MAME stands for Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator. MAME can emulate thousands of games that otherwise would have been lost in the ash-heaps of history.
Neo Geo Information. Neo Geo – a system of arcade machines, released by SNK (Shin Nihon Kikaku) in October 1990 in Japan. But also the system has the full name of Neo Geo Multi Video System (abbreviated as Neo Geo MVS). Neo Geo means new world. Shortly after the release of MVS, SNK decided to conquest the market of home video games. Only Neogeo roms from the MAME set are compatible, most Neorage sets don't work. If you're getting an error or blue screen with any game listed on my compatibility list (as working, then you need to replace your game's.zip with the equivalent MAME one. That's what i was doing wrong!!
See Also: FinalBurn-Neo, Neo Geo
There are a variety of arcade emulator versions available in RetroPie. There are significant differences in performance, compatibility, and configuration between them. If you're getting started with an arcade emulation project, begin by reading the Arcade page.
This page is a resource for additional details on RetroPie's MAME emulators including configuration paths, controls, and the ROM sets which each emulator requires.
| Emulator | ROM Folder(s) | Extension | Required ROM Set Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| mame4all-pi | arcade or mame-mame4all | .zip | MAME 0.37b5 |
| lr-mame2000 | arcade or mame-libretro | .zip | MAME 0.37b5 |
| lr-mame2003 | arcade or mame-libretro | .zip | MAME 0.78 |
| lr-mame2003-plus | arcade or mame-libretro | .zip | MAME 0.78-MAME 0.188 |
| lr-mame2010 | arcade or mame-libretro | .zip | MAME 0.139 |
| lr-mame2015 | arcade or mame-libretro | .zip .7z | MAME 0.160 |
| lr-mame2016 | arcade or mame-libretro | .zip .7z | MAME 0.174 |
| AdvanceMAME 0.94 | arcade or mame-advmame | .zip | MAME 0.94 |
| AdvanceMAME 1.4 | arcade or mame-advmame | .zip | MAME 0.106 |
| AdvanceMAME 3 | arcade or mame-advmame | .zip | MAME 0.106 |
| MAME | arcade or mame | .zip .7z | same as MAME version |
| lr-mame | arcade or mame-libretro | .zip .7z | same as MAME version |
MAME ROM paths
Three of the available MAME ROM paths in RetroPie are shared directories which are used by more than one emulator: arcade, mame-libretro, mame-advmame. In order to successfully load zipped ROM sets in these locations you must specify the arcade emulator version which matches your ROMs.
To avoid having several menus for different arcade emulators, all arcade-based ROMs can be placed in the arcade ROM folder, but you will have to specify which emulator each zipped ROM set will use from the Runcommand Menu.
Emulators
mame4all-pi
| Folder | Location |
|---|---|
| Roms | /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-mame4all |
| Binary | /opt/retropie/emulators/mame4all |
| Configuration | /opt/retropie/configs/mame-mame4all |
| Samples | /home/pi/RetroPie/mame4-all/samples/ |
MAME Version: 0.37b5 (July 2000)
Active Sets: 2241
- BIOS: 1
- CHDs: 0
- Samples: 35
- 1126 Parent Roms
- 1025 Clones Roms
- 129 NeoGeo Roms (Parent+Clone)
MAME 0.37b5 DAT File: mame4all-037b5-RetroPie-260.dat
MAME 0.37b5 XML File: mame4all-no-clones-no-neogeo Does not include clones or NeoGeo romsets.
Controls
While in a game press Tab to open the menu to set up controls. The MAME4ALL configuration is saved in:
Other files in the cfg directory are ROM specific configs.
Note: If configuration or other aspect of the configuration need resetting to defaults, remove the default.cfg or ROM specific .cfg file, and it will be re-created with default values next time MAME4ALL is started or the ROM configuration modified.
lr-mame2000 (MAME 2000)
| Folder | Location |
|---|---|
| Roms | /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-mame4all/home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-libretro/home/pi/RetroPie/roms/arcade |
| Binary | /opt/retropie/libretrocores/lr-mame2000 |
| Configuration | /opt/retropie/configs/mame-mame4all/retroarch.cfg |
| Samples | /home/pi/RetroPie/BIOS/mame2000/samples/ |
MAME Version: 0.37b5 (July 2000)
Active Sets: 2241
- BIOS: 1
- CHDs: 0
- Samples: 35
MAME 0.37b5 DAT File: mame4all-037b5-RetroPie-260.zip
MAME 0.37b5 'Lite' DAT File: mame4all-no-clones-no-neogeo - Does not include clones or NeoGeo romsets.
