Mame 078 Romset Game List New Extra Quality
MAME 0.78 romset (also known as the set) is a legendary snapshot in the history of arcade emulation. Released on December 25, 2003
, it serves as a "sweet spot" for many retro gamers because it is light enough to run on low-power hardware like the Raspberry Pi or older mobile devices, yet comprehensive enough to include the vast majority of 80s and 90s classics. The Story of "New" Additions
When users search for a "new" 0.78 game list, they are usually encountering one of two things: the original 2003 release notes or the modern MAME 2003-Plus 1. The Original MAME 0.78 "New" List (2003)
In 2003, version 0.78 brought several games from "not working" to "working" status and added various new clones: Working for the first time: Bonanza Bros. Mr. Driller California Speed Crypt Killer New Clones: Lode Runner III Fighting Hawk (World) Vs. Atari R.B.I. Baseball Historical Note:
Some games were added but marked as "NOT WORKING" at the time, including Primal Rage 2 NBA Jam Extreme 2. The Modern Evolution: MAME 2003-Plus
Since the original 0.78 set is decades old, the community created MAME 2003-Plus
to add "new" support for hundreds of additional games while keeping the performance benefits of the old 0.78 engine. Expanded Roster:
It includes games that weren't in the original 2003 release, like more recent dumps and corrected classics. CD Quality Audio: Added support for high-quality OSTs in games like Mortal Kombat Iconic Games Included in the 0.78 Set
A complete 0.78 romset includes thousands of titles, featuring nearly all the "Golden Age" hits: Street Fighter II Mortal Kombat 1-3 Beat 'em Ups: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Golden Axe Cadillacs and Dinosaurs Donkey Kong Space Invaders Ms. Pac-Man Hardware Sets: Full support for (though Neo Geo games up to 2003 like Metal Slug 3 are included, later ones are not). Why People Still Use It The 0.78 set is the "Reference Set" for the . It remains popular because: Performance:
It uses less CPU than modern versions of MAME, which prioritize extreme accuracy over speed. Stability:
Because the set is "frozen," developers have been able to perfectly map controllers and fix specific bugs for this exact list of games over the last 20 years.
Introduction
MAME (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator) is a popular emulator for arcade games, allowing users to play classic arcade games on their computers. The MAME 0.78 ROMset is a collection of ROMs (Read-Only Memory) that contains the data required to play a wide range of arcade games.
Game List
The MAME 0.78 ROMset includes a vast library of games, with over 1,400 titles. Here is a list of some of the most popular and notable games included in this ROMset:
Action/Adventure Games
- Airwolf (1987) - a classic helicopter shooter
- Assault (1988) - a side-scrolling shooter
- Contra (1987) - a run-and-gun action game
- Crazy Otto (1982) - a platformer
- Defender (1981) - a classic space shooter
- Donkey Kong (1981) - a platformer that launched Nintendo's success
- Ghosts 'n Goblins (1985) - a side-scrolling action game
- Gun N'Roses (1993) - a light gun shooter
- Ikari Warriors (1986) - a run-and-gun action game
- Metal Slug (1996) - a side-scrolling shooter
Arcade Classics
- Asteroids (1979) - a classic space shooter
- Berzerk (1980) - a maze game
- Centipede (1980) - a classic shooter
- Defender of the Crown (1986) - a strategy game
- Frogger (1981) - a classic puzzle game
- Galaga (1981) - a space shooter
- Galaxian (1979) - a space shooter
- Missile Command (1980) - a strategy game
- Pac-Man (1980) - a classic maze game
- Q*bert (1982) - a puzzle game
Fighting Games
- Art of Fighting (1992) - a fighting game
- Fatal Fury (1991) - a fighting game
- Kizuna Encounter: Super Tag Battle (1996) - a fighting game
- Mortal Kombat (1992) - a fighting game
- Street Fighter II (1991) - a fighting game
- The King of Fighters '94 (1994) - a fighting game
Racing Games
- Cruis'n USA (1994) - a racing game
- F-Zero (1990) - a futuristic racing game
- OutRunners (1987) - a racing game
- Sega Rally Championship (1995) - a racing game
Sports Games
- Basketball (1979) - a sports game
- Golf (1984) - a sports game
- Soccer (1985) - a sports game
- Tennis (1981) - a sports game
Shoot 'em Up Games
- 1942 (1984) - a vertical shooter
- 1943: The Battle of Midway (1984) - a vertical shooter
- DoDonPachi (1995) - a vertical shooter
- Gradius (1985) - a side-scrolling shooter
- Ikaruga (1998) - a vertical shooter
Strategy Games
- Battlezone (1980) - a strategy game
- Defender of the Crown (1986) - a strategy game
- Missile Command (1980) - a strategy game
This list is not exhaustive, as there are many more games included in the MAME 0.78 ROMset. However, it gives you an idea of the vast number of classic arcade games that can be played using this emulator.
