[Guide] How to Play Legacy Android Games on LaunchBox using VMware/VirtualBox

[shadowfire36]

UPDATE: This is a complete modernization of a guide I originally wrote 10 years ago. With VMware Workstation Pro now being free for personal use and VirtualBox being more robust, we can use advanced virtualization features to seamlessly integrate broken legacy games (Gingerbread/Lollipop era) into a modern LaunchBox setup.

This guide will show you how to use a "Time Capsule" Virtual Machine to play games that crash on modern emulators (like Zenonia 1-3) and launch them with a single click from LaunchBox.

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The Core Concept

We are creating a "Russian Nesting Doll" to bypass modern compatibility issues: Host PC (LaunchBox) -> VM (Windows 7 Guest) -> BlueStacks 0.8 -> Game

By using Unity Mode (VMware) or Seamless Mode (VirtualBox), the Guest Windows OS disappears, and the Android emulator window floats on your real desktop. LaunchBox treats it like a standard Windows game, but inside, it is running a perfect Android 2.3 environment.

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Part 1: Prerequisites

Software (Choose One Virtualization Platform):

• Option A: VMware Workstation Pro (Free for personal use from Broadcom).
• Option B: Oracle VirtualBox (Free Open Source).

Required Files:

1. Windows ISO: A copy of Windows 7 is recommended (lower RAM usage), but Windows 10 works.
2. BlueStacks 0.8.0: The specific "Gingerbread" era installer. Search for BlueStacks_App_Player_0.8.0.2997.msi or "BlueStacks 0.8.0 XDA".
3. LaunchBox: Your front-end on your main PC.

Hardware:

• At least 8GB RAM on the Host PC.
• 30GB Free Hard Drive space.

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Part 2: Building the VM

📝 NOTE: This guide assumes you have a basic understanding of how to set up a Virtual Machine and install Windows. I will not go into extreme detail on the OS installation process as there are countless tutorials on YouTube. If you are brand new to virtualization, please search YouTube for "How to install Windows 7 in VMware" (or VirtualBox) before proceeding.

Option A: VMware Workstation Pro (Recommended)

1. Create VM: Open VMware -> Create a New Virtual Machine -> Select your Windows ISO.
2. Specs: Click "Customize Hardware".
   • Memory: Assign 4GB.
   • Processors: Assign 2 cores.
   • Display: Check "Accelerate 3D Graphics".
3. Install: Finish the wizard and install Windows.
4. Install VMware Tools (CRITICAL):
   • Once Windows boots: Menu VM -> Install VMware Tools.
   • Run the installer inside the Guest VM and Reboot.
   • Unity Mode will NOT work without this.

Option B: Oracle VirtualBox

1. Create VM: Open VBox -> New -> Type: Windows 7 -> Select ISO.
2. Specs:
   • Base Memory: 4096 MB (4GB).
   • Display: Check "Enable 3D Acceleration" and max out Video Memory (128MB or 256MB).
3. Install: Finish the wizard and install Windows.
4. Install Guest Additions (CRITICAL):
   • Once Windows boots: Menu Devices -> Insert Guest Additions CD image.
   • Run the installer inside the Guest VM and Reboot.
   • Seamless Mode will NOT work without this.

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Part 3: Setting Up the "Time Capsule" (Identical for Both)

Perform these steps inside your new Windows Virtual Machine.

1. Install BlueStacks: Drag the 0.8.0 installer from your PC into the VM window and install it.
2. Disable Auto-Update (VITAL):
   • Inside the VM, press Win + R, type services.msc.
   • Find BlueStacks Updater Service.
   • Right-click -> Properties -> Startup type: Disabled.
   • Click Stop.
3. Install Games: Drag your .apk files into the VM and install them.
4. Create Shortcuts: Ensure your game shortcuts (e.g., Zenonia icon) are visible on the Guest Windows Desktop inside the VM.

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Part 4: The Integration Strategy

Here is where the two methods differ. Follow the section for your software.

