Simple Launcher is a high-performance, open-source emulator frontend built with C# and WPF. 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.
System Selection
List Of Games in Grid Mode
List Of Games in List Mode
RetroAchievements Window
RetroAchievements Window
Inject Configuration Window for Emulator Xenia
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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/ORoperators 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
- 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
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
- CreateBatchFilesForSegaModel3Games: Sega Model 3 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
- 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: 17 languages with localization system
- Accessibility Features: Automation properties, access keys, and high contrast mode
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
- Classic Consoles: Atari 2600-7800, Jaguar, Lynx, ColecoVision, Intellivision, Neo Geo, Neo Geo CD, TurboGrafx-16, PC Engine, 3DO, CD-i
- Modern Platforms: ScummVM, Windows Store games, Xbox 360 XBLA
| Emulator | CHD Support | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RPCS3 | ✅ Added | PlayStation 3 |
| Xemu | ✅ Added | Original Xbox |
| Xenia | ✅ Added | Xbox 360 |
| Cxbx-Reloaded | ✅ Added | Original Xbox |
| Mednafen | ✅ Added | Multi-system |
| PCSX-Redux | ✅ Added | PlayStation 1 |
| 4DO | ✅ Added | 3DO |
| Gens | ✅ Added | Sega Genesis |
| Blastem | ✅ Added | Sega Genesis |
| Yabause | ✅ Added | Sega Saturn |
| Mesen | ✅ Added | NES, SNES |
| FinalBurn Neo | ✅ Added | Arcade |
| FinalBurn Alpha | ✅ Added | Arcade |
| Raine | ✅ Added | Arcade |
| CD-i Emulator | ✅ Added | Philips CD-i |
| Tsugaru | ✅ Added | PC-9800 series |
- Download: Grab the latest release for your architecture (x64 or ARM64) from the Releases Page.
- Extract: Unzip the contents into a writable folder (e.g.,
C:\Games\SimpleLauncher).- Note: Do not install in
C:\Program Filesto avoid permission issues.
- Note: Do not install in
- Prerequisites:
- Install Dokan from GitHub for on-the-fly file mounting.
- Ensure you have the .NET 10 Runtime installed.
- Easy Mode: Click the Easy Mode menu item to automatically download and configure emulators for your chosen systems.
- Add Games: Place your ROMs and cover images in the folders designated during setup.
- Select System: Use the visual System Selection Screen to pick your platform.
- Play: Click a game cover to launch. Use a Gamepad (Xbox or PlayStation) to navigate the entire interface.
Simple Launcher is translated into 17 languages:
- English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese (BR), Russian, Chinese (Simplified), Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Bengali, Hindi, Indonesian, Dutch, Turkish, and Urdu.
- Framework: .NET 10 (WPF)
- Language: C# 14
- Data Serialization: MessagePack (Binary) & XML
- Dependencies: MahApps.Metro (UI), SharpDX (Input), SevenZipSharp (Archives), DokanNet (Mounting), YamlDotNet, Tomlyn, SharpCompress
- Architecture: Modular service-based architecture with dependency injection
- Storage: SQLite for play history, MessagePack for favorites, XML for settings
- Bug Reports: Use the built-in Support Window to send detailed error reports directly to the developers.
- Documentation: Comprehensive
parameters.mdwith 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! ⭐
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.