GC/Wii | Compressed Wii/GC disc image, see here to convert to and from .iso |
.cdi/.gdi | CD Image | Dreamcast | Typically used with Dreamcast, CDI is a compressed GDI |
.sbI | CD Image | Sub-channel data. Generally used in the case of PS1 for Digital Rights Management | |
.fds | Famicom Disk System | NES |
File ext. | Name | System | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
.wav | Waveform Audio File Format | Tape Based Systems | Raw data in audio format† |
.tap | Tape File | Tape Based Systems | Raw tape data usable by appropriate emulators |
.tzx | ZX Spectrum Tape File | Compatible Tape Based Systems (ZXS, CPC, C64, etc.) | Prefered file type for all emulators, perfect representation |
.cdc | CPC Digital Tape | Amstrad CPC | Identical to the .tzx file but useable only by Amstrad CPC emulators |
File ext. | Name | System | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
.nes | NES ROM | NES | |
.smc | Super Magicom | SNES | Headered ROMs dumped from a Super Magicom copier. |
.sfc | Super Famicom ROM | SNES | Headerless SNES ROM |
.md | Multi Game Doctor | Genesis | ROMs dumped from a Multi Game Doctor |
.smd | Super Magic Drive | Genesis | Headered ROMs dumped from a Super Magic Drive |
.gen | Genesis ROM | Genesis | Headerless Genesis ROM |
.gg | Game Gear ROM | Game Gear | |
.z64 | Zip Diskette N64 ROM | Nintendo 64 | Headered N64 ROMS dumped with a Mr. Backup Z64 |
.v64 | Doctor V64 | Nintendo 64 | Headered N64 ROMS dumped with a Doctor V64 |
.n64 | N64 ROM | Nintendo 64 | |
.gb | GameBoy ROM | GameBoy | |
.gbc | GBC ROM | GameBoy Color | |
.gba/.srl | GBA ROM | GameBoy Advance | |
.gcm | GameCube Master Image | GameCube | GC disc dumped the way it's read |
.gcz | Compressed GameCube Disc Image | GameCube | Can be either a compressed .gcm or .iso |
.nds/.srl | NDS ROM | Nintendo DS | |
.dsi/.nds/.srl | DSiWare ROM | DSiWare | Different from regular DS ROMs. |
.wbfs | Wii Backup File System | Wii | Use WBFS Manager to convert to and from .iso |
.wad | Game Data File | Wii/Doom | Use for Wii channels and old FPS games |
.cia | CTR Importable Archive | 3DS | |
.3ds | 3DS ROM | 3DS | |
.nsp | Nintendo Switch ROM | Nintendo Switch | Dump of SD and NAND games, Updates |
.xci | Nintendo Switch ROM | Nintendo Switch | Dump of a game cartridge |
.ngp/.ngc | NGP/C ROM | Neo Geo Pocket/Color | |
.pce | PC Engine ROM | PC Engine | |
.vb | Virtual Boy ROM | Virtual Boy | Also used for Visual Basic source files |
.ws / .wsc | WonderSwan (Color) ROM | WonderSwan/Color | |
.ipa | Apple iPhone App Data | iOS | |
.apk | Android App Data | Android | |
.obb | Android App Data Ressources | Android |
File ext. | Name | System | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
.dsv | DeSmuME Save | NDS | |
.ds1 to .ds9 | DeSmuME Save State | NDS | |
.sav | Save file | Multiple | |
.ps2 | PCSX2 Memory Card | PS2 | |
.mcr | Memory Card Reader | PS1 | PS1 emulator memory card |
.mpk | Memory Pack | Nintendo 64 | N64 saves |
.eep | EEPROM | Nintendo 64 | N64 saves |
.st0/.sta/ | Savestate | Multiple | |
.srm | Save RAM | SNES/Genesis | Save RAM dump, used with emulators and flashcards |
File ext. | Name | System | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
.cg | C for Graphics | Nvidia's shader format based on C's syntax. | |
.glsl | OpenGL Shading Language / GLslang | OpenGL only shader format based on C's syntax. | |
.hlsl | High-level shader language | Windows, Xbox, 360 | Microsoft's proprietary DirectX only shader language, based on C's syntax. |
.slang | Slang | Shading language that extends HLSL. | |
.slangp | Slang preset | Lists Slang files and provides parameters for them. |
File ext. | Name | System | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
.elf | Executable and Linkable Format | PS2/PS3/GC/Wii | Typically a homebrew/small application file |
.pbp | Perl Builder File | PlayStation Portable | Game and homebrew eboot file, also used for PS1 ISO storage (eboot.pbp) |
.dol | Dolphin File | GameCube/Wii | Executable |
.xex | Xbox Executable | Xbox/X360 | Xbox Executable. Usually comes with a folder with game data. X360 ones can be loaded by Xenia. |
.cfg/.ini | Configuration File | Multiple | Use a text editor such as notepad/Notepad++ to edit |
.dll | Dynamic Link Library | Multiple | Typically used for plugins/emulation cores in emulators |
.so | Shared Library | Multiple | Typically used for plugins/emulation cores in emulators |
.xml | Extensible Markup Language | MAME/MESS | Contains various information about emulated systems and ROMs. |
.hsi | XML-like | MESS | Contains various information about ROMs. |
.lay | Layout | MAME/MESS | XML-like file used to describe the visual layout of artwork overlays and placement of emulation input/output. |
.nv | Non Volatile RAM | MAME/MESS | Created by default to store nvram of emulated systems or software in the NVRAM folder. |
.m3u | Playlist file | Multiple | Used to play multiple discs back to back, automates disc swapping. |