Properties of SAV Files and How to Open a File with .sav Extension

SAV files exist as 10 different types. Please find information about each of them below.

Type 1: Nintendo DS Save File

A file with .sav extension saves Nintendo DS game progress. These files save game state to load in emulators like DeSmuME and NO$GBA. .sav files store game character name, levels completed, experience...

General Information

Title	SAV File Extension
Extension	.sav
Full Form	Nintendo DS Save File
File Type	Game Save File
Developer	Nintendo
MIME Type	application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function	Store game progress
Additional Functions	Save game settings, Store in-game achievements

File Characteristics

Quality	Varies
Supports Layers	No
Supports Transparency	No
Editable	With tools

Use Cases

Gameplay Continuation	Yes
Game Data Backup	Yes
Game Data Transfer	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	Low
Best Practices	Regular backup, Use trusted sources

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	2004
Latest Version	Varies by game

Associated Types

Related Extensions

.nds, .dsv, .dst

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
DeSmuME	Free	Windows, Mac, Linux
melonDS	Free	Windows, Mac, Linux
NO$GBA	Free	Windows

Type 2: Video Game Save File

General Information

Title	SAV File Extension
Extension	.sav
Full Form	Video Game Save File
File Type	Game File
Developer	Varies by Game Developer
MIME Type	application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function	Store game progress
Additional Functions	Checkpoint data, Configuration settings
Features	User-specific, Progress tracking

File Characteristics

Quality	Binary format
Supports Layers	N/A
Supports Transparency	N/A
Editable	With tools

Use Cases

Game Continuation	Yes
Game Data Transfer	Yes
Cheating/Modding	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	Tampering risk
Best Practices	Regular backups, Anti-cheat compliance

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	Varies by game
Latest Version	Varies by game update

Associated Types

Similar Extensions

.dsv, .gci, .zsv

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
Various Video Games	Varies	Varies by game
Game Emulators	Free, Paid	Windows, Mac, Linux
Save Editors	Free, Paid	Windows, Mac, Linux

Type 3: SPSS Data File

General Information

Title	SAV File Extension
Extension	.sav
Full Form	SPSS Data File
File Type	Data File
Developer	IBM
MIME Type	application/x-spss-sav

File Function

Primary Function	Store data
Additional Functions	Support statistical analysis
Features	Multidimensional views, Variable attributes

File Characteristics

Binary Format	Yes
Supports Compression	N/A
Supports Encryption	Yes
Editable	Via software

Use Cases

Data Analysis	Yes
Academic Research	Yes
Market Research	Yes
Government	Yes
Healthcare	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	Data leakage
Best Practices	Data anonymization, Access controls

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	1968
Latest Version	IBM SPSS Statistics 28 (2021)

Associated Types

Similar Extensions

.por, .sps, .spv

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
IBM SPSS Statistics	Paid	Windows, Mac, Linux
PSPP	Free	Windows, Mac, Linux
Stata	Paid	Windows, Mac, Linux

Type 4: Mass Effect 3 Saved Game

The SAV game data files relate to Mass Effect 3, a 2012 science fiction action role-playing third person shooter video game developed by BioWare. The SAV file is a Mass Effect 3 Saved Game with applic...

General Information

Title	SAV File Extension
Extension	.sav
Full Form	Mass Effect 3 Saved Game File
File Type	Game Save File
Developer	BioWare
MIME Type	application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function	Store game progress
Additional Functions	Store player stats, game decisions
Features	Binary format, game checkpoints

File Characteristics

Quality	High integrity
Supports Layers	N/A
Supports Transparency	N/A
Editable	With tools

Use Cases

Gaming	Yes
Game Modding	Yes
Backup	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	Tampering risk
Best Practices	Regular backups, cautious editing

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	2012
Updates	Patch-related changes

Associated Types

Similar Extensions

.masseffectsave, .pcsav, .xbsav

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
Mass Effect 3	Commercial	Windows, Xbox, PlayStation
Gibbed's Mass Effect 3 Save Editor	Free	Windows

Type 5: Fallout 2 Map Archive

General Information

Title	SAV File Extension
Extension	.sav
Full Form	Fallout 2 Map Archive
File Type	Game File
Developer	Black Isle Studios
MIME Type	application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function	Store game maps
Additional Functions	Contain level data
Features	Binary format, Game-specific

File Characteristics

Quality	Game-dependent
Supports Layers	N/A
Supports Transparency	N/A
Editable	With tools

Use Cases

Game Modding	Yes
Custom Maps	Yes
Level Editing	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	Low
Best Practices	Backup originals

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	1998
Latest Version	Patch 1.02d (Unofficial)

Associated Types

Similar Extensions

.dat, .gcd, .mod

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
Fallout 2	Paid	Windows
Mapper	Free, Included	Windows

Type 6: Parallels Desktop Saved State Image File

SAV is a file type associated with Parallels Desktop software. Parallels Desktop enables users to create virtual computers on Mac OS X operating system. The SAV file stores state image created when a ...

