🎮 Simple Launcher

Simple Launcher is an open-source emulator frontend. Designed for both casual gamers and power users, it provides a seamless interface to organize, browse, and launch your retro gaming collection with deep integration for modern emulators and RetroAchievements.

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📸 Screenshots

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✨ Feature List

🚀 Performance & Core Infrastructure

• MessagePack Engine: High-speed MessagePack serialization for near-instant settings loading
• Native ARM64 Support: Fully optimized for Windows on ARM (Surface Pro, Snapdragon X Elite) alongside x64
• Asynchronous Architecture: Multi-threaded game scanning and validation with fluid UI
• Single Instance Enforcement: Prevents resource conflicts by ensuring only one instance runs
• Elevation Detection: Automatically detects games requiring Administrator privileges
• Startup Validation: Detects if running from temporary folders and prompts for proper extraction
• Secure Connections: All metadata and image downloads use TLS 1.2/1.3
• Resilient Saving: Improved file lock handling with retry logic and exponential backoff

🎮 Deep Emulator Integration

• Configuration Injection: Manage and inject settings directly into 20+ popular emulators:
  • Ares, Azahar, Blastem, Cemu, Daphne, Dolphin, DuckStation, Flycast, MAME, Mednafen, Mesen, PCSX2, Raine, Redream, RetroArch, RPCS3, Sega Model 2, Stella, Supermodel, Xenia, Yumir
• Universal CHD Support: Built-in CHDMounter utility brings CHD support to emulators without native support:
  • RPCS3, Xemu, Xenia, Cxbx-Reloaded, Mednafen, PCSX Redux, 4DO, Gens, Blastem, Yabause, Mesen, FinalBurn Neo, FinalBurn Alpha, Raine, CD-i Emulator, Tsugaru
• On-the-Fly Mounting: Launch games directly from compressed (.zip) or disk image (.iso, .xiso) files using Dokan integration
• Expert Mode: Granular control over launch parameters, multiple ROM paths per system, and custom environment variables
• Format Conversion: Built-in converters for CHD, RVZ, XISO, 7z/Zip with integrity verification
• File Mounting Strategies: Advanced strategies for XISO, CHD, ZIP, PBP-to-CUE, and CHD-to-CUE conversions

🏆 RetroAchievements (RA) Integration

• Rich User Profiles: View RA stats, recently played games, and global rankings directly in UI
• Auto-Credential Injection: Automatically syncs RA login to supported emulators (PCSX2, DuckStation, PPSSPP, RetroArch)
• Advanced Hashing: Built-in logic for precise hashes for complex systems (PS1, Saturn, Dreamcast)
• Nintendo Wii Support: Full support for Wii RetroAchievements
• Expanded System Aliases: Better matching for NEC PC-FX, SNES MSU1, and many more systems
• RA Data Fetcher Tool: Separate tool for fetching RetroAchievements data

📂 Library Management & Game Scanning

• Dual View Modes: Toggle between visual Grid View with customizable aspect ratios and detailed List View with sortable metadata
• Modern Game Store Integration: Automatic scanning for games from:
  • Microsoft Store (Windows Apps)
  • Steam
  • Epic Games Store
  • GOG
  • Amazon Games
  • Battle.net
  • EA App
  • Humble Bundle
  • itch.io
  • Rockstar Games
  • Uplay
• Fuzzy Image Matching: Intelligent algorithm to find cover art even with imperfect filename matches
• Play History Tracking: Detailed logs of play count, total playtime, and last played timestamps
• Global Search: Advanced search engine supporting AND/OR operators across entire multi-system library
• Favorites System: Mark and organize favorite games with persistent storage
• Gamepad Navigation: Full navigation support for Xbox and PlayStation controllers
• Pagination System: Efficient handling of large game libraries with batch loading

🎨 Customization & UI Features

• Multiple Themes: Beautiful Midnight (Deep Blue) theme, High Contrast mode, and Adaptive mode syncing with Windows Light/Dark settings
• Filename Preferences: "Clean Up" filenames in Grid View or hide filenames entirely for pure box-art look
• Font Size Control: Customize filename and machine name font sizes in game buttons
• Separate Thumbnail Sizes: Independent zoom controls for system selection and game view
• Aspect Ratio Control: Customize game button aspect ratios
• Sound Configuration: Customizable sound effects for UI interactions
• Tray Icon Support: Minimize to system tray with quick access
• Right-Click Context Menus: Extensive context menu options for games and systems
• Filter Menu System: Advanced filtering options for game libraries

🛠️ Bundled Power Tools

Simple Launcher includes a comprehensive suite of specialized utilities:

• CHDMounter: Automatically handles CHD file mounting for emulators without native support
• Format Converters:
  • BatchConvertToCHD: Convert to CHD format
  • BatchConvertToRVZ: Convert to RVZ format (Dolphin)
  • BatchConvertIsoToXiso: Convert ISO to XISO format
  • BatchConvertToCompressedFile: Convert to 7z/Zip format
  • PSXPackager: Package PS1 games
• Metadata & Cover Tools:
  • FindRomCover: Intelligent cover art finder
  • GameCoverScraper: Web-based cover art scraper
  • RetroGameCoverDownloader: Download retro game covers
• Batch File Creators:
  • CreateBatchFilesForPS3Games: PS3 game launchers
  • CreateBatchFilesForScummVMGames: ScummVM game launchers
  • CreateBatchFilesForWindowsGames: Windows game launchers
  • CreateBatchFilesForXbox360XBLAGames: Xbox 360 XBLA launchers
• Validation & Organization:
  • RomValidator: Validate ROMs against No-Intro DAT files
  • MAME.DatCreator: Create MAME DAT files
  • SimpleZipDrive: ZIP file mounting utility
  • SimpleXisoDrive: XISO file mounting utility
• File System Tools:
  • RAHasher: RetroAchievements hash calculator
  • 7z integration for compression/decompression

