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I know a lot of people use programs like Retroarch to launch their emulated games as an easy, library view option. This is probably common knowledge that most people know, but you can use GOG or Steam on a PC to launch emulated games directly too, very easily, so they are integrated with your greater PC library. I use GOG, but it's the same method. It's very useful for using specific/dedicated emulators for different games, especially if you don't want to use something like Retorarch. Sharing this for people who don't know how to set it up:
For example, here is how the games look in GOG. I'll be using Final Fantasy games as examples.
You can't just add the .bin or .iso files to GOG or Steam and have them launch. You need to create .bat files.
First find your emulator folder. Here's my Duckstation folder for example.
Locate your .iso or .bin folder, both work. And create a "New Text Document". This will open your Notepad. Fill in the Notepad with your file/folder directories like this:
And save that text file as a Batch (.BAT) file.
Then when you go to GOG and "add a game manually" or "add a non-Steam game to your library" on Steam, add the .bat file as your executable. When you launch from Steam or GOG it will automatically launch whatever emulator your designated, and treat the game like it's just another game in your library. Makes things much easier than dragging games, or using different launchers just for emulators, and this way you can see you entire library of games on your PC in one spot.
You can take things a step further for multi-disc games. Instead of connected each disc as a separate game, make a .m3u file.
Create another new text document. List out all of the .bin or .iso files in order. Save this as a .m3u file. It will look like a media file in the folder.
Then make ANOTHER text document, and instead of putting the .bin at the end, put the .m3u. Save this text document as a .bat and add it to GOG/Steam, same as before, and it will launch the game directly.
Now when you go to "change discs" within the emulator, all the discs are selectable there within the emulator, and you no longer need to add every disc individually on GOG or Steam. Makes playing emulated games on PC so much easier and more convenient.
For example, here is how the games look in GOG. I'll be using Final Fantasy games as examples.
You can't just add the .bin or .iso files to GOG or Steam and have them launch. You need to create .bat files.
First find your emulator folder. Here's my Duckstation folder for example.
Locate your .iso or .bin folder, both work. And create a "New Text Document". This will open your Notepad. Fill in the Notepad with your file/folder directories like this:
And save that text file as a Batch (.BAT) file.
Then when you go to GOG and "add a game manually" or "add a non-Steam game to your library" on Steam, add the .bat file as your executable. When you launch from Steam or GOG it will automatically launch whatever emulator your designated, and treat the game like it's just another game in your library. Makes things much easier than dragging games, or using different launchers just for emulators, and this way you can see you entire library of games on your PC in one spot.
You can take things a step further for multi-disc games. Instead of connected each disc as a separate game, make a .m3u file.
Create another new text document. List out all of the .bin or .iso files in order. Save this as a .m3u file. It will look like a media file in the folder.
Then make ANOTHER text document, and instead of putting the .bin at the end, put the .m3u. Save this text document as a .bat and add it to GOG/Steam, same as before, and it will launch the game directly.
Now when you go to "change discs" within the emulator, all the discs are selectable there within the emulator, and you no longer need to add every disc individually on GOG or Steam. Makes playing emulated games on PC so much easier and more convenient.
