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|title = Multiple Arcade Machine EmulatorMAME|logo = Logo-mame.png|logowidth = 254|screenshot = MAMEscreenshot.jpg|version = {{MAMEVerVersion|MAME}}

|platform = Multi-platform[[Emulators on Windows|Windows]]<br/>[[Emulators on Linux|Linux]]<br/>[[Emulators on macOS|macOS]]<br/>BSD<br>[[Emulators on DOS|DOS (Up until 0.37b14/0.50)]]</br>

|source = [https://github.com/mamedev/mame GitHub]}}'''MAME''' ('''<u>M</u>ultiple <u>A</u>rcade <u>M</u>achine <u>E</u>mulator''') is a cross platform [[Multi-System Emulators|multi-system emulator]]. The philosophy behind the project is to recreate the workings of machines through emulation, and thus the ability to actually play the games is "a nice side effect". MAME is incredibly large, [[MAME compatibility list|supporting thousands of machines and ROM sets]], though what is supported is not what's playable; your mileage may vary. In the event you don't like MAME's own interface, there are many alternative front-ends available.

'''[[wikipedia:MAME|MAME]]''' (originally an acronym for '''<u>M</u>ultiple <u>A</u>rcade <u>M</u>achine <u>E</u>mulator''') is a multi-platform, open-source, [[Multi-system emulators|multi-system emulator]] written in C++. The philosophy behind the project is to focus on recreating the workings of various machines through emulation, with the software's ability to actually play console games being described as "a nice side effect". MAME is incredibly large, [[MAME compatibility list|supporting thousands of machines and ROM sets]], though what is supported is not what's playable; your mileage may vary. In the event you don't like MAME's own interface, there are [[Frontends#MAME|many alternative frontends]] available. Much like the name says, MAME was supposed to be for arcade machines like Pac-Man back when it was released in 1997. A Over time, MAME has incorporated similar projects out of a necessity to keep development active and prevent duplication of work (as some arcade machines often shared hardware with consoles to ease development of games); the first project called to be merged was [[MESS]] was made to do essentially at the same thing end of May 2015 starting with version 0.162 and it functioned almost exactly like MAME but for home consoles and other esoteric devices that never got emulatedelsewhere. MAME also had a policy against emulating gambling machines, but it that decision has since been reversed and the project that aimed to get them working, <abbr title="Arcade Gambling Extensions for MAME">AGEMAME</abbr>, has also been merged into MAME. Gaelco Futbol 3 hardware (their rides had nothing to do with soccer), Falgas M89 and now it supports ''a whole lot more'' than arcade machinesHappy Video are only "very small" motion simulators added to the MAME.

{| cellpadding="4"|-|align==Windows===center|{{Icon|Win-big}}*|[httphttps://www.mamedev.org/release.html php '''Official release''']<br/><small>Stable</small>|-|colspan="3"|<hr/>|-|align=center|{{Icon|Lin|Mac|BSD|RiscOS|AmigaOS}}*|[httphttps://wwwwiki.mamedev.org/index.emucrphp/SDL_Supported_Platforms SDL Supported Platforms]|-|align=center|{{Icon|Win|Lin|Mac}}|<abbr title="Latest development version">git artifacts</abbr>: [https://nightly.comlink/searchmamedev/labelmame/MAMEworkflows/ci-windows/master CI-SVN SVN BuildsWindows]*[httphttps://wwwnightly.t2elink/mamedev/mame/workflows/ci-linux/master CI-Linux] [https://nightly.pllink/plmamedev/466mame/134workflows/466ci-macos/Automatycznemaster CI-edycje?tsearchMacos]</br>|-|align=mamecenter|{{Icon|Win-big}}|[http://ashura.mameworld.info/nightlybuilds/builds.html Nightly builds]<br><small>Compiled by Ashura-X</small>|} ==Overview==MAME is the prime example of a jack of all trades; it can technically emulate consoles like the [[PlayStation emulators|PlayStation]] and [[Nintendo 64 emulators|Nintendo 64]], but for those consoles you're better off going with our [[Recommended Emulators|recommended emulators]] as they may be more performant or more compatible than MAME's own drivers. The project and its team focuses on [[Emulation Accuracy|accuracy]] (preferably cycle-accuracy) and preservation, which often puts usability at a much lower priority for end users,svnso don't expect support for more recent boards like Atomiswave. For some systems,the developers may not|plushave everything implemented. The native interface will tell you about the emulation status of the chosen driver, and what components are considered lacking. Read this official [https://wiki.mamedev.org/index.php/FAQ:Performance FAQ page] for the reasons on why it is so hard to run many emulated systems usably on an user's computer or device that supports MAME,its derivatives and/or cores inside frontends or certain kinds of software (eg. [[RetroArch]]). It also has helpful tips to try to get better performance from some systems. The MAME developers do not|mameuirecommend using MAME through libretro/RetroArch unless it is the only option (such as on Android), as it is an unofficial port with poor UI integration and additional bugs compared to mainline MAME. Those who still wish to use the libretro core should ensure they are using a recent core instead of one based on a very old version (MAME 2003 etc.),not|mewui T2E SVN BUILDS]unless older versions are necessary for performance reasons.

