diff --git a/arm11/source/hw/mcu.c b/arm11/source/hw/mcu.c
index 3c5a291..654d182 100755
--- a/arm11/source/hw/mcu.c
+++ b/arm11/source/hw/mcu.c
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ typedef struct {
 	u32 red[8];
 	u32 green[8];
 	u32 blue[8];
-} __attribute__((packed)) MCU_NotificationLED;
+} PACKED_STRUCT MCU_NotificationLED;
 
 static u8 cached_volume_slider = 0;
 static u32 spec_hid = 0, shell_state = SHELL_OPEN;
diff --git a/arm9/source/common/rtc.h b/arm9/source/common/rtc.h
index 39829e8..4ac21cd 100644
--- a/arm9/source/common/rtc.h
+++ b/arm9/source/common/rtc.h
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u8 bcd_M;
     u8 bcd_Y;
 	u8 leap_count;
-} __attribute__((packed)) DsTime;
+} PACKED_STRUCT DsTime;
 
 bool is_valid_dstime(DsTime* dstime);
 bool get_dstime(DsTime* dstime);
diff --git a/arm9/source/crypto/keydb.c b/arm9/source/crypto/keydb.c
index 7f92396..d654b8e 100644
--- a/arm9/source/crypto/keydb.c
+++ b/arm9/source/crypto/keydb.c
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u8   slot;           // keyslot, 0x00...0x39
     u8   keyUnitType;    // 0 for ALL units / 1 for devkit exclusive / 2 for retail exclusive
     u8   sample[16];     // sample data, encoded with src = keyY = ctr = { 0 }
-} __attribute__((packed)) AesNcchSampleInfo;
+} PACKED_STRUCT AesNcchSampleInfo;
 
 static u64 keyState  = 0;
 static u64 keyXState = 0;
diff --git a/arm9/source/crypto/keydb.h b/arm9/source/crypto/keydb.h
index 2cbd0a1..e66cd63 100644
--- a/arm9/source/crypto/keydb.h
+++ b/arm9/source/crypto/keydb.h
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u8   keyUnitType; // 0 for ALL units / 1 for devkit exclusive / 2 for retail exclusive
     u8   isEncrypted; // 0 if not / anything else if it is
     u8   key[16];
-} __attribute__((packed)) __attribute__((aligned(16))) AesKeyInfo;
+} PACKED_STRUCT __attribute__((aligned(16))) AesKeyInfo;
 
 u32 GetUnitKeysType(void);
 void CryptAesKeyInfo(AesKeyInfo* info);
diff --git a/arm9/source/filesys/fatmbr.h b/arm9/source/filesys/fatmbr.h
index 6a39e59..a4e0583 100644
--- a/arm9/source/filesys/fatmbr.h
+++ b/arm9/source/filesys/fatmbr.h
@@ -11,13 +11,13 @@ typedef struct {
     u8  chs_end[3];     // 0xFE 0xFF 0xFF
     u32 sector;         // 0x2000 (4MB offset, 512 byte sectors)
     u32 count;
-} __attribute__((packed)) MbrPartitionInfo;
+} PACKED_ALIGN(2) MbrPartitionInfo;
 
 typedef struct {
     char text[446];
     MbrPartitionInfo partitions[4]; 
     u16  magic;         // 0xAA55
-} __attribute__((packed)) MbrHeader;
+} PACKED_ALIGN(2) MbrHeader;
 
 typedef struct { // unused
     u32 signature0;     // 0x41615252
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ typedef struct { // unused
     u32 clr_next;       // 0xFFFFFFFF
     u8  reserved1[14];
     u16 magic;          // 0xAA55
-} __attribute__((packed)) FileSystemInfo;
+} PACKED_STRUCT FileSystemInfo;
 
 typedef struct {
     u8   jmp[3];        // 0x90 0x00 0xEB
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ typedef struct {
     char fs_type[8];    // "FAT32   "
     u8   reserved4[420];
     u16  magic;         // 0xAA55
-} __attribute__((packed)) Fat32Header;
+} PACKED_STRUCT Fat32Header;
 
 typedef struct { // this struct is not tested enough!
     u8   jmp[3];        // 0x90 0x00 0xEB
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ typedef struct { // this struct is not tested enough!
     char fs_type[8];    // "FAT16   "
     u8   reserved4[448];
     u16  magic;         // 0xAA55
-} __attribute__((packed)) Fat16Header;
+} PACKED_STRUCT Fat16Header;
 
