EMUBANK: LOCAL-FIRST EMULATOR LIBRARY

One shelf for your games, playthroughs, and real save files.

Build a library, insert local games, play in your browser where supported, and back up real in-game saves automatically while ROM files stay on your device.

Game Library Local ROMs Browser Player Cloud Backups Revision History Validation + Salvage Smart Modules
Start Your Library Log In Read the Promise

ROM Storage

Bit-Exact

Library Flow

Insert + Play

Safety Layer

Rollback Saves

Library Shelf Preview Sync Active
GBA

Metroid Fusion

Main run ยท 6 revisions

SNES

Chrono Trigger

Cloud save ready

NDS

Mario Kart DS

Local ROM inserted

GCN

Custom Disc Entry

External player

GBC

Zelda Oracle Save

Rollback available

MOD

PokeVault Module

Optional when supported

Smart module preview, library-first core

Newsroom

Shipped: source-save integrity model

Latest snapshot and target-save ownership are now explicit across mutation flow.

Compatibility

Save Compatibility Coverage

Built for mainstream save formats and extensive ROM hack save ecosystems with validation-first guards.

Live Roadmap

Emulator API Bridge

Direct snapshot pull/push endpoints are now available for plugin-level integration.

HOW IT WORKS

Layman Flow

1) Add A Game

Search a game authority source, choose the correct platform result, and import canonical metadata, artwork references, and emulator mapping defaults.

2) Insert A Local File

The browser hashes your selected ROM or disc image locally. EmuBank records filename, size, hash, and mapping metadata, never ROM bytes.

3) Track Playthroughs

Create playthroughs like Main, Challenge, Romhack, Randomizer, Speedrun, or Living Dex so saves and settings stay attached to the right run.

4) Back Up Hard Saves

Upload real in-game save files, keep revision history, and restore or download snapshots without locking your data behind payment.

5) Unlock Modules When Relevant

Smart modules only appear when the game or save supports them. Non-Pokemon games stay in the normal library and save-management flow.

CLOSED BETA

Request an invitation

Closed beta gives early access to the library shelf, game authority imports, local file metadata, save revision history, and emulator sync APIs.

  • Priority onboarding for emulator API integration partners.
  • Direct feedback channel during core feature rollout.
  • Early access to shelf, player, cloud save, and smart module milestones.

COMPATIBILITY CURTAIN

Library support matrix + current boundaries

Open Matrix

Explicitly Supported

Library Platforms

  • - NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance
  • - Nintendo DS metadata and save organization
  • - GameCube and disc-based metadata planning
  • - Mixed custom categories across any platform

Save Workflows

  • - Manual save import and export
  • - Revision history and rollback checkpoints
  • - Scanner status tracking
  • - Emulator API pull/push planning

Smart Modules

  • - PokeVault for supported Pokemon saves
  • - Future per-game modules can attach to the same shelf model
  • - Non-module saves remain normal library saves

Known Not Working / Unsupported

  • - ROM uploads are intentionally unsupported
  • - Emulator save-states are not treated as portable hard saves
  • - Unsupported browser cores fall back to metadata and save management
  • - Raw SQL editing is not exposed in admin tools

Known Behavior Caveats

  • Browser play depends on platform/core support and local file availability.
  • Game authority artwork depends on configured providers or first-party curated records.
  • Smart modules only run when game/save context supports them or the user explicitly forces registration.

Local-First Game Library

Build a personal emulator shelf where ROM files stay on your device while EmuBank tracks metadata, platform choices, playthroughs, and save continuity.

Game Authority Metadata

Search for games by name, choose canonical records, and attach artwork, descriptions, platform mappings, and emulator defaults without manual filing.

Device-Only ROM Policy

EmuBank records hashes and local metadata for organization, but does not upload, store, sell, or distribute ROM binaries.

Cloud Backups of Save Files

Keep real in-game hard saves backed up with restore paths, revision history, and manual export always available.

Playthrough Organization

Track normal runs, challenges, romhacks, speedruns, and other playthroughs as first-class library state.

Browser Player Where Supported

Launch supported games directly from the shelf after inserting local files, while external-only platforms remain cleanly organized.

Smart Module System

Optional modules like PokeVault can unlock deeper tools only when a game or save context supports them.

Realtime App Updates

Redis-backed notifications and Recyclr partial refreshes keep library, save, scanner, and module state moving without heavy page reloads.

Operator-Ready Admin Console

Internal admin tools manage users, invites, game records, scanners, settings, and system health safely.

NEWS

Recent Drops

May 16, 2026

Library Shelf + Context Panels

The EmuBank home flow now centers on searchable game shelves, local ROM metadata, playthroughs, and attached save actions.

May 16, 2026

Game Authority Imports

Game search can import canonical metadata, platform details, artwork records, and local first-party fallbacks before users attach files.

May 16, 2026

RoadRunner Realtime Foundation

Realtime notifications and partial UI refreshes are wired through Redis-backed updates for a sturdier app shell.

Feature Lab

In Motion

Game Authority Repository

In Progress

Canonical game records, platform mappings, artwork, aliases, external IDs, and curated EmuBank metadata in one shared database.

EmulatorJS Player Shell

In Progress

Browser-play support for compatible platforms with local file insertion and minimal player chrome.

Library Context Panels

Confirmed

Steam-style shelf interactions with attached panels for ROMs, playthroughs, saves, settings, and module actions.

Realtime Notifications

Confirmed

Redis stream updates and Recyclr fragments for save scans, module changes, invitations, and account events.

Admin Operations Console

Live MVP

A modal-heavy internal panel for users, invites, game records, scanners, settings, and system inspection.

Fair Plus/Pro Tiers

Designing

Paid features focus on storage, automation, deep history, and social power while basic ownership and export stay free.

POLICY LOCK

Save-Only

Save Files Only

Allowed upload formats: .sav, .srm, .dsv, .dat, .gci, .bin, .raw, .main.

No ROM Uploads

ROM binaries and game images are blocked and never stored by EmuBank.

No Mod/Patch Storage

Patch artifacts (.ips/.ups/.bps/.xdelta and similar) are blocked and never stored.

Data Retention

  • - Source upload snapshots retention window: 365 days.
  • - Mutation/export snapshot retention window: 365 days.
  • - Deleted-save cleanup grace period: 30 days before final purge.

Backup Model

  • - Every save mutation writes a new immutable snapshot (revision-first backup model).
  • - Recommended external backup mirror: daily.
  • - Recommended external backup interval: every 24 hours.
  • - Current backup policy identifier: snapshot_on_every_mutation.

EMULATOR API

Live Sync

Authenticated Emulator Sessions

Device-scoped API keys with revocation, rate limits, and audit trail per emulator client.

Snapshot Pull + Push Endpoints

Pull latest approved snapshot for a save, push updated save bytes, and receive immutable snapshot references.

Conflict + Salvage Sync Signals

Structured responses for compatibility blockers and salvage actions so emulator UX can guide user decisions in real time.

GUIDES

Guide: Add a Game From Authority Search

Search by title, choose the matching platform record, import metadata, then optionally attach a local ROM hash and initial save.

Guide: Insert a Local Game

Choose a local file in the browser, hash it on-device, and let EmuBank remember filename, size, platform, and emulator mapping without uploading ROM bytes.

Guide: Create a Playthrough

Attach runs like Main, Nuzlocke, Randomizer, Romhack, Challenge, Speedrun, or Living Dex to a single game entry.

Guide: Restore a Save Revision

Open a game context panel, review hard-save revisions, and download or roll back to the selected checkpoint.

Guide: Enable a Smart Module

When a save or game supports a module, enable it from the game context panel and keep unrelated saves in the normal library flow.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Keep ROMs on your device

Use EmuBank for metadata, launch flow, and save continuity while your game files remain local.

Prefer hard saves

Upload in-game battery saves rather than emulator save-states so revisions remain portable between tools.

Name playthroughs clearly

Separate Main, Challenge, Romhack, and Speedrun contexts so saves and settings stay understandable later.

Use manual export freely

Download your own saves whenever you want. EmuBank should make recovery easier, never trap your data.

Use one API key per device

When emulator sync is enabled, device-scoped keys make automation easier to revoke and audit.

Enable modules intentionally

Let normal game saves stay in the library unless a module like PokeVault is relevant to that game or playthrough.

FAQ

Does EmuBank store ROM files?

No. ROM files stay on your device. EmuBank stores library metadata, local file hashes, save files, and revision records.

Can I download my saves?

Yes. Manual export and basic save ownership are core free features, not paid lock-in.

Can I use EmuBank for non-Pokemon games?

Yes. The library, metadata, playthrough, local ROM metadata, and save revision systems are general emulator-library features.

When does PokeVault run?

Only for supported Pokemon games/saves or when you explicitly force PokeVault registration for a game or playthrough.

Can I play games in the browser?

For supported platforms, yes. Browser play uses local files inserted by the user; unsupported platforms remain organized for saves and metadata.

What do paid plans eventually cover?

Convenience, automation, more history, more storage, advanced recovery, and social power-user features. Basic ownership remains free.