🔧 Advanced Features

• Easy Mode: One-click automatic download and configuration of emulators for chosen systems
• System Selection Screen: Visual system selection with customizable thumbnails
• Gamepad Dead Zone Configuration: Customize controller dead zones for precise navigation
• Fuzzy Matching Configuration: Adjust matching thresholds for cover art and metadata
• Play Time Tracking: Refactored from strings to seconds for better accuracy
• Global Statistics: View usage statistics and play time across all systems
• Image Viewer: Built-in image viewer for game art and screenshots
• Debug Window: Advanced debugging and error reporting interface
• Update System: Built-in updater with version checking
• Multi-language Support: 18 languages with localization system
• Accessibility Features: Automation properties, access keys, and high contrast mode

📊 Supported Systems (100+ Systems)

The launcher supports an extensive range of gaming systems including:

• Nintendo: NES, SNES, N64, GameCube, Wii, Wii U, Switch, Game Boy, GBC, GBA, DS, 3DS, Virtual Boy, Famicom, Satellaview, 64DD
• Sony: PlayStation 1-4, PSP, PS Vita
• Microsoft: Xbox, Xbox 360, Windows, DOS
• Sega: Master System, Genesis, Saturn, Dreamcast, Game Gear, SG-1000, Model 3, Naomi, Naomi 2, Atomiswave
• Arcade: MAME, FinalBurn Neo, FinalBurn Alpha, Raine
• Retro Computers: Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, Commodore 128, ZX Spectrum, MSX, MSX2, Sharp X68000, NEC PC-88
• Classic Consoles: Atari 2600-7800, Jaguar, Lynx, ColecoVision, Intellivision, Neo Geo, Neo Geo CD, TurboGrafx-16, PC Engine, 3DO, CD-i
• Handheld/Mobile: J2ME (Java ME)
• Modern Platforms: ScummVM, Windows Store games, Xbox 360 XBLA

💿 CHD Support Matrix

Emulator	CHD Support	Notes
4DO	✅ Added	3DO
Blastem	✅ Added	Sega Genesis
CD-i Emulator	✅ Added	Philips CD-i
Cxbx-Reloaded	✅ Added	Original Xbox
DOSBox and variants	✅ Added	Microsoft DOS
FinalBurn Alpha	✅ Added	Arcade
FinalBurn Neo	✅ Added	Arcade
Gens	✅ Added	Sega Genesis
Kega Fusion	✅ Added	Sega Genesis
Mednafen	✅ Added	Multi-system
Mesen	✅ Added	NES, SNES
PCSX-Redux	✅ Added	PlayStation 1
Raine	✅ Added	Arcade
RPCS3	✅ Added	PlayStation 3
Tsugaru	✅ Added	FM Towns
Xemu	✅ Added	Original Xbox
Xenia	✅ Added	Xbox 360
Yabause	✅ Added	Sega Saturn

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📥 Installation

1. Download: Grab the latest release for your architecture (x64 or ARM64) from the Releases Page.
2. Extract: Unzip the contents into a writable folder (e.g., C:\Games\SimpleLauncher).
   • Note: Do not install in C:\Program Files to avoid permission issues.
3. Prerequisites:
   • Install Dokan from GitHub for on-the-fly file mounting.
   • Ensure you have the .NET 10 Runtime installed.

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🚦 Getting Started

1. Easy Mode: Click the Easy Mode menu item to automatically download and configure emulators for your chosen systems.
2. Add Games: Place your ROMs and cover images in the folders designated during setup.
3. Select System: Use the visual System Selection Screen to pick your platform.
4. Play: Click a game cover to launch. Use a Gamepad (Xbox or PlayStation) to navigate the entire interface.

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🌐 Localization

Simple Launcher is translated into 18 languages:

• English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese (BR), Russian, Chinese (Simplified), Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Bengali, Hindi, Indonesian, Dutch, Turkish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

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💻 Technical Specifications

• Framework: .NET 10 (WPF)
• Language: C# 14
• Data Serialization: MessagePack (Binary) & XML
• Dependencies: MahApps.Metro (UI), SharpDX (Input), SharpCompress (Archives), DokanNet (Mounting), NAudio (Audio), YamlDotNet, Tomlyn
• Architecture: Modular service-based architecture with dependency injection
• Storage: SQLite for play history, MessagePack for favorites, XML for settings

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🤝 Contributing & Support

• Bug Reports: Use the built-in Support Window to send detailed error reports directly to the developers.
• Documentation: Comprehensive parameters.md with official emulator download links and parameter documentation
• Wiki: Check our GitHub Wiki for advanced parameter guides.
• Donate: If you find this project useful, consider supporting the developer.

⭐ If you like this project, please give us a star on GitHub! ⭐

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📜 License

This project is licensed under the GPLv3 License – see the LICENSE file for details.

Simple Launcher is an emulator frontend and does not provide ROMs, ISOs, or BIOS files.