MAME
Documents and recreates thousands of arcade machines, consoles and old computers, with accuracy as the point.
These buttons open the developer's own site, repository or store listing in a new tab. wares.gg does not host downloads.
4 more ways to get MAME
Other download sites
Run by third parties, not by MAMEdev. Prefer the official page above when it works.
Package managers
- Chocolatey
choco install mame - Homebrew
brew install mame - Flathub
flatpak install flathub org.mamedev.MAME
About MAME
MAME is a preservation project that happens to be playable. Its stated purpose is to document how old hardware worked, and the source code is that documentation; the fact that games run is how the team proves the documentation is right. It absorbed the MESS project, so it now covers vintage computers, consoles and calculators as well as arcade cabinets.
That priority explains its reputation. MAME prefers an accurate emulation that needs a fast machine over a fast one that cuts corners, and it insists on correct ROM sets rather than guessing. It ships no games.
Strengths
- Covers thousands of arcade, console and computer systems in one program
- Accuracy is the stated priority, so behaviour matches the original hardware
- Actively developed with monthly releases going back over twenty years
- Windows x64 and ARM64 binaries, plus source for everything else
Limitations
- Accurate emulation of later hardware needs a genuinely fast machine
- ROM sets must match the exact version MAME expects, which frustrates newcomers
- The interface is a means to an end, not a feature
- You supply the ROMs, and most are still under copyright
Details
- Pricing
- FreeFree and open source under the GPL 2.0. No ROMs are included.
- License
- GPL-2.0
- Developer
- MAMEdev
- Platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Account
- Not required
- Works offline
- Yes
- Best suited for
- Running arcade and vintage hardware as it actually behaved
- Categories
- Emulators
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Selected from the TechWalrus downloads catalog (Emulation); facts checked against the developer's own pages, 2 sources on file.
Alternatives to MAME
Compare allSoftware that can replace MAME for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
FinalBurn Neo
Arcade emulator focused on Neo Geo, CPS and fighting games.
FinalBurn Neo focuses on Neo Geo, CPS and fighting games with very low input latency and netplay, but covers less hardware than MAME.
ares
Multi-system emulator that prioritises accuracy and preservation over speed.
ares is a BSD-licensed multi-system emulator focused on accuracy and preservation across a long console list, but it does not list arcade machine coverage.
Mednafen
Command-line multi-system emulator covering Saturn, PlayStation and more.
Mednafen is an accurate multi-system emulator with strong Saturn and PC Engine emulation, but it is command-line driven and does not list arcade hardware.
RetroArch
One front end for dozens of emulators, with unified settings, shaders and a controller setup you only do once.
RetroArch runs many emulator cores in one front end with shaders and Android and iOS support, though standalone emulators are sometimes more accurate than its cores.
MAME as an alternative
Listings that name MAME as an alternative.
BizHawk
A multi-system emulator built for tool-assisted speedrunning, with rewinding, frame stepping, memory search and input recording.
MAME covers thousands of arcade, console and computer systems with accuracy as its priority, but it needs ROM sets matching its exact version and has no TAS focus listed.
BlastEm
Cycle-accurate Sega Genesis and Mega Drive emulator.
MAME recreates thousands of arcade machines and consoles in one program with accuracy as its priority, but its ROM sets must match the exact version it expects.
Genesis Plus GX
Accurate Sega 8-bit and 16-bit emulator, widely used as a libretro core.
MAME is a standalone program covering thousands of arcade machines and consoles with accuracy as its priority, but it needs ROM sets matching its exact version.
Mesen
Cycle-accurate multi-system emulator with a serious debugger.
MAME covers thousands of arcade, console and computer systems with accuracy as the priority and monthly releases, though ROM sets must match the exact version it expects.
OpenEmu
macOS emulator front end with a polished library interface.
MAME emulates thousands of arcade, console and computer systems with accuracy as its goal and monthly releases, but its interface is basic and ROM sets must match exactly.
Stella
The reference Atari 2600 emulator, developed since the 1990s.
MAME covers thousands of arcade, console and computer systems with accuracy as its priority, but ROM sets must match exact versions and its interface is basic.
Similar software
Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.
ScummVM
Replaces the original executable of hundreds of classic adventure games so they run on hardware that did not exist yet.
DOSBox-X
A DOSBox fork that also runs Windows 3.x, 95, 98 and Me, plus Japanese PC-98 software.
Batocera.linux
A free, open-source retro gaming Linux distribution that boots from a USB stick or SD card.