===macOSCompatibility===*We have an outdated compatibility list [[MAME compatibility list|here]]. Although, it focuses on arcade machines, and popular computer & console platforms, it is worth updating. It is highly recommended to instead check the home page on this wiki for any listed computer, console or other gaming device that may have emulation in MAME. You can see the upcoming version's changelog [http://sdlmamemameinfo.lngnmameworld.netinfo/ Unofficial SDLMAME buildhere]. Other compatibility lists:

==Overview==* [http://unmamed.mameworld.info/ List of arcade games that DON'T work] Last updated February 2014. Don't expect the most recent games (like [[Sega NAOMI and variants|Sega NAOMI]] ones) to run at full speed, MAME is very resource intensive.* [http://nonmame.retrogames.com/ NonMAME] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20150306213522/http://consume.retrogames.com/ 2015 Mirror]) This is a list of arcade systems that currently are not emulated by MAME was first put out in 1997 or are emulated better by Nicola Salmoria as a Pacother emulators. This list has been criticized by MAMEDevs for being overly biased towards RetroArch.* [https://wiki.mamedev.org/index.php/Non-Working_Drivers Non-Man emulator,<ref name="worldofstuart">Working Drivers] under the MAMEDev Wiki.* [http://worldofstuartadb.excellentcontentarcadeitalia.comnet/mameovermame.htm<php ArcadeItalia: MAME Database] MAME can currently [https://ref> but before he could do any more work on the project, he handed it over to Mirko Buffoni in April 1997 after requiring to do National Service in the Italian armydocs.mamedev.<ref name="worldofstuart"org/> Since then, even as early as 2003, the emulator has become very extensive, with the majority of arcade system boards initialsetup/mameintro.html# emulate over 32000 individual systems from the 1970's, 1980's and early 1990's supportedlast 5 decades].