Conclusion
The MAME 0.78 ROMset is a vast collection of ROMs that contains thousands of classic arcade games. With this emulator, users can play a wide range of games from various genres, including action, adventure, fighting, racing, sports, and strategy games. The MAME emulator and its ROMset are a testament to the enduring popularity of classic arcade games and the dedication of the gaming community to preserving these classic titles.
MAME 0.78 romset (often referred to as the set) contains 4,727 supported titles
. This specific version is widely used in retro gaming circles, particularly on low-powered devices like the Raspberry Pi, because it offers a stable balance between performance and compatibility with older hardware. Libretro Forums Newly Supported Games in MAME 0.78
When version 0.78 was originally released, it introduced or improved support for several major titles that were previously unplayable (marked as GAME_NOT_WORKING
). Notable "new" additions in this specific 0.78 romset include: Bonanza Bros California Speed Biofreaks (Prototype) Dynamic Country Club Fighting Layer Mr. Driller Crypt Killer MAMEDEV Wiki Popular Classics in the 0.78 Set
This set is famous for including nearly all "golden age" and early 90s arcade classics. You can verify the presence of specific titles using the MAME 0.78 Listxml or checking standard directory listings on the Internet Archive Beat 'em Ups: Bucky O'Hare Violent Storm Donkey Kong Mortal Kombat Street Fighter/CPS: Includes support for CPS1 and CPS2 titles like Armored Warriors (armwar.zip). Key Compatibility Notes
Anybody have a list of which mame game versions run the best in their respective emulator versions? mame 078 romset game list new
MAME 0.78 romset (from December 2003) is widely considered the "reference set" for older or low-power hardware, particularly for use with the core in RetroArch and RetroPie. Core "New" Additions and Highlights
While the core set is static (representing the state of arcade emulation in late 2003), users often seek the "New" or mame2003-plus
variant which adds modern enhancements and previously unsupported titles to the 0.78 baseline. LaunchBox Community Forums Expanded Library : The newer mame2003-plus set includes hundreds of additional games, such as 96 Flag Rally 1943 Mark II 19XX: The War Against Destiny Enhanced Classics : Versions of titles like Double Dragon Final Fight Mortal Kombat
have been updated for better input and more accurate gameplay Media Support : Improved sets often include High-Quality OSTs (Original Soundtracks) for games like Moonwalker Libretro Forums Categorized Game List (Top Hits)
The following are notable, high-performance titles found in a standard 0.78 "No Filler" set: Top Game Titles Beat 'Em Ups Alien vs. Predator Cadillacs and Dinosaurs Final Fight Simpsons (2p/4p) TMNT: Turtles in Time Shoot 'Em Ups 1944: The Loop Master In The Hunt Metal Black Darius Gaiden Street Fighter III (No-CD version), JoJo's Bizarre Adventure King of Fighters series Mortal Kombat Action/Platform Metal Slug 1 Bucky O'Hare Moonwalker Violent Storm Important Set Variations
When preparing your collection, the organization of files determines how easily you can manage your library: Non-Merged
: Each game ZIP contains every file needed to run. This is best for picking specific "New" favorites without needing a massive "Parent" library.
: Requires the "Parent" ROM (the original version) to be present for any "Clone" (regional variations or 2-player versions) to work.
: Combines all versions of a game into one ZIP. Ideal for space-saving but harder to curate. Technical Recommendations Matching Versions
: Always ensure your ROM set version (0.78) exactly matches your emulator core (mame2003) to avoid load errors. BIOS Files : Remember that certain systems (like Neo Geo for Metal Slug ) require specific BIOS files (e.g., neogeo.zip ) placed in the same folder as your ROMs. .txt or .csv list
of the 0.78 set's internal filenames to help with a batch download?
