How to Add Games to Portable HDD Super Console: The Definitive Guide

Add your own legally-owned games to your 2Bluebox HDD and build a personal retro library.

You just received your 2Bluebox Portable HDD Super Console. You hold it in your hands and feel the weight of thousands of childhood memories. You plug it into your television, grab the controller, and everything works perfectly. But then, the urge hits you. You decide you want to add that one obscure Japanese RPG or a specific ROM hack that defined your teenage years. You plug the drive into your Windows PC and wait.

Nothing happens. Or worse, Windows asks you to format the drive.

Please do not panic. This is completely normal behavior for a Linux-based drive. In this guide, I will walk you through exactly how to add ROMs to Batocera without losing your data. As someone who has spent more weekends than I care to admit organizing digital libraries, I promise you that this process is simpler than it looks. We will turn your console into a personalized museum of gaming history.

Once your files are organised, Batocera turns your drive into a clean, console-style game menu.

Before we start, if you are new to this technology and want to understand the basics of what you are holding, check our guide on What is a Portable HDD Super Console? The Ultimate Plug-and-Play Solution.

1. Warning: Why Windows Cannot Read the Linux Partition on Your Drive

This is the most common issue we see at 2Bluebox. You connect the Portable HDD Super Console, hear the USB connection sound 🔊, but the drive does not appear in File Explorer.

Here is the technical reality. Your console runs on an operating system called Batocera, which is built on Linux. To ensure your games run smoothly without lag, the drive uses a file system called EXT4. The problem is that Windows natively uses NTFS or exFAT. Windows is essentially trying to read a language it does not understand.

Do not click “Format”. Windows can’t read the Linux partition, but your data is still safe.

If Windows prompts you with a message saying the disk needs to be formatted, you must click Cancel. Formatting will wipe the operating system and all the pre-loaded games. Your drive is healthy. It just needs the right method to be accessed.

We have two primary ways to solve this. You can either transfer files over your home network, which is the easiest method, or you can use third-party software to read the drive directly.

• Technical Fact: Windows 10 and 11 do not natively mount EXT4 partitions, which is why the drive appears as Unallocated or RAW in Disk Management. (Source: Paragon Software - Linux File Systems for Windows: Technical specifications for EXT4 implementation on Windows. Link: paragon-software.com/home/linuxfs-windows/)

2. Method 1 (The Easiest Way): Network Transfer

If you are not comfortable installing driver software on your computer, this is the solution for you. By connecting your Portable HDD Super Console to your local network, you can drag and drop files from your PC wirelessly. It acts exactly like a NAS (Network Attached Storage) device. This is the method I use 90% of the time for adding small batches of games.

Step 1: Connect the Console to the Internet

First, boot up your console on your TV or monitor. Press the START button on your controller to open the Main Menu. Navigate down to Network Settings.

You have two options here:

• 📶 WiFi: Enable WiFi and enter your home SSID and password.
• 🔌 Ethernet: Plug in a cable for the fastest speeds (highly recommended for large files).

Step 2: Locate Your IP Address

Once the status says Connected, look for the line that says IP Address. It will usually look something like 192.168.1.55. Write this number down.

Step 3: Accessing via Windows

Now, sit down at your Windows PC. You do not need to unplug the HDD from the console. Ensure your PC is on the same network.

• Open File Explorer by pressing the Windows Key + E 💻.
• In the address bar at the very top, type two backslashes followed by the IP address you wrote down.
• Example: \\192.168.1.55
• Alternatively, you can try typing \\BATOCERA.

Fastest method for most users: transfer files over your home network—no formatting required.

Step 4: The Transfer

If you did it correctly, a folder named share will appear. This is the magic folder. Open it, and you will see the internal structure of your Portable HDD Super Console. Locate the folder named roms.

Inside roms, you will see sub-folders for every system supported, such as snes, megadrive, or psx. All you need to do is drag your game files from your PC into the correct folder.

• Performance Insight: Transfer speeds over standard 2.4GHz WiFi average around 3 to 5 MB per second. However, a wired Gigabit Ethernet connection can reach speeds of 11 to 15 MB per second or higher depending on your router. (Source: Batocera.linux Wiki - Add Games: The official documentation for file management and directory structures. Link: wiki.batocera.org/add_games_bios)

3. Method 2 (The Power User Way): Direct Connection via Software

Sometimes, network transfer is just too slow. If you are trying to add games to Portable HDD Super Console and you have 500GB of disc-based games like PlayStation 2 or Dreamcast, WiFi will take days. For this, we need to plug the drive directly into the PC and teach Windows how to read Linux partitions.