 u32 ValidateMbrHeader(MbrHeader* mbr);
 u32 ValidateFatHeader(void* fat);
diff --git a/arm9/source/filesys/filetype.c b/arm9/source/filesys/filetype.c
index f52a0d6..9347c81 100644
--- a/arm9/source/filesys/filetype.c
+++ b/arm9/source/filesys/filetype.c
@@ -18,20 +18,19 @@ u64 IdentifyFileType(const char* path) {
     const u8 smdh_magic[] = { SMDH_MAGIC };
     const u8 threedsx_magic[] = { THREEDSX_EXT_MAGIC };
     const u8 png_magic[] = { PNG_MAGIC };
-    
+
     if (!path) return 0; // safety
-    u8 header[0x200] __attribute__((aligned(32))); // minimum required size
+    u8 ALIGN(32) header[0x200]; // minimum required size
     void* data = (void*) header;
     size_t fsize = FileGetSize(path);
     char* fname = strrchr(path, '/');
     char* ext = (fname) ? strrchr(++fname, '.') : NULL;
     u32 id = 0;
-    
-    
+
     // block crappy "._" files from getting recognized as filetype
     if (!fname) return 0;
     if (strncmp(fname, "._", 2) == 0) return 0;
-    
+
     if (ext) {
         ext++;
     } else {
@@ -39,7 +38,7 @@ u64 IdentifyFileType(const char* path) {
     }
     if (FileGetData(path, header, 0x200, 0) < min(0x200, fsize)) return 0;
     if (!fsize) return 0;
-    
+
     if (fsize >= 0x200) {
         if (ValidateNandNcsdHeader((NandNcsdHeader*) data) == 0) {
             return (fsize >= GetNandNcsdMinSizeSectors((NandNcsdHeader*) data) * 0x200) ?
@@ -57,7 +56,7 @@ u64 IdentifyFileType(const char* path) {
         } else if (ValidateCiaHeader((CiaHeader*) data) == 0) {
             // this only works because these functions ignore CIA content index
             CiaInfo info;
-            GetCiaInfo(&info, (CiaHeader*) header);
+            GetCiaInfo(&info, data);
             if (fsize >= info.size_cia)
                 return GAME_CIA; // CIA file
         } else if (ValidateNcsdHeader((NcsdHeader*) data) == 0) {
diff --git a/arm9/source/filesys/sddata.c b/arm9/source/filesys/sddata.c
index ddf49d6..634975d 100644
--- a/arm9/source/filesys/sddata.c
+++ b/arm9/source/filesys/sddata.c
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ typedef struct {
     FIL* fptr;
     u8 ctr[16];
     u8 keyy[16];
-} __attribute__((packed)) FilCryptInfo;
+} PACKED_STRUCT FilCryptInfo;
 
 static FilCryptInfo filcrypt[NUM_FILCRYPTINFO] = { 0 };
 
diff --git a/arm9/source/game/3dsx.h b/arm9/source/game/3dsx.h
index 6e748d2..5ba063f 100644
--- a/arm9/source/game/3dsx.h
+++ b/arm9/source/game/3dsx.h
@@ -20,4 +20,4 @@ typedef struct {
     u32 offset_smdh;
     u32 size_smdh;
     u32 offset_romfs_lv3;
-} __attribute__((packed)) ThreedsxHeader;
+} PACKED_STRUCT ThreedsxHeader;
diff --git a/arm9/source/game/boss.h b/arm9/source/game/boss.h
index 9b8538f..9eca1f2 100644
--- a/arm9/source/game/boss.h
+++ b/arm9/source/game/boss.h
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u8 unknown3[4];
     u8 hash_payload[0x20];
     u8 signature_payload[0x100];
-} __attribute__((packed)) BossHeader;
+} PACKED_STRUCT BossHeader;
 
 u32 ValidateBossHeader(BossHeader* header, u32 fsize);
 u32 GetBossPayloadHashHeader(u8* header, BossHeader* boss);
diff --git a/arm9/source/game/cert.h b/arm9/source/game/cert.h
index 3ef3604..b195d24 100644
--- a/arm9/source/game/cert.h
+++ b/arm9/source/game/cert.h
@@ -17,6 +17,6 @@ typedef struct {
     u8 mod[0x100];
     u8 exp[0x04];
     u8 padding1[0x34];
-} __attribute__((packed)) Certificate;
+} PACKED_STRUCT Certificate;
 
 u32 LoadCertFromCertDb(u64 offset, Certificate* cert, u32* mod, u32* exp);
diff --git a/arm9/source/game/cia.h b/arm9/source/game/cia.h
index f4a20f7..6f83dc6 100644
--- a/arm9/source/game/cia.h
+++ b/arm9/source/game/cia.h
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u32 core_version; // 2 normally
     u8  reserved1[0xFC];
     u8  smdh[0x36C0]; // from ExeFS
-} __attribute__((packed)) CiaMeta;
+} PACKED_STRUCT CiaMeta;
 
 typedef struct {
     u32 size_header;
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u32 size_meta;
     u64 size_content;
     u8  content_index[0x2000];
-} __attribute__((packed)) CiaHeader;
+} PACKED_STRUCT CiaHeader;
 
 typedef struct {
     CiaHeader header;
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u8 ticket_padding[0x40 - (TICKET_SIZE % 0x40)];
     TitleMetaData tmd;
     TmdContentChunk content_list[TMD_MAX_CONTENTS];
-} __attribute__((packed, aligned(16))) CiaStub;
+} PACKED_ALIGN(16) CiaStub;
 
 typedef struct { // first 0x20 bytes are identical with CIA header
     u32 size_header;
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ typedef struct { // first 0x20 bytes are identical with CIA header
     u32 offset_meta;
     u32 offset_content_list;
     u32 max_contents;
-} __attribute__((packed)) CiaInfo;
+} PACKED_STRUCT CiaInfo;
 
 u32 ValidateCiaHeader(CiaHeader* header);
 u32 GetCiaInfo(CiaInfo* info, CiaHeader* header);
diff --git a/arm9/source/game/codelzss.c b/arm9/source/game/codelzss.c
index 16d4014..c433175 100644
--- a/arm9/source/game/codelzss.c
+++ b/arm9/source/game/codelzss.c
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 typedef struct {
     u32 off_size_comp; // 0xOOSSSSSS, where O == reverse offset and S == size
     u32 addsize_dec; // decompressed size - compressed size
-} __attribute__((packed)) CodeLzssFooter;
+} PACKED_ALIGN(4) CodeLzssFooter;
 
