How-to Guides

How do I add emulators to LaunchBox?

Issabela Garcia

LaunchBox is a popular gaming platform that allows you to organize and play your favorite retro and modern games from various systems in one place. One of its key features is the ability to support emulators, which lets you play games from older systems on your PC. If you’re looking to add emulators to LaunchBox to enhance your gaming experience, follow this detailed step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Download and Install LaunchBox

Before you begin adding emulators, you must first have LaunchBox installed on your computer. You can download the free version of LaunchBox from the official website:

  1. Go to LaunchBox’s website.
  2. Download the latest version of the software.
  3. Follow the installation instructions to set it up on your computer.

Once installed, you can open LaunchBox and start customizing your library.

Step 2: Download the Emulator of Your Choice

LaunchBox supports many popular emulators for various gaming consoles, including NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, PlayStation, and more. To add an emulator, you’ll first need to download it from a reliable source. Here are some of the popular emulators you can use:

  • RetroArch – A versatile multi-system emulator.
  • Snes9x – A great emulator for Super Nintendo games.
  • Project64 – A top choice for Nintendo 64 games.
  • PCSX2 – A PlayStation 2 emulator.

You can search for these emulators on trusted websites or download them directly from their official pages.

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Step 3: Install the Emulator

Once you’ve downloaded the emulator, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install it on your system. It’s important to install the emulator in a location that you can easily access later. During installation, make sure you note any additional requirements, such as BIOS files or plugins, that the emulator might need to function properly.

Step 4: Add the Emulator to LaunchBox

After successfully installing your emulator, you can now add it to LaunchBox. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Open LaunchBox: Start the LaunchBox application on your PC.
  2. Go to the ‘Tools’ Menu: On the top menu, click on “Tools” and select ‘Manage Emulators’.
  3. Add a New Emulator: In the Manage Emulators window, click the ‘Add’ button.
  4. Choose the Emulator’s Name: A new dialog box will appear where you’ll need to select the name of the emulator you installed. If your emulator isn’t listed, you can manually enter the name.
  5. Set the Emulator’s Path: Click on the ‘Browse’ button next to the “Emulator Path” field. Navigate to the folder where the emulator is installed, and select the emulator’s executable file (e.g., retroarch.exe or pcsx2.exe).
  6. Configure Additional Settings (Optional): Some emulators require specific configurations, such as setting the correct system or adding custom parameters. You can configure these settings in the Emulator window before closing it.

Once you’ve added the emulator to LaunchBox, you’ll be ready to associate it with the games you want to play.

Step 5: Associate Games with the Emulator

Now that your emulator is added, you can associate your games with it so that LaunchBox knows which emulator to use when launching a particular title.

  1. Add Your Games to LaunchBox: Go to the “Games” section in LaunchBox and add your game ROMs or ISOs. You can do this by selecting ‘Add Games’ and browsing for your game files.
  2. Set the Emulator for Each Game: Once your games are added, right-click on a game, select ‘Edit’, and in the ‘Emulator’ dropdown, choose the emulator you want to use for that game. You can assign different emulators to different games, depending on what system they belong to.
  3. Save and Exit: Once the emulator is assigned to the game, click Save to store the changes.

Step 6: Configure Emulator Settings (Optional)

Some emulators may require additional configuration to ensure optimal performance. You can usually adjust these settings within the emulator’s own interface. For instance, you might want to change graphics settings, controller configurations, or tweak audio settings for a better experience. Be sure to consult the documentation for your chosen emulator for specific setup tips.

Step 7: Start Playing

With your emulator and games added to LaunchBox, you can now start playing!

  • Select the game you want to play from the LaunchBox library.
  • Click Play to launch the emulator, and the game will start automatically.

You can also customize the appearance of your games in LaunchBox by adding custom artwork, such as box art or posters, to make your library more visually appealing.

Conclusion

Adding emulators to LaunchBox is a straightforward process that enhances your retro gaming experience. By following these steps, you can organize and play games from a variety of consoles all in one place, making it easier than ever to revisit your favorite titles. Be sure to keep your emulators and games organized within LaunchBox, and enjoy seamless retro gaming on your PC.

Happy gaming!

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