However===Categories===The MAME emulator covers a wide assortment of different types of emulated systems including, but not necessarily limited to:<div class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed">{|width="100%"|- valign="top"|- '''Arcade''' ''(See Main page, & Compatibility list above)'':Where it all started, and by far the most popular and widely utilized purpose of MAME.:These arcade cabinets usually contain video & audio outputs.:{Info needed) Perhaps Redemption Games, aka Medal games, should be in a separate category (They are usually arcade-style cabinets with electro-mechanical parts. Some may even use the same PCBs as normal arcade cabs.)- '''Board Game (Electronic)''':This sort of game in real life is typically played on a tabletop.:This category especially covers chess game systems from the 20th century.- '''Calculator''':Is not a pocket computer.:Does not have additional functions as portable organizer, etc.- '''Casino''':A casino games is an arcade-type game, but primary purpose is for gambling.:A typical casino game likely does not have electromechanical parts.:Fruit machines can be included in this category, probably. don- ''t expect support 'Compilation''':Example: Original game was an Arcade game. Game was released as a port or part of a game compilation for more recent boards like atomiswave; PC or a Game Console.:It is unclear if files of such games from these compilations (That may have a self-contained MAME build) can be ported to a PC/console and booted with the project and its team focuses on user's own MAME build (Info needed).- '''Computer''' ''(See Main page, [[List of computers]], & [[Emulation AccuracyDesk-Size_Computers_/_Supercomputers_/_Mainframes|accuracyHuge Computers]] )'':Typically requires loading external software (preferably cycle-accuracygames or applications) and preservation, which often puts usability at from a MAME Software List.:Hardware in real life typically requires external AC power.:Not a handheld computer.:Not a much lower priority for end usersgame console. The program - '''EM Reels''':An EM Reels game is an arcade-type game, but primary purpose is also gambling.:Game includes electromechanical external artwork required to properly emulate the game.- '''very strictGame Console''' about what components of ''(See Main page)'':Typically requires loading external software for games from a ROM dump it needs MAME Software List.:Hardware in real life is required to be attached to even function, and it may tell you if something is wrong with an external display.:Hardware in real life requires an external AC power.:Hardware in real life requires an external controller plugged into the files main console.:Not a computer.|- '''Handheld Computer''' ''(See [[Portable Computers (iMiscellaneous)|Portable Computers]])'':Primary purpose of hardware is a portable computer.e:Can run multiple software applications, compared to a typical calculator. :Not a failed checksumlaptop computer.- '''Handheld Console''' ''(See Main page); once developers know more about '':Primary purpose of hardware is a game console.:Typically requires loading external software for games from a MAME Software List.:Hardware in real life completely portable, with a systemself-contained display, they'll often have to dump more components like ROMs and BIOSes if necessarybattery, and obtaining newer dumps from the boards isncontrols.- '''Handheld Game'''t exactly :Primary purpose of hardware is a single portable game.:All game software is self-contained within the easiest thing physical unit.:Does not utilize MAME Software Lists.:Hardware in the world for users who only have traditional desktopsreal life is completely portable, with a self-contained display, battery, and the same goes for anyone with the actual arcade boardscontrols. Something as popular as Pac-Man will probably never need newer dumps beyond the current ones because it's been continually researched, and the dumps have been pretty widespread, but other machines you've probably only seen once at an arcade will probably need new dumps for '[[HBMAME]]''':Game is a reasonhomebrew or hack variant of another Arcade or Handheld Console game. Only ROM dumps with all the newest information will work :Game is not emulated in regular MAME; only found in new versions of HB MAME. Even then, programmers - '''[[Pinball]]''':Game includes electromechanical external artwork required to properly emulate the game.:Game may not have everything implementedinclude digital elements for scoring or other gameplay features. The native interface will tell you about the emulation status - '''Plug and Play''':Primary purpose of hardware is to play games. Best examples are the chosen romset, Plug and whether Play TV game devices.:Game software is self-contained within the one you're using physical unit.:May utilize MAME Software Lists for adding additional games.:Hardware in real life is even emulated at the current timerequired to be attached to an external display.:Hardware in real life has self-contained controls.|}

Also see '''Note:''' Some of the incomplete [[MAME aforementioned categories may have their own pages with compatibility list]] internally hereand other information as desired.</div>