 
 u32 GetCodeLzssUncompressedSize(void* footer, u32 comp_size) {
@@ -353,7 +353,7 @@ bool CompressCodeLzss(const u8* a_pUncompressed, u32 a_uUncompressedSize, u8* a_
             memcpy(a_pCompressed, a_pUncompressed, uOrigSafe);
             memmove(a_pCompressed + uOrigSafe, pCompressBuffer + uCompressSafe, uCompressedSize);
             memset(a_pCompressed + uPadOffset, 0xFF, uCompFooterOffset - uPadOffset);
-            CodeLzssFooter* pCompFooter = (CodeLzssFooter*)(a_pCompressed + uCompFooterOffset);
+            CodeLzssFooter* pCompFooter = (void*)(a_pCompressed + uCompFooterOffset);
             pCompFooter->off_size_comp = uTop | (uBottom << 24);
             pCompFooter->addsize_dec = a_uUncompressedSize - *a_uCompressedSize;
         }
diff --git a/arm9/source/game/disadiff.h b/arm9/source/game/disadiff.h
index 6b38b49..43b7a5e 100644
--- a/arm9/source/game/disadiff.h
+++ b/arm9/source/game/disadiff.h
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u8  padding1[3];
     u8  hash_table[0x20]; // for the active table
     u8  unused[0x74];
-} __attribute__((packed)) DisaHeader;
+} PACKED_STRUCT DisaHeader;
 
 typedef struct {
     u8  magic[8]; // "DIFF" 0x00030000
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u8  hash_table[0x20]; // for the active table
     u64 unique_id; // see: http://3dbrew.org/wiki/Extdata
     u8  unused[0xA4];
-} __attribute__((packed)) DiffHeader;
+} PACKED_STRUCT DiffHeader;
 
 typedef struct {
     u8  magic[8]; // "DIFI" 0x00010000
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u8  dpfs_lvl1_selector;
     u8  padding[2];
     u64 ivfc_offset_extlvl4;
-} __attribute__((packed)) DifiHeader;
+} PACKED_STRUCT DifiHeader;
 
 typedef struct {
     u8  magic[8]; // "IVFC" 0x00020000
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u64 size_lvl4;
     u64 log_lvl4;
     u64 size_ivfc; // 0x78
-} __attribute__((packed)) IvfcDescriptor;
+} PACKED_STRUCT IvfcDescriptor;
 
 typedef struct {
     u8  magic[8]; // "DPFS" 0x00010000
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u64 size_lvl3;
     u32 log_lvl3;
     u8  padding2[4];
-} __attribute__((packed)) DpfsDescriptor;
+} PACKED_STRUCT DpfsDescriptor;
 
 typedef struct {
     DifiHeader difi;
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ typedef struct {
     DpfsDescriptor dpfs;
     u8 hash[0x20];
     u8 padding[4]; // all zeroes when encrypted
-} __attribute__((packed)) DifiStruct;
+} PACKED_STRUCT DifiStruct;
 
 // condensed info to enable reading IVFC lvl4
 typedef struct {
@@ -122,7 +122,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u8  dpfs_lvl1_selector;
     u8  ivfc_use_extlvl4;
     u8* dpfs_lvl2_cache; // optional, NULL when unused
-} __attribute__((packed)) DisaDiffReaderInfo;
+} PACKED_STRUCT DisaDiffReaderInfo;
 
 u32 GetDisaDiffReaderInfo(const char* path, DisaDiffReaderInfo* info, bool partitionB);
 u32 BuildDisaDiffDpfsLvl2Cache(const char* path, DisaDiffReaderInfo* info, u8* cache, u32 cache_size);
diff --git a/arm9/source/game/exefs.h b/arm9/source/game/exefs.h
index 07337c8..1e0ca78 100644
--- a/arm9/source/game/exefs.h
+++ b/arm9/source/game/exefs.h
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ typedef struct {
     char name[8];
     u32  offset;
     u32  size;
-} __attribute__((packed)) ExeFsFileHeader;
+} PACKED_STRUCT ExeFsFileHeader;
 
 // see: https://www.3dbrew.org/wiki/ExeFS
 typedef struct {
diff --git a/arm9/source/game/firm.h b/arm9/source/game/firm.h
index 160e2ff..d75f61a 100644
--- a/arm9/source/game/firm.h
+++ b/arm9/source/game/firm.h
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u32 size;
     u32 method;
     u8  hash[0x20];
-} __attribute__((packed)) FirmSectionHeader;
+} PACKED_STRUCT FirmSectionHeader;
 
 // see: https://www.3dbrew.org/wiki/FIRM#FIRM_Header
 typedef struct {
diff --git a/arm9/source/game/gba.h b/arm9/source/game/gba.h
index f33d022..4ffac20 100644
--- a/arm9/source/game/gba.h
+++ b/arm9/source/game/gba.h
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u8  unknown2[44];
     u8  magic[4]; // ".CAA"
     u8  unknown3[12];
-} __attribute__((packed)) AgbVcFooter;
+} PACKED_STRUCT AgbVcFooter;
 
 // see: http://3dbrew.org/wiki/3DS_Virtual_Console#NAND_Savegame
 typedef struct {
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u32 unknown1; // has to do with ARM7?
     u32 unknown2; // has to do with ARM7?
     u8  reserved3[0x198]; // always 0xFF
-} __attribute__((packed)) AgbSaveHeader;
+} PACKED_STRUCT AgbSaveHeader;
 