Controls
MAME 2000 uses RetroArch control configuration. Custom Retroarch controls can be added to the retroarch.cfg file in
/opt/retropie/configs/mame-libretro/retroarch.cfg/opt/retropie/configs/arcade/retroarch.cfg
lr-mame2003 (MAME 2003)
Please see MAME 2003 on RetroPie for information on how to configure specific features of this emulator.
| Folder | Location |
|---|---|
| Roms | /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-libretro/home/pi/RetroPie/roms/arcade |
| Binary | /opt/retropie/libretrocores/lr-mame2003 |
| Configuration | /opt/retropie/configs/mame-libretro/retroarch.cfg |
| Samples | /home/pi/RetroPie/BIOS/mame2003/samples/ |
MAME Version: 0.78 (December 2003)
Active Sets: 4705
- BIOS: 15
- CHDs: 30
- Samples: 56
MAME 0.78 XML DAT File: MAME 0.78.dat
MAME 0.78u5 DAT File: mame2003-lr-working-no-clones - Working romsets only. Does not include clones.
MAME 0.78u5 'Lite' DAT File: mame2003-lr-lite - Working romsets only. Does not include: clones, NeoGeo, PlayChoice NES/multiplay, romsets with rotary/dial/trackball/light gun controls, or romsets classified as casino/quiz/mahjong/fruit_machines/rhythm/mature.
Mame 2003 catver.ini also contains data on games definitively known not to work, as well as sorting data for mature games and other, less desirable, romsets.
Controls
MAME 2003-Plus uses both RetroArch control configuration and the MAME input configuration menu (accessible by pressing Tab). Custom Retroarch controls can be added to the retroarch.cfg file in
/opt/retropie/configs/mame-libretro/retroarch.cfg/opt/retropie/configs/arcade/retroarch.cfg
lr-mame2003-plus (MAME 2003-Plus)
MAME 2003-Plus (also referred to as MAME 2003+ and mame2003-plus) is a libretro arcade system emulator core with an emphasis on high performance and broad compatibility with mobile devices, single board computers, embedded systems, and similar platforms.
In order to take advantage of the performance and lower hardware requirements of an earlier MAME architecture, MAME 2003-Plus began with the MAME 2003 codebase, which is itself derived from xmame 0.78. Upon that base, MAME 2003-Plus contributors have back-ported support for several hundred additional games as well as other functionality not originally present in MAME 0.78.
Please see the libretro MAME 2003-Plus core documentation for information on how to configure specific features of this emulator.
| Folder/File | Location |
|---|---|
| Roms | /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-libretro/home/pi/RetroPie/roms/arcade |
| Binary | /opt/retropie/libretrocores/lr-mame2003-plus |
| Configuration | /opt/retropie/configs/mame-libretro/retroarch.cfg/opt/retropie/configs/arcade/retroarch.cfg |
| Samples | /home/pi/RetroPie/BIOS/mame2003-plus/samples/ |
MAME Version: 0.78-0.188 (MAME 0.78 as a baseline with other ROMs back-ported from later MAME romsets)
Active Sets: 4850
- BIOS: 15
- CHDs: 30
- Samples: 66 + 6 Optional 'Soundtrack Samples'
MAME 2003-Plus DAT File: Github project page. An XML 'DAT' file can be generated from the emulator, directly from the MAME menu.
The MAME 2003-Plus catver.ini also contains data on games definitively known not to work, as well as sorting data for mature games or other, less desirable, romsets.
