/RetroArch-FastBoot

Windows batch utility to automatically select a core and launch ROM files from a file explorer.

Primary LanguageBatchfile

RetroArch FastBoot Setup Instructions

  1. Unpack the .zip file:

    • Extract the contents of the .zip file into the main RetroArch directory.
    • After extraction, the folder structure should look like this: 
      \RetroArch\fastboot\

  2. Configure Cores for Each ROM Extension:

    • Open the settings.cfg file located in the fastboot folder.
    • In this file, you’ll define which core (emulator) to use based on the file extension of your ROMs.
    • The format for each entry is as follows: 
      ext=core.dll
      • ext: The file extension of your ROM (e.g., sfc for Super Nintendo games).
      • core.dll: The name of the core DLL file that RetroArch will use to run ROMs with that extension. You can find the core DLL files in the \cores\ folder within your RetroArch installation.
      • Example: 
        sfc=snes9x_libretro.dll
nes=nestopia_libretro.dll
gba=mgba_libretro.dll

  3. Associate ROM File Types with RetroArch-FastBoot.cmd:

    • To make launching ROMs with FastBoot more seamless, you can associate specific ROM file types (e.g., .sfc, .nes, .gba) with the RetroArch-FastBoot.cmd script. This way, you can double-click a ROM file, and it will automatically launch RetroArch with the correct core.

    • Here's how to set up file associations in Windows:

      1. Right-click on a ROM file (e.g., a .sfc file) and select "Open with".
      2. Click "Choose another app" (or "More apps" if needed).
      3. Select "Look for another app on this PC".
      4. Navigate to the fastboot folder in your RetroArch directory and select RetroArch-FastBoot.cmd.
      5. Make sure to check the option that says "Always use this app to open .sfc files" (or whichever file extension you're associating).
      6. Click OK to save the association.

    • Repeat this process for each file extension you want to associate with RetroArch-FastBoot.cmd (e.g., .nes, .gba, etc.).

  4. That’s It!:

    • Now, you can double-click any ROM file, and RetroArch FastBoot will automatically launch it with the correct core based on the file extension.

Additional Notes

  • Specifying Core Names:
    • The core must be specified as a .dll file in the settings.cfg.
    • You can find the respective core DLL files in your RetroArch installation under the following directory: 
      \RetroArch\cores\
    • For example, to use the Snes9x core for .sfc ROMs, you would specify snes9x_libretro.dll as the core in settings.cfg.

With this setup, you’ll have a streamlined way to launch ROMs directly from your file explorer using the correct core for each system.