Option A: VMware Integration (Batch Script Method)

1. Gather Your Paths: Copy these paths to a Notepad file to prepare them:

• Path to vmrun: "C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Workstation\vmrun.exe"
• Path to your VM file (.vmx): "C:\Users\YOUR_NAME\Documents\Virtual Machines\Gingerbread\Gingerbread.vmx"
• Path to Game Shortcut:
  • Enter Unity Mode (Ctrl+Shift+U).
  • Right-click your game in the VMware menu -> "Create Shortcut on Desktop".
  • You will need the path to this specific .lnk file for the script below.

2. Create the Script (Template): Create a new text file (e.g., Launch-GameName.bat) and paste the code below.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: You must create a separate batch file for each game you want to add to LaunchBox (e.g., Launch-Zenonia1.bat, Launch-Zenonia2.bat). You must edit the GAME_SHORTCUT line in each file to point to that specific game's shortcut.

batch

@echo off
:: CONFIGURATION
:: Set the path to the vmrun.exe tool (Standard location below)
SET VMRUN="C:\Program Files (x86)\VMware\VMware Workstation\vmrun.exe"

:: Set the path to your Virtual Machine file (.vmx)
SET VM_PATH="C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME\Documents\Virtual Machines\Gingerbread\Gingerbread.vmx"

:: !!! CHANGE THIS FOR EACH GAME !!!
:: Set the path to the specific Game Shortcut (.lnk) you created on your desktop
SET GAME_SHORTCUT="C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME\Desktop\NAME_OF_GAME.lnk"

:: EXECUTION
:: Ensure VM is running (starts it silently if off)
%VMRUN% -T workstation start %VM_PATH% nogui

:: Wait 5 seconds for VM to be ready
timeout /t 5 /nobreak >nul

:: Launch the specific game shortcut
start "" %GAME_SHORTCUT%
exit

Option B: VirtualBox Integration (Shared Folder Method)

VirtualBox does not export shortcuts easily, so we use a Shared Folder workaround.

1. Create a Shared Folder:

• Create a folder on your Real PC (Host) named C:\RetroShortcuts.
• In VirtualBox Settings -> Shared Folders -> Add C:\RetroShortcuts.
• Check Auto-mount and Make Permanent.

2. Move the Shortcut:

• Inside the VM, drag the Game Shortcut from the Guest Desktop into that Shared Folder (Drive Z: or similar).
• Result: The .lnk file is now visible on your Real PC in C:\RetroShortcuts.

3. Enter Seamless Mode:

• Press Host Key + L (Default Host Key is Right Ctrl).
• The Guest desktop vanishes, leaving only the BlueStacks window floating. Leave the VM running like this.

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Part 5: Adding to LaunchBox

1. Open LaunchBox.
2. Import: Drag and drop your file:
   • VMware Users: Drag your Launch-Zenonia.bat.
   • VirtualBox Users: Drag the shortcut .lnk file from C:\RetroShortcuts.
3. Select "None of the above" (Import as a standard application).
4. Platform: Select Windows.
5. Metadata: Manually search for "Zenonia" (or your game name) to get the correct box art.
6. Clean Up: Right-click the game in LaunchBox -> Edit -> Launching tab -> Check "Hide Console" (for Batch files).

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Part 6: Controller Support & Troubleshooting

Controller Support: BlueStacks 0.8.0 has no native gamepad support. You must use a key-mapper.

• Recommended Tools:
  • AntiMicroX (Free/Open Source - Highly Recommended)
  • JoyToKey (Free Shareware)
  • Pinnacle Game Profiler (Legacy favorite)
• Setup:
  1. Install one of these tools. (You can install it on your Host PC for easier management, or inside the Guest VM if you want the controller profile to travel with the VM).
  2. Run the software as Administrator (Required to send commands into a VM).
• Mapping:
  • Map your controller buttons to the keyboard keys the game uses (e.g., D-Pad to Arrow Keys, A Button to Z Key).
• Zenonia Note: The Backspace key often acts as the "Menu" button in old Android games. Map a spare controller button (like Select/Back) to Backspace to access inventory and save menus.

Troubleshooting:

• Black Screen: If the Unity/Seamless window is black, go to BlueStacks Settings (inside the VM) and change the Graphics Mode (OpenGL vs DirectX) or increase Video Memory in the VM settings.
• VM Freezing: For faster launches, never "Shut Down" the VM. Just "Suspend" (VMware) or "Save State" (VirtualBox). The script/shortcut will wake it up instantly.