Retro Vault

Retro Vault

Retro Vault is the game library and source catalog behind Zendigo Arcade Scores. It tracks games by company, platform, event value, score potential, speedrun potential, and Hidden Gem or Hot Garbage relevance.

This page starts as a structured planning hub. Later it can become a real searchable library, scanner-powered catalog, and source tree for scoreboards, game pages, and events.

Game library first. Scoreboards, events, and game pages later.

Back To Arcade Scores → Emulators → ROMs / Game Files → Resources →

Vault Purpose

  • Library Tracking: organize games available for streams, score hunts, and events.
  • Score Potential: identify games that support scoreboards or arcade-style tracking.
  • Speedrun Potential: mark games that could support runs, routing, or PB attempts.
  • Hidden Gem Use: flag games that may fit review or first-impression content.
  • Event Planning: connect games to SEGA, Nintendo, Disney, arcade, and seasonal blocks.

Vault Sections

Retro Vault now has three support branches beneath the main vault page.

  • Emulators: system-based emulator ZIP links, setup notes, BIOS notes, and compatibility notes.
  • ROMs / Game Files: approved legal-to-use games, homebrew, demos, and downloadable packages.
  • Resources: guides, download instructions, rulesets, score templates, controller configs, and setup packs.

Classification System

Retro Vault should use company classification first, then console or platform classification second. This keeps event planning and game discovery cleaner than a flat list.

  • Level 1: Company / publisher / major grouping.
  • Level 2: Console, platform, arcade board, collection, or PC release.
  • Manual Overrides: corrections must persist across rescans later.
  • Global ALL: shows the full vault.
  • Company ALL: shows all games under a selected company.

File Storage Direction

Public pages live under Retro Vault, while actual downloadable files should live under a clean root-level download folder structure.

  • Emulators: downloads/emulators/system-name/
  • ROMs / Game Files: downloads/roms/system-name/
  • Resources: downloads/resources/resource-type/
  • Readmes: each ZIP should include instructions when needed.

Vault Tree Preview

ALL ARCADE SEGA NINTENDO DISNEY PC UNSORTED

Arcade

Classic score-first games, arcade roots, MAME-style tracking, cabinet titles, and high-score challenge candidates.

Priority

SEGA

SEGA arcade, Genesis, Master System, Saturn, Dreamcast, Sega CD, and event-linked score/run candidates.

Event Linked

Nintendo

Nintendo arcade roots, NES, SNES, handhelds, score games, challenge runs, and birthday block planning.

Planned

Disney

Disney platformers, Mickey games, licensed retro blocks, challenge runs, and seasonal event candidates.

Planned

PC

Steam discoveries, indie games, demos, score-friendly PC releases, and Hidden Gem or Hot Garbage candidates.

Linked

Unsorted

Games awaiting manual classification, correction, platform assignment, or event/value tagging.

Manual Review

Sample Vault Table

Game Company Platform Score Potential Speedrun Potential Event Use Status
Donkey Kong Nintendo Arcade High Medium Arcade Roots Rules Needed
Ecco the Dolphin SEGA Sega CD Low / Custom Medium SEGA Block Candidate
Coming Soon Unsorted TBD TBD TBD TBD Open

Future Scanner Direction

Later, Retro Vault can connect to a local scanner/import tool that detects game files, builds an initial library list, and then lets manual classification corrections persist.

  • No ZIP Folder Scanning: do not scan ZIP folders unless explicitly re-added later.
  • No Owned Checkbox: scanned/found games are assumed to be in the library.
  • Manual Reclassification: corrections should survive rescans.
  • Tree UI: category/company buttons control platform sub-buttons.

Feeds Into

  • Arcade Scores: games become scoreboards and challenge candidates.
  • Events: games attach to anniversary, company, character, and seasonal blocks.
  • Speedruns: games become PB projects or learning candidates.
  • Hidden Gem: games become review/discovery candidates.
  • Game Pages: future pages can pull metadata from the vault.

Retro Vault becomes the source tree.