MAME ROMs Explained

MAME is a fantastic arcade machine emulator. But getting hold of the game ROMs can be a bit confusing. ROM sets, split ROM sets, merged ROM sets, BIOS and Device ROM sets.

What do you need and what sets run with which MAME versions?

I this video I'll explain what it all means and what you need to get hold of to be able to play the games.

Don't forget to check out my project page on my main website for more details and links.

[kubikiribasara]

I came to play my childhood games but ended up leaving with a PhD in software engineering...bad ass!!

[rhyne]

I am a first time watcher but this is the most useful video I have seen to explain Mame. I have no idea what you do for a living but with the patience you display and your mild manner you would be an excellent teacher. You come across as someone that has a passion to educate the community. You also come across like you care for the community. Well done.

[tvbox]

I never would have imagined that the roms have to match the version of mame! Thanks!

[alanfournumbers]

I kept seeing tutorials with all these terms but no one actually ever explained what they are, this video was a huge help 🙏

[socialistprofessor]

I wish I had this years ago. Thank you for the interesting and informative video.

[groichster]

Good overview of what can be a very intimidating topic. Thanks.

[awakenedsoul]

We need more videos like this. Sometimes no matter how intelligent you are, reading how the emulator and ROMS work is complicated to understand. This is a good video that someone is explaining things to make it easy for you to understand.

[DJDonkeytron]

By the time I found this I already got most of what I want, but now I feel like I can complete my collection!

[GMAN]

This was very helpful and interesting. Thank you!

[Andre-jntx]

Thank you very much. I played MAME since I was a kid

[marccaselle]

I discovered mame and it's roms way back in 2002. It was a learning process to be sure. Once I figured it out, it became routine. 🙂

[blahblah]

I know there's a lot of negativity in the comments but just know you're a legend. I'm trying to turn my old pc into an Arcade emulator as a gift for my dad so that he can relive his childhood but its proving to be one of the most complicated things I've ever done. Regardless, your videos are a big help, I'll get there eventually!

[depechdm]

Thank you for making this amazing technical explanation. Now I know whay some of my roms won't work on some MAME versions.

[RM-rjok]

Someone with a commonsense explanation. Thank you.

[cookiesusa]

Just built a bartop and have had so much trouble with this. About to watch. Lets see what you got good sir! lol Happy holidays all

[mattgib]

It's ok to blink man, your eyes must be on fire

Thanks for the video!

[stephenwilson]

Now I understand what parent and clones are...thanks

[d.b.gaston]

I have a Raspberry Pi Zero running Retropie, it runs most MAME and Neo Geo roms pretty well. There are occasionally some MAME ones that don’t work though.

[mantovannni]

That's why I like Antstream arcade, they don't have all the arcade games yet (if they will at all) but everything just works without Mame emulation it seems. I don't know if they don't use Mame, but you never see and logos from emulators.

[Rendell]

This is a great video but absolutely cannot get a working rom set on mame. This is one of those projects you really need someone who knows what their doing to help you out with.