MAME either has lots of standardization on how When developers know more about a system, they often have to dump more components like ROMs and BIOSes if necessary. It's highly recommended to use a ROM management tool such as RomCenter or ClrMamePro. Without these programs, it'll take you a lot longer to organize find the ROM necessary files for a game. Something as popular as Pac-Man will probably never need newer dumpsbeyond the current ones because it's been continually researched from the beginning, or it has and the ROMs have been pretty widespread, but for very littlerare machines, and sometimes MAME will see continuous changes in the given files it needs as more information is discovered about the system. You can be vague and confusingexpect these ROMs to surface online in some form, but you may as well never get them directly from the developers themselves. A single game may need lots  MAME is '''very strict''' about what components of files for the a ROM dump it needs to even registerfunction, and separate folders for it may tell you if something is wrong with the BIOS files (i.e. a failed checksum); only a ROMset with all the newest information will work in recent versions of consolesMAME. For machines that use stuff like hard drives and optical disks to store its data, MAME has a special its own format called Compressed Hunks of Data (CHD) which uses a number of compression methods to reduce the size of a raw image file.This format also allows MAME to use 7-Zip archives for ROMsets in place of Zip files. ===Frontends===MAME used to be a command line application that was launched by a separately licensed frontend. However, with MAME relicensing as open source in 2016, the developers have since incorporated MEWUI as its built-in interface. However, it still accepts command-line parameters, allowing most frontends to keep working. You can see a list of them '''[[Frontends#MAME|here]]'''. ===History===MAME was first released on February 5, 1997 by Nicola Salmoria as a Pac-Man emulator,<ref name="worldofstuart">[http://worldofstuart.excellentcontent.com/mameover.htm MAME OVER] (0.99)</ref><ref name="History">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgJF18Pm7MA|title=A Brief History of Emulation: MAME|publisher=Youtube|accessdate=2018-09-14|date=2017-12-02}}</ref> but before he could do any more work on the project he handed it over to Mirko Buffoni in April 1997 after being required to do National Service in the Italian army.<ref name="worldofstuart"/> Since then, even as early as 2003, the emulator has become very extensive, with the majority of arcade system boards from the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s supported. MAME originally used a custom BSD license that prohibited commercial use in a few ways. This was mainly used to deter arcade operators from monetizing an emulated version of a widely available commercial title like Pac-Man. However, the MAME team didn't have the funds to afford prosecutors, so this was never effectively enforced. Through an extensive relicensing process in 2016, the project completely changed to a combination of GPL/BSD where applicable. This allowed them to merge the codebase for the MEWUI frontend into the main application starting with version 0.171 (February 2016). ===Support===You can support the efforts of MAME developers, dumpers and other stakeholders with donations or resources to procure PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards) of arcade games, and all other computing or electronic devices that have digital screen output and in most cases, audio support; upload materials such as artwork of arcade cabinets, special handheld units and pinball tables, among other hardware examples.* [https://smitdogg.mameworld.info/du/donate.html The Dumping Union] (Based in the USA. Monthly donations start from $10 US.):[https://www.mameworld.info/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=311481 The Dumping Union Info Page] (Info and an alternative PayPal link to send custom one-off donations with option to make it monthly.)* [https://web.archive.org/web/20230711205725/http://members.iinet.net.au/~lantra9jp1_nbn/gurudumps/thanks.html Guru] (Top-quality [https://web.archive.org/web/20230522164442/http://members.iinet.net.au/~lantra9jp1_nbn/gurudumps/forsale/index.html dumper and repairer of arcade PCBs from Western Australia]. He also repairs many other electronic equipments. Better reliability than The Dumping Union. Important pages: [https://web.archive.org/web/20160331200139/http://members.iinet.net.au/~lantra9jp1_nbn/gurudumps/faq.html FAQ], [https://web.archive.org/web/20160331200505/http://members.iinet.net.au/~lantra9jp1_nbn/gurudumps/decap/index.html Decapping Status Page], [https://web.archive.org/web/20160331200203/http://members.iinet.net.au/~lantra9jp1_nbn/gurudumps/DumpingProject/wantedlist/wanted.html Wanted Dumps List], all links under 'Guru Status' drop-down menu. For custom one-off PayPal donations with option to make it monthly.)* [https://www.patreon.com/user?u=4805718 CAPS0ff] (High quality chip decapping specialist. [https://twitter.com/Caps0xff He] and other people get rare, security protected arcade boards, shave the tops off the security chips, and do stuff like point lasers at them to get them to spit out the keys. Sometimes they use microscopes to read the keys off the die. 6 Patreon tiers from $1 US to $300 US, or custom amount monthly.)* [https://team-europe.blogspot.com/ TeamEurope] (High quality decappers on same level as the 'Guru' guy. Probably based in Austria, also cooperates regularly with dumper Sean Riddle from the UK. Does a lot of dumping of non-arcade stuff (especially cartridges for weird / obscure systems) as well as stuff specific to European regions. Occasional [https://www.reddit.com/r/emulation/comments/9txdsz/mame_team_europe_would_like_help_funding_some/ fundraisers] occur with them. Contact by writing an email to te@crazy#2001#.33mail#.com (remove all # from the address) with the words "[Contact TE]" in the message-header.)* [https://www.patreon.com/moogly Patreon] account of MAMEDev Ryan 'MooglyGuy' Holtz (It's to support the expenses of acquiring computers and other electronic hardware for MAME work.)

