Multi-Platform Imports

Learn how to import an organized ROM collection for several systems at once using platform folders, mapping, metadata, media, and batch options.

Written By launchbox

Last updated 11 days ago

The Multi-Platform Import Wizard adds games for several systems in one pass. It is designed for an organized collection where each platform already has its own folder.

🗯️ What is it?

Instead of running the Single Platform Import Wizard once for every system, Multi-Platform Import scans one or more root folders and treats each direct subfolder as a platform.

For example:

ROMs\
├── Atari 2600\
├── Nintendo Entertainment System\
├── Sega Genesis\
└── Sony PlayStation\

LaunchBox identifies the subfolders, suggests platform names, and lets you correct the platform and Scrape As mappings before it imports anything.

🤔 Why should I care?

Multi-Platform Import is useful when:

  • You are setting up LaunchBox for the first time and already have a large, organized ROM collection

  • You are moving an existing collection from another frontend

  • You have added games for several systems and want to process them together

  • You want one set of metadata and media choices applied across the entire batch

  • You want to review every detected platform folder before the import starts

The main benefit is time: you organize the folders once, review the mappings once, and let LaunchBox build several platforms in the same import.

Important: This wizard does not walk through emulator setup for each platform. Existing emulators and associated-platform settings can be used, but new platforms may need an emulator configured after the import before their games will launch.

📁 Before you start

Your folder layout matters. Inside every root folder you select, each platform must be in its own direct subfolder.

  • Good: D:\ROMs\Sega Genesis\ and D:\ROMs\Super Nintendo Entertainment System\

  • Avoid: Mixing games from several platforms in the same folder

  • Avoid: Adding an extra category level such as D:\ROMs\Consoles\Sega Genesis\ unless Consoles is the root folder you select

Clear platform folder names give LaunchBox the best chance of identifying each system automatically.

❓ How do I use it?

In LaunchBox, go to Tools > Import > ROM Files > Multiple Platforms.

1. Add your root folder

Select Add Folder and choose the folder that contains your platform subfolders. You can add more than one root folder if your collection is split across drives or locations.

2. Confirm the detected folders

LaunchBox lists each direct subfolder it found. Review every row:

  • Folder Name and Full Path show where the files will come from.

  • Platform controls the platform name that will appear in your LaunchBox library.

  • Scrape As maps custom platform names to the LaunchBox Games Database so metadata and media can be matched correctly.

Correct any missing or inaccurate platform names. Remove rows for folders you do not want to import. If several folders map to the same platform, use the same Scrape As value for all of them.

3. Choose metadata and media

Select what LaunchBox should download for the games in this batch:

  • Metadata from the LaunchBox Games Database

  • Image types such as box fronts, clear logos, screenshots, and backgrounds

  • Supported EmuMovies images, videos, music, and manuals if your account is connected

  • Bezels when the Bezel Project page applies

More media creates a richer-looking library, but also takes more time and storage. Use media limits if you only want one file of each selected type per game.

4. Review advanced options

Choose any batch-wide options you need, such as importing duplicates, using folder names as game titles, finding PDF manuals, combining matching ROM titles, or applying MAME/FinalBurn Neo handling.

5. Review the game list

LaunchBox scans the selected platform folders and shows the games it plans to add. Review the results and rename or remove entries as needed.

6. Finish the import

Select Finish to add the games. The platforms and game entries are created during the import, while selected media can continue downloading in the background.

💡 Good to know

  • If you only need to add one system, the Single Platform wizard gives you more emulator and file-handling guidance.

  • If a game will not launch afterward, check Tools > Manage > Emulators and confirm that an emulator is configured for that platform.

  • If a folder was detected as the wrong system, correct both its Platform and Scrape As values before continuing.

  • If your collection is not organized by platform folders, reorganize it first or import each platform separately.