What FrontEnd do you prefer?

[5thWolf]

What FrontEnd do you prefer?

 

[aquova]

I'm going to be honest, Playnite is the only one of these I've even heard of

 

[kingofdragons]

oops front fell off...
don't use a front end lol

 

[twistedbee]

I use ES-DE for android on my Retroid Pocket 4 pro.

 

[Boo Man]

LaunchBox is really good & easy to use
BigBox is the premium version & although you dont need it, i think its definitely worth paying for

 

[_oBSOLEte_]

Got to use more of Lutris recently as I finally got a good CRT shader to work with it.

 

[ThatOneLum]

The only one I've used extensively is LaunchBox, and I have to say its a pretty awesome experience.

Used to have BigBox too but the licenses only last like a year or two at most.

 

[DEH]

No idea, I don't use that.

 

[Boo Man]

The only one I've used extensively is LaunchBox, and I have to say its a pretty awesome experience.

Used to have BigBox too but the licenses only last like a year or two at most.

Lifetime license key is like $75 i think that's probably the best premium option
but yeah nothing wrong with the free version

 

[ThatOneLum]

Lifetime license key is like $75 i think that's probably the best premium option
but yeah nothing wrong with the free version

I think the free version is preferable unless you're actually building a dedicated retro gaming machine.

If you're running a normal desktop then lunchbox is much simpler to navigate than bigbox and being free is a bonus. Still, I don't regret throwing the developers a couple of quid to show support with a temporary license.

 

[DanCalibur]

I use Retrobat on Windows and ES-DE on Android, they are basically the same.

 

[nonstatik]

Launchbox. Lifetime licenses are always on sale during Black Friday. Worth every penny.

 

[Ikagura Ikagura]

Windows.

 

[dem6n dem6n]

I have ESDE on my Steam Deck. I've spent a lot of time making sure I've scraped everything and it all looks nice.

Are there any benefits to frontends other than just game selection presentation?

 

[5thWolf]

I use to use Hyperspin for years and loved it. Then after trying Launchbox I switch permanently. Use standard Launchbox on my PC and BigBox side on my arcade machine.

Post automatically merged: May 29, 2025

Sorry I didn't know about ES-DE or Lutris before making the poll. Would have added it!

Post automatically merged: May 29, 2025

I have ESDE on my Steam Deck. I've spent a lot of time making sure I've scraped everything and it all looks nice.

Are there any benefits to frontends other than just game selection presentation?

It all depends on each frontend. They all offer their own perk! Launchbox, for example, gives you the standard list UI with box art, video and info ( and gives you Bigbox mode which is more of a full standalone interface which is perfect for arcades that is not really meant to go back and forth to Windows and back. It also gives you database access and connects you to EMU movies so you can get not only access to all the data and images and screenshots you get video clip previews for your games.
Hyperspin is similar and has a great customizable landing screen with animations and images you can customize for each system or game.

 

[DjQuick2008]

I have a launchbox hard drive all games catelogued and easy to use on it especially enjoy the wii U on it as ive got pokken tournament on my laptop now.

 

[DOOP169]

RetroArch on PC, I know it's not really a frontend but it's the easiest way to use the Mega Bezel filters I like, and RETROBAT on the mini PC in my living room. I have started messing around with Simple Launcher on my PC though it's pretty cool.

 

[MajesticSiN]

I personally don't use any. I stick to my stand alone emulators in my folders I keep for them. I'm not totally against them though.