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Conversion Matrix

Claus Valca edited this page Sep 15, 2026 · 4 revisions

🔁 Conversion Matrix

Every conversion OpenROM supports, in one place.


Disc Image Conversions

Input Output Tool Notes
ISO CHD chdman createcd for PS1/Dreamcast, createdvd for PS2/GC
ISO CSO maxcso PSP / PS2
ISO ZSO maxcso PSP / PS2
ISO ECM ecm
ISO XISO extract-xiso Xbox only
ISO RVZ nodtool GameCube / Wii
BIN CHD chdman Auto-generates CUE if missing
BIN ECM ecm
CUE CHD chdman createcd
GDI CHD chdman Dreamcast
IMG CHD chdman
CHD ISO chdman extractdvd
CHD BIN/CUE chdman extractcd
CSO ISO maxcso --decompress
ZSO ISO maxcso --decompress
ECM ISO / BIN unecm Auto-detects output format
XISO Files extract-xiso Extracts to folder
RVZ ISO nodtool GameCube / Wii
WIA ISO nodtool GameCube / Wii
WBFS ISO nodtool Wii
GCZ ISO nodtool GameCube / Wii

All tools are bundled inside OpenROM — nothing to install separately.


Patch Formats

Format Systems Notes
IPS NES, SNES, GBA, most retro Classic format
IPS32 Large ROMs IPS with 32-bit offsets
UPS Universal
BPS Universal Beat patch format
PPF PS1 / PS2 Disc patch format
APS (GBA) Game Boy Advance
APS (N64) Nintendo 64
EBP EarthBound / SNES
DPS DOS / PC
xdelta3 Large ROMs, disc images VCDIFF format

Compression

Operation Formats Notes
Compress ZIP, 7Z Fast / Normal / Ultra presets
Extract ZIP, 7Z Batch extraction supported

Smart skip — already-compressed formats (CHD, CSO, RVZ, 7Z) are automatically skipped in batch mode.


Platform Detection

OpenROM identifies platforms by magic bytes in the file header — not file size.

Platform Magic Bytes Offset
PS1 PLAYSTATION 0x001
PS2 PS2 header 0x000
PSP PSP_GAME scan
GameCube 0xC2339F3D 0x01C
Wii 0x5D1C9EA3 0x018
Xbox MICROSOFT*XBOX*MEDIA 0x10000 + 0x2090000
Dreamcast SEGA SEGAKATANA 0x000
Sega Saturn SEGA SEGASATURN 0x010
Sega CD SEGADISCSYSTEM 0x010
PC-Engine CD PC Engine CD-ROM SYSTEM scan
Neo Geo CD NEO-GEO CD scan

Modded / Patched ISOs

If your ISO has been modded and the platform detection fails, use --force-platform:

openrom-core --input "modded_game.iso" --format CHD --force-platform PS2

Valid values: PS1, PS2, PSP, GameCube, Wii, Xbox, Dreamcast, Saturn, Sega CD, PC-Engine CD, Neo Geo CD


Format GuideYour First ConversionPatching Guide

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