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Checkpoint

Checkpoint is a free save management framework for Nintendo 3DS and Switch, written in C++.

Place
#22 of 27
Score
5.6
Checkpoint's website

What Checkpoint is

Checkpoint is a free save management framework for Nintendo 3DS and Switch, written in C++. It backs up and restores saves from 3DS cartridge and digital titles, extdata, DS cartridges, DSiWare, GBA Virtual Console titles, and played Switch titles. The console interface offers light and dark themes, favorites, filters, and settings for extra save folders. Backups can be accessed through background FTP, transferred wirelessly between consoles, or moved from a Switch to a PC through a USB MTP server. The chlink command-line companion also supports local-network transfers and has dependency-free executables for Windows, macOS, and Linux; wireless transfers use a four-digit PIN shown on the console. Users can run C scripts from an SD card through a built-in interpreter and API. Bundled scripts support Google Drive and WebDAV syncing, as well as cheat management through the Sharkive database. The 3DS version supports CFW and Rosalina-based Homebrew Launchers, but not hax-based launchers. The project is licensed under GNU GPLv3 with additional terms 7.b and 7.c.

Good

  • Supports saves across 3DS and Switch
  • Offers FTP and wireless backup transfers
  • Switch backups can move through USB MTP
  • Bundled scripts support Google Drive and WebDAV
  • Includes a built-in C script interpreter

Watch out

  • 3DS hax-based Homebrew Launchers are unsupported
  • Forgotten Google Drive vault passphrases cannot be recovered
  • Vault encryption does not protect against other homebrew on the console

Who it suits

Checkpoint suits Nintendo 3DS and Switch users who want to back up, restore, or transfer game saves. Its scripting and sync options may appeal to users comfortable working with an SD card and homebrew tools.

Verdict

Checkpoint covers a wide range of 3DS and Switch save types and provides several transfer and scripting options. Confirm that the 3DS launcher setup is supported and consider the stated limits of its credential vault.

The facts

Each one read from Checkpoint's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

3DS compatibility limit
The 3DS version supports CFW and Rosalina-based Homebrew Launchers; hax-based Homebrew Launchers are not supported.checked 8 Oct 2026
Backup and restore
It backs up and restores 3DS and Switch save data, with support for several 3DS data types including extdata, DS cartridges, DSiWare, and GBA Virtual Console titles.checked 8 Oct 2026
Backups
It backs up and restores 3DS cartridge and digital title saves, extdata, DS cartridge saves, DSiWare, GBA Virtual Console saves, and saves for played Switch titles.checked 8 Oct 2026
Cloud integrations
Bundled scripts can sync backups to the user's Google Drive or an existing WebDAV server.checked 8 Oct 2026
Compatibility limit
The 3DS version supports CFW and Rosalina-based Homebrew Launchers; hax-based Homebrew Launchers are not supported.checked 8 Oct 2026
Credential security
The scripting API can store secrets on the SD card encrypted with a console-bound key and, optionally, a user-selected passphrase.checked 8 Oct 2026
Credential storage
The Google Drive script stores credentials in an AES-256-GCM encrypted vault whose key uses console-specific material; an optional passphrase is off by default and has a minimum length of eight characters.checked 8 Oct 2026
Desktop companion
The chlink command-line companion transfers backups over a local network and is available as a dependency-free executable for Windows, macOS, and Linux.checked 8 Oct 2026
Google Drive access
The Google Drive script uses the drive.file scope, which the documentation says limits access to files it creates.checked 8 Oct 2026
Integrations
Bundled scripts support save syncing to Google Drive or a WebDAV server, and cheat management using the Sharkive database.checked 8 Oct 2026
Interface
The app has a redesigned interface with light and dark themes and console-based settings for favorites, filters, and additional save folders.checked 8 Oct 2026
Interface and settings
The app has light and dark themes, configurable favorites and filters, and settings managed directly on the console.checked 8 Oct 2026
License
The repository says the project is licensed under GNU GPLv3 with additional terms 7.b and 7.c.checked 8 Oct 2026
Purpose
Checkpoint is a homebrew save management framework for Nintendo 3DS and Switch, written in C++.checked 8 Oct 2026
Scripting
Users can run C scripts from the SD card through a built-in interpreter and API for save data, files, network requests, JSON, and interface dialogs.checked 8 Oct 2026
Scripts and API
Users can run C scripts from the SD card through a built-in interpreter and API for working with titles, save data, files, network requests, JSON, and the interface.checked 8 Oct 2026
Security limitation
The maker's documentation says the vault encryption does not protect against other homebrew running on the same console, and a forgotten passphrase cannot be recovered.checked 8 Oct 2026
Support
The README directs users to check whether an issue is already addressed, report the error code and reproduction steps, or join FlagBrew’s Discord for real-time support.checked 8 Oct 2026
Supported languages
The shared feature set lists English, Italian, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, Japanese, and Chinese.checked 8 Oct 2026
Transfer protection
Wireless transfers with the chlink PC companion are protected by a four-digit PIN displayed on the console.checked 8 Oct 2026
Transfers
It provides background FTP access to backups, wireless transfers between consoles, and on Switch a USB MTP server for transferring backups to a PC.checked 8 Oct 2026

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