Single Platform Imports

Need to import one platform’s games at a time and want full control over the process? Look no further than LaunchBox's Single Platform Import Wizard. This wizard gives you all the granular options you need to manage one platform’s import with precision.

Written By Brian Faeran

Last updated 8 months ago

To access the wizard, navigate to Tools > Import > ROM Files > Single Platform

🗂️ Step 1: Choose Your Files

You’ll first be asked: Where are your games?

  • Recommended: Choose a folder, not individual files.

  • Best practice: Use a single folder named after the platform (e.g., Atari 2600) with all your ROMs inside — no subfolders.

  • Bonus: If the folder name matches LaunchBox's standard platform names, we’ll pre-fill the platform for you automatically!

🎮 Step 2: Select a Platform

  • If auto-detection fails, choose your platform manually from the dropdown.

  • If you use a custom platform name, you’ll need to set a Scrape As value — this maps your custom name to LaunchBox’s official platform list for accurate metadata and media scraping.

🚀 Step 3: Set Up Your Emulator

You’ve got two paths:

  • Automatic setup (for supported emulators like RetroArch, Dolphin, PCSX2, MAME, ScummVM, BigPEmu, and Xemu).

    • LaunchBox downloads and configures the emulator for portability.

    • Special emulators like Xemu will also get needed prerequisite files automatically.

  • Manual setup for full control.

    • Add the emulator yourself.

    • Select it from a list or configure it from scratch.

    • Be sure to set up Associated Platforms so LaunchBox knows what games to launch with which emulator.

🧩 Step 4: Missing Dependencies (If Applicable)

Only shows up if the chosen emulator needs extra files (like BIOS, system files, etc.).

You’ll see icons next to each file:

  • ❗ Exclamation – Required file (or group of files) is missing.

  • 🔴 Red Dot – File not present.

  • 🟡 Yellow Dot – File added, but MD5 doesn't match. Use caution, as things may not work as expected

  • 🟢 Green Dot – File added and verified via MD5.

You can browse to files or view where they should be placed. You can skip this step, but you’ll get reminded again when trying to launch a game if any required files are missing.

📁 Step 5: File Handling Options

Choose how LaunchBox handles your files:

  • Copy into LaunchBox - Creates a copy of the original file

  • Move into LaunchBox - Moves your file from it’s original location

  • Use files in their current location - Recommended if your files are already organized

🖼️ Step 6: Choose Media to Download

You control what gets downloaded:

  • The more types you select, the more space you'll need.

  • Use the Media Limit option to only download one file per image type (e.g., one Box - Front per game).

  • Multiply your selections: 1,000 games × 10 images = 10,000 files = potentially 10 GB!

🎞️ Step 7: EmuMovies Integration

Link your EmuMovies account to grab:

  • Images (usable with a free account)

  • Videos, music, and manuals (requires a paid EmuMovies account)

Priority rules:

  • LaunchBox images are prioritized over EmuMovies.

  • EmuMovies prioritizes HD > HQ > SD if you select multiple video types.

  • Regional artwork is chosen based on ROM name, user settings, and fallback logic (for LaunchBox only; EmuMovies does not apply this).

🖼️ Step 8: Download Bezels (Optional)

If your platform/emulator combo supports it, you’ll be offered bezels from The Bezel Project.

Choose from:

  1. Theme first, fallback to System

  2. System first, fallback to Theme

  3. Only Theme Bezels

  4. Only System Bezels

⚙️ Step 9: Advanced Settings

Depending on earlier choices, you’ll see options like:

  • ✅ Force import duplicates

  • 📁 Ignore subfolders

  • 🏷️ Use folder names as game titles

  • 📄 Detect PDFs as manuals

  • 🔗 Combine ROMs into one game

  • 📦 Force MAME metadata for MAME-named ROMs (great for platforms like Neo Geo, Atomiswave, Final Burn Neo, etc.)

🧠 MAME-Specific Options (if selected):

  • Skip clones, prioritize by region

  • Import non-clones only

  • Import all clones

  • Region to prioritize (NA, Europe, Japan, World)

  • "Skip Games" Filters – Be cautious, especially if you're not importing a full MAME set.

  • Create MAME subcategory playlists – Recommended only for full MAME imports.

✅ Final Step: Review & Finish

You’ll see a list of all games LaunchBox found based on your criteria.

  • Rename or delete games before finishing.

  • Press Finish to begin importing.

Games appear instantly and are playable as soon as they're imported. Media and bezels will continue to download in the background.

✅ If you quit LaunchBox during the download of media, no problem — it will resume next time you open it.