BFRES
BFRES is a common archival format for the Wii U and Nintendo Switch that can contain anything from models, textures, and animations.
Contents
Ripping Tools
There are a few tools around that can open up BFRES files and extract it's contents.
Switch Toolbox
Switch Toolbox can open, view and edit most data found in a BFRES file.
Compressions
- None: The files have no compression and can work right away.
- SZS: A secondary, often-compressed format used for Nintendo's games. Switch Toolbox can be used to open these.
- BEA: A common compression format used in Nintendo's games on the Nintendo Switch. Switch Toolbox can be used to open them.
- NARC: A compression format used in the Mario sports games. Switch Toolbox can be used to open them. A QuickBMS script, written by Random Talking Bush, can decompress them as well.
- CMP: A compression format commonly used in Kirby games. Switch Toolbox can open them, although some CMP-compressed files (such as the ones from Kirby and the Rainbow Curse) will need to be decompressed with this QuickBMS script, written by Random Talking Bush, before they can be opened in Switch Toolbox.
- FZIP: A compression format used in Game & Wario. Switch Toolbox can be used to open them. A QuickBMS script, written by Random Talking Bush, can decompress them as well.
- LZARC: A compression format used in Paper Mario: Color Splash. Switch Toolbox can be used to open them.
- CX: A compression format used in Pokémon Rumble U. There is a QuickBMS script written by Random Talking Bush that can decompresss them.
- 42: A compressed archive file used in Mario Golf: Super Rush. There are a few Python scripts available that can extract its contents.
List of Wii U games that use the format
Name | Version | Compression | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Animal Crossing Plaza | 3.4.0.1 | SZS | |
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker | 3.5.0.3 | SZS | |
Game & Wario | 3.2.0.1 | FZIP | |
Kirby and the Rainbow Curse | 3.5.0.2 | CMP | |
Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games | 3.2.0.1 | None | |
Mario Kart 8 | 3.0.4.4 | SZS | Some files are not compressed |
Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash | 3.5.0.3 | NARC | |
New Super Luigi U | 3.0.0.1 | SZS | |
New Super Mario Bros. U | 3.0.0.1 | SZS | |
Nintendo Land | 3.0.0.1 | SZS | |
Paper Mario: Color Splash | 3.5.0.3 | LZ | |
Pokémon Rumble U | 3.2.0.1 | CX | |
Pikmin 3 | 3.2.0.1 | SZS | |
Pushmo World | 3.4.0.2 | None | |
Rodea The Sky Soldier | 3.4.0.2 | None | |
Splatoon | 3.5.0.3 | SZS | |
Super Mario 3D World | 3.4.0.2 | SZS | |
Super Mario Maker | 3.5.0.3 | SZS | |
Tank! Tank! Tank! | 3.0.0.1 | LZSS and ARC | |
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | 4.5.0.3 | SZS | File extensions are SBFRES instead of SZS |
The Legend of Zelda: Wind Walker HD | 3.4.0.1 | SZS | Jpeg.bfres is compressed in an SARC archive and labeled as version 3.4.0.0 |
Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE | 3.5.0.2 | CPK and APAK | |
Wii Sports Club | 3.3.0.1 | Z | |
Wii U System Bios | 3.0.0.1 | SZS | System Transfer files are labeled as version 3.5.0.2 |
Yoshi's Woolly World | 3.5.0.2 / 3.5.0.3 | GFA | There are a couple uncompressed BFRES files, at least one BFRES file in the test folder is labeled as version 3.3.0.1 |
List of Nintendo Switch games that use the format
The list is not complete; feel free to add any game that uses the aforementioned format.
Name | Version | Compression | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Animal Crossing: New Horizon | 0.9.0.0 | ZS | |
ARMS | ? | SZS | |
Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain | 0.9.0.0 | BEA | |
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker | 0.8.1.1 | SZS | BFRES files in eft folder are labeled as version 3.5.0.3 |
F-Zero 99 | 0.9.1.0 | SZS | |
Game Builder Garage | 0.8.1.1 | SZS | |
Kirby and the Forgotten Land | 0.9.0.0 | CMP | |
Kirby Fighters 2 | 0.9.0.0 | CMP | |
Kirby Star Allies | 0.8.1.1 | CMP | |
Kirby's Dream Buffet | 0.9.1.0 | CMP | |
Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe | 0.9.1.0 | CMP | |
Mario Golf: Super Rush | 0.9.0.0 | 42 & NARC | |
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | 0.5.0.3 | SZS | |
Mario Party Superstars | 0.9.0.0 | BEA | |
Mario Tennis Aces | 0.8.1.1 | NARC | |
Mario vs. Donkey Kong | 0.10.0.0 | ZS | |
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe | 0.8.1.1 | SZS | |
Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition | 0.9.1.0 | BEA | |
Paper Mario: The Origami King | 0.9.0.0 | ZSTD | |
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door | 0.9.1.0 | ZST | |
Pikmin 3 Deluxe | ? | SZS | |
Splatoon 2 | 0.8.0.0 | SZS | |
Splatoon 3 | 0.10.0.0 | ZS | |
Super Kirby Clash | 0.9.0.0 | CMP | |
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury | 0.9.0.0 | SZS | |
Super Mario Bros. Wonder | 0.10.0.0 | ZS | |
Super Mario Maker 2 | 0.9.0.0 | SZS | |
Super Mario Odyssey | 0.8.0.0 | SZS | |
Super Mario Party | 0.8.1.1 | BEA | |
Super Mario Party Jamboree | 0.9.1.0 | BEA | |
Tetris 99 | 0.8.2.1 | BEA | |
The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom | 0.9.1.0 | None | |
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening | 0.9.0.0 | None | |
WarioWare: Get It Together! | 0.9.0.0 | BEA | |
WarioWare: Move It! | 0.9.1.0 | BEA |