Skip to main content

MAME Import – Support for Alternative Emulators

LaunchBox for Windows

Summary

During the MAME import process, allow LaunchBox to detect and assign specific arcade games to alternative emulators where appropriate—such as Flycast, Model 2, Supermodel, Demul, etc.—instead of defaulting all games to MAME.

Why?

Many 3D arcade games run significantly better in non-MAME emulators. Right now, users need to manually switch these after import. Automating this step would improve performance and save time.

How it could work

  • LaunchBox identifies games that are better supported in another emulator.

  • The user is prompted to use the recommended emulator during import.

  • Emulator assignments are applied automatically.

Example

🎮 Daytona USA → Supermodel

🎮 Virtua Fighter 2 → Model 2

🎮 Marvel vs. Capcom 2 → Flycast

Impact

✅ Better performance for key titles

✅ Less manual post-import configuration

✅ A smoother and more intelligent setup for arcade libraries

Posted by gboava ·
Status: Open To Community1 comment

Log in to comment and vote

Comments1

  • gboava

    •

    Jul 1, 2025

    Enhanced MAME Import, Management and Update

    Currently, importing a full MAME set offers decent management options for selecting what to import. However, