NCLR File Extension

NCLR file icon

Nintendo DS Color Palette Format

What is a NCLR file?

Nintendo DS Color Palette Format, identified by the NCLR extension, is a Settings Files type and includes 1190 files.

With the creation of the Nintendo DS Color Palette Format (NCLR), Nintendo Co introduced file format along with 3 programs built for their use.

NCLR files are supported by Windows. You can open a NCLR file using one of 2 programs, for example MKDS Course Modifier and tinke.

Programs that support NCLR files

How to open a NCLR file?

The most common reason why a NCLR file cannot be opened is the absence of required software. To fix this, select a compatible program from the list. Then visit the official developer website via the provided link, download the program, and install it on your system.

The most popular programs for working with NCLR files are MKDS Course Modifier and tinke. To get the latest version of MKDS Course Modifier, open the website where a universal installer for all operating systems is available.

Once setup is done, your operating system should assign MKDS Course Modifier as the default app for NCLR files.

Make MKDS Course Modifier the default NCLR viewer

Changing the default program in Windows

  1. Start by right-clicking on your NCLR file and selecting the "Open With" option. From there, click "Choose another app" to continue;
  2. Inside the popup window, scroll through the list of applications and specifically choose MKDS Course Modifier as the application to associate with your NCLR file;
  3. Check the "Always use this app" checkbox and click "OK".

Change the default app to open files on Mac

  1. Right click or use Control + Left Click on the desired NCLR file to access a dropdown menu of actions;
  2. Select "Open in application" and click "Other";
  3. Scroll down to the bottom of the window, where you will find the "Enable" menu. Default, "Recommended Programs" will be selected;
  4. In this menu, choose "All Programs" and navigate to MKDS Course Modifier. Check the box next to "Always open in app" to make it the default program.

How to edit a NCLR file?

To edit NCLR files, you need to install specialized software that allows you not only to open but also to modify settings files. Online NCLR editors usually provide fewer features than software created specifically for Nintendo DS Color Palette Format.

List of Top NCLR editors 2026

Following these criteria, we have put together a list of recommended NCLR editors.

NCLR Editor SoftwareDeveloperPlatformsOverall Rating
MKDS Course Modifier-Windows4.6 out of 5 (43 reviews)

Finding answers to NCLR file problems

If you encounter issues with NCLR files, don’t worry—most can be fixed with minor software adjustments. Refer to the troubleshooting tips below.

What are the signs that my NCLR file is damaged?

Corrupted NCLR settings files may have one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Poor performance when editing a file in MKDS Course Modifier;
  • Opening or processing the file in MKDS Course Modifier or other programs causes instability or crashes in the program;
  • The file shows errors when trying to open it or does not open completely;
  • Unexpected expansion of the total size of the NCLR file;
  • Working with the file triggers the display of error messages;

Why does MKDS Course Modifier quit or crash unexpectedly?

MKDS Course Modifier crashes can be attributed to outdated software. Make sure you have installed the latest updates for developer products.

A computer restart is often the key to solving numerous common problems. That’s why, it is recommended to restart the computer before making any changes to the software settings.

What methods can be used to repair a damaged NCLR file?

Use a recovery program to open the damaged NCLR file and navigate to the "Repair" menu item. Wait for the recovery process to finish, as it will automatically repair damaged settings files.