How to Add Box Art in OnionOS or GarlicOS: Complete Visual Guide

One of the best ways to enhance your retro handheld gaming experience is adding authentic box art to your game library. Instead of scrolling through plain text lists, you can browse gorgeous cover images that bring back nostalgic memories and make finding games much more enjoyable.

This comprehensive guide will show you exactly how to add box art to devices running OnionOS (like the Miyoo Mini Plus) and GarlicOS (like the Anbernic RG35XX series), even if you're a complete beginner.

Why Add Box Art?

Before we dive in, here's why box art transforms your retro gaming experience:

Visual Recognition

Instantly recognize games by their iconic cover art rather than scrolling through text menus. See that classic Mario face or Zelda gold cartridge and immediately know what you're looking for.

Nostalgic Appeal

Recreate the feeling of browsing game store shelves from the 90s. Box art brings back memories of reading game boxes while deciding what to rent from Blockbuster.

Better Organization

Visually distinguish between similar game titles (looking at you, Final Fantasy I through VI) and make your library feel more curated and professional.

Show Off Your Collection

When friends see your handheld with beautiful box art, they'll immediately understand the appeal of retro gaming and the care you've put into your setup.

What You'll Need

Hardware

• A device running OnionOS (Miyoo Mini Plus, Miyoo Mini) or GarlicOS (Anbernic RG35XX, RG35XX Plus, RG35XX H)
• MicroSD card with your ROMs installed
• Computer (Windows, Mac, or Linux)
• SD card reader

Software

• Skraper (recommended - automated box art scraper) OR
• Boxart database (manual download option)
• File manager (built into your OS)

Best Devices for This Tutorial

This guide works perfectly with these popular OnionOS and GarlicOS devices:

Miyoo Mini Plus - $65

The Miyoo Mini Plus runs OnionOS and is perfect for retro gaming with box art. Its 3.5" IPS display shows cover images beautifully, and the simple folder structure makes adding art a breeze.

Anbernic RG35XX Plus - $90

The RG35XX Plus runs GarlicOS and features a larger battery and WiFi for easier file transfers. The enhanced screen makes box art pop with vibrant colors.

Anbernic RG34XX - $75

The horizontal RG34XX provides a Game Boy Advance form factor with GarlicOS, making it ideal for viewing box art in list view.

Method 1: Automated Box Art with Skraper (Recommended)

Skraper is free, powerful software that automatically downloads box art for your entire ROM collection. It's the fastest and most comprehensive method.

Step 1: Download and Install Skraper

1. Visit Skraper.net and download the latest version
2. Install Skraper on your computer
3. Launch the application

Step 2: Configure Skraper for Your Device

1. Click "Add a system"
2. Navigate to your SD card's ROM folder (e.g., E:\Roms\GB, E:\Roms\GBA, etc.)
3. Select the system from the dropdown (Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, NES, etc.)
4. Repeat for each system you want box art for

Step 3: Configure Media Settings

This is crucial for OnionOS/GarlicOS compatibility:

1. Go to "Media" tab
2. Select "Box 2D" or "Box 3D" (2D recommended for authenticity)
3. Set image format to PNG or JPG
4. Set output path to the same folder as your ROMs
5. Important for OnionOS: Enable "Use ROM filename" option
6. Important for GarlicOS: Name files as [RomName].png in the Imgs folder

Step 4: Choose Your Source

1. Click on "Scraper" tab
2. Select ScreenScraper as your source (best database, requires free account)
3. Create a free account at ScreenScraper.fr
4. Enter your credentials in Skraper

Step 5: Scrape Your Collection

1. Click "Scrape" button
2. Skraper will process each game and download matching box art
3. This can take 5-30 minutes depending on library size
4. Grab a coffee and let it work!

Step 6: Transfer to Your Device

For OnionOS (Miyoo Mini Plus):

1. Box art should already be in the correct location (same folder as ROMs)
2. Eject SD card safely and insert into your Miyoo
3. Launch OnionOS - art should appear immediately!