 // see: http://problemkaputt.de/gbatek.htm#gbacartridgeheader
 typedef struct {
diff --git a/arm9/source/game/ncch.h b/arm9/source/game/ncch.h
index 15c4eed..78dbbb3 100644
--- a/arm9/source/game/ncch.h
+++ b/arm9/source/game/ncch.h
@@ -93,13 +93,13 @@ typedef struct {
     u64 titleId;
     u8 seed[16];
     u8 reserved[8];
-} __attribute__((packed)) SeedInfoEntry;
+} PACKED_STRUCT SeedInfoEntry;
 
 typedef struct {
     u32 n_entries;
     u8 padding[12];
     SeedInfoEntry entries[256]; // this number is only a placeholder
-} __attribute__((packed)) SeedInfo;
+} PACKED_STRUCT SeedInfo;
 
 u32 ValidateNcchHeader(NcchHeader* header);
 u32 SetNcchKey(NcchHeader* ncch, u16 crypto, u32 keyid);
diff --git a/arm9/source/game/ncchinfo.h b/arm9/source/game/ncchinfo.h
index bc2f956..cf8f623 100644
--- a/arm9/source/game/ncchinfo.h
+++ b/arm9/source/game/ncchinfo.h
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u32  ncchFlag3;
     u64  titleId;
     char filename[112];
-} __attribute__((packed)) NcchInfoEntry;
+} PACKED_STRUCT NcchInfoEntry;
 
 typedef struct {
     u32 padding;
diff --git a/arm9/source/game/ncsd.h b/arm9/source/game/ncsd.h
index 74a3d0a..fcc3439 100644
--- a/arm9/source/game/ncsd.h
+++ b/arm9/source/game/ncsd.h
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 typedef struct {
     u32 offset;
     u32 size;
-} __attribute__((packed)) NcchPartition;
+} PACKED_STRUCT NcchPartition;
 
 // see: https://www.3dbrew.org/wiki/NCSD#NCSD_header
 typedef struct {
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u8  partition_flags[8];
     u8  partitionId_table[8][8];
     u8  reserved[0x30];
-} __attribute__((packed)) NcsdHeader;
+} PACKED_STRUCT NcsdHeader;
 
 u32 ValidateNcsdHeader(NcsdHeader* header);
 u64 GetNcsdTrimmedSize(NcsdHeader* header);
diff --git a/arm9/source/game/nds.c b/arm9/source/game/nds.c
index b2f669a..3ae9d25 100644
--- a/arm9/source/game/nds.c
+++ b/arm9/source/game/nds.c
@@ -13,12 +13,12 @@ typedef struct {
     u32 subtable_offset;
     u16 file0_id;
     u16 parent_id; // total # of dirs for root entry
-} __attribute__((packed)) NitroFntBaseEntry;
+} PACKED_ALIGN(1) NitroFntBaseEntry;
 
 typedef struct {
     u32 start_address;
     u32 end_address;
-} __attribute__((packed)) NitroFatEntry;
+} PACKED_ALIGN(1) NitroFatEntry;
 
 
 u32 ValidateTwlHeader(TwlHeader* twl) {
@@ -27,8 +27,8 @@ u32 ValidateTwlHeader(TwlHeader* twl) {
 }
 
 u32 LoadTwlMetaData(const char* path, TwlHeader* hdr, TwlIconData* icon) {
-    u8 ntr_header[0x200]; // we only need the NTR header (ignore TWL stuff)
-    TwlHeader* twl = hdr ? hdr : (TwlHeader*) ntr_header;
+    u8 ALIGN(32) ntr_header[0x200]; // we only need the NTR header (ignore TWL stuff)
+    TwlHeader* twl = hdr ? hdr : (void*) ntr_header;
     u32 hdr_size = hdr ? sizeof(TwlHeader) : 0x200; // load full header if buffer provided
     UINT br;
     if ((fvx_qread(path, twl, 0, hdr_size, &br) != FR_OK) || (br != hdr_size) ||
diff --git a/arm9/source/game/nds.h b/arm9/source/game/nds.h
index abb133f..c7e17a8 100644
--- a/arm9/source/game/nds.h
+++ b/arm9/source/game/nds.h
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u8  icon_anim[0x200 * 0x8]; // 32x32x4bpp / 8 frames
     u16 palette_anim[0x10 * 0x8]; // 8 frames
     u16 sequence_anim[0x40];
-} __attribute__((packed)) TwlIconData;
+} PACKED_STRUCT TwlIconData;
 
 // very limited, information taken from here:
 // https://github.com/devkitPro/ndstool/blob/dsi-support/source/header.h
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u8  reserved3[176];
     u8  unknown3[0x10];
     u8  ignored4[0xD00]; // ignored
-} __attribute__((packed)) TwlHeader;
+} PACKED_STRUCT TwlHeader;
 
 u32 ValidateTwlHeader(TwlHeader* twl);
 u32 LoadTwlMetaData(const char* path, TwlHeader* hdr, TwlIconData* icon);
diff --git a/arm9/source/game/romfs.c b/arm9/source/game/romfs.c
index d631953..3ae41f9 100644
--- a/arm9/source/game/romfs.c
+++ b/arm9/source/game/romfs.c
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ u32 ValidateLv3Header(RomFsLv3Header* lv3, u32 max_size) {
 