It is highly recommended to '''Non-monetary:'''* [https://mrdo.mameworld.info/mame_artwork.php Mr. Do!'s MAME Artwork] (Artwork uploads submitted by many archivists and device owners for use within the MAME Artwork System. The site's navigation requires a ROM management tool such as RomCenter or clrmameprosmall-ish learning curve. Without all the required files and file versions, the game simply will not workThe [https://mrdo.mameworld.info/links.php Links] page is nice. He can be contacted on [https://www.mameworld.info/ubbthreads/showprofile.php?Cat=&User=54&Number=387561&Board=news&what=showthreaded&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&fpart=&vc=1 MAMEWorld].)

==How Toto==

Many emulators other than MAME are beginning to support Compressed Hunks of Data, mainly because compared to the alternatives, it offers compression (or ''better'' compression) on all fronts. [[Libretro]] is making an initiative to support them thanks to a successful bounties initiative, and in many cores such as their [[Mednafen|Beetle]] fork, they've begun rolling it out for certain platforms like Saturn and PlayStation , so people can test it.

If you're interested in trying it out for yourself, this guide will show you how to convert to the format using MAME's command-line tool called <code>chdman</code>. We'll warn you now that you will need to know how to use either a Unix shell or the command prompt in order to use it. The developers of MAME seemingly don't have plans to give <code>chdman</code> an interface , so if the thought of going back to the DOS days scares you too much, you may have to wait.

|+How To to <small>(Terminalterminal)</small>

MAME keeps a database of romsets including what each file should be named. If the ROM dump is obtained through a ZIP file, you can uncompress the files inside and transfer them to a 7-Zip file for better compression. The 7-Zip archive HAS to have the exact same name (not the same file extension , obviously).

|+How Toto

|Something like this should work in theoryThe following is a non-destructive one-liner to decompress and recompress your files from zip to 7z. '''It has not been testedPlease account for at least a 3:1 space requirement, and about 3 seconds time per file (give or take). Keep in mind, proceed with cautionif you have any other folders present in the working directory it'll snag those too during the second step.'''

7z e (romset)for y in *.zip ; do 7z x "${y%}" -o (romset)/ *; done && for i in */; do 7z a (romset)"${i%/}".7z (romset)"./${i%}*"; done

Just After it's done, be sure to check and make sure that you've installed 7-the 7z and zip and it registers to the environment path, that youfiles're in contents match before deleting both the folder, zips and that you substitute (romset) for the name of the romset in the commandtheir extracted folders.

==List of Arcade systems emulatedForks=====MAMEUI64===* [http://unmamedMAMEUI64 is the current name of MAME32, the original MAME GUI for Windows.mameworldAs it traces its lineage to MAME32 0.info/ List 27 from 1997, it has additional bugs compared to mainline MAME, lacks several features of arcade games that DON'T work] Last updated February 2014modern MAME or makes it difficult to use them via GUI, and does not scale properly to high resolutions. Don't expect the most recent games (like Naomi ones) to run at full speedThe MAME developers do not recommend using any derivative of MAME32 for these reasons, instead suggesting mainline MAME with an external frontend if the internal MEWUI is very resource intensive.* [http://nonmame.retrogames.com/ NonMAME] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20150306213522/http://consume.retrogames.com/ 2015 Mirror]) This is a list of arcade systems that currently are not emulated by MAME or are emulated better by other emulatorssufficient.

==Frontends==:Collection of [http://www.progettosnaps.net/mameui_en.html all versions].MAME uses many front ends:UNOFFICIAL BUILDS − [http://www. Please expand this sectiont2e.pl/pl/466/134/466/Automatyczne-edycje?tsearch=mameui,not|plus,not|mewui,not|mameuifx MAMEUI x86/x64 unofficial builds].

