BFRES
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BFRES is a common archival format for the Wii U and Nintendo Switch that can contain models, textures, and animation data. It is also a file format used some of Nintendo's game engines, which include the following: LunchPack, LunchPack 2, ActionLibrary, NintendoWare Bezel Engine (which renames BFRES' file extension to "FMDB"), and ModuleSystem.
Contents
Ripping Tools
There are a few tools around that can open up BFRES files and extract its contents.
Switch Toolbox
Switch Toolbox is an open-source tool that can open, view, extract, and/or edit a wide variety of file formats (listed on the GitHub page), including most data found in a BFRES files. It can export BFRES data to more common file formats such as OBJ, DAE, FBX (models), and PNG (sprites/textures) files. Switch Toolbox can be downloaded here.
Compression Formats
- None: The files have no compression and can work right away.
- SZS: A secondary, Yaz0-compressed format used in various Wii U and Nintendo Switch games. Switch Toolbox can be used to open these.
- ZS: A common compression format used in various Nintendo games. Switch Toolbox can be used to open these.
- BEA: A common compression format used in games that run on NintendoWare Bezel Engine on the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2(?). 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 games that use the format
Wii U
| Name | BFRES Version | Engine | Compression | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Crossing Plaza | 3.4.0.1 | ? | SZS | |
| Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker | 3.5.0.3 | ActionLibrary | SZS | |
| Game & Wario | 3.2.0.1 | ? | FZIP | Uses Havok |
| 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 | LunchPack | 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 | LunchPack | SZS | |
| Super Mario 3D World | 3.4.0.2 | ActionLibrary | SZS | |
| Super Mario Maker | 3.5.0.3 | LunchPack | 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 |
Nintendo Switch
This list is not complete and future Nintendo Switch games may use BFRES; feel free to add any game that uses the aforementioned format.
| Name | BFRES Version | Engine | Compression | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2-Switch | 0.5.0.3 | ? | ? | |
| Animal Crossing: New Horizon | 0.9.0.0 | LunchPack 2 | ZS | |
| ARMS | 0.5.0.3 | LunchPack 2 | SZS | |
| Big Brain Academy: Brain vs. Brain | 0.9.0.0 | Bezel Engine | BEA | |
| Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker | 0.8.1.1 | ActionLibrary | SZS | BFRES files in eft folder are labeled as version 3.5.0.3 |
| Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics | 0.9.0.0 | Bezel Engine | BEA | Also known as 51 Worldwide Games |
| Disney Magical World 2: Enchanted Edition | 0.9.0.0 | ? | ? | |
| Endless Ocean: Luminous | 0.9.1.0 | Bezel Engine | ? | |
| Everybody 1-2-Switch! | 0.9.0.0 | Bezel Engine | ? | |
| F-Zero 99 | 0.9.1.0 | ActionLibrary | SZS | |
| Game Builder Garage | 0.8.1.1 | LunchPack 2 | SZS | |
| Go Vacation | 0.8.0.0 | ? | ? | |
| 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 and NARC | |
| Mario Kart 8 Deluxe | 0.5.0.3 | ? | SZS | |
| Mario Party Superstars | 0.9.0.0 | Bezel Engine | BEA | |
| Mario Tennis Aces | 0.8.1.1 | ? | NARC | |
| Mario vs. Donkey Kong | 0.10.0.0 | ActionLibary | ZS | |
| Miitopia | 0.9.0.0 | ? | ? | |
| New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe | 0.8.1.1 | ? | SZS | |
| Nintendo Labo 01: Variety Kit | 0.8.1.1 | LunchPack 2 | ? | |
| Nintendo Labo 02: Robot Kit | 0.8.1.1 | LunchPack 2 | ? | The game's main models use a different format |
| Nintendo Labo 03: Vehicle Kit | 0.8.1.1 | LunchPack 2 | ? | |
| Nintendo Labo 04: VR Kit | 0.8.1.1 | LunchPack 2 | ? | |
| Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest Program | 0.10.2.0 | ? | ZS | Please do not submit anything from this game to the main sites |
| Nintendo Switch Sports | 0.9.1.1 | ModuleSystem | ZS | |
| Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition | 0.9.1.0 | Bezel Engine | 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 | 0.8.1.1 | ? | SZS | |
| Ring Fit Adventure | 0.9.0.0 | LunchPack 2 | ? | |
| Rune Factory 4 Special | 0.8.2.1 | ? | ? | |
| Splatoon 2 | 0.8.0.0 | LunchPack 2 | SZS | Global Testfire uses version 0.5.0.3 |
| Splatoon 3 | 0.10.0.0 | ModuleSystem | ZS | |
| Super Kirby Clash | 0.9.0.0 | ? | CMP | |
| Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury | 0.9.0.0 | ActionLibrary | SZS | |
| Super Mario Bros. Wonder | 0.10.0.0 | ModuleSystem | ZS | |
| Super Mario Maker 2 | 0.9.0.0 | LunchPack 2 | ZS | |
| Super Mario Odyssey | 0.8.0.0 | ActionLibrary | SZS | |
| Super Mario Party | 0.8.1.1 | Bezel Engine | BEA | |
| Super Mario Party Jamboree | 0.9.1.0 | Bezel Engine | BEA | |
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | 0.8.1.1 | ? | ? | Only the effect files use BFRES; the game's main models use a completely different format |
| Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido | 0.8.1.1 | ? | ? | |
| Tetris 99 | 0.8.2.1 | Bezel Engine | BEA | |
| The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | 0.5.0.3 | ? | ? | |
| The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom | 0.9.1.0 | ? | None | |
| The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening | 0.9.0.0 | ? | None | |
| The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom | 0.10.0.0 | ModuleSystem | ? | |
| Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Encore | 0.9.0.0 | ? | ? | |
| Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream | 0.10.2.2 | ? | ZS | |
| Vroom in the Night Sky | 0.5.0.3 | Bezel Engine | ? | |
| WarioWare: Get It Together! | 0.9.0.0 | Bezel Engine | BEA | |
| WarioWare: Move It! | 0.9.1.0 | Bezel Engine | BEA |
