Emulate, Organize, and Beautify Your Game Collection!

LaunchBox

LaunchBox

  -  460.44 MB  -  Demo
  • Latest Version

    LaunchBox 13.22 LATEST

  • Review by

    Jack Taylor

  • Operating System

    Windows 7 / Windows 8 / Windows 10 / Windows 11

  • User Rating

    Click to vote
  • Author / Product

    Unbroken Software, LLC / External Link

  • Filename

    LaunchBox-13.22-Setup.exe

  • MD5 Checksum

    375f27594f03800e79baebaab6c4b216

LaunchBox was originally built as an attractive frontend to DOSBox but has since expanded to support both modern PC games and emulated console platforms.

LaunchBox Screenshot 1

Launch Box aims to be the one-stop-shop for gaming on your computer, for both modern and historical games. Launch Box is a portable Windows software, box-art-based games database, and launcher for DOSBox, emulators, arcade cabinets, and PC Games.

It includes automated import processes for your MS-DOS games, ROM files, and Steam in order to help get you up and running as quickly as possible. Game box-art and metadata are automatically downloaded from the Games Database, a community-based online database that allows anyone to contribute.

It supports arranging and filtering by genre, platform, ESRB rating, developer, publisher, and much more, and even has custom status and source fields to use to classify your games however you choose. LaunchBox’s interface is incredibly easy to use and powerful all at the same time.

Not only does LaunchBox automatically download the box art for your games, but it also grabs beautiful fanart, screenshots, logos, and more, creating a surprisingly immersive experience. Fanart and other images can be used as the app’s background as you browse your games, which really helps to create an attractive, fun experience.

Features

Comprehensive Game Library Management – Import and organize games from Steam, GOG, Epic Games, Origin, and even ROMs for various emulators.

Built-in Emulator Support – Automatically configures and launches games through emulators like RetroArch, MAME, Dolphin, and more.

Big Box Mode – A premium feature offering a sleek, full-screen experience for a home-theater-style gaming setup.

Custom Themes & Artwork – Users can apply custom themes, cover art, videos, and metadata for a visually rich interface.

Automated Metadata Scraping – Fetches game descriptions, box art, and additional media from databases like TheGamesDB and EmuMovies.

Portable Mode – Allows users to carry their game library on an external drive without reinstallation.

Controller Support – Enables seamless navigation with gamepads, perfect for couch gaming.

Cloud Sync & Backup – Backup and sync game libraries across multiple devices.

Plugins & Custom Scripts – Advanced users can extend functionality using third-party plugins and scripts.

High Performance – Optimized for fast loading times and smooth operation even with large game libraries.

User Interface

It features an intuitive and visually appealing interface, focusing on high-quality box art, video previews, and customizable themes.

The main dashboard allows users to browse their collections effortlessly, with sorting and filtering options for better organization.

Big Box Mode, available in the premium version, provides a full-screen experience similar to a console dashboard, perfect for use with a controller.

Installation and Setup
  • Download this app from the official website or FileHorse.
  • Run the installer and follow the setup wizard.
  • Choose an installation directory (portable mode is optional).
  • Launch the application and follow the guided import process to add games.
  • Configure emulators if using ROMs, and allow LaunchBox to handle settings automatically.
  • Customize metadata with artwork, themes, and other settings.
How to Use
  • Adding Games – Import titles manually or use the built-in import wizard for Steam, GOG, or ROMs.
  • Configuring Emulators – Set up default emulators for different platforms and let this program manage execution.
  • Customizing Appearance – Apply themes, change artwork, and adjust viewing preferences.
  • Organizing the Library – Use tags, playlists, and categories to sort and manage your collection.
  • Launching Games – Simply click on any game in the interface to start playing.
FAQ

Is LaunchBox free?
Yes, the basic version is free, but Big Box Mode and advanced features require a paid license.

What emulators does LaunchBox support?
It supports a wide range, including RetroArch, Dolphin, PCSX2, MAME, CEMU, and more.

Can I add my Steam and GOG library?
Yes, it can import Steam, GOG, Epic Games, and Origin libraries automatically.

Does LaunchBox work with game controllers?
Yes, Big Box Mode offers full controller support for seamless navigation.

Can I run LaunchBox from an external drive?
Yes, the portable mode allows you to store and launch your collection from an external device.

Alternatives

Playnite – A free and open-source launcher with Steam, GOG, and emulator support.

RetroArch – A multi-system emulator with a built-in frontend for retro gaming.

Pricing

Free Version – Includes game importing, emulator support, and metadata scraping.

Premium – $30 (lifetime license) or $15 (yearly) for Big Box Mode and additional customization features.

