N00B Dad Mame Setup Issue - Help Needed

[max.r.mccarty@gmail.com]

So I've spent the last 6 months slowly building my son a full-size arcade cabinet and I am finally to the part of configuring the PC, and getting the MAME games setup (in Launchbox).

My problem is that, with Mame 0.220, I have a ton of games, many that won't play, many that are specific to certain controls (I don't support - e.g. trackballs), missing CHD's, etc. Most likely a large portion of the few thousand games wouldn't ever be played (Launchbox does filter out some based on criteria).

Is there an easy way to get a list of top ~200 popular Mame games, that work, including any additional bios/CHD's needed OR put the list together easily?
(how does Killer Instinct 2 come out with a Mame set, but doesn't include the CHD required to play?)

I am trying to get this arcade cabinet completed for his upcoming birthday, and it seems like the Mame portion is the biggest hurdle.

Suggestions?

[PL1]

So I've spent the last 6 months slowly building my son a full-size arcade cabinet and I am finally to the part of configuring the PC, and getting the MAME games setup (in Launchbox).

My problem is that, with Mame 0.220, I have a ton of games, many that won't play, many that are specific to certain controls (I don't support - e.g. trackballs), missing CHD's, etc. Most likely a large portion of the few thousand games wouldn't ever be played (Launchbox does filter out some based on criteria).

Is there an easy way to get a list of top ~200 popular Mame games, that work, including any additional bios/CHD's needed OR put the list together easily?
(how does Killer Instinct 2 come out with a Mame set, but doesn't include the CHD required to play?)

I am trying to get this arcade cabinet completed for his upcoming birthday, and it seems like the Mame portion is the biggest hurdle.

Suggestions?

1. Find the newest possible known version ROMset.
- If you can't identify which version of MAME the ROMset goes with, do not use it.  i.e. "MAME 0.216 ROMs" would be a good choice, but not "15,000+ MAME ROMs"

2. Download and use the version of MAME that matches your known version ROMset.
- If you have "MAME 0.216 ROMs", use MAME 0.216.

3. Same advice if you want to play games that need CHDs.
- Don't bother trying to find a single-file-download CHD set because many, if not most, CHD games are still not playable so the juice is not worth the squeeze.
- Try to find a source where you can download individual CHDs.

4. For game lists, see BadMouth's All Killer, No Filler lists.   


Scott

[max.r.mccarty@gmail.com]

Thank you kindly. 

I'll check out those lists.

[Gilrock]

I keep it simple.  Just scroll through and find games you like then add them to Favorites.  I added about 60 games to Favorites and its the only list I stay in normally.  Then if someone asks for another game you can always go find it and try it.