JoeViking245

May 11

MAME Tools

MAME Tools - a JoeViking plugin conglomeration

7 plugins combined into one. This is a one-stop-shop collection of several of my MAME related plugins, plus a couple that have never officially been released.

Admittedly, these are mostly one-off plugins. But they do fully serve their intended purpose when needed.

Plugins included from the main menu:

Filter Arcade Platform - A post 'MAME Arcade Full Set Import Wizard' clean up tool
Create Playlists from MAME ini Files
MAME (Arcade) - What's New
MAME Custom XML Importer (first official release)
Which MAME Machines Require CHDs (new)

Included Right-click game plugins:

MAME Troubleshooting
Dependency Files and Details Viewer

Requirements:

LaunchBox version 13.19 or newer
mame.exe installed as an emulator

If you have previously installed any one of these individual plugins, remove them from the Plugins folder before proceeding.

Installing:
Exit LaunchBox
Download and extract the contents of the zip file to /LaunchBox/Plugins/
e.g. D:\LaunchBox\Plugins\MAMEtools\MAMEtools.dll

Using:
On first launch, the plugin will attempt to get your installed MAME emulator. If you have multiple copies/versions installed, you can change which one to use by clicking it and selecting a different one.

Go to the Tools menu and select MAME Tools
Mouse-over the plugin buttons for a brief description
Click a plugin button to start that plugin
When in a plugin, mouse-over the ? at top for more details
For the right-click plugins, click the button to enable/disable that plugin
When enabled, the plugin will then be available in the menu when right-clicking a game

Plugin Descriptions:

Filter Arcade Platform - A post 'MAME Arcade Full Set Import Wizard' clean up tool
(initial release: April 24, 2024)

Used the MAME Arcade Full Set Import Wizard?
Discovered that maybe you shouldn't have unchecked some of the Game Types and Filters?
Rather than deleting your Arcade platform and re-running the wizard, use this to bulk remove one or more of those types or filters from your collection.

Spoiler

Plugin Features:

See the number of 'games' you have in each filter type. (unplayable, bootleg, quiz, rhythm, mahjong etc.)
Check the boxes for the filter types you wish to remove and click Delete to remove them from your LaunchBox collection.
Click the number next to the filter type to show a list of the 'games' included with that filter. (shows ROM name and game Title)
- (optional) Create a text file of "the list" (for whatever reason)
- (optional) Create a playlist from "the list"

Notes:

You don't need to have used the MAME Arcade Full Set Import Wizard to make use of this plugin.
"Total Games" only takes into account your Main Games. Additional Apps (clones) are not accounted for in that number.
When clicking Delete to remove the games in the selected filter type(s), if a game being removed has Additional Apps, those will be removed too.
- No ROMs will be deleted from your system. Only the entries in your LaunchBox collection.
- It won't delete any images associated with the removed games. Most likely, they won't have any anyway. If they do, simply run Clean Up Media located in the Tools menu.
"Remove Preliminary" refers to Emulation Status and only includes games that are marked as Preliminary AND are not included any of the other filter types.
Game Counts:
- Some games will fall into multiple filter types. e.g. some (but not all) Fruit games are also included in with Casino games.
- So don't try to add the numbers up and have them make sense.

Create Playlists from MAME ini Files
(initial release: February 17, 2021)

Generate Playlists in LaunchBox from MAME's .ini files. The same ones MAME uses in its UI to apply filters used to categorize viewing of your games.

Spoiler

This doesn't really expand much on the already available Arcade/MAME Playlist built-in feature in LaunchBox. But if there's a rare instance you come across a MAME category ini file that has a 'pre-built' "filter" list and isn't already available in LB, well here you go.

Many of these files can be found at https://www.progettosnaps.net. (Specifically, https://www.progettosnaps.net/support/) And several more at https://mameinfo.mameworld.info (Look for the “MAMEUI 0.2xx Category-, Version and Alltime inifiles” link). There’re probably other sources available out there too.