Before proceeding, ensure your computer hardware is capable of handling the files and software by checking our guide: Will Your Old PC Run It? System Requirements for Super Console HDD.

The Tool: Linux File Systems for Windows

We recommend using Linux File Systems for Windows by Paragon Software. While there are free tools like Ext2Fsd, they are often outdated and can risk data corruption. Paragon offers a stable driver solution. It typically costs around 19.95 USD for a lifetime license, though they offer a 10-day free trial which is sufficient for a one-time massive transfer.

Power-user option: mount the EXT4 partition in Windows to copy large files directly to the drive.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Download and Install: Visit the Paragon Software website and install the application.
2. Connect: Plug your 2Bluebox HDD into a USB 3.0 port on your computer 🚀.
3. Mount: Open the Paragon app. You will see a large partition labeled EXT4. Click on it and select the Mount option.
4. Transfer: The drive will now pop up in Windows File Explorer with its own drive letter, like E:. You can now copy and paste files at full USB 3.0 speeds.

• Speed Fact: Using a direct USB 3.0 connection, real-world transfer speeds often exceed 100 MB per second, making it roughly 10 times faster than a wired network transfer. (Source: Paragon Software - Linux File Systems for Windows: Technical specifications for EXT4 implementation on Windows. Link: paragon-software.com/home/linuxfs-windows/)

Crucial Safety Step

When you are finished, you must not just unplug the cable. You need to go back to the Paragon app and click Unmount. Then, use the Safely Remove Hardware icon in your Windows taskbar. Failing to do this can corrupt the file system and prevent the console from booting.

4. Where Do I Put the BIOS Files?

You have successfully learned how to add ROMs to Batocera, but when you try to launch a Game Boy Advance or Dreamcast game, the screen goes black and kicks you back to the menu. Why?

You are likely missing the BIOS files.

BIOS files are essentially the operating system of the original console ⚙️. Without them, the emulator acts like a computer without Windows. In the same share folder where you found roms, there is a folder named bios.

You need to place the specific BIOS files directly into this folder. Do not create sub-folders unless specific documentation tells you to. For a comprehensive list of what you need and how to troubleshoot this specific error, please read our dedicated article: Games Not Launching? It's Probably a Missing BIOS Issue.

Common BIOS Files You Might Need

• PlayStation 1: scph1001.bin
• Dreamcast: dc_boot.bin and dc_flash.bin
• Saturn: sega_101.bin

How to Check for Missing BIOS

The system has a built-in checker.

1. Press START.
2. Go to Game Settings.
3. Select Missing Bios.
4. The system will scan your drive and list exactly which files are absent for the systems you are trying to play.

5. Important: How to Scrape Game Art for a Beautiful Interface

Adding the game file is only half the battle. If you just copy a file named sonic2.zip, your menu will show a plain text list on a black background. It looks boring. We want the box art, the screenshot, and the video preview.

This process is called Scraping 🎨.

Scraping adds box art, titles, and details—turning a plain folder into a polished collection.

Why Scrape?

Scraping connects your console to an online database, identifies your game files, and downloads the metadata automatically. It transforms your Portable HDD Super Console from a file list into a visual experience.

The Best Scraper Settings

1. Create an Account: Go to ScreenScraper.fr and register a free account. This server is the most reliable source for retro game media.
2. Input Credentials: On your console, press START and go to Scraper. Select Scrape From: ScreenScraper. Enter your username and password below.
3. Filter: Scroll down to Games to Scrape. Change this to Only missing media. This ensures you do not waste time re-downloading art for games you already have.
4. Launch: Click Scrape Now.

Depending on how many games you added, this can take a while. The free account at ScreenScraper limits you to 1 thread, while a Patreon donation (starting at 1 EUR per month) unlocks up to 4 threads for faster downloading. (Source: ScreenScraper - Database Statistics: Information regarding API limits and media availability for scraping. Link: screenscraper.fr)

6. Supported File Formats and Common Mistakes

A frequent frustration for users trying to add games to Portable HDD Super Console is using the wrong file format. Not all emulators read .zip files, and keeping uncompressed files wastes valuable space.

