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Support RetroArch Cores in Non-Default Locations

LaunchBox for Windows

📋 Summary

RetroArch allows users to place cores in a custom location via the Directories menu. Currently, LaunchBox only detects cores if they’re in the default RetroArch directory. This causes issues for users who store their cores elsewhere, even though RetroArch itself loads them without problems.

🎯 Feature Overview

  • Allow LaunchBox to:

    • Read the RetroArch config file to determine the active cores directory.

    • Or provide a configurable option in the Emulator settings to manually specify a custom cores path.

🛠 Example Use Case

  • A user sets up RetroArch with all cores stored on a different drive for space reasons.

  • RetroArch recognizes and runs these cores fine.

  • In LaunchBox, the cores do not appear unless they’re moved back to the default directory.

  • With this feature, LaunchBox would properly detect and use the cores in their custom location.

📦 Benefits

  • Greater flexibility for advanced users managing multiple drives.

  • Reduces manual file copying or duplication.

  • Keeps LaunchBox in sync with RetroArch’s actual configuration.

Posted by jpclive ·
Status: Open To Community2 comments

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Comments2

  • AstroBob changed status to Open To Community
    Team•

    Sep 11, 2025

    Pinned

    Hi there!

    Thanks so much for submitting this request and for taking the time to explain your use case — that context is always super helpful.

    I’ve gone ahead and fleshed out the main idea using the info you provided, and I’m opening it up to the community for further discussion and feedback. Please let me know if this fleshed-out version doesn’t 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

  • jpclive

    •

    Sep 11, 2025

    Retroarch cores in non-default location

    Retroarch allows the cores to be downloaded to any location using the Directories menu. I have my cores in a non-default location, and they run fine from within RA, but LaunchBox can’t find them if they’re not in the default location. It would be helpful if LB could either check the RA config file and see where the cores are or at the very least have an option in the Emulator config to point LB to them.