DuckStation LaunchBox Integration Plugin

Written By launchbox

Last updated 4 months ago

DuckStation is an emulator for Sony PlayStation, and the LaunchBox plugin provides a streamlined integration for downloading, updating, and configuring it inside LaunchBox.

With this plugin, LaunchBox can download DuckStation automatically, keep it updated, create a LaunchBox-ready emulator profile, enable portable mode, help track supported PlayStation BIOS files, and sync RetroAchievements settings. Users should still expect to configure controllers manually inside DuckStation when needed.

📊 Capabilities Matrix

Capability	Availability	Notes
Download & Configure	✅	Downloads a current DuckStation Windows release.
Update and Reinstall	✅	Checks for newer DuckStation builds and updates the emulator when available.
LaunchBox Emulator Profile	✅	Creates a Sony PlayStation emulator profile for DuckStation.
Portable Mode	✅	Creates `portable.txt` so DuckStation stores its settings locally.
Dependency Files	✅	Identifies supported PlayStation BIOS files.
RetroAchievements Integration	✅	Can write RetroAchievements credentials into DuckStation's settings.
Automatic Controller Configuration	❌	Controller configuration is handled in DuckStation.
Bezel Download Integration	❌	Bezel downloads are not managed by this plugin.

⬇️ Download and Configure

LaunchBox downloads DuckStation and installs it to the selected emulator folder, typically under LaunchBox\Emulators.

After installation, LaunchBox locates the emulator executable, creates an emulator entry, and prepares it for launching PlayStation games.

🔄 Update and Reinstall

The plugin checks installed DuckStation builds against available releases and can update DuckStation when a newer version is available.

⚙️ LaunchBox Emulator Profile

LaunchBox creates a ready-to-use DuckStation profile for Sony PlayStation games and configures fullscreen launching, startup and pause screen support, and mouse-cursor hiding.

The profile also includes LaunchBox automation for pausing, resuming, resetting, and closing the emulator. Its shorter startup delay is tuned for DuckStation's initialization behavior.

📁 Portable Mode

LaunchBox creates a portable.txt file in the DuckStation folder so DuckStation stores its settings with the emulator.

There is no separate portable mode setup step to manage.

🧩 Dependency Files

DuckStation uses PlayStation BIOS files. LaunchBox can recognize these supported BIOS files:

psxonpsp660.bin
scph5500.bin
scph5501.bin
scph5502.bin
ps1_rom.bin

🏆 RetroAchievements Integration

If RetroAchievements credentials are available in LaunchBox, the plugin can add them to DuckStation's settings before launch.

🎮 Automatic Controller Configuration

This plugin does not automatically configure controllers for DuckStation. Controller setup should be handled in DuckStation.

🖼️ Bezel Download Integration

This plugin does not manage bezel downloads for DuckStation.

Still need help? Ask the team