Local-first desktop frontend

GBBox

GameBase Box is a local-first desktop frontend for GameBase-style retro game libraries. It started life as 64Box for the GameBase64 collection and now supports platform-scoped imports for Commodore 64, Atari 800, Atari 2600, ZX Spectrum, Acorn BBC Micro, and Commodore Amiga, with more GameBase platforms coming soon.

Formerly 64Box. The public repository is GameBaseBox on GitHub.

Download latest release View screenshots
GBBox BigBox home rails showing retro game library rows
BigBox mode turns large GameBase collections into controller-friendly browsing rails.

Download

Latest release builds

Download the latest GBBox build from the platform links below, or browse the full GitHub Releases page.

Windows Linux macOS

Supported Imports

Platform-scoped libraries

Platform Status Notes
Commodore 64 / GameBase64 Supported Compatibility baseline with VICE, RetroArch, SID playback, extras, screenshots, and GameBase64 metadata.
Atari 800 Supported Imports Atari 800 v12-compatible GameBase MDBs with Games, Music, Photos, Screenshots, and Extras folders. Supports RetroArch Atari800 and Altirra launch settings.
Atari 2600 Supported Imports Atari 2600 GameBase MDBs with Games, Screenshots, and Extras folders. Uses RetroArch/Stella-style launch settings.
ZX Spectrum / GameBaseZX / SpeccyMania Supported Imports Sinclair ZX Spectrum v6-compatible GameBase MDBs with Extras, Games, Screenshots, Musician Photos, and Music folders. RetroArch is the default launch profile, with Spectaculator as an external emulator option. .ay music files are recognized as ZX Spectrum music media; in-app JavaScript playback still needs evaluation.
Acorn BBC Micro Supported Imports BBC Micro GameBase MDBs with Extras, Games, Screenshots, and Music folders. RetroArch is the default launch profile, with BeebEm as the external emulator option.
Commodore Amiga Supported Imports Amiga GameBase MDBs with Extras, Games, Screenshots, and Music folders. RetroArch is the default launch profile, with WinUAE on Windows and UAE-style equivalents such as FS-UAE or Amiberry on Linux/macOS.
More GameBase platforms Coming soon The platform model is now data-driven so additional GameBase databases can be added without cloning the app.

GameBase database (.mdb) files, ROMs, screenshots, music, extras, and other media are not included. You point GBBox at the databases and local folders you own.

Features

Built for large retro libraries

GameBase-style library frontend

Browse imported collections in windowed mode or fullscreen BigBox mode.

Platform-scoped libraries

Keep catalog data, media roots, emulator paths, favorites, and navigation state separate per platform.

Fast search and filtering

Search by title and metadata, browse by genre/subgenre, and jump alphabetically through large collections.

Native emulator bridge

Launch through VICE, RetroArch, Altirra, and platform-specific emulator profiles where supported.

In-app C64 emulation

Play supported Commodore 64 games through the bundled EmulatorJS/VICE core.

Multi-file launch handling

Generate temporary .vfl or .m3u launch artifacts for multi-disk and multi-file games.

Media and extras browsing

View screenshots, box art, photos, manuals, maps, adverts, books, and other extras from local folders.

Screenshots

README image gallery

BigBox Search
BigBox Rails
BigBox Letter Jump
Detail View: Gallery
Detail View: Extras Gallery
Window Mode: Grid View
Window Mode: List View

Controls and Shortcuts

Controller and keyboard

Controller

  • Library / Grid / List: D-pad or Left Stick moves focus, A opens the focused game, B goes back or closes the current panel, X toggles Grid/List view, Y toggles favorite on the focused game, LB / RB jump by letter, and Start opens Settings.
  • BigBox: D-pad or Left Stick moves through header rows, rails, and tiles, A activates the focused item, B goes back or exits the search field, Y toggles favorite on the focused game, LB / RB move between sections, and Start opens Settings.
  • Single Game Detail View: D-pad or Left Stick moves between play buttons, gallery items, tabs, music player, and favorite button, A activates the focused item, B goes back, Y toggles favorite, and LB / RB switch tabs or media sections.
  • Settings: D-pad or Left Stick navigates, A selects, LB / RB switch settings tabs, and B or Start saves and closes.

Keyboard

  • Library / Grid / List: Arrow keys move focus, Enter opens the focused game, F toggles favorite, Shift+F opens Filters, V toggles Grid/List view, S opens Settings, PageUp / PageDown jump by letter, and Alt+Enter toggles fullscreen.
  • BigBox: Arrow keys navigate header rows, rails, and tiles, Enter activates the focused item, F toggles favorite, and Esc exits the search box or, when pressed twice quickly, exits the app.
  • Single Game Detail View: Arrow keys navigate, Enter or Space activates the focused item, F toggles favorite, Tab / Shift+Tab or PageUp / PageDown or [ / ] switch tabs, and Esc or Backspace goes back.
  • Settings: Arrow keys navigate, Enter selects, and Esc saves and closes.