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, Commodore 128, Commodore VIC-20, Commodore PET, Commodore Amiga, Atari 800, Atari 2600, Atari 5200, Atari 7800, Atari ST, ZX Spectrum, Acorn BBC Micro, Amstrad CPC, and Apple 2GS.

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.
Commodore 128 Supported Imports GameBase C128 MDBs with Extras, Games, Screenshots, Musician Photos, and SID music folders. VICE x128 and RetroArch support.
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.
Atari 5200 Supported Imports Atari 5200 GameBase MDBs with Extras, Games, Screenshots, and Photos folders. Altirra and RetroArch desktop profiles.
Atari 7800 Supported Imports Atari 7800 GameBase MDBs with Extras, Games, and Screenshots folders. RetroArch ProSystem desktop profile.
Atari ST Supported Imports Atari ST GameBase MDBs with Extras, Games, Screenshots, and Music folders. RetroArch, STeem, and Hatari support.
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.
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.
Commodore VIC-20 Supported Imports VIC-20 v4.0+ GameBase MDBs with Extras, Games, Screenshots, and Music folders. RetroArch and VICE VIC-20 support.
Amstrad CPC / AmstradMania Supported Imports Amstrad CPC (AmstradMania v7+) GameBase MDBs with Extras, Games, Screenshots, Photos, and AY music folders. Caprice32 / CPC++ and RetroArch support.
Apple 2GS Supported Imports Apple 2GS GameBase MDBs with Extras, Games, Screenshots, Photos, and Music folders. Full KEGS and RetroArch (MAME core) support with automated GS/OS boot disk mounting and natural multi-disk sequencing.
Commodore PET Supported Imports Commodore PET (v3.1+) GameBase MDBs with Extras, Games, and Screenshots folders. VICE xpet and RetroArch support.

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.

Complete 33-Language Localisation

Fully translated across 33 languages including all 24 EU official languages, Turkish, Arabic (with RTL layout), Japanese, Chinese, and Korean.

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, KEGS, and platform-specific emulator profiles where supported.

In-app C64 emulation

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

Multi-file & Multi-disk Automation

Generate temporary .vfl, .m3u, or .cmd launch artifacts for multi-disk games and automated OS boot disk mounting.

Distinctive themes

Choose from carefully crafted visual themes that carry through the windowed library and fullscreen BigBox experience.

Media and extras browsing

View screenshots, box art, photos, manuals, maps, adverts, books, and other extras from local folders, with video playback when available.

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
Arcade Void: Detail Gallery
Cyberpunk: Detail Gallery
Commodore 64 Theme: BigBox Rails
Commodore 64 Theme: Detail Gallery

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.