 // build index of RomFS lvl3
 u32 BuildLv3Index(RomFsLv3Index* index, u8* lv3) {
-    RomFsLv3Header* hdr = (RomFsLv3Header*) lv3;
+    RomFsLv3Header* hdr = (void*)lv3;
     index->header = hdr;
     index->dirhash = (u32*) (void*) (lv3 + hdr->offset_dirhash);
     index->dirmeta = lv3 + hdr->offset_dirmeta;
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ RomFsLv3DirMeta* GetLv3DirMeta(const char* name, u32 offset_parent, RomFsLv3Inde
     // process the hashbucket (make sure we got the correct data)
     // slim chance of endless loop with broken lvl3 here
     for (; offset < index->size_dirmeta; offset = meta->offset_samehash) {
-        meta = (RomFsLv3DirMeta*) (index->dirmeta + offset);
+        meta = (void*)(index->dirmeta + offset);
         if ((offset_parent == meta->offset_parent) &&
             ((u32) name_len == meta->name_len / 2) &&
             (memcmp(wname, meta->wname, name_len * 2) == 0))
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ RomFsLv3FileMeta* GetLv3FileMeta(const char* name, u32 offset_parent, RomFsLv3In
     // process the hashbucket (make sure we got the correct data)
     // slim chance of endless loop with broken lvl3 here
     for (; offset < index->size_filemeta; offset = meta->offset_samehash) {
-        meta = (RomFsLv3FileMeta*) (index->filemeta + offset);
+        meta = (void*)(index->filemeta + offset);
         if ((offset_parent == meta->offset_parent) &&
             ((u32) name_len == meta->name_len / 2) &&
             (memcmp(wname, meta->wname, name_len * 2) == 0))
diff --git a/arm9/source/game/romfs.h b/arm9/source/game/romfs.h
index e782dd4..c2e45d7 100644
--- a/arm9/source/game/romfs.h
+++ b/arm9/source/game/romfs.h
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u32 unknown0;
     u32 unknown1;
     u8  padding[4]; // masterhash follows
-} __attribute__((packed)) RomFsIvfcHeader;
+} PACKED_STRUCT RomFsIvfcHeader;
 
 typedef struct {
     u32 size_header;
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u32 offset_filemeta;
     u32 size_filemeta;
     u32 offset_filedata;
-} __attribute__((packed)) RomFsLv3Header;
+} PACKED_STRUCT RomFsLv3Header;
 
 typedef struct {
     u32 offset_parent;
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u32 offset_samehash;
     u32 name_len;
     u16 wname[256]; // 256 assumed to be max name length
-} __attribute__((packed)) RomFsLv3DirMeta;
+} PACKED_STRUCT RomFsLv3DirMeta;
 
 typedef struct {
     u32 offset_parent;
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u32 offset_samehash;
     u32 name_len;
     u16 wname[256]; // 256 assumed to be max name length
-} __attribute__((packed)) RomFsLv3FileMeta;
+} PACKED_STRUCT RomFsLv3FileMeta;
 
 typedef struct {
     RomFsLv3Header* header;
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u32  mod_file;
     u32  size_dirmeta;
     u32  size_filemeta;
-} __attribute__((packed)) RomFsLv3Index;
+} PACKED_STRUCT RomFsLv3Index;
 
 
 u64 GetRomFsLvOffset(RomFsIvfcHeader* ivfc, u32 lvl);
diff --git a/arm9/source/game/smdh.h b/arm9/source/game/smdh.h
index 1588218..d37a6aa 100644
--- a/arm9/source/game/smdh.h
+++ b/arm9/source/game/smdh.h
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u16 short_desc[0x40];
     u16 long_desc[0x80];
     u16 publisher[0x40];
-} __attribute__((packed)) SmdhAppTitle;
+} PACKED_STRUCT SmdhAppTitle;
 
 // see: https://www.3dbrew.org/wiki/SMDH
 typedef struct {
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u64 reserved2;
     u16 icon_small[0x240]; // 24x24x16bpp / 8x8 tiles / rgb565
     u16 icon_big[0x900];  // 48x48x16bpp / 8x8 tiles / rgb565
-} __attribute__((packed)) Smdh;
+} PACKED_STRUCT Smdh;
 
 u32 GetSmdhDescShort(char* desc, const Smdh* smdh);
 u32 GetSmdhDescLong(char* desc, const Smdh* smdh);
diff --git a/arm9/source/game/tad.h b/arm9/source/game/tad.h
index db1fde2..acce880 100644
--- a/arm9/source/game/tad.h
+++ b/arm9/source/game/tad.h
@@ -16,19 +16,19 @@ typedef struct {
     u32 header_end;
     u32 footer_end;
     u32 content_end[TAD_NUM_CONTENT];
-} __attribute__((packed)) TadContentTable;
+} PACKED_STRUCT TadContentTable;
 
 // see: https://www.3dbrew.org/wiki/DSiWare_Exports#Block_Metadata
 typedef struct {
     u8 cmac[16];
     u8 iv0[16];
-} __attribute__((packed)) TadBlockMetaData;
+} PACKED_STRUCT TadBlockMetaData;
 
 // see: https://www.3dbrew.org/wiki/DSiWare_Exports#File_Structure_v2
 typedef struct {
     TwlIconData icon_data;
     u8 unknown[0x4000 - sizeof(TwlIconData)];
-} __attribute__((packed)) TadBanner;
+} PACKED_STRUCT TadBanner;
 
 // see: https://www.3dbrew.org/wiki/DSiWare_Exports#Header_2
 typedef struct {
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u8  unknown1[0x30];
     u8  tmd_reserved[0x3E];
     u8  padding[0x0E];
-} __attribute__((packed)) TadHeader;
+} PACKED_STRUCT TadHeader;
 
