If you want to know how to play MAME on your computer, you will need the ultimate guide, the one we will present here. The process may sound complicated due to the unique interface of the is game but once you run your first game something you can download at Romspedia you will see how simple the entire task is. After the first time, you can play any development you want instantly and you can enjoy as you have never before. Anyway, to play MAME, you need to follow these steps.
- Download all MAME binaries. The process may take up to a few minutes, depending on the speed of your internet connection.
- Extract the files to a new folder. In order to make this easier, we recommend you to extract it to the C:/mame folder.
- Download ROMs. Games are available in zip format and they are known as ROMs. Each ROM is a new game and it should be downloaded separately. Of course, you don’t need to extract the files so you will basically have one zip file per title.
- Create a new folder within the mame folder we have mentioned. The address will look like C:\mame\roms. Now, place all zip ROM files into the new folder.
- Open command prompt (start, type CMD).
- Type cd\ and press enter. This will navigate the CMD to the root folder.
- Type C:\mame and press enter. This will navigate it to the MAME folder.
- Type the name of the game you want to run. The example: mame robby.
- Press enter and start playing.
The thing you need to remember is that you must type the precise name of the game you want to load. If the ROM file isn’t available or the name is changed, the game won’t start. If you want to play using a joystick type mame robby –joystick and press enter. Of course, you will have to type the name of the game you want to play.
Using the MAME
Once you have opened a game you will need to know how to play it. The first step is to insert a coin. To do so, press 5. This will simulate like when inserting a coin into the arcade machine. There is no need to use actual coins, obviously. Playing MAME is completely free in this case scenario.
To select the first player, press 1. The second player is selected by pressing 2. P is used to pause play. At any given moment you can press Tab and bring the additional options so you can use them. These settings can help you change the preferences and make the game more appealing to play.
The time you will need to download and start playing a game is within 10 minutes. For most internet connections the downloading process is super-fast and you won’t need more than 2-3 minutes. There is no need to worry about the computer configuration. Almost any computer can be used for playing it so there won’t be any complications here. Yes, you can play on the laptop as well. The process is the same.
The final word
After all, playing MAME is easier than ever before and you can enjoy playing some of the classic games, try out new ones or experience some of the most popular titles of the arcade era. You need a few minutes of your time, a computer and an internet connection. Of course, you need the guide as well, but now you have it.