RomsOrganizer

Free plan Linux

What RomsOrganizer is

RomsOrganizer is a free Batocera utility for finding and managing duplicate ROMs in game lists. It detects same-name files, format variants, region or revision variants, and byte-identical files by hash, even when filenames differ. For supported cartridge systems, it can retain the copy whose hash is recognized by RetroAchievements using a bundled database; this filter changes a group only when exactly one version is recognized. The app removes duplicate and orphan gamelist entries, sorts lists alphabetically, tidies displayed names, and moves ROMs to the appropriate system. A dry-run preview appears before each operation. Selected duplicates move to a holding folder rather than being deleted, with menu restoration through a manifest. Cue, bin, ccd, and sub tracks are excluded from hash matching, and multi-disc comparisons use the same disc index across regions. The installer places it in Batocera’s PORTS menu, where a controller-friendly pygame interface runs. Python 3 and pygame are required.

Who it suits

RomsOrganizer suits Batocera users cleaning duplicate ROM files and gamelist entries. It is useful for people who want previews, reversible moves, and controller navigation.

What it does well

Detects several duplicate types
RetroAchievements hash filtering
Dry-run previews before changes
Moves duplicates instead of deleting
MIT License

What to know first

Batocera platform only
Requires Python 3 and pygame
No metadata scraping or file renaming
Repository lists five open issues

Verdict

RomsOrganizer focuses on cautious ROM deduplication, list cleanup, and recovery within Batocera. Its previews and holding-folder workflow reduce destructive changes, while the platform and project issues are important limits.

Facts from RomsOrganizer's own pages

Conservative matching: For RetroAchievements filtering, the README says it acts only when exactly one version in a group is recognized and otherwise leaves the group unchanged. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Duplicate detection: It handles same-name files, format variants, region or revision duplicates, and byte-for-byte duplicates with different names. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Duplicate types: It identifies same-name files, format variants, region or revision variants, and byte-identical files by hash. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Gamelist cleanup: It removes duplicate and orphan gamelist entries and sorts the list alphabetically. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Installation and interface: The installer adds the app to Batocera's PORTS menu, where it runs with a controller-friendly pygame interface. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Interface: The app uses a pygame arcade-style interface in Batocera's PORTS menu and supports controller navigation. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Known issues: The repository's issues page lists five open issues, including reports about restore overwriting recreated files, silent file-operation failures, and duplicate handling. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
License: The code is licensed under MIT, and the README says the project is not affiliated with Batocera, RetroBat, or RGS. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Multi-disc handling: Its 1G1R comparison matches discs only against discs with the same index across regions. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Paired files: Paired cue, bin, ccd, and sub tracks are excluded from hash matching so the app does not separate those sets. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Preview: It offers a dry-run preview before each operation so users can review and confirm the proposed changes. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Purpose: RomsOrganizer finds and removes duplicate ROMs from Batocera game lists, with built-in backup and restore. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Recovery: The README says duplicates are moved to a ROM elimination folder and can be restored from the menu using a manifest. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Requirements: The project states that it requires Python 3 and pygame, which it says is usually already present in Batocera. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
RetroAchievements: For supported cartridge systems, it can keep the version with a hash recognized by RetroAchievements; the hash database is bundled. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
ROM tidying: It cleans up displayed ROM names and moves ROMs to the appropriate system. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Safety: The app moves duplicates to a holding folder instead of deleting them and provides a menu option to restore them. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026

Where RomsOrganizer stands on Freedom251

ROM Management Software#28 of 39