Controls
MAME 2003-Plus uses both RetroArch control configuration and the MAME input configuration menu (accessible by pressing Tab). Custom Retroarch controls can be added to the retroarch.cfg file in
/opt/retropie/configs/mame-libretro/retroarch.cfg/opt/retropie/configs/arcade/retroarch.cfg
Some notes about extra controls options and configuration available in MAME 2003-Plus:
- MAME 2003-Plus can use different RetroPad layouts, chosen with the Device Type configuration option in the Controls menu in RetroArch:
- Classic Gamepad, based on mainline MAME's default Xbox 360 controller layout, likely to suit DualShock or SNES-style gamepads.
- Modern Fightstick, a fight stick and pad layout popularised by Street Fighter IV and assumes an 8+ button controller.
- 6-Button, a layout intended for SNES-type RetroPad controls as well as 6-button arcade panels arcade panels.
- 8-Button, a layout intended for an arcade panel (8 buttons)
- MAME 2003-Plus maps the analog controls to joystick control by default, instead of the D-Pad. This can be changed from the Core Options, switching the Control mapping option to digital.
- MAME 2003-Plus disables the MAME menu by default (usually mapped to Tab). It can be enabled by changing the Input interfaceCore Option to
simultaneous.
lr-mame2010 (MAME 2010)
| Folder | Location |
|---|---|
| Roms | /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-libretro/home/pi/RetroPie/roms/arcade |
| Binary | /opt/retropie/libretrocores/lr-mame2010 |
| Configuration | /opt/retropie/configs/mame-libretro/retroarch.cfg |
| Samples | /home/pi/RetroPie/BIOS/mame2010/samples |
MAME Version: 0.139 (August 2010)
Active Sets: 8782
- BIOS: 67
- CHDs: 406
- Samples: 70 (4 more samples are not in circulation)
MAME 0.139 DAT File: MAME 0.139.dat
Controls
MAME 2010 uses RetroArch control configuration. Custom Retroarch controls can be added to the retroarch.cfg file in
/opt/retropie/configs/mame-libretro/retroarch.cfg/opt/retropie/configs/arcade/retroarch.cfg
Default Player 1 and 2 Controls
Default Player 3 and 4 Controls
Native MAME UI Controls
Note: these controls are only operational for Player 1
lr-mame2015 (MAME 2015)
Note: This emulator is considered 'experimental' in RetroPie and has limited functionality. It requires more processing power than earlier MAME versions and will not run as many games at full speed on Raspberry Pi hardware.
| Folder | Location |
|---|---|
| Roms | /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-libretro/home/pi/RetroPie/roms/arcade |
| Binary | /opt/retropie/libretrocores/lr-mame2015 |
| Configuration | /opt/retropie/configs/mame-libretro/retroarch.cfg |
| Samples | /home/pi/RetroPie/BIOS/mame2010/samples |
MAME Version: 0.160
Active Sets: ??
- BIOS: ??
- CHDs: ??
- Samples: ?? (4 more samples are not in circulation)
MAME 0.160 DAT File: ProgettoSnaps MAME .dat page
Controls
MAME 2015 uses RetroArch control configuration. Custom Retroarch controls can be added to the retroarch.cfg file in
/opt/retropie/configs/mame-libretro/retroarch.cfg/opt/retropie/configs/arcade/retroarch.cfg
lr-mame2016 (MAME 2016)
Note: This emulator is considered 'experimental' in RetroPie and has limited functionality. It requires more processing power than earlier MAME versions and will not run as many games at full speed on Raspberry Pi hardware.
| Folder | Location |
|---|---|
| Roms | /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-libretro/home/pi/RetroPie/roms/arcade |
| Binary | /opt/retropie/libretrocores/lr-mame2016 |
| Configuration | /opt/retropie/configs/mame-libretro/retroarch.cfg |
MAME Version: 0.174
Active Sets: ??
- BIOS: ??
- CHDs: ??
- Samples: ?? (4 more samples are not in circulation)
MAME 0.174 DAT File: ProgettoSnaps MAME .dat page
Controls
MAME 2016 uses RetroArch control configuration. Custom Retroarch controls can be added to the retroarch.cfg file in
/opt/retropie/configs/mame-libretro/retroarch.cfg/opt/retropie/configs/arcade/retroarch.cfg
AdvanceMAME 0.94
| Folder | Location |
|---|---|
| Roms | /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-advmame/home/pi/RetroPie/roms/arcade |
| Binary | /opt/retropie/emulators/advmame/bin |
| Configuration | /opt/retropie/configs/mame-advmame |
| Samples | /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-advmame/samples |
MAME Version: MAME 0.94 (March 2005)
Active Sets: 5563
- BIOS: 25
- CHDs: ?