General Information

Title	SAV File Extension
Extension	.sav
Full Form	Parallels Desktop Saved State Image File
File Type	Virtual Machine State File
Developer	Parallels International GmbH
MIME Type	application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function	Store VM state
Additional Functions	Quick restore point
Features	Compression, Portability

File Characteristics

Quality	High integrity
Supports Layers	N/A
Supports Transparency	N/A
Editable	No

Use Cases

Virtualization	Yes
System Restoration	Yes
Testing Environments	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	Snapshot tampering
Best Practices	Regular backups, Encryption

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	2006
Latest Version	Parallels Desktop 17

Associated Types

Similar Extensions

.pvm, .hdd, .vmx, .vmdk

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
Parallels Desktop	Paid, Trial available	Mac

Type 7: Fortnite ClientSettings File

General Information

Title	SAV File Extension
Extension	.sav
Full Form	Fortnite ClientSettings File
File Type	Game Settings File
Developer	Epic Games
MIME Type	application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function	Store settings
Additional Functions	Preserve configurations
Features	Customizable, Profile-specific

File Characteristics

Quality	Binary format
Supports Layers	No
Supports Transparency	N/A
Editable	With tools

Use Cases

Game Configuration	Yes
User Preferences	Yes
Cross-platform Play	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	File tampering
Best Practices	Backup, Verify integrity

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	2017
Notable Updates	Seasonal, Patches

Associated Types

Similar Extensions

.ini, .cfg

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
Fortnite	Free-to-play	Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch

Type 8: Wii Saved Game

A savegame file consists of a header, files section, bk header and footer. The savgames get copied to the SD card after signing using the Wii's private NG key. The 0xF0C0 bytes long header encrypts wi...

A savegame file consists of a header, files section, bk header and footer. The savgames get copied to the SD card after signing using the Wii’s private NG key. The 0xF0C0 bytes long header encrypts with AES128-CBC. It uses the “sd-key” and “sd-iv” vector. The plaintext header has a “main header” and “banner”. The main header divides into two parts.

A SAV file saves a Nintendo Wii video game’s progress, like New Super Mario Bros. Wii or Skyward Sword. It contains the player’s in-game progress record. Most often, SAV files load saved games in the Dolphin emulator or modded Wiis.

Priiloader disables the copy protection on Mario Kart Wii and Super Smash Bros. saves. So you can copy them to the SD card. Try installing Priiloader and enable the hack to see what you get.

This guide covers importing wii saves into dolphin in 3 easy ways. Learn to never worry about saving game progress. Dolphin excels for saveless games, requiring save points to track progress. Store State functions store progress when playing games on an emulator. You can transfer saves by importing Wii SaveData and using the – Bin file in Dolphin. Dropping your backup file into the folder loads the data as usual if from another computer or the internet.

Each game has a unique code to recognize transferred saves. The folder structure is \private\wii\title\GAMECODE\data.bin. A working code uses 4 characters.

The .SAV extension relies on game states from a video game or emulator. The file holds the player’s actual advancement record to continue the walkthrough later. Many ROM types generate relevant .SAV files, letting users continue from the stored statepoint. Most in-game progress saves as .SAV file entries on one’s PC.

The .SAV format stores game progress data or IBM SPSS software files. DeSmuME and NO$GBA SAVs store played DS games, holding character name, levels completed and resources. SAVs often accompany DS ROMs, sometimes required to run properly. Note file format compatibility when transferring SAVs.

SAV files or gamesaves contain saved player progress reloadable later. Game-specific SAVs mostly open only in their native game, storing positions resumable by that game. However, some cheating programs may open and alter SAV data.

General Information

Title	SAV File Extension
Extension	.sav
Full Form	Wii Saved Game File
File Type	Game Save File
Developer	Nintendo
MIME Type	application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function	Store game progress
Additional Functions	Store game states, player profiles
Features	Binary format, Wii-specific

File Characteristics

Quality	System-dependent
Supports Layers	N/A
Supports Transparency	N/A
Editable	With tools

Use Cases

Game Progress Backup	Yes
Game Data Transfer	Yes
Save Game Sharing	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	File corruption
Best Practices	Regular backups, use trusted sources

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	2006
Latest Version	Varies by game

Associated Types

Similar Extensions

.gci, .bin, .dat

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
Dolphin Emulator	Free	Windows, Mac, Linux
Savegame Manager GX	Free	Wii Homebrew

Type 9: GameCube Saved Game

A file extension format specifies how information is encoded for storage. The SAV Saved Game file format stores progress data of computer games. SAV files are used by games to allow players to resume ...

General Information

Title	SAV File Extension
Extension	.sav
Full Form	GameCube Saved Game File
File Type	Game Save File
Developer	Nintendo
MIME Type	application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function	Store game progress
Additional Functions	Backup, Transfer saves
Features	Binary format

File Characteristics

Quality	High reliability
Supports Layers	N/A
Supports Transparency	N/A
Editable	With tools

Use Cases

Console Gaming	Yes
Game Emulation	Yes
Data Archiving	Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks	Low risk
Best Practices	Regular backups

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	2001
Latest Version	Depends on game

Associated Types

Similar Extensions

.gci, .gcs, .gcz

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
Dolphin Emulator	Free	Windows, Mac, Linux, Android
GCMM	Free	Nintendo Wii

Type 10: Satisfactory Saved Game

General Information

Title	SAV File Extension
Extension	.sav
Full Form	Satisfactory Saved Game File
File Type	Game Save File
Developer	Coffee Stain Studios
MIME Type	application/octet-stream

File Function

Primary Function	Store game progress
Additional Functions	Store player inventories, Store structures built
Features	Binary format, Contains game state

File Characteristics

Quality	Highly structured
Supports Layers	N/A
Supports Transparency	N/A
Editable	With tools

Use Cases

Game Progression	Yes
Gameplay Modification	With editor
Game Analysis	With editor

Security and Practices

Security Risks	Low risk
Best Practices	Regular backups, Avoid third-party editors without research

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release	March 2019
Latest Version	Depends on game updates

Associated Types

Similar Extensions

.map, .game, .world

Software Compatibility

Software	Usage Policy	OS Compatibility
Satisfactory	Paid	Windows
Satisfactory Save Editor	Free	Windows