These files are typically (and should be) stored in the ../MAME/ini/folders/ folder.

Notes:

This does not work with Additional Apps (e.g. clones). aka: It won't look in your game's Additional Apps to add to the new playlist(s).
This adds “Arcade” to the beginning of the selected section/filter for its “Unique Name:” (to maintain consistency). The “Nested Name” will be the same as selected section/filter.
The Playlist will be added under Arcade (Category) in the Platform Categories list.
If you click Create Playlist and you don’t have any existing games that match, an empty Playlist will not be created.
If a Playlist of the same name already exists, either delete your existing Playlist or edit it and change the name. It will not be overwritten nor modified.

MAME (Arcade) - What's New
(initial release: October 30, 2025)

See what new Arcade machines (games) were added to a specific MAME release.
Import some or all of those games from your updated MAME ROM set, into your LaunchBox collection.

Spoiler

Use this plugin to see what new Arcade machines (games) were added in the latest release of MAME.

Then, along with your updated ROM set, import those new machines into your LaunchBox collection without having to reimport the entire set or attempting to Scan for Added ROMs (which doesn't really work with the Arcade platform anyway).

Features:

See what new Arcade (ONLY) games were added to a specific MAME release
- No software list games.
When selecting a game:
- Click the Arcade Database logo to navigate to the site for information on that game
- Shows if the game exists anywhere in your collection (including as an Additional App [clone])
  - Checks across ALL games in ALL platforms (by ROM filename).
  - Below it will show which platform it is in (if "existing")
  - This is useful if you're checking previous releases for that hidden gem, you didn't know you were missing
Filter games by Status (Good, Imperfect, Preliminary)
Import the new games (from your updated MAME ROM set)
- Only game ROMs that physically exist will be imported
(Optional checkbox) Force importing even if the game's ROM doesn't physically exist
- Useful if you're using a merged set
(Optional checkbox) Add an Additional Application direct link to the Arcade Database for the game
- This will appear as an "Arcade Database" clickable link in the Game Details panel

Note:
All data comes from the Arcade Database. When a new MAME release comes out, you may need to wait a day or so for this information to become available.

MAME Custom XML Importer
(initial implementation: November 29, 2020)

Import games from a custom xml file into any Platform (new or existing) and set the Emulator for the imported games to whatever you want, regardless of the Platforms default Emulator (if importing to an existing one).

Spoiler

Creating a custom xml file:
Via the MAME UI:

Open [standalone] MAME
In the left panel, click Category
Select a File (these are the same ini files used in "Create Playlists from MAME ini Files")
(optional) If available, select a Group
Select Return to Previous Menu
Click the yellow floppy disk at top [“Export displayed list to a file”] and double click “Export list in XML format (like –listxml, but exclude devices)”
The custom xml file will be saved to/as \MAME\ui\exported.xml (subsequent exports will be named "exported_0000.xml", "exported_0001.xml" etc.)

Via the Arcade Database website: (https://adb.arcadeitalia.net)

In the left panel, click Games
Click Additional Filters in the main panel
In the various tabs, select/add/change filters to your desired choosing and then click Search
Now click Options - Export the Results
Change the "Title" to something meaningful to you
Click MAME (xml)
Click Export

Notes:

The xml file MUST be laid out in a standard MAME Machines format. MAME’s softlist xml files are formatted differently and WILL NOT work with this plugin. (Use the other plugin)
Scrape As for a new Platform will be set to Arcade
After importing, use LaunchBox's built in Download Metadata and Media Wizard to get the games metadata, images and videos

Which MAME Machines Require CHD's
(initial release: just now)

The intent is to give you an overview of all the games that require a CHD and their emulation status.

Spoiler

This is namely to show that of all the CHD's available, just a mere handful are considered working.

