Dat2lpl - Simple DAT/XML to LPL with region mapping

RetroArch Additions Tools & Scripts
#1

https://github.com/anikom15/dat2lpl

For those interested in multiple regions, I have made a Python script that can help create playlists for the same system with different regions. I am releasing this as is (it was, like many of my tools, developed to help with my shader development), but I hope it can be useful to others.

It will put anything with ‘(World)’ in all of the regional presets. This is useful for me but I can understand why many people wouldn’t like this. I may allow for the behavior to be changed in the future. I may also add some filters, like stripping out multiple version, pirates, etc. if there’s interest.

To change how regions are applied and consolidated, look at the snes-country2standard.json file as an example. If you want the simple three region mapping, you would replace all those video standards with ‘USA’, ‘Japan’, ‘Europe’ as you like, etc. The README contains example commands.

It can also work with merged sets, which RetroArch’s built-in scanners cannot do.

dat2lpl

This tool converts DAT XML files (such as those used by No-Intro) into LPL JSON playlists compatible with RetroArch.

Current Limitations

  • Designed for No-Intro style sets only: The script expects the input DAT and ROM directory structure to follow the conventions of No-Intro sets. It is not tested on multifile ROM sets (like MAME) and may not work with other DAT formats.

  • Only the first ROM entry per game is used in the playlist.

  • Input path must be specified via command-line arguments.

Usage


python dat2lpl.py <input_dat.xml> --input-path <ROM_ROOT_PATH> [--archive-format {None,.zip,.7z}] [-s {Non-merged,Split,Merged}] [-o output.lpl] [-r] [--map MAPFILE] [--map-world] [-v] [--enable-network-validation]

  • <input_dat.xml>: Path to the No-Intro style DAT XML file.

  • --input-path: Root directory where ROMs are stored (required).

  • --archive-format: Archive format for ROMs (None, .zip, or .7z). Default is .7z.

  • -s, --storage-mode: ROM storage mode: Non-merged, Split, or Merged. Default is Merged.

  • -o, --output: Output LPL file name. Default is output.lpl.

  • -r, --region-split: Produce separate output files by region.

  • --map: JSON file mapping country/region to output value (requires -r).

  • --map-world: Treat ‘World’ like any other region (do not add to all output files).

  • -v, --verbose: Enable verbose output.

  • --enable-network-validation: Allow network access for XML schema validation.

Example


python dat2lpl.py sample.dat --input-path ".\ROM\Nintendo - Super Nintendo Entertainment System" --archive-format .7z -s Merged -v

Region split example:


python dat2lpl.py sample.dat --input-path ".\ROM\Nintendo - Super Nintendo Entertainment System" --archive-format .7z -r --map snes-country2standard.json -v

To treat ‘World’ as a normal region (not added to all outputs):


python dat2lpl.py sample.dat --input-path ".\ROM\Nintendo - Super Nintendo Entertainment System" --archive-format .7z -r --map snes-country2standard.json --map-world -v

Output

  • Produces an LPL playlist file suitable for use with RetroArch.

  • If --region-split is used, produces one LPL file per region (according to the mapping file), plus a file for games with no region.

License

See COPYING for license information.

5 Likes
#2

I think you forgot the link to the program. Always nice to see helpers for the Playlists.

1 Like
#3

Thank you. I added the link.