- Samples: ?
AdvanceMAME 0.94 DAT File: advmame-0.94-RetroPie-260.7z
Controls
While in a game, press Tab to open the menu and set up controls. AdvanceMAME configuration for controls is stored in /opt/retropie/configs/mame-advmame/advmame-0.94.0.rc. Changes to specific games result in .rc file entries with a prefix for the ROM (i.e. bwidow/input_map[p1_doubleleft_up] keyboard[0,up] for the bwidow game).
Note: The .rc file can also be edited manually, with a text editor. Any config can be made ROM-specific using a romname/ prefix which is handy for overriding a setting for a specific ROM or class of ROMs, such as vertical/. However, a single mistake in the .rc file will stop AdvanceMAME from launching. It is always best to make a backup of the configuration file before manual edits.
AdvanceMAME 1.4
| Folder | Location |
|---|---|
| Roms | /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-advmame/home/pi/RetroPie/roms/arcade |
| Binary | /opt/retropie/emulators/advmame/bin |
| Configuration | /opt/retropie/configs/mame-advmame |
| Samples | /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-advmame/samples |
MAME Version: MAME 0.106 (May 2006)
Active Sets: 6166
- BIOS: 26
- CHDs: 86
- Samples: 64 (3 more samples are not in circulation)
AdvanceMAME 1.4 DAT File: advmame12-106.7z
Controls
While in a game press Tab to open the menu to set up controls. AdvanceMAME configuration for controls is stored in /opt/retropie/configs/mame-advmame/advmame-1.4.rc. Changes to specific games result in .rc file entries with a prefix for the ROM (i.e. bwidow/input_map[p1_doubleleft_up] keyboard[0,up])
Note: The .rc file can also be edited manually. Any config can be made ROM-specific using a romname/ prefix which is handy for overriding a setting for a specific ROM or class of ROMs, such as vertical/. However, a single mistake in the .rc file will stop AdvanceMAME from launching. It is always best to make a backup of the configuration file before manual edits.
AdvanceMAME 3
| Folder | Location |
|---|---|
| Roms | /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-advmame/home/pi/RetroPie/roms/arcade |
| Binary | /opt/retropie/emulators/advmame/bin |
| Configuration | /opt/retropie/configs/mame-advmame |
| Samples | /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-advmame/samples |
MAME Version: MAME 0.106 (May 2006)
Active Sets: 6166
- BIOS: 26
- CHDs: 86
- Samples: 64 (3 more samples are not in circulation)
AdvanceMAME 3 DAT File: same as AdvanceMAME 1.4, see above.
Controls
While in a game, press Tab to open the menu and set up the controls. AdvanceMAME configuration for controls is stored in /opt/retropie/configs/mame-advmame/advmame.rc. Changes to specific games result in .rc file entries with a prefix for the ROM (i.e. bwidow/input_map[p1_doubleleft_up] keyboard[0,up])
Note: The .rc file can be edited manually. Any config can be made ROM-specific using a romname/ prefix, which is handy for overriding a setting for a specific ROM or class of ROMs, such as vertical/. However, a single mistake in the .rc file will stop AdvanceMAME from launching. It is always best to make a backup of the advmame.rc file before manual edits.
MAME
Note: This emulator is considered 'experimental' in RetroPie. It requires more processing power than earlier MAME versions and will not run as many games at full speed on Raspberry Pi hardware.
| Folder | Location |
|---|---|
| Roms | /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame/home/pi/RetroPie/roms/arcade |
| Binary | /opt/retropie/emulators/mame/bin |
| Configuration | /opt/retropie/configs/mame |
| BIOS | /home/pi/RetroPie/BIOS/mame |
| Samples | /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame/samples |
MAME Version: MAME has monthly versioned releases, there is no single version. Version 0.221 was released for May 2020, 0.222 for June 2020, etc.