Features:

Filter on/off by status and/or show parent games only
Included filter options are: bad dump, no dump and Software Lists ROMs (included just for reference)
The list of CHD games can be updated (or downgraded) to match your mame.exe revision

Right-click game plugins:

MAME Troubleshooting
(initial release: June 25, 2025)

Launch an Arcade game using stand-alone MAME, all you see is a flicker of a black screen and it goes right back to LaunchBox?
Use this plugin to help figure out why it isn't launching from LaunchBox.

Spoiler

This plugin gathers data about the game and your MAME and LaunchBox setup and provides you information to help determine what the issue may be.

Features:

Shows the required dependency files (if any) required for the game to run (e.g. BIOS, Device and CHD files)
Launches the game and captures the command window output [that you never see]
- Potentially useful "Why the game isn't launching" data
View the emulators Running Script. (Typically, never contains "the issue". But doesn't hurt to look.)
Verifies ROM and dependency (BIOS & Device) file(s) exists and are accessible to the emulator when launching**
- If found, checks and verifies the zip file contents (all inner files exist and CRC32's match)
If a CHD is required, verifies the CHD file exists and is accessible to the emulator when launching**

** "accessible to the emulator when launching" The plugin looks for the "rompath" setting per MAME's order of prescience. This dictates which folder(s) MAME will look in for ROMs and dependency files.

This will NOT "fix it" for you. But should tell you everything you need to deduce "why" the game won't launch. Once you know why, all you need to do is fix that part of the equation.

Requirements:

Requires the games emulator to be mame.exe
Only works with MAME Arcade machines. No software lists
Only works with ROMs that are .zip (Not .7z)

Dependency Files and Details Viewer
(initial release: June 17, 2025)

The intent of this plugin is to show what files (other than the game's ROM) are required for the game to run and to give some details about the original Arcade machine.

Features:

Shows all files needed required to run the game.
- BIOS, Device and CHD and [optional - not required] Sample
Shows the games' Overall and Emulation status. (Good, Imperfect, Preliminary)
- If it's not "Good", see why. e.g.
  - "sound - unemulated"
  - "graphics - imperfect"
Details shown about the machine:
ROM Genre
Title Players
Short Title nPlayers
Clone of Language
Manufacturer Input Controls
Series Input Buttons
Year Screen Orientation
Status Screen Resolution
Provides a direct link to the machine on the Arcade Database website to see even more date about the game/machine
Also works for games whose ROMs are MAME, but the emulator is not.
- e.g. Demul, SuperModel, FBNeo, Model2 etc.

Special Thanks:
The MAME Development Team for... well... MAME! https://www.mamedev.org/
motoschifo and his Arcade Database (ADB) website and API https://adb.arcadeitalia.net

As always, all thoughts, views, suggestions, comments and accolades are welcome.

Submitter

JoeViking245
Submitted

05/11/2026
Category

Third-party Apps and Plugins

May 10

25 minutes ago, DragonFyre55 said:

Just running into this. Guess same still applies? Need to edit xml to fix? If so which XML am I looking for? Is there one file or multiple for each pre-made playlist.

To see the playlists that LaunchBox had created, switch to View Platform Categories. From there, enter into a Category (e.g. Arcade) to see those (e.g. Arcade Capcom Classics) Playlists as well as all Playlists you added/created.

To see just the Playlists to you created, switch to View Playlists.

If you have a playlist that's not showing anywhere in Big Box, Edit the playlist (in LaunchBox) and:

look in the Details tab and ensure Hide in Big Box is un-checked
look in the Parents tab for where it's to appear. Add or remove checks accordingly.

The forementioned "IsAutogenerated" element (not to be confused with "AutoPopulate" which is completely different) is [in general] reserved for playlists that LaunchBox had created for you.

The xml files you can find that element in is located in your /LaunchBox/Data/Playlists/ folder. The specific xml depends on which playlist you wish to alter.

May 10

12 minutes ago, badflame said:

Yes, but you can't log in.

The sign-in credentials you have provided are incorrect.

Not sure what to tell you on that.

May 10

The database is back up and running now.