For GarlicOS (RG35XX series):

1. Copy downloaded images to the Imgs folder on your SD card
2. Structure: SD:/Roms/[System]/Imgs/[RomName].png
3. Example: SD:/Roms/GBA/Imgs/Pokemon Emerald.png
4. Eject safely and insert into your device
5. Restart - box art should display in game lists!

Method 2: Manual Box Art Setup

If you prefer more control or only need art for specific games, manual setup works great.

For OnionOS Devices (Miyoo Mini Plus)

Folder Structure:

SD:/Roms/
├── FC/           (NES/Famicom)
│   ├── game1.nes
│   ├── game1.png  ← Box art (same name as ROM)
│   ├── game2.nes
│   └── game2.png
├── GBA/
│   ├── Pokemon Emerald.gba
│   ├── Pokemon Emerald.png  ← Box art
│   └── ...

Steps:

1. Download box art from sources like:

   • Libretro Thumbnails
   • EmuMovies (premium but high quality)
   • Google Images (search "[game name] box art")

2. Rename image to exactly match your ROM filename

   • ROM: Super Mario World.sfc
   • Art: Super Mario World.png

3. Place image in the same folder as the ROM

4. Supported formats: PNG, JPG (PNG recommended for transparency)

5. Recommended size: 320x240 or higher (OnionOS will auto-scale)

For GarlicOS Devices (RG35XX Series)

Folder Structure:

SD:/Roms/
├── FC/           (NES/Famicom)
│   ├── Imgs/     ← Create this folder
│   │   ├── game1.png
│   │   └── game2.png
│   ├── game1.nes
│   └── game2.nes
├── GBA/
│   ├── Imgs/
│   │   ├── Pokemon Emerald.png
│   │   └── ...
│   ├── Pokemon Emerald.gba
│   └── ...

Steps:

1. Create an "Imgs" folder inside each system folder

2. Download box art from the sources mentioned above

3. Rename images to match ROM filenames exactly

   • ROM: Pokemon FireRed.gba
   • Art: Pokemon FireRed.png (in the Imgs folder)

4. Place all images in the Imgs folder for that system

5. Recommended size: 250x250 pixels or higher

6. Restart your device for changes to take effect

Quick Box Art Download Sources

Best Free Sources

1. Libretro Thumbnails (Best for automation)

• GitHub repository with thousands of games
• Organized by system
• Named for easy matching
• Visit Libretro Thumbnails

2. ScreenScraper (Best database)

• Requires free account
• Most comprehensive collection
• Works with Skraper
• Visit ScreenScraper

3. TheGamesDB

• User-friendly interface
• Good coverage of popular games
• Direct downloads available
• Visit TheGamesDB

Manual Search Tips

When searching manually on Google Images:

• Search: "[Game Name] box art png"
• Add: "North America" or "Europe" for region-specific art
• Look for: High resolution (at least 500x500)
• Avoid: Photos of actual boxes (use scanned/digital versions)

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Box Art Not Showing

Check these common problems:

1. Filename Mismatch

   • ROM and image must have identical names (except extension)
   • Check for extra spaces or special characters
   • Case sensitivity matters on some systems!

2. Wrong Folder Location

   • OnionOS: Image must be in same folder as ROM
   • GarlicOS: Image must be in Imgs subfolder

3. Unsupported Format

   • Stick to PNG or JPG
   • Avoid GIF or WebP formats

4. File Too Large

   • Keep images under 1MB each
   • Resize oversized images to 500x500 max

5. Need to Refresh Cache

   • OnionOS: Restart device or refresh game list
   • GarlicOS: Go to Settings > Reset cache

Box Art Appears Stretched or Cropped

Solutions:

• Use square or 4:3 aspect ratio images
• Avoid ultra-wide or tall images
• Edit images to crop to standard box dimensions
• Some systems (like Game Boy) work best with vertical art

Box Art Downloads Slowly

Tips:

• Process one system at a time with Skraper
• Limit to 30-50 games per session
• Use wired internet for stability
• Paid ScreenScraper accounts get faster speeds

Advanced Tips

Organizing by Region

If you have multiple regions of the same game, add region tags:

• Pokemon Red (USA).gb → Pokemon Red (USA).png
• Pokemon Red (Europe).gb → Pokemon Red (Europe).png

Custom Box Art

Create your own box art for ROM hacks or homebrew:

• Use 500x500px canvas
• Match the style of official boxes for that system
• Save as PNG for best quality
• Tools: Photoshop, GIMP (free), or Canva

Batch Renaming

If your filenames don't match:

1. Use Bulk Rename Utility (Windows) or Rename (Mac)
2. Match ROM naming convention exactly
3. Apply same names to art files
4. Test with a few games first!