Installing from binary will probably get a version that's a little behind the current MAME, installing from source will always get the latest monthly release.
NOTE: installing from source requires a lot of RAM and CPU power, on Pi3 and lower end systems could take more than one day - use the binary release when available, instead of installing from source.
MAME Dat Files: ProgettoSnaps MAME .dat page has versions for each MAME release.
Active Sets: ???
Controls
While in a game, press Tab to open the MAME menu, then choose the Input configuration. MAME controls configuration is saved in /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame/cfg :
- default/general input configuration file is
default.cfg - per-game configurations are saved in
<romname>.cfg
lr-mame
Note: This emulator is considered 'experimental' in RetroPie. It requires more processing power than earlier MAME versions and will not run as many games at full speed on Raspberry Pi hardware.
| Folder | Location |
|---|---|
| Roms | /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame/home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-libretro |
| Binary | /opt/retropie/libretrocores/lr-mame |
| Configuration | /opt/retropie/configs/arcade |
| BIOS | /home/pi/RetroPie/BIOS/mame |
| Samples | /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame/samples |
MAME Version: Similar to MAME, lr-mame follows the monthtly MAME releases, so there is no single version. Installing from binary will probably get a version that's a little behind the current MAME, but the upstream Libretro repository tries to keep up with MAME's monthly releases, so installing from source
Neo Geo Rom Set Not Compatible Phones
NOTE: installing from source requires a lot of RAM and CPU power, on Pi3 and lower end systems could take more than a day. Use the binary release when available.
MAME Dat Files: ProgettoSnaps MAME .dat page has versions for each MAME release.
Active Sets: ???
Controls
Complete Neo Geo Rom Set
lr-mame uses the RetroArch control configuration.
/opt/retropie/configs/mame-libretro/retroarch.cfg/opt/retropie/configs/arcade/retroarch.cfg
____________________________________________This Page Last Updated on October 10, 2007________________________________________
THE NEOGEO CD GAME SYSTEM
In 1995, SNK attempted to increase its' home video game market share bylaunching a newly designed and less expensive CD based NEOGEO game system. Thehome video game industry had evolved and the compact disc had become the formatof choice for consoles. In an effort to promote and increase interest in the newsystem, SNK decided to give it exclusive games. There were a total of 8 games thatSNK released and made available for the NEO-GEO CD home game system that were NOTreleased for the NEO-GEO cartridge system. However, some of them were actually NOToriginally intended to be exclusive to the CD system, rather they just ended upthat way. Read on to discover why only 4 of the 8 CD exclusives were truly developedfor the CD system, while the other 4 just ended up that way by chance.
Here in this section, we will discuss and analyze the 8 NEOGEO CD 'exclusive' games.We have confirmed that 4 of these 8 games were developed and assembled onto prototypegame cartridges as they were also intended to be released to the MVS market as well.The other 4 games were clearly put together strictly for use on the CD system, andassembling them onto the cartridge format although possible, would be quite tedious,and would really serve no purpose anyhow.
_____________________THE 4 SPECIFICALLY INTENDED CD EXCLUSIVE GAMES_____________________
1)The King of Fighters '96 Collection is merely an enhanced collectors edition CD thatcovers the KOF96 game in great detail. It contains some extra bonuses and special featuresthat are aimed soley at the home gamer.
2) ADK World was a promotional sampler CD that contained information, previews, and demosof upcoming ADK games. It was an advertising tool. It was not a normal fully functional gameand thus was of no interest or use to a home cartridge console owner, much less an arcadeoperator with a coin operated MVS machine.
3) NEO GEO CD Special was a promotional sampler CD that contained information, previews,and demos of upcoming SNK games. It was an advertizing tool. I was not a normal fullyfunctional game and thus was of no interest or use to a home cartridge console owner, muchless an arcade operator with a coin operatd MVS machine.
