Add Encyclopedic Data to the LaunchBox Games Database
š Summary
Expand the LaunchBox Games Database to include encyclopedic information about games ā such as cheats, secrets, gameplay tips, development trivia, prototype data, and more. This would enhance the depth and usefulness of the database, making LaunchBox not just a library manager but a true reference hub for video game history and gameplay details.
šÆ Feature Overview
Allow users to submit and edit encyclopedic information directly to the LaunchBox Games Database.
Include optional sections for:
Cheat Codes (Game Genie, Action Replay, GameShark, etc.)
Secrets & Tricks (hidden levels, easter eggs, gameplay exploits)
Development Notes (cut content, prototypes, beta information)
Gameplay Features (characters, level details, weapons, abilities)
Commercials, promotional materials, and trivia
Display this information within LaunchBoxās game details pane or as a dedicated āGame Infoā tab.
š Example Use Case
A user opens Super Metroid in LaunchBox and finds not only standard metadata (publisher, genre, release date) but also:
A section listing all available cheat codes.
Notes on prototype versions or development trivia.
Secrets about hidden areas and unlockables.
Another user browsing Final Fantasy VII can view details about differences between regional releases, beta elements, and early development changes.
š¦ Benefits
Makes the LaunchBox Games Database a more complete and engaging resource.
Helps players discover new insights, cheats, and hidden content without leaving LaunchBox.
Preserves community knowledge and rare data about lesser-known or obscure games.
Encourages contributions similar to community projects like The Cutting Room Floor or GameFAQs, but integrated directly into LaunchBox.
š” Notes
This feature could start smallāperhaps with basic cheat code and secret supportāand gradually expand to include richer encyclopedic data over time. Community moderation tools and submission workflows would help maintain data quality and accuracy.
Log in to comment and vote
Comments4
Oct 8, 2025
PinnedHi there!
Thanks so much for submitting this request and for taking the time to explain your use case ā that context is always super helpful.
Iāve gone ahead and fleshed out the main idea using the info you provided, and Iām opening it up to the community for further discussion and feedback. Please let me know if this fleshed-out version doesnāt match your original intended request.
Feel free to let me know if you have any extra thoughts, examples, or edge cases you think might be relevant!
Cheers,
The LaunchBox team
Arthurcoutinho600
Oct 8, 2025
Hello, Thank You Astrobob
There are some things that I will love to see added:
Genres and Sub-genres: 2D, 2.5D, 3D, Gacha, NFT, Game as a Service, Boomer Shooter, Fan Game, Non-Game, Rhythm, Reboot, Remake, Remaster, Port, Metroidvania, Light Gun, Run and Gun, First-Person Shooter, Survival, J RPG, Action RPG, 2D Fighting (Tag), 3D Fighting (Tag), 2D Platform (Tag), 3D Platform (Tag), Text Adventures, Cinematographic, Interactive Movie, Battle Royale, CEL-Shading, Programming Game, Clones, Creepy Pasta, Mod, Football, Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, Olympic Games etc.
Series, Sub-Series and Franchise Fields:
Examples: Mega Man (Series), Mega Man X (Sub-Series), Mega Man (Franchise)
Dragon Ball Z (Series), Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi (Sub-Series), Dragon Ball (Franchise).
Sonic the Hedgehog (Series), Sonic Classic (Sub-Series), Sonic the Hedgehog (Franchise)
Crash Bandicoot (Series), Crash Bandicoot Trilogy (PS1 - Sub-Series), Crash Bandicoot (Franchise) and so onā¦.
Remaster, Remake, Reboot and Ports Field:
Examples: Crash Bandicoot PS1 Trilogy (Original) ā Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (Remaster)
Tomb Raider (1995 - Original) ā Tomb Raider (2013 - Reboot)
Final Fantasy 7 (1997 - Original) ā Final Fantasy 7 (2020 - Remake)
Street Fighter II (Arcade - Original) ā Street Fighter II (SNES, Amiga, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Atari ST, DOS, PS1 and Saturn - Ports)
Keyword or Playlist field for ROM Hacks, Mods etc. of the same game or some creativity of users:
Examples:
Super Mario World Hacks: The Second Reality Project, VLDC Series, A Super Mario Adventure Series (KaidenLens), The Bowser Kaizo Conspiracy etc.
Sonic Fan Games: Sonic Before the Sequel, Sonic XG, Sonic GT etc.
Explosion Games be Like: Bomberman Series, Mega Man Series, etc.
Underrated or Hidden Gem: Crash of The Titans, Mega Man X8, Ape Escape series etc.
Bootleg and Bad Game Fan Improvements: Sonic Vol.2, Mega Man X7 Nās Edition, Devil May Cry 2: Definitive Edition, Project 06, Mortal Kombat Arkade Edition etc.
There are some other great examples, but the list will be longer.
AstroBob
Jul 7, 2025
Hi there, thanks for the report here. As cool as this is, thereās a lot included here, so weād need to narrow this down a bit further in order to make it an actionable request.
For example, would you prefer an integration with a service that already provides this type of metadata, or were you thinking of having LaunchBox allow users to submit this data to its own games database?
How do you envision this information being viewed within LaunchBox, and where would you find it most useful?
Let me know and weāll get this fleshed out for you
Arthurcoutinho600
Jul 7, 2025
Launchbox allow users to submit the data to the Games Database because i think a integration with a service with metadada will be a scraper which i requested for a while
Second, will be useful for some hard games that players canāt play (or they couldnāt do 100% or more), enhance the metadata for games, add some information that the in-game have like levels, characters, gameplay features, secrets, tricks and even for pre-release/prototype/beta things that donāt have in final version like The Cutting Room Floor does and development informations for curiosity, Cheat Codes from Action Replay, GameShark and Game Genie for example to games that have codes that people will enable or disable in Launchbox, and shows the full potencial in Launchbox Games Database. I think will be viewed in some special be like fields.