: MAME is an emulator that allows you to play arcade games on a computer or other device. It requires ROMs, which are essentially digital copies of the arcade game's data.
It’s not for 3D or later arcade hardware (like System 22, Model 3, or NAOMI). But for CPS-1, CPS-2, Neo Geo, and classic raster games, it’s outstanding. MAME 2000 Reference Set - MAME 0.37b5 ROMs and ...
MAME 0.37b5 was a landmark release. It introduced: : MAME is an emulator that allows you
| Limitation | Impact | |------------|--------| | No CHD support | Can't run Hard Drivin', Killer Instinct, Dance Dance Revolution | | Incomplete sound emulation (ADPCM, FM timing) | Games like Galaga have off-pitch samples | | No save states in many drivers | No suspend/resume | | Broken protection emulation | Certain Capcom CPS-1 and Sega System 16 games crash | | Limited analog input | Light guns, dials, and trackballs exhibit jitter | But for CPS-1, CPS-2, Neo Geo, and classic
Future work should examine the legal status of distributing "reference sets" when the ROM dumps differ from mainline MAME and whether version-locked sets constitute transformative fair use in emulation history.