4)Samurai Shodown RPG was made specifically to tantalize those considering the purchaseof the CD unit. Arcades are not an RPG environment. Quick play is the way. Granted, exceptionslike Capcom's Dungeons and Dragons and Atari's Gauntlet Legends exist, but they are few and farbetween, and not quite as intricate and involved as a full fledged home RPG game)
__________________________THE 4 ACCIDENTAL CD EXCLUSIVES_____________________________
These 4 games were originally designed and developed for the regular NEO-GEO cartridgebased system. However, they were ultimately delayed, or indefinitely postponed for variousreasons and therefore ended up becoming exclusive to the CD format by mere chance. Some ofthem might have remained as 'unreleased' NEOGEO protos, were it not for the fact that theywere released for the CD system.
ADK's Crossed Swords 2 was a 78 meg swords and magic action game. Its older 1992 era NGMsoftware product number predates the 1995 CD system by 3 years. Originally intended to bereleased in 1992, CS2 was shelved and abandoned due to marketing trends which showed it wasno longer desirable or economically viable in the arcades. Although obsolete and indefinitelypostponed, CS2 was 'unearthed' merely to assist with the CD system's promotional program.Otherwise, it would probably still be lost today.
Idol Final Romance 2 was an 86 meg Mahjong game. The NEO-GEO already had 4 other mahjonggames, so perhaps it seemed unneccessary to release a 5th Mahjong game on the cartridge format.In addition, FR2's theme was intense as it contained a large amount of adult content. Eitherof these reasons may have been the cause for it's cancellation on the cartridge format.
ADK's Zintrick was a 74 meg puzzle game. It is also known as Okidashi Zintrick, Droppers,and Joint Link. Originally scheduled to be released as a cart in 1996 and advertized as such,but for whatever reason, perhaps the clutter of puzzle games that were also being released atthat time, it was abandoned.
Ironclad by Saurus was a 178 meg shooter. It was also known as Chosetsu Brikinger.Advertisements for its release were abundant and well documented. I actually played the gameon cart in an MVS cabinet at the 1996 ACME trade show. So this one was indeed 100% real andready for the MVS cartridge market, but was ultimately canceled and thus ended up a CDexclusive as a result of that
One further point to make is that of the 8 CD games, these 4 were the only releaseswhose meg counts were provided by SNK and stated in magazines of the time. Something thatis usually reserved for programs stored on ROM media and hardly ever for programs stored onCD media. But regardless of which CD exclusives did or did not exist in cart format, all 8of the games were actually assigned sequential software product code numbers, so the NGMnumbers had already been found. Finding these games in cart format was nice, but it did nothelp complete the NGM puzzle.
______________________________SCREENSHOTS OF THE CD EXCLUSIVE GAMES______________________________
Samurai Showdown RPG & KOF 96 Collection
Samurai Shodown RPG was completely in Japanese and would require translationif it were to be of interest to most players outside Japan. This title was probablyintended to be the biggest 'draw' to the cartridge system owners and used as a lureto draw the players attention to the defunct CD console. It was simply not enough.Rumors have surfaced in the past that work was being done on translating and convertingthe game from the CD format to the cartridge format. However as of this writing,there is still no solid proof or real evidence to report.
King of Fighter's 1996 Collection was merely a 'Special Edition' disc meant to accompanythe King of Fighter's 1996 game. It contains all kinds of 'FAQ' style information on thecharacters in the game as well as other interesting facts and figures. Since KOF96C is notreally a 'game', it is highly unlikely that it was ever intended to be manufactured as anunplayable expensive cartridge rom title. However, for whatever reason, it was assigned its'own unique software product code number (229), and as such is an official part of the NGM list.What makes no sense is that KOF96C was not the only 'special edition' CD release. KOF '95,KOF '98, and Art of Fighting 3 also had special edition releases, yet they were NOT assignedsoftware product code numbers.
Neo Geo Special & ADK World
These two CD's are just about the most 'useless' of all four.They are not really 'games' per say, but rather 'advertisements' and'previews' for other games on the Neo-Geo made by their respectivecompanies (SNK & ADK). They do contain a few 'Easter Eggs' such assome silly 'mini-games', but for the most part they are merely demoand promo discs. It would be very doubtfull that these would have evereven been considered for cartridge format release as sales of such anitem would be virtually non-existant! The importance of the 2 CD's ishowever in that they WERE INDEED assigned OFFICIAL neogeo game codenumbers and as such are official parts of the NEO-GEO game code list.