May 10

The database is back up and running now.

May 9

8 minutes ago, legolas119 said:

Is it possible to search games with a specific default emulator?

Not innately. But with the help of a plugin, it is.

May 8

13 hours ago, sneakyeric said:

Is artwork just missing or could it be due to a recent update?

One thing you can do to check is to click the LaunchBox Games Database icon in the games Details panel (or edit the game and click on the LaunchBox DB ID link in the upper right corner). Then see in the online database does have (or not have) N. America images for the image type you're looking for, for that game.

Sounds like (an assumption on my part) you're seeing this when importing new games. Is it downloading images for other regions [instead]? Or just none at all [for that selected image type]?

(for the purpose if troubleshooting) If you subsequently run Tools - Download - Update Metadata and Media for Selected Games, do you see the same issue?

May 5

57 minutes ago, SilasMurder said:

What I have attached will be helpful integrating MAME software list into Launchbox that has databases using Joe's amazing import tool

First off, thanks so much for the compliment!

You may want to, instead of attaching a copy of the spreadsheet, attach a link to the original post containing the original spreadsheet. This way the actual author gets their appropriate credit. Also, if updates are made to the spreadsheet, or the post is updated with supplemental information, users will have access to the up-to-date info.

May 4

Did you try just pet (without any media type)?

May 4

Do they load/run when launched directly in MAME?
- Look [randomly] at the 1st of 30+ possible compatible systems (CBM3008), it also requires a couple Device files (c4040 and c2040_fdc).
What command line parameters have you tried?

May 2

16 hours ago, Retrofrogg said:

Screenshot priorities doesn't seem to be working for platforms? I have banner deselected, but banner images still appear on the image carousel.

Try removing it from Platform Details.

May 2

7 hours ago, zugswang said:

My script is used in conjunction with RocketLauncher, so I had no need for escape sequence.

I was just testing it to see if it works.

Did you manage to get any of the 7 enhanced games to load without a light blue screen and sound ?

Rocket what? jk Never used it myself.

I was having issues in that the game would launch, but sometimes I'd get just a black screen. I'm not sure the light blue screen you're seeing. I would occasionally get the menu screen over the game, and the controls only worked the game. Not the menu.

Playing around this morning, here's what I've done to get it to work 100% of the time. Including the 7 enhanced games.

Config - Input - Player 1
- Added to Button A, LeftCtrl
Click the down-arrow button left of the Game menu item
Set Start at Quick Menu: to On
Quit the emulator

In LaunchBox, set the Running Script to:

WinWaitActive, ahk_exe superzsnes.exe
Sleep, 3000
Send, {LControl}

$Esc::
{
   Send !{F4}
   ExitApp
}

Adjust the sleep timer up as necessary. Remove the Escape sequence if using that rocket app.

May 1

28 minutes ago, dragon57 said:

As I learned at work long ago, never test as admin! 😁

What's funny (or maybe not so funny), when you first posted I tested it on my end and saw no issues. Later found that (for some reason) I wasn't logged in on the Games DB site. Once logged in, the issue became apparent.

May 1

Just now, Randy Morrow said:

Thx it's working again! I wasn't complaning I was just wondering if they new about it. I know there probably busy, and was wondering if there was a better place to post so they would see it.

No worries. Glad to hear all's good!

They were aware. It's just the problem was a little deeper than initially thought. e.g. Admin could be logged in, and it Just Worked™. Issue? What issue?

As more comments were left (here, in an appropriate place ), further digging commenced.

May 1

@dragon57 @badflame @MJF @Randy Morrow

Try it now.

May 1

I'm not an admin, but I can say it's being worked on internally as we 'speak'.

[A real] admin will respond when the issue gets resolved (or update accordingly).

May 1

1 hour ago, zugswang said:

Here is the ahk script

This works! Thanks. Just be careful not to accidentally move the cursor (via mouse or otherwise) to a different spot in the menu during the 5 second pause.