 // see: https://www.3dbrew.org/wiki/DSiWare_Exports#Footer
 typedef struct {
@@ -54,6 +54,6 @@ typedef struct {
     u8  ecdsa_apcert[0x180];
     u8  ecdsa_ctcert[0x180];
     u8  padding[0x4];
-} __attribute__((packed)) TadFooter;
+} PACKED_STRUCT TadFooter;
 
 u32 BuildTadContentTable(void* table, void* header);
diff --git a/arm9/source/game/ticketdb.h b/arm9/source/game/ticketdb.h
index 4a58f51..41dc53b 100644
--- a/arm9/source/game/ticketdb.h
+++ b/arm9/source/game/ticketdb.h
@@ -25,13 +25,13 @@ typedef struct {
     u8  reserved[4];
     u8  title_id[8];
     u8  titlekey[16];
-} __attribute__((packed)) TitleKeyEntry;
+} PACKED_STRUCT TitleKeyEntry;
 
 typedef struct {
     u32 n_entries;
     u8  reserved[12];
     TitleKeyEntry entries[256]; // this number is only a placeholder
-} __attribute__((packed)) TitleKeysInfo;
+} PACKED_STRUCT TitleKeysInfo;
 
 
 u32 GetTitleKey(u8* titlekey, Ticket* ticket);
diff --git a/arm9/source/gamecart/gamecart.c b/arm9/source/gamecart/gamecart.c
index 62f2ecb..4afb2d1 100644
--- a/arm9/source/gamecart/gamecart.c
+++ b/arm9/source/gamecart/gamecart.c
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u64 cart_size;
     u64 data_size;
     u32 unused_offset;
-} __attribute__((packed, aligned(16))) CartDataCtr;
+} PACKED_ALIGN(16) CartDataCtr;
 
 typedef struct {
     TwlHeader ntr_header;
@@ -38,15 +38,15 @@ typedef struct {
     u64 cart_size;
     u64 data_size;
     u32 arm9i_rom_offset;
-} __attribute__((packed, aligned(16))) CartDataNtrTwl;
+} PACKED_ALIGN(16) CartDataNtrTwl;
 
 u32 GetCartName(char* name, CartData* cdata) {
     if (cdata->cart_type & CART_CTR) {
-        CartDataCtr* cdata_i = (CartDataCtr*)(void*) cdata;
+        CartDataCtr* cdata_i = (CartDataCtr*)cdata;
         NcsdHeader* ncsd = &(cdata_i->ncsd);
         snprintf(name, 24, "%016llX_v%02lu", ncsd->mediaId, cdata_i->rom_version);
     }  else if (cdata->cart_type & CART_NTR) {
-        CartDataNtrTwl* cdata_i = (CartDataNtrTwl*)(void*) cdata;
+        CartDataNtrTwl* cdata_i = (CartDataNtrTwl*)cdata;
         TwlHeader* nds = &(cdata_i->ntr_header);
         snprintf(name, 24, "%.12s_%.6s_%02u", nds->game_title, nds->game_code, nds->rom_version);
     } else return 1;
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ u32 InitCardRead(CartData* cdata) {
         memset(priv_header + 0x48, 0xFF, 8);
     } else {
         // NTR header
-        TwlHeader* nds_header = (TwlHeader*) cdata->header;
+        TwlHeader* nds_header = (void*)cdata->header;
         NTR_CmdReadHeader(cdata->header);
         if (!(*(cdata->header))) return 1; // error reading the header
         if (!NTR_Secure_Init(cdata->header, Cart_GetID(), 0)) return 1;
diff --git a/arm9/source/gamecart/gamecart.h b/arm9/source/gamecart/gamecart.h
index bd88f1a..f2baac3 100644
--- a/arm9/source/gamecart/gamecart.h
+++ b/arm9/source/gamecart/gamecart.h
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u64 cart_size;
     u64 data_size;
     u32 arm9i_rom_offset; // TWL specific
-} __attribute__((packed)) CartData;
+} PACKED_ALIGN(16) CartData;
 
 u32 GetCartName(char* name, CartData* cdata);
 u32 InitCardRead(CartData* cdata);
diff --git a/arm9/source/nand/essentials.h b/arm9/source/nand/essentials.h
index 40634fd..7f92641 100644
--- a/arm9/source/nand/essentials.h
+++ b/arm9/source/nand/essentials.h
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u8 signature[0x100];
     u8 unknown[0x8]; // normally zero
     u8 codeseed[0x8]; // the actual data
-} __attribute__((packed, aligned(4))) LocalFriendCodeSeed;
+} PACKED_STRUCT LocalFriendCodeSeed;
 
 // /private/movable.sed file
 // see: http://3dbrew.org/wiki/Nand/private/movable.sed
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u8 keyy_high[8];
     u8 unknown[0x10];
     u8 cmac[0x10];
-} __attribute__((packed, aligned(4))) MovableSed;
+} PACKED_STRUCT MovableSed;
 
 // /rw/sys/SecureInfo_A (/_B) file
 // see: http://3dbrew.org/wiki/Nandrw/sys/SecureInfo_A
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u8 region;
     u8 unknown;
     char serial[0xF];
-} __attribute__((packed, aligned(4))) SecureInfo;
+} PACKED_STRUCT SecureInfo;
 
