Adding Systems and Programs

So, you want to add an emulator or program that’s not already in HyperSpin?  No problem, HyperHQ makes this easier than ever.  While it is possible to create all the folders needed, it would be time consuming and keep you from what you want to do, play games.  So let’s get started with adding a system.  First let’s take a look at the typical HyperSpin file tree.

As you can see, each System has a number of Media folders to hold files for a variety of uses.  To create these folders would take some time.  Additionally, image files and transitions need to be present in these folders, so that’s more work.  Let’s see how easy this is to do in HyperHQ.  We’re going to add the Atari 2600 system.  As you can see, right now it’s not there.

Start up your HyperHQ and you’ll see the introduction screen then click on the Main Menu Wizard tab (highlighted) in the top center of the console. It will bring up the wizard screen.  Click on the big plus sign (highlighted) and type in the name of the system you’re adding in the text box, for us this will be Atari 2600.

At this stage you can add any system, game, or other program you want to use with HyperSpin.   HyperSpin can act as a frontend for emulators, but it can run PC games, media center programs, and whatever else you might want to run in an entertainment center.  Since we’re adding the Atari 2600 system, we’ll just type that in the dialog box and click next.

After you click next, HQ will bring up the sub wheel selection screen.  Since we are adding a console system and not a single program, we’ll click the first yes tab (highlighted below) under the ‘sub wheel’ prompt.  If you made a mistake typing in the system name, or need to go back for any reason, just click the back button. 

Now you will see the Menu Position Select Screen.  When HyperSpin loads up, it lists the game systems and programs you use with it in the order you see here.  You can edit the order in your Main Menu xml file in word pad, notepad, or other text editor to change these.  When you add a new system, however, HQ allows you to simply select a system where you want to locate your new system and choose to Add Before that system or Add After the system.  We’ll select Atari 5200 and click Add Before to put the new system, Atari 2600, just before its successor console.

Hyper HQ will ask you to verify that you want to add the game system in that location.  Click yes, wait a second or two and Hyper HQ will show you all the folders its added.

If, for any reason, you need to remove the system or program you just added, or remove any other system or program from HyperSpin, just click the negative sign on the Main Menu Wizard Intro Screen and HQ can help you with that as well.  Click next and Hyper HQ will remind you that you’ll need to follow one more step to enter your new wheel in HyperSpin.