This can be moved into the emulators Running Script so a per-game script is not needed. (also added an escape sequence)

WinWaitActive, ahk_exe superzsnes.exe
Sleep, 5000
Send, {Down}{Enter}

$Esc::
{
    Send !{F4}
    ExitApp
}

The 5 seconds seems long. 2 seconds worked. Sometimes. So just left it at 5 to keep it safe.

May 1

6 hours ago, zugswang said:

Create an ahk script for the games and then just point to it as if they were the roms, bypassing the need to setup/use the emulator option in LB.

Is the AHK script just using a regular Run command for the app and "path/to/ROM" and it works? If it can work that way, it should also just work via LB. I wonder what's making it launch differently.

Or did you add some other stuff into your script? (Like MouseMove and a left-click)

Regardless, I'd presume they'd add back in the ability to launch the game directly via command line parameters.

April 27

5 hours ago, crusadeRGP said:

if I use appendconfig=

The above shows using --appendconfig{space} vs. --appendconfig=.

April 26

7 minutes ago, dukdukgoos said:

Yes, that fixed it. The file was dated April 8 before I deleted it. Got cached perhaps and didn't update when the data was available? In any case now I know I can delete that file if I run into this again. Thanks!

Glad that worked. I'll add to my to-do list to check the code about cross-checking that file and updating it as necessary. (although I thought I did. 😊)

April 26

24 minutes ago, dukdukgoos said:

I'm on 1.01. Here's a screenshot:

Try:

Exit LaunchBox
Go to the plugins' folder and the delete the file ADBcategories.json
Start LaunchBox
Try the plugin again

April 26

9 minutes ago, dukdukgoos said:

Sorry I mean it doesn't show any new files for .287 yet. It recognizes .287 as the latest version. It shows updated files for .286/.286, etc if I change to that version, so it's working, but nothing for .287. I assume there's some kind of delay before the files for the new version show up

Not sure what's going on then. Are you on v1.0.1?

It should show when it loads, that MAME is 0.287 and ADB has 0.287 data. Then if you type in 0.287 (be sure to have the zero in front. Otherwise you'll get a message "The release number is not a valid #") and press enter, the 11 games should then populate.

When you press enter after inputting the release number, the plugin gets data direct from ADB website. aka, the plugin doesn't store data. If there's a connection issue with ADB, then that'd cause a problem. But you'd know if there was because there wouldn't be a number next to Latest available from ADB. Is it showing a number there? Above that, is it showing a Total Arcade Games number? Are you getting any error messages?

April 26

6 minutes ago, dukdukgoos said:

How long does it usually take for a new version to be available in the plugin, and where is it updating from? .287 still isn't available and it's almost time for .288 to release

Usually within about 2 seconds. Or however long it takes your internet to check MAME's Github site for their current version and to check the Arcade Database site for the version it has data for.

Is it showing that the Latest MAME Release is something other than 0.287? Can you share a screen shot?

example stock photo

April 26

There is a fix in place in the latest beta release (13.27-beta-3) that is requesting some end-user "stress testing".

Quote

- Local metadata package refreshes now use SHA-256 verification with retry handling and a shorter refresh path

- Run a metadata refresh from Tools > Download Metadata and Media, from any import workflow that refreshes metadata, or from a metadata search, then confirm it completes successfully and feels faster now that the older extended validation steps have been replaced

April 24

3 minutes ago, inukshuk99 said:

Ok, moved that folder to root, not even in Launchbox, then restarted, see pic of same, some plugins not installed now, but still shows update on many ???

Most likely it's a beta thing (e.g. version numbering) that gets resolved with the official release. (@faeran?)

5 minutes ago, inukshuk99 said:

As you can see below the Dolphin shows Repair not Update

Installed ones will (pretty sure) always have the repair option available.
(Option "B" would be, if there's an issue with a particular integration plugin, tell you to close LB, delete the folder, then restart LB. This way it's "right at your fingertips". )

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