System Requirements
  • OS: Windows 7/8/10/11
  • CPU: Intel Core i3 or higher
  • RAM: 4GB minimum (8GB+ recommended for large libraries)
  • Storage: 1GB+ (varies based on game library size)
  • Graphics: Integrated GPU sufficient (discrete GPU recommended for HD video previews)
PROS
  • Easy-to-use interface with rich customization options.
  • Supports multiple platforms, including Steam and emulators.
  • Automated metadata scraping saves time.
  • Portable mode for on-the-go gaming.
  • Big Box Mode provides a premium console-like experience.
CONS
  • Free version lacks Big Box Mode and some customization options.
  • Can be resource-intensive with very large game libraries.
  • Requires manual emulator setup for some systems.
Conclusion

LaunchBox is an excellent solution for gamers who want to organize, customize, and enhance their game collection in one place. With built-in emulator support, metadata automation, and Big Box Mode, it offers a highly polished experience for both retro and modern gaming enthusiasts.

While the free version is powerful enough for casual users, the premium version is worth the investment for those looking for a console-like, full-screen experience.

Note: Limited functionality in the demo version.

Why is this app published on FileHorse? (More info)
  • LaunchBox 13.22 Screenshots

    The images below have been resized. Click on them to view the screenshots in full size.

    LaunchBox 13.22 Screenshot 1
  • LaunchBox 13.22 Screenshot 2
  • LaunchBox 13.22 Screenshot 3

What's new in this version:

New:
- LaunchBox can now auto-login to RetroAchievements for supported emulators like RetroArch, Dolphin, and PCSX2
- Added a quick-access RetroAchievements login and status option under Tools > Achievements
- Supported emulators now have a RetroAchievements section with login options, hardcore toggle, and manual credential injection
- Hybrid Views have been added to Big Box with 3 making their way to the Default theme. This new type of view combines both Platform and Game lists into a single seamless layout, providing smoother transitions, faster navigation, and unified designs for a more fluid Big Box experience
- Track your games from Not Played to Done with our brand-new Game Progress system! Customize your own progress values, or use the ones that come preloaded. Available in the Add/Edit Game window, this feature helps you visualize and manage your game backlog
- Progress updates can now be automated with the new Game Progress Automation system (e.g. automatically set a game to In Progress after playing X minutes). Find it under Tools > Options > Data > Game Progress Automation
- A new Progress badge is available under Badges > Game Attributes > Progress, visually changing based on a game�s progress value (e.g., a "Done / Beaten" game shows a flag). These badges are included in the Nostalgic, White - Filled, and White - Outline sets (update white badges under Tools > Manage > LaunchBox Themes & Media...)
- Big Box now supports a Random Game action for keyboard and controller inputs to quickly jump to a random game

Improved:
- RetroAchievements now display detailed achievement types-Progress, Win Condition, and Missable-directly in both LaunchBox and Big Box default themes
- RetroAchievements beaten status is now tracked and automatically updates the new Progress field
- Game Progress value is now included in the Cloud Game Statistic Syncing service (Tools > Cloud > Enable Game Statistic Syncing)
- A new Game Progress button has been added to the default LaunchBox theme for quickly changing a game's progress manually
- Auto-import now supports non-emulated platforms (such as Windows)
- Videos are now properly centered again when using the WMP engine in Big Box
- Added support for importing VR compatibility data from Steam; Steam VR-supported games are now auto-tagged with a PC-VR controller in the VR Support category

Fixed:
- Improved WHDLoad parsing for Commodore Amiga game imports, fixing multi-version naming issues
- Storefront imports from the EA app now work correctly after adapting to the takedown of EA's deprecated Origin API
- Xbox storefront logout now properly respects your choice to log out
- Big Box transitions in platform views now animate in the correct direction consistently
- Video transition animations in some Big Box default theme platform views were not triggering properly
- Bulk editing date fields was not showing the correct value on the confirmation page
- ScummVM Integration plugin updated to handle upstream changes that broke download functionality
- Dolphin Integration plugin now correctly detects the latest version after changes to Dolphin's versioning system
- MAME Import filtering logic no longer incorrectly marks some Music games as Non-Arcade, ensuring they're properly included during import
- Release Date field no longer stores time zone data, which could cause the date to shift based on user location
- Rare crash that could occur when rapidly clicking the Favorite or Completed buttons under certain conditions
- Game description could occasionally get stuck on a previous game instead of updating properly
- Game Details view text binding issue resolved, so "no achievements available" no longer shows incorrectly
- Controller badges now show the correct tooltip when mousing over non-selected items�no more mystery tooltips
- Removed the old Completed checkbox in the Add/Edit Game window, as its functionality is now fully integrated into the new Game Progress system
- Removed the old Unplayed/Completed badges, since the new Progress Badge handles all that and then some
- A false "Out of Memory" error has been partially resolved in Big Box, in cases triggered by resuming from hibernation