 // includes all essential system files
 // (this is of our own making)
@@ -58,4 +58,4 @@ typedef struct {
     u8 padding_hwcal0[0x200 - (SIZE_HWCAL%0x200)];
     u8 hwcal1[SIZE_HWCAL];
     u8 padding_hwcal1[0x200 - (SIZE_HWCAL%0x200)];
-} __attribute__((packed, aligned(16))) EssentialBackup;
+} PACKED_ALIGN(16) EssentialBackup;
diff --git a/arm9/source/nand/nand.c b/arm9/source/nand/nand.c
index 3672568..4d02467 100644
--- a/arm9/source/nand/nand.c
+++ b/arm9/source/nand/nand.c
@@ -505,24 +505,24 @@ u32 GetNandPartitionInfo(NandPartitionInfo* info, u32 type, u32 subtype, u32 ind
     // workaround for info == NULL
     NandPartitionInfo dummy;
     if (!info) info = &dummy;
-    
+
     // workaround for ZERONAND
     if (nand_src == NAND_ZERONAND) nand_src = NAND_SYSNAND;
-    
+
     // find type & subtype in NCSD header
-    u8 header[0x200];
+    u8 ALIGN(8) header[0x200];
     ReadNandSectors(header, 0x00, 1, 0xFF, nand_src);
-    NandNcsdHeader* ncsd = (NandNcsdHeader*) header;
+    NandNcsdHeader* ncsd = (void*)header;
     if ((ValidateNandNcsdHeader(ncsd) != 0) ||
         ((type == NP_TYPE_FAT) && (GetNandNcsdPartitionInfo(info, NP_TYPE_STD, subtype, 0, ncsd) != 0)) ||
         ((type != NP_TYPE_FAT) && (GetNandNcsdPartitionInfo(info, type, subtype, index, ncsd) != 0)))
         return 1; // not found
-    
+
     if (type == NP_TYPE_BONUS) { // size of bonus partition
         info->count = GetNandSizeSectors(nand_src) - info->sector;
     } else if (type == NP_TYPE_FAT) { // FAT type specific stuff
         ReadNandSectors(header, info->sector, 1, info->keyslot, nand_src);
-        MbrHeader* mbr = (MbrHeader*) header;
+        MbrHeader* mbr = (void*)header;
         if ((ValidateMbrHeader(mbr) != 0) || (index >= 4) ||
             (mbr->partitions[index].sector == 0) || (mbr->partitions[index].count == 0) ||
             (mbr->partitions[index].sector + mbr->partitions[index].count > info->count))
@@ -530,7 +530,7 @@ u32 GetNandPartitionInfo(NandPartitionInfo* info, u32 type, u32 subtype, u32 ind
         info->sector += mbr->partitions[index].sector;
         info->count = mbr->partitions[index].count;
     }
-    
+
     return 0;
 }
 
diff --git a/arm9/source/nand/nand.h b/arm9/source/nand/nand.h
index e335bf2..15a39d6 100644
--- a/arm9/source/nand/nand.h
+++ b/arm9/source/nand/nand.h
@@ -49,12 +49,12 @@ typedef struct {
     u32 sector;
     u32 count;
     u32 keyslot;
-} __attribute__((packed)) NandPartitionInfo;
+} PACKED_STRUCT NandPartitionInfo;
 
 typedef struct {
     u32 offset;
     u32 size;
-} __attribute__((packed)) NandNcsdPartition;
+} PACKED_STRUCT NandNcsdPartition;
 
 // see: https://www.3dbrew.org/wiki/NCSD#NCSD_header
 typedef struct {
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ typedef struct {
     NandNcsdPartition partitions[8];
     u8  unknown[0x5E];
     u8  twl_mbr[0x42];
-} __attribute__((packed)) NandNcsdHeader;
+} PACKED_STRUCT NandNcsdHeader;
 
 
 bool InitNandCrypto(bool init_full);
diff --git a/arm9/source/system/tar.h b/arm9/source/system/tar.h
index b014e96..92b4c20 100644
--- a/arm9/source/system/tar.h
+++ b/arm9/source/system/tar.h
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ typedef struct {
     char dev_minor[8];
     char fname_prefix[155];
     char unused[12];
-} __attribute__((packed)) TarHeader;
+} PACKED_STRUCT TarHeader;
 
 
 u32 ValidateTarHeader(void* tardata, void* tardata_end);
diff --git a/arm9/source/utils/nandutil.c b/arm9/source/utils/nandutil.c
index 3a85160..9c1bec1 100644
--- a/arm9/source/utils/nandutil.c
+++ b/arm9/source/utils/nandutil.c
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ u32 EmbedEssentialBackup(const char* path) {
     
     // leaving out the write permissions check here, it's okay
     if ((BuildEssentialBackup(path, essential) != 0) ||
-        (ValidateNandNcsdHeader((NandNcsdHeader*) essential->nand_hdr) != 0) ||
+        (ValidateNandNcsdHeader((void*)essential->nand_hdr) != 0) ||
         (fvx_qwrite(path, essential, SECTOR_D0K3 * 0x200, sizeof(EssentialBackup), NULL) != FR_OK)) {
         free(essential);
         return 1;
diff --git a/arm9/source/virtual/vgame.c b/arm9/source/virtual/vgame.c
index de388c6..1171188 100644
--- a/arm9/source/virtual/vgame.c
+++ b/arm9/source/virtual/vgame.c
@@ -678,8 +678,8 @@ bool BuildVGameTadDir(void) {
     u32 n = 0;
     