MAME 0.78 romset remains a gold standard for retro gaming, specifically for users of and low-end hardware like the Raspberry Pi 3
. It strikes a near-perfect balance between a comprehensive library and optimized performance. Why It’s a Must-Have for Retro Gamers Broad Compatibility : This set is the reference point for the lr-mame2003 core, ensuring high stability across thousands of titles. Hardware Optimized
: Because it uses a 2003-era codebase, it requires significantly less CPU power than modern MAME versions, making it ideal for handhelds and micro-consoles. "All the Classics"
: It includes nearly all major 2D arcade hits from the 80s and 90s, including CPS1, CPS2 Key Game Highlights The 0.78 set includes over 4,700 ROMs , featuring definitive versions of arcade legends: Iconic Series Street Fighter II variants, and Metal Slug Fighting & Action Mortal Kombat , and Konami beat 'em ups like The Simpsons Bucky O'Hare Hidden Gems : Includes rarer titles like Primal Rage 2 Star Gladiator Understanding MAME & all the different versions MAME 0
Creating a post for the MAME 0.78 romset (often referred to as the MAME 2003 reference set) requires focusing on its specific use cases, such as RetroPie or mobile emulation. Because this set is nearly 20 years old, it is favored for its compatibility with lower-powered hardware rather than for being "new" in terms of current MAME development. Post Draft: The Essential MAME 0.78 (MAME 2003) Guide
Intro:Looking to build a stable arcade setup on a Raspberry Pi or mobile device? The MAME 0.78 romset remains the gold standard for the mame2003 core in RetroArch and RetroPie. While newer versions of MAME exist, 0.78 is perfectly balanced for performance on classic hobbyist hardware. Key Information:
Key Features
-
ROMset Comparison
- Compares filenames (
romname.zip) between two MAME versions. - Identifies games that exist in 0.78 but not in the older set.
- Flags renamed ROMs (e.g.,
pacman.zip→pacman.zipunchanged, but detects new clones).
- Compares filenames (
-
Parent/Clone Awareness
- Uses MAME 0.78’s internal
-listxmlor a localmame.xmlto distinguish:- New parent games (unique machines)
- New clones (alternate versions, bootlegs, revisions)
- Shows parent name alongside clone for clarity.
- Uses MAME 0.78’s internal
-
Game Metadata Extraction
- For each “new” ROM, display:
- ROM filename
- Full game description (e.g.,
1942→1942 (Revision B)) - Manufacturer
- Year
- Category (if available from
catver.inior similar) - Parent/clone flag
- For each “new” ROM, display:
-
Output Formats
- Plain text – simple list of ROM names (for
mame -rpuse) - CSV – for spreadsheets
- Markdown table – human-readable
- JSON – for scripting
- Plain text – simple list of ROM names (for
-
Filtering Options
- Show only new working games (filter by
-listxmlisworking="yes") - Exclude BIOS / device ROMs (e.g.,
neogeo,qsound,cd32) - Include only parents (no clones)
- Include only clones of a specific parent
- Show only new working games (filter by
-
Direct MAME 0.78 XML Parsing
- No external dependencies – uses
mame -listxmlfrom a MAME 0.78 binary. - Alternatively, reads a cached
mame.xmlfile for speed.
- No external dependencies – uses
-
Change Detection beyond “New”
- Option to also list:
- Renamed ROMs (old name → new name)
- Removed games (in old set, missing in 0.78)
- Changed status (non-working → working)
- Option to also list:
Part 7: The Verdict – Is MAME 0.78 Still Worth It in 2024-2025?
Yes, but with nuance.
You should use MAME 0.78 if:
- You have a Raspberry Pi 3/4 or Anbernic handheld.
- You only play games from 1980–2000.
- You hate constantly updating ROM managers.
- You want to use Run-Ahead latency reduction (which works best on the 0.78 core).
You should not use MAME 0.78 if:
- You want to play Dance Dance Revolution, Chihiro games (e.g., Virtua Cop 3), or Golden Tee Golf 2005+.
- You demand perfect emulation of Killer Instinct (the 0.78 version has graphical glitches; MAME 0.200+ fixes this).
5. Games NOT in MAME 0.78 (Missing Titles)
Because MAME 0.78 is from 2003, it does not support arcade hardware emulated after that date.
- Naomi / Dreamcast Ports: Games like Crazy Taxi, Marvel vs. Capcom 2, and Guilty Gear X are not in this set (requires Demul or Flycast).
- Late Neo Geo: King of Fighters 2002, 2003 and Metal Slug 4, 5, 6 are generally not included or are bootleg versions.
- Modern 3D: No Tekken 4/5, Time Crisis 3+.
How Many Games Are in the MAME 0.78 Set?
A complete, unmerged MAME 0.78 ROMset contains approximately 3,700 unique games (parents + clones). However, "unique" is tricky because it includes:
- Parents (~1,200 working titles)
- Clones (regional variants, bootlegs)
- Non-working / imperfect (about 400 titles that don’t play well)
Important: Unlike modern MAME (0.250+ with 40,000+ ROMs), 0.78 focuses on classic arcades up to ~2002. You won’t find newer rhythm games, Sega NAOMI, or most 3D polygon-heavy titles. Airwolf (1987) - a classic helicopter shooter Assault
The Essential BIOS Checklist for MAME 0.78:
neogeo.zipcps1.zipcps2.zipqsound.zip(For Capcom games with digital audio)pgm.zip(For IGS games)
Without these, your "new" game list will just show missing files.



