Can MAME hi scores be transferred?

[gman314]

Specifically, 1) Is it possible to copy and paste the "hi" folder from one version of mame to other?

           and 2) Is it possible to transfer the "hi" folder from one PC to another?

In either case, would you have to use the exact same mame.exe?  The reason I ask is because I want to see if it makes sense for me to back up my hi scores from time to time.  I lost everything not too long ago!  Thanks.

[brad808]

Specifically, 1) Is it possible to copy and paste the "hi" folder from one version of mame to other?

           and 2) Is it possible to transfer the "hi" folder from one PC to another?

In either case, would you have to use the exact same mame.exe?  The reason I ask is because I want to see if it makes sense for me to back up my hi scores from time to time.  I lost everything not too long ago!  Thanks.

Yes to both I do it all the time.

Sent from my Desire HD

[TheShaner]

Yeah, they are highscore.dat files that are not machine or build specific.  You can port them anywhere.

[Cynicaster]

Yeah, they are highscore.dat files that are not machine or build specific.  You can port them anywhere.

Just so I'm perfectly clear, you're saying I should be able to take my v122 high scores and they will work in a build of the latest version (assuming highscore.dat support is activated)?

The main reason I've been sticking with 122 is that I didn't want to lose my high scores.

On that note, are there any versions of MAME available for download that already have the functionality activated?  My v122 is MAMEPlus, but last time I looked I couldn't find a more recent version of it to save my life.

 

[TheShaner]

Yup, just copy the directory.

Groovymame has highschores turned on. 

[dgame]

NOTE :-
as of mame 0.133u1 almost 1000 mame clone sets were renamed,if you are planning to use a later
mame than mame 0.133u1 and upwards then use the hiscore.dat file, 
If however you use an older
version of mame than 0.133u1 then
use the file hiscore(pre_mame0133u1).dat (you must rename it to hiscore.dat)

Also - as of mame 0.133u1 a lot of the names of clone mame roms were renamed,
this also means that
all the relevent .hi (.cfg  & .nvram) files also need renaming.

http://highscore.mameworld.info/

So your MAME .122 hiscore files would be good up to MAME .133, after that you have to rename them (some of the ROMs will also need to be renamed/updated.)

[gman314]

NOTE :-
as of mame 0.133u1 almost 1000 mame clone sets were renamed,if you are planning to use a later
mame than mame 0.133u1 and upwards then use the hiscore.dat file, 
If however you use an older
version of mame than 0.133u1 then
use the file hiscore(pre_mame0133u1).dat (you must rename it to hiscore.dat)

Also - as of mame 0.133u1 a lot of the names of clone mame roms were renamed,
this also means that
all the relevent .hi (.cfg  & .nvram) files also need renaming.

http://highscore.mameworld.info/

So your MAME .122 hiscore files would be good up to MAME .133, after that you have to rename them (some of the ROMs will also need to be renamed/updated.)

I recently came across the same info when I compiled versions of .127 and .147. 

Is it possible that older games, such as Donkey Kong, Pacman, and Galaga, would be less affected?  I would assume that they classic games are updated less than more modern games.  I'm debating doing a HDD recovery to salvage some of my hi scores from my last build (.127) and transfer them to (.147).  I wouldn't want to waste my time and energy if it will likely not work.

[gman314]

Update:  I just transferred a Donkey Kong hi score file from 147 to 127, and it worked.  Hopefully, this will be the case withe many more roms.

[bluemini17]

I have done this for track and field countless times ( we have a T+F comp every so often and the scores are through the roof so would hate to loose them  )

[Cynicaster]

I have done this for track and field countless times ( we have a T+F comp every so often and the scores are through the roof so would hate to loose them  )

Yeah, but I'm pretty sure that game stores scores natively--not really the same thing (nvram vs. hiscore.dat).

[bluemini17]

my bad...