Checkpoint review

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Checkpoint is an open-source homebrew save management framework for Nintendo 3DS and Switch. It is designed for backing up and restoring game saves, with automatic title detection, configurable additional save folders, and transfer options for moving backups between consoles or accessing them from a computer. The core product runs on Nintendo 3DS and Switch, while its chlink companion utility is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. For owners of these consoles who want a free, focused save-management tool, its scope is clear and practical.

Its strongest area is transfer and synchronization flexibility. Checkpoint provides a background FTP server for accessing backups from a PC and supports wireless save transfers between consoles. Google Drive and WebDAV synchronization scripts extend the workflow beyond local storage, while the scripting engine includes a documented native API. The chlink command-line utility adds PC-to-console transfers over a local network. These features make Checkpoint more adaptable than a basic backup-and-restore utility, especially for users comfortable with scripts, FTP, or command-line tools.

Checkpoint is a good fit for Nintendo 3DS and Switch owners who value open-source software, automatic title detection, and several ways to move or synchronize saves. Its limitations are equally important: it is narrowly focused on these two consoles, restore operations are manual, and the desktop platform support applies to chlink rather than the core application. Choose it when console-specific save transfers and scriptable workflows are the priority. A broader game-save manager is a better match for users who need coverage beyond Nintendo 3DS and Switch or prefer a more automated restoration process.

Checkpoint pros and cons

• Where it wins
  • Backs up and restores saves for Nintendo 3DS and Switch
  • Supports FTP, wireless transfers, Google Drive, and WebDAV scripts
  • Offers scripting with a documented native API and chlink transfers
• Where it doesn't
  • Its focus is limited to Nintendo 3DS and Switch save management
  • Restore options are manual
  • The desktop companion, chlink, handles PC-to-console transfers separately

Checkpoint fact sheet, pricing and score →

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update