feoh, Welp, I have #retroarch properly installed on my #xbox x and it works great! I can run cores that don't require any files.
However I am thus far 0 for 3 in getting my game collection to work :)
I suspect I'll have a much easier time if I get cozy with RetroArch on my desktop computer first so I have a sense for what it's looking for in terms database file matches etc.
It's a learning process, but I'm having fun with it every step of the way so it's all good.