Adding & Scanning ROMs

There are several ways to get titles into the Launcher's database.

Add a single file

In the Launcher's ROM Options section, Add new ROM entry from File opens a file browser so you can pick a single image to add as a new entry. You can adjust its Name afterward in the same section.

Scan a directory

Scanning is the fastest way to populate a large library. Point kat5200 at a directory and it matches the files it finds against the image database, filling in each entry's File so matches become launchable.

Directory scanning is in the Setup window (Options → Misc → Setup); each has its own directory field, and you finish with Scan & Save:

• Scan for 5200 ROMs / Scan for 8-bit ROMs — add game images.
• Scan for 5200 BIOS / Scan for 8-bit BIOS — locate and assign BIOS/OS images.

After scanning, the matched titles show their File in ROM Options and become launchable.

Downloading a ROM set

When built with a ROM-download backend, the Setup window can Download 5200 ROM Set into your chosen Download Directory and scan it (use Download, Scan & Save).

Supported media

The Launcher handles the media types kat5200 emulates, including cartridges, floppy disks, cassettes, and executables. Compressed (zip) images are supported via zlib.