     // read header, setup table
-    u8 hdr_data[TAD_HEADER_LEN];
-    TadHeader* hdr = (TadHeader*) hdr_data;
+    u8 ALIGN(32) hdr_data[TAD_HEADER_LEN];
+    TadHeader* hdr = (void*)hdr_data;
     TadContentTable tbl;
     ReadGameImageBytes(hdr_data, TAD_HEADER_OFFSET, TAD_HEADER_LEN);
     if (BuildTadContentTable(&tbl, hdr_data) != 0) {
@@ -772,18 +772,18 @@ u64 InitVGameDrive(void) { // prerequisite: game file mounted as image
         (type & GAME_NDS  ) ? VFLAG_NDS   :
         (type & GAME_TAD  ) ? VFLAG_TAD : 0;
     if (!base_vdir) return 0;
-    
+
     // set up vgame buffer
     vgame_buffer = (void*) malloc(0x40000);
     if (!vgame_buffer) return 0;
-    
-    templates_cia   = (VirtualFile*) ((u8*) vgame_buffer); // first 184kb reserved (enough for 3364 entries)
-    templates_firm  = (VirtualFile*) (((u8*) vgame_buffer) + 0x2E000); // 2kb reserved (enough for 36 entries)
-    templates_ncsd  = (VirtualFile*) (((u8*) vgame_buffer) + 0x2E800); // 2kb reserved (enough for 36 entries)
-    templates_ncch  = (VirtualFile*) (((u8*) vgame_buffer) + 0x2F000); // 1kb reserved (enough for 18 entries)
-    templates_nds   = (VirtualFile*) (((u8*) vgame_buffer) + 0x2F400); // 1kb reserved (enough for 18 entries)
-    templates_exefs = (VirtualFile*) (((u8*) vgame_buffer) + 0x2F800); // 1kb reserved (enough for 18 entries)
-    templates_tad   = (VirtualFile*) (((u8*) vgame_buffer) + 0x2FC00); // 1kb reserved (enough for 18 entries)
+
+    templates_cia   = (void*) ((u8*) vgame_buffer); // first 184kb reserved (enough for 3364 entries)
+    templates_firm  = (void*) (((u8*) vgame_buffer) + 0x2E000); // 2kb reserved (enough for 36 entries)
+    templates_ncsd  = (void*) (((u8*) vgame_buffer) + 0x2E800); // 2kb reserved (enough for 36 entries)
+    templates_ncch  = (void*) (((u8*) vgame_buffer) + 0x2F000); // 1kb reserved (enough for 18 entries)
+    templates_nds   = (void*) (((u8*) vgame_buffer) + 0x2F400); // 1kb reserved (enough for 18 entries)
+    templates_exefs = (void*) (((u8*) vgame_buffer) + 0x2F800); // 1kb reserved (enough for 18 entries)
+    templates_tad   = (void*) (((u8*) vgame_buffer) + 0x2FC00); // 1kb reserved (enough for 18 entries)
     cia   = (CiaStub*)       (void*) (((u8*) vgame_buffer) + 0x30000); // 61kB reserved - should be enough by far
     twl   = (TwlHeader*)     (void*) (((u8*) vgame_buffer) + 0x3F400); // 512 byte reserved (not the full thing)
     a9l   = (FirmA9LHeader*) (void*) (((u8*) vgame_buffer) + 0x3F600); // 512 byte reserved
diff --git a/arm9/source/virtual/virtual.c b/arm9/source/virtual/virtual.c
index 42b55dc..23d474e 100644
--- a/arm9/source/virtual/virtual.c
+++ b/arm9/source/virtual/virtual.c
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 typedef struct {
     char drv_letter;
     u32 virtual_src;
-} __attribute__((packed)) VirtualDrive;
+} PACKED_STRUCT VirtualDrive;
 
 static const VirtualDrive virtualDrives[] = { VRT_DRIVES };
 
diff --git a/arm9/source/virtual/virtual.h b/arm9/source/virtual/virtual.h
index f0dae7d..5829153 100644
--- a/arm9/source/virtual/virtual.h
+++ b/arm9/source/virtual/virtual.h
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u64 size;
     u32 keyslot;
     u32 flags;
-} __attribute__((packed)) VirtualFile;
+} VirtualFile;
 
 // virtual dirs are only relevant for virtual game drives
 typedef struct {
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u64 offset;
     u64 size;
     u32 flags;
-} __attribute__((packed)) VirtualDir;
+} VirtualDir;
 
 u32 GetVirtualSource(const char* path);
 bool InitVirtualImageDrive(void);
diff --git a/arm9/source/virtual/vnand.c b/arm9/source/virtual/vnand.c
index 96a2480..fd4827b 100644
--- a/arm9/source/virtual/vnand.c
+++ b/arm9/source/virtual/vnand.c
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ typedef struct {
     u32 subtype;
     u32 index;
     u32 flags;
-} __attribute__((packed)) VirtualNandTemplate;
+} PACKED_STRUCT VirtualNandTemplate;
 
 // see NP_TYPE_ and NP_SUBTYPE_ in nand.h
 static const VirtualNandTemplate vNandTemplates[] = {
diff --git a/arm9/source/virtual/vtickdb.c b/arm9/source/virtual/vtickdb.c
index c9e04ed..af5236e 100644
--- a/arm9/source/virtual/vtickdb.c
+++ b/arm9/source/virtual/vtickdb.c
@@ -24,13 +24,13 @@ typedef struct {
     u8  ticket_id[8];
     u8  console_id[4];
     u8  eshop_id[4];
-} __attribute__((packed)) TickDbEntry;
+} PACKED_STRUCT TickDbEntry;
 
 typedef struct {
     u32 n_entries;
     u8  reserved[12];
     TickDbEntry entries[256]; // this number is only a placeholder (dangerous?)
-} __attribute__((packed)) TickDbInfo;
+} PACKED_STRUCT TickDbInfo;
 
 // only for the main directory
 static const VirtualFile vTickDbFileTemplates[] = {
diff --git a/common/types.h b/common/types.h
index 1839c9f..226429d 100644
--- a/common/types.h
+++ b/common/types.h
@@ -13,6 +13,10 @@
 #include <stdint.h>
 #include <stddef.h>
 
+#define ALIGN(n)        __attribute__((aligned(n)))
+#define PACKED_ALIGN(n) __attribute__((packed, aligned(n)))
+#define PACKED_STRUCT   PACKED_ALIGN(4)
+
 #define asm_v asm __volatile__
 
 typedef uint8_t  u8;