launchbox_retropie_export_ext

Python script to export your Launchbox game database to Retropie / Emulationstation format. Based on launchbox-retropie-export by user dingodan from the launchbox forums, all credits for initial creation of this script go to him. This extended version helps when using Child-friendly-EmulationStation as it parses the age ratings from the Launchbox database.

Step by step instructions for using the extended version and creating a nearly kids safe Retropie

1. Prerequisites:

   • Get Python from the Python download page, install for all users and add it to the path. (I used python-3.6.3.exe)
   • You need an installation of Launchbox with a populated database of your games so the script can extract content rating and other information.

2. Install Pillow image library by opening a cmd shell and type:

   pip install Pillow

3. Download the launchbox_retropie_export_ext.py file and open it in a texteditor to edit the configuration:

   # Change the path to your launchbox folder.
   lb_dir = r'X:\A3_Games\00_Resources\00_Launchbox\LaunchBox'

   # Script output directory. (for Roms, images and xml files)
   # Copy the gamelists to ~/.emulationstation/gamelists/
   # Copy the roms and images to ~/RetroPie/roms/
   output_dir = r'X:\output'

   # Restrict export to only Launchbox favorites.
   favorites_only=False
   # Hide games which are listed as broken in Launchbox.
   game_broken=True
   # Hide games which are listed as hidden in Launchbox.
   game_hide=True

   # Choose platforms (comment/uncomment as needed).
   # The first string in each pair is the Launchbox platform filename, the second is the RetroPie folder name.
   # Arcade is disabled in this example.
   platforms = dict()
   #platforms["Arcade"] = "arcade"
   platforms["Nintendo 64"] = "n64"
   platforms["Nintendo Entertainment System"] = "nes"
   platforms["Nintendo Game Boy Advance"] = "gba"
   platforms["Nintendo Game Boy Color"] = "gbc"
   platforms["Nintendo Game Boy"] = "gb"
   platforms["Sega 32X"] = "sega32x"
   platforms["Sega Game Gear"] = "gamegear"
   platforms["Sega Genesis"] = "genesis"
   platforms["Sega Master System"] = "mastersystem"
   platforms["Sony Playstation"] = "psx"
   platforms["Super Nintendo Entertainment System"] = "snes"

   # Comment/uncomment to change content rating for kids.
   # M - Mature, Not Rated and RP - Rating Pending disabled. The last two to be on the safe side.
   kidrating = dict()
   kidrating["E - Everyone"] = "true"
   kidrating["EC - Early Childhood"] = "true"
   kidrating["E10+ - Everyone 10+"] = "true"
   kidrating["T - Teen"] = "true"
   #kidrating["M - Mature"] = "true"
   #kidrating["Not Rated"] = "true"
   #kidrating["RP - Rating Pending"] = "true"

   # Comment/uncomment to hide specific regions.
   # Australia, Europe, Japan, Europe, Germany, etc. enabled in this example.
   hideregion = dict()
   hideregion["Asia"] = "true"
   #hideregion["Australia"] = "true"
   hideregion["Brazil"] = "true"
   hideregion["China"] = "true"
   #hideregion["Europe, Japan"] = "true"
   #hideregion["Europe"] = "true"
   hideregion["France"] = "true"
   #hideregion["Germany"] = "true"
   hideregion["Hong Kong"] = "true"
   hideregion["Italy"] = "true"
   hideregion["Japan"] = "true"
   hideregion["Korea"] = "true"
   #hideregion["North America, Europe"] = "true"
   #hideregion["North America, Japan"] = "true"
   #hideregion["North America"] = "true"
   hideregion["Russia"] = "true"
   hideregion["Spain"] = "true"
   hideregion["The Netherlands"] = "true"
   #hideregion["United Kingdom"] = "true"
   #hideregion["World"] = "true"

4. Copy the Python script to your Launchbox directory and start it via following command line:

   python launchbox_retropie_export_ext.py

5. Transfer the files to the Retropie and copy them to the correct directories.

   Copy the gamelists to ~/.emulationstation/gamelists/

   Copy the roms and images to ~/RetroPie/roms/

6. Enable Child-friendly-EmulationStation according to the wiki page.

7. Disable the rom launch menu: Retropie Menu -> Retropie Setup -> Configuration/Tools -> runcommand -> And disable Launch menu here

Original installation instructions from launchbox-retropie-export

How to Install:

1. Download and install Python
2. Choose All Users and add it to your Path
3. Open cmd, and type 'pip install Pillow'
4. Download the attached file and edit it accordingly (specify your LaunchBox folder, desired output folder and platforms)
5. Run 'python launchbox_retropie_export.py'
6. Transfer the files to your Pi using WinSCP or similar
7. Copy the gamelists to /opt/retropie/configs/all/emulationstation/gamelists
8. Copy the roms and images to /home/pi/RetroPie/roms
9. Enable the 'Parse Gamelists Only' option in EmulationStation