===ARCADE[[GroovyMAME]]===[http:/GroovyMAME (or GroovyUME) is a fork of MAME/UME made primarily to support arcadeCRT monitors for AMD cards.mameworldIt also includes input lag reductions that can be taken advantage of on CRTs or LCDs.info/ ARCADE]ARCADE However, now that modern MAME versions support variable refresh rate monitors and the "-lowlatency" flag, there is less of a continuation of the MAMEUIFX projectneed for GrooveMAME or for other lag-reducing builds such as Shmupmame.

Arcade games only*NO mechanical games (pinballhttp://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/board, crane games, etc)*NO poker, fruit, slot or gambling games*NO computers, consoles, terminals, appliances, etc*NO games that display a black screen (skeleton drivers etc)52.0.html

===M+GUIPinMAME===[httphttps://www.emucrgithub.com/searchvpinball/labelpinmame/MAMEPGUI?&max-results=12 M+ GUIPinMAME]is a fork of MAME32 0.76 that exclusively runs ROMs for pinball machines. It can be used to launch these ROMs standalone, like with MAME. However, unlike MAME, it also has a COM module called VPinMAME that can be used with the pinball simulator Visual Pinball, or to drive real hardware.

No longer maintained. ===MAME32 (now MAMEUI)ARCADE===[http://www.mameui.info/ MAMEUI] [http://www.progettosnaps.net/mameui_en.html all versions] UNOFFICIAL BUILDS[http://www.t2e.pl/pl/466/134/466/Automatyczne-edycje?tsearch=mameui,not|plus,not|mewui,not|mameuifx MAMEUI x86/x64 unofficial builds] ===Emu Loader===[http://emuloaderarcade.mameworld.info/ Emu Loader] ===MEWUI===[http://sourceforge.net/projects/mewui/ MEWUIARCADE] 0.171 MEWUI merges with MAME replacing default MAME UI for most platforms. MEWUI is an extension a maintenance-only continuation of the internal interface of the MAME MAMEUIFX project, which was in turn forked from MAMEUI/ MESS with additional featuresMAME32.====Features====*Display full list of MAMEUIFX included unique drivers and games*Display snapshotcompared to mainline MAME, cabinets, etc... in game selection menu*Display history, mameinfo in in-game menu*Options to filter the list of games ===Attract-Mode===but these are now integrated into [[http://attractmode.org/ Attract-ModeHBMAME] ===QMC2===[http://qmc2.batcom-it.net QMC2 – M.A.M.E./M.E.S.S./U.M.E. Catalog / Launcher II] QMC2 is a multi-platform MAME/MESS frontendinstead. ===gnome-arcade===

On some Linux distros, you have '''gnome-video-arcade''' package: Simple ===[[HBMAME]]===HBMAME (HomeBrew MAME) is a derivative of MAME frontend0. Available on Ubuntu 16.04+ on official repo245, and contains various hacks and homebrews.

==Versions==*Homebrew games meant for arcade hardware, or emulators of arcade hardware===GroovyMAME===*Hacks of arcade games{{Main|GroovyMAME}}*Test roms and similar that do not generate revenueIt's a fork of *Selected bootlegs that are not in MAME*Games that are enhanced or improved but not suitable for MAME made to support arcade CRT monitors

http===NegaMAME===[https://forumbabelsoft.arcadecontrols.comnet/products/indexnegatron.php/topichtm#download NegaMAME] adds a command to interact with Negatron,128879a frontend that lets you unlock all the possibilities of machine configurations available in MAME when used with frontends (otherwise broken since 0.0186). It's irrelevant for arcades emulation, but useful for emulating consoles and computers.html?PHPSESSID=domm2c4q77esu0j9uohc5vrqn5

*Incorrectly emulates many games, while outright not being able to emulate others, due to being based on a very old MAME version. Even MAME Kaillera builds labeled with recent MAME versions are actually very old and inaccurate versions with only the game list updated.

[[Category:Multi-Computer emulators]][[Category:Console emulators]][[Category:Handheld console emulators]][[Category:Home console emulators]][[Category:Windows emulation software]]

[[Category:Windows BSD emulation software]][[Category:Emulators]]