WiFi Transfer (RG35XX Plus, RG40XX V)

Devices with WiFi can receive files wirelessly:

1. Enable WiFi in device settings
2. Connect device and computer to same network
3. Use FTP or Samba to transfer
4. Faster than SD card swapping for small updates

System-Specific Notes

Game Boy / Game Boy Color

• Use vertical box art for authentic look
• North American boxes work best
• Japanese boxes often more colorful

Game Boy Advance

• Mix of vertical and horizontal boxes
• European boxes often have better art
• Consider using cartridge labels for alternate look

NES / SNES

• North American boxes are vertical
• Japanese Famicom/Super Famicom boxes are horizontal
• Choose based on your preference and screen orientation

PlayStation 1

• Use North American jewel case covers
• Square format works well on handhelds
• Black label vs Greatest Hits - your choice!

Genesis / Mega Drive

• North American boxes are taller
• European boxes are square
• Japanese Mega Drive boxes are horizontal

Maintaining Your Box Art Collection

Regular Updates

• Add art for new ROMs immediately
• Update low-quality images as you find better versions
• Back up your Imgs folders separately

Cloud Backup

Keep a backup of your curated box art collection:

• Upload to Google Drive or Dropbox
• Name by system: "GBA Box Art", "NES Box Art", etc.
• Include a text file listing any custom/edited images

Version Control

When updating box art:

• Keep old versions in a backup folder
• Test new art before deleting old versions
• Some games have multiple box variants - choose your favorite!

Recommended Devices for Box Art

If you're considering a new device and want the best box art experience, here are our top picks:

Budget Champion: Miyoo Mini Plus - $65

OnionOS displays box art beautifully on the 3.5" IPS screen. The simple folder structure makes setup incredibly easy, and the device supports art for all classic systems.

Perfect for:

• First-time box art setup
• Game Boy, GBA, NES, SNES systems
• Ultra-portable gaming with visual flair

Enhanced Experience: Anbernic RG35XX Plus - $90

GarlicOS with WiFi support makes transferring box art effortless. The larger battery means more time enjoying your beautiful game library.

Perfect for:

• Wireless box art updates
• PS1 games (box art looks great!)
• Marathon gaming sessions

Premium Pick: Anbernic RG406V - $230

The stunning 4" OLED display makes box art absolutely pop with vibrant colors and deep blacks. Android-based system offers even more customization options.

Perfect for:

• Best possible box art viewing experience
• High-resolution artwork (OLED quality)
• Advanced users who want customization

Conclusion

Adding box art to your OnionOS or GarlicOS device transforms it from a simple emulation machine into a curated gaming library that's a joy to browse. Whether you choose the automated Skraper method or prefer manually curating each image, the result is worth the effort.

The process is straightforward once you understand the folder structure:

• OnionOS: Images live alongside ROMs
• GarlicOS: Images go in Imgs subfolder

Start with your favorite system, get comfortable with the process, and then expand to your full collection. Within an hour or two, you'll have a beautifully organized retro gaming library that rivals any modern console interface.

Quick Reference

OnionOS:

/Roms/[System]/
  ├── game.rom
  └── game.png  ← Same folder as ROM

GarlicOS:

/Roms/[System]/
  ├── Imgs/
  │   └── game.png  ← Inside Imgs folder
  └── game.rom

Image Specs:

• Format: PNG or JPG (PNG recommended)
• Size: 250x250 to 500x500 pixels
• Max file size: 1MB per image
• Aspect ratio: Square or 4:3 for best results

Ready to Get Started?

Pick up a Miyoo Mini Plus or Anbernic RG35XX Plus and start building your dream retro gaming library with beautiful box art today!

Have you added box art to your device? Share your favorite sources and tips in the comments below!