Create priority list for games with multiple versions (especially Virtual Console): Increase Compatibility with RetroAchievements

[Nicholas Thaera]

Hi, there are some games where I have multiple versions of the ROM. It’d be great to prioritize which version runs when I hit Play.

Request

It’d be great if there were a system setting where we could rank the priority of which version of a game runs. We currently have the ability to select and rank regions in Tools > Options > Data > Region Priorities. It’d be nice if there were another tab called Version Priorities. There could be options like the following:

• Original (NES/SNES/etc.)
• Wii Virtual Console
• Wii U Virtual Console

Example

For example, I have “Ninja Gaiden (USA).nes” for the original NES system but also “Ninja Gaiden (USA) (Virtual Console).nes”, which both run fine. LaunchBox correctly merges the files into one game.

Issue

When I just click Play, LaunchBox chooses the Virtual Console version by default.

Impact

The Virtual Console version has a different checksum. This makes it less likely that they game will be detected as having RetroAchievements.

Workarounds

• I can right click and select Play Version and then select the original NES version. Cons: However, I have to know that there are multiple versions (I’ve turned on the badge to display that) and that some don’t have RetroAchievements. This workaround adds extra clicks.
• I can delete the Virtual Console versions from my library. Cons: I may need to manually curate or separate my archive ROMs from those that LaunchBox is aware of.
• For each game I find that has this issue, I can post the Virtual Console checksums to the RetroAchievements discussion board for the game. Cons: This is a case-by-case basis for each game. It takes time to report, and the developer (if they respond) needs to validate and add the checksum to the allowed list.

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My system

• LaunchBox Version 12.14
• Windows 10 Pro Version 21H2

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Thank you! I love LaunchBox overall, especially the recently-added closer integration with RetroArch.

[Christian]

You can tell LaunchBox which version you want as the primary version to run by editing the game, going to the additional applications tab, selecting the version you wish to be primary, and pressing “Make Version Primary” this will make it so when you press play (without selecting Play Version) that you will ALWAYS run that file.

[Nicholas Thaera]

Thank you! That worked for me.

The con is that it’s still a per-game workflow, but I think that’s the best option for now.

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These are the the steps with the button names in case this helps others.

1. Either click a game and press Ctrl E or right click the game and select Edit > Edit Metadata/Media.
2. In the Edit Game pop-up window, go to Metadata > Additional Apps.
3. Select the row for the desired game. Click the Make Default button.
4. Click the OK button to save changes.
5. That may clear the image (box art). With the game still select, press F5 to refresh the art.
6. Play!

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