Welcome to LaunchBox: What It Is and How It Works

LaunchBox is a game library manager and launcher for Windows. It brings games from many systems and storefronts into one organized library, adds artwork and information, and launches each game through the program it needs.

🗯️ What is LaunchBox?

LaunchBox gives you one place to browse, search, organize, and start your game collection. Your library can include:

• Games played through emulators

• PC games and applications

• Games imported from supported storefronts such as Steam, GOG, Epic Games, and Amazon Games

• Homebrew, fan games, and other content you have the right to use

LaunchBox can download game information and media, including titles, release dates, descriptions, box art, screenshots, and clear logos, from supported sources. It then presents everything as a consistent library, even when the games come from different places.

Importing tells LaunchBox about games you already have. It does not download the games themselves.

🧩 How does it work?

Most LaunchBox setups contain four main parts:

1. Your games

These are the files or installed titles you want to play. An emulated game may be stored as a ROM, disc image, or archive. A Windows game may use an installed executable or be managed by a storefront.

2. Platforms

A platform groups related games in your library, such as Nintendo Entertainment System, Sony PlayStation, Arcade, or Windows. Platforms make the collection easier to browse and help LaunchBox apply the correct metadata and launch settings.

3. Emulators or other launchers

An emulator is a separate program that runs games made for another system. LaunchBox can install and configure supported emulators during some import workflows, or you can connect an emulator you already use. Storefront and native Windows games may launch through their own clients or executable files instead.

4. Your LaunchBox library

LaunchBox stores the information that connects each game entry to its game file or storefront record, platform, launch application, metadata, media, play history, and other settings. Adding a game normally creates a library entry. Your original files stay where they are unless you choose to copy or move them during an import.

When you select Play, LaunchBox uses that saved information to start the correct emulator, storefront client, application, or game executable.

🖥️ LaunchBox and Big Box

Your LaunchBox for Windows installation includes two interfaces for the same library:

• LaunchBox is the desktop interface. Use it to import games, edit details, manage emulators, download media, organize the library, and launch games.

• Big Box is the full-screen interface. It is designed for televisions, handhelds, arcade cabinets, and controller-focused browsing.

They share the same games, platforms, playlists, media, and most library information. Changes made to your library in LaunchBox are reflected in Big Box.

📦 What does LaunchBox include?

LaunchBox includes tools for building and managing your game library: import wizards, metadata and media integrations, organization features, and launch configuration.

Depending on the platform and import method, LaunchBox may also offer to download and configure a supported emulator. Availability varies by platform, and this does not mean every emulator, BIOS file, firmware file, or game is included.

🚫 What does LaunchBox not include?

• Commercial games or copyrighted ROM collections

• BIOS or firmware files that a system may require

• A guarantee that every game file works with every emulator

• Permission to use content that you do not have the legal right to use

You are responsible for obtaining and using games, system files, emulators, and other content in accordance with the laws that apply to you.

🚀 What should I do first?

1. Install LaunchBox.

2. Choose one game or one platform for your first import.

3. Let the import wizard help identify the platform, configure an emulator when supported, and download the metadata and media you want.

4. Review the imported game and select Play.

5. After the first game works, add the rest of that platform or import your storefront libraries.

Starting small makes it easier to understand each part and confirm that your files and emulator work before importing a large collection.

🧭 Where should I go next?

• Use Single Platform Imports for the most guided way to add one emulated system.

• Use Managing Storefront Games in LaunchBox for supported PC storefront libraries.

• Use Multi-Platform Imports when your ROM collection is already organized into platform folders.

• Use Drag and Drop Imports to add a small number of files directly from File Explorer.

• Use Automated ROM Imports when you want LaunchBox to monitor its Games folders.