Using Games Database Media in LaunchBox

Learn how LaunchBox matches games to Games Database records, downloads metadata and images, refreshes existing games, and handles database changes.

Written By launchbox

Last updated 9 days ago

The LaunchBox Games Database is one of the main places LaunchBox gets game information and images from. When LaunchBox can match one of your local games to a Games Database record, it can use that record to fill in details like the title, release date, developer, publisher, genres, descriptions, and supported image types.

This guide explains how Games Database information ends up in LaunchBox, how images are downloaded, and how to refresh games later when database records are updated.

The short version: The Games Database does not store your ROMs or game files. It provides shared metadata and images that LaunchBox can download and attach to the games in your local library.

How LaunchBox matches a game to the Games Database

When you import a game or search for metadata manually, LaunchBox tries to match your local game to an entry in the LaunchBox Games Database.

A good match usually depends on:

  • The game title or file name

  • The platform selected during import

  • The platform's Scrape As setting

  • Alternate titles, regional names, or release information when several games have similar names

Once LaunchBox finds the correct match, the game is linked to that Games Database record using a Games Database ID. This ID helps LaunchBox know which database record to use when downloading metadata or media for that game in the future.

Tip: If artwork or metadata looks wrong, the game may be matched to the wrong Games Database entry. Correcting the match is usually better than manually editing every field.

How metadata is added to LaunchBox

Metadata is the written information attached to a game. This can include the game's title, release date, region, developer, publisher, genres, play modes, notes, description, and other details.

LaunchBox can download metadata from the Games Database during several common workflows:

  • When importing new games

  • When using Search for Metadata while editing a game

  • When using Download Metadata and Media for selected games

  • When updating metadata and media for a larger group of games

Downloaded metadata is saved locally in your LaunchBox library. After it is added, it becomes part of your local game entry and can be edited, sorted, searched, filtered, and used by playlists.

Good to know: Updating the Games Database website does not instantly rewrite the games already in your LaunchBox library. Existing games keep their current local metadata until you choose to update or refresh them.

How Games Database images are downloaded

The Games Database also provides many common image types used by LaunchBox and Big Box, such as box fronts, screenshots, clear logos, banners, backgrounds, carts, discs, and other artwork.

When importing or updating games, LaunchBox lets you choose which image types to download. You can keep this simple by downloading only the most common image types, or you can download more artwork if you want a fuller visual library.

Downloaded images are stored inside your LaunchBox folder, usually under the Images folder and organized by platform and image type.

For example, image files may be stored in folders such as:

LaunchBoxImagesNintendo Entertainment SystemBox - Front
LaunchBoxImagesNintendo Entertainment SystemClear Logo
LaunchBoxImagesNintendo Entertainment SystemScreenshot - Gameplay

The exact image shown in LaunchBox or Big Box depends on your selected view, theme, and image priorities.

What the local metadata database does

LaunchBox keeps a local copy of Games Database metadata on your computer. This helps LaunchBox search and match games more quickly without needing to request every piece of information from the website one at a time.

This local metadata database is especially useful when adding or matching games, because LaunchBox can use it as a local reference for known platforms, titles, and game records.

You can update this local database from LaunchBox by going to:

Tools > Download > Force Update Games Database Metadata

Important: The local metadata database helps with matching and metadata lookups, but images and other media still need to be downloaded separately unless they are already present in your LaunchBox folder.

Updating games already in your library

If a game is already in your LaunchBox library, it does not automatically change every time someone updates the Games Database.

To refresh an existing game with newer Games Database information or images:

  1. Select one or more games in LaunchBox.

  2. Go to Tools > Download > Update Metadata and Media for Selected Games.

  3. Choose whether you want to update metadata, media, or both.

  4. Choose whether LaunchBox should fill only missing information or replace existing information.

  5. Review the options carefully, then start the update.

For most users, filling missing metadata and media is the safer option. Replacing existing metadata or media can overwrite custom edits and hand-picked artwork.

Before updating a large library: Test the update on a few games first, especially if you have customized titles, notes, genres, images, or playlists.

Correcting a wrong Games Database match

If LaunchBox matched a game to the wrong database entry, you can correct it from the game editor.

  1. Right-click the game and choose Edit.

  2. On the metadata page, check the game title and platform.

  3. Use Search for Metadata to search the Games Database again.

  4. Select the correct result.

  5. Download metadata or images again if needed.

  6. Save the game.

After the correct Games Database record is selected, LaunchBox can use that match for future metadata and media updates.

What happens when Games Database records change

The Games Database is community-maintained, so records can improve over time. Users may add missing games, submit better images, correct release information, improve descriptions, add alternate names, or remove duplicate or incorrect records.

Those changes do not usually appear inside your existing LaunchBox library immediately. Your local games keep the metadata and images they already have until you choose to update them.

In general:

  • New metadata added to the Games Database can be pulled into LaunchBox when you update metadata for that game.

  • New images added to the Games Database can be downloaded when you update media for that game.

  • Deleted or merged database records may require you to search for metadata again and choose the correct current match.

  • Existing local edits remain in your library unless you choose an option that replaces them.

How collections fit in

Collections on the Games Database website are separate from your local LaunchBox library, but they can help group related games together and make the database more useful for everyone.

When collection information is synced or submitted to the Games Database, it helps the shared database understand how games are grouped, organized, and related. Local changes do not instantly overwrite the database; they are submitted and processed so the public database can stay accurate, moderated, and useful for other users.