Big Box Themes and Where They Apply

Big Box offers a wide variety of themes that can drastically transform every aspect of your gaming experience, from sleek modern designs to nostalgic retro aesthetics. However, one question we frequently receive from the community is:

This is a common misconception. To answer it, we need to take a step back and explore how Big Box’s theming system works.

⚠️ This guide is not for theme developers. It's intended to help new users understand how themes work in Big Box. ⚠️

📂 Understanding Big Box "Sections"

Big Box’s interface is built around what we call Sections, and each one can be themed individually. These sections define specific areas of the Big Box interface that you can navigate to via the System menu. Here are some common examples:

Game Discovery Center

An interactive hub that curates playlists, themes, and recommendations to help you explore and rediscover hidden gems.

Platforms

A list of the platforms you have in your library (e.g., Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo).

Platform Categories

A modular view showing a tiered-style list of platforms, categories, and playlists.

Filters

A text-based list of different metadata filters like Genres, Developers, and Publishers.

Games

A set of views listing your individual games.

System Menu and Options

The section where you manage Big Box options and preferences.

❌ Why Some Sections May Not Be Themed

Many custom themes focus on the Platform and Game sections, as they are the most commonly used and visually impactful. Other sections like the Game Discovery Center or System Settings are often left out. Here's why:

Game Discovery Center

As a newer feature, many themes haven’t added styling for this section yet. Since it’s often the default landing page, users may think their theme isn’t working when, in fact, that section is simply using the fallback theme.

System Settings

This section is typically omitted because theme creators prioritize styling the gameplay areas of Big Box.

“When a section hasn’t been explicitly themed, Big Box automatically falls back to the default theme.”

This fallback ensures all sections remain functional and visually consistent.

🔍 How to Know Which Sections Are Themed

• Check the Developer’s Description: Most theme creators will specify which sections are supported.

• Explore the App: Apply the theme, then navigate through various sections to see which ones reflect the new design.

• Understand Fallbacks: Any section not themed by the developer will default to the standard Big Box styling.

📃 What About Views?

Within each section, Views determine how games or platforms are displayed. Each theme may support different view types:

CoverFlow

A 3D scrollable list showing full box art.

Vertical/Horizontal Wheel

A scrolling wheel of game logos or platform names with accompanying artwork.

Wall View

A grid-style layout ideal for browsing large libraries quickly.

Text List

A minimalist view showing a text list with game info and box art.

Things to Keep in Mind:

• Theme Limitations: Developers can restrict which views are shown, but some forget, leading to partial or default styling.

• Read Descriptions: Theme notes usually clarify which views are supported.

🚀 Conclusion

Theming in Big Box is a great way to customize your setup, but understanding how and where themes apply is key. If your theme doesn’t seem to be working in certain areas, it's likely because those sections or views aren't included in the theme.

Check the theme’s description and navigate the app to understand where custom styling has been applied. With this knowledge, you can tailor your Big Box setup to perfection!