Convert disc-based games to .chd to save space and keep your Portable HDD library tidy.

Here is a quick reference table for the most popular systems on your 2Bluebox HDD:

Table 1: Recommended file extensions for optimal storage and performance on Batocera.

If you have a folder full of .bin and .cue files for PlayStation, the menu will list the same game multiple times. We highly recommend converting them to .chd format using tools like CHDMAN on your PC before transferring them. If you are worried about duplicates, check our Full Portable HDD Super Console Game List to see what is already included.

7. Troubleshooting: My Games Are Not Showing Up

You followed every step. You moved the files via network. You checked the folder. But when you restart the console, the new games are nowhere to be found.

This is a classic oversight. The system does not scan for new files every single time it boots to save time. You must force a refresh.

The Fix

1. Press START to open the Main Menu.
2. Go to Game Settings.
3. Scroll down to the bottom and select Update Gamelists.
4. Select Yes.

[MEDIA INSERTION: GIF]

• Content: A hand holding a controller navigating the menu to 'Update Gamelists' and pressing confirm.
• Source: Retro Game Corps (Youtube).
• Alt-text: Updating gamelists menu option in Batocera game settings to refresh library.
• Caption: Always remember to update your gamelists after adding new files, or they will not appear in the menu.

After copying files, run “Update Gamelists” so your new games appear in the menu.

The screen will freeze for a few seconds while it indexes the new files. Once it returns, navigate to your console list, and your new additions will be there, ready to play.

Once your games are visible, if the controls feel off, consult our guide on Controller Setup Guide: Xbox, PS5 & 8BitDo on Batocera HDD.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of how to add games to Portable HDD Super Console is the bridge between owning a device and owning an experience. It allows you to revisit the specific moments of your past that pre-loaded libraries might miss. Whether you choose the ease of the network transfer or the speed of the direct connection, the key is patience and respect for the file structure.

At 2Bluebox, we believe that these devices are time machines. By curating your own library, you are preserving a piece of history that is personal to you. If you are hungry for more retro action or want to see other devices we offer, explore our entire Retro Game Drives Collection. We hope this guide helps you build the ultimate collection.

Now, go find that game you never beat as a kid and finish the job.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why do I get a permission denied error when using WinSCP?

This happens because of security protocols. If you are using WinSCP to transfer files via SSH, you need to use the root login. The default protocol is SFTP.

• Hostname: Your IP Address
• Username: root
• Password: linux
  This gives you full write access to the share partition.

Can I use a Mac to add games to Portable HDD Super Console?

Yes 🍎. MacOS can actually read the EXT4 partition much easier than Windows in some cases, or you can simply use the Network Transfer method (Method 1) which works identically on Mac. Open Finder, press Command + K, and type smb://batocera.local.

Is it safe to leave the HDD plugged into my PC all the time?

We do not recommend this. The Portable HDD Super Console is designed to be a portable boot drive. Leaving it plugged into a Windows PC while you do other tasks can lead to accidental formatting or drive letter conflicts. Only plug it in when you are actively playing or transferring files.

How do I delete games I do not want?

You can delete them exactly the same way you added them. Access the share/roms folder via network or direct connection, select the file, and delete it. Remember to Update Gamelists in the menu afterward to remove the entry from your screen.

Further Reading & Resources

To ensure the technical accuracy of this guide, we have referenced documentation directly from the developers and software engineers who build these systems.

1. Batocera File Management

• Quote: 'The share partition is accessible via the network... This is the easiest way to add ROMs.'
• Article: Add Games, BIOS, and ROMs
• Website: Batocera.linux Wiki
• Source: https://wiki.batocera.org/add_games_bios

2. EXT4 on Windows

• Quote: 'Linux File Systems for Windows by Paragon Software allows you to work with Linux volumes on Windows.'
• Article: Linux File Systems for Windows
• Website: Paragon Software
• Source: https://www.paragon-software.com/home/linuxfs-windows/

3. Game Metadata

• Quote: 'ScreenScraper is a database of games information... It provides an API that allows frontends to download game metadata.'
• Article: API Documentation
• Website: ScreenScraper
• Source: https://www.screenscraper.fr/

(Note: This content was last updated in January 2026. Software versions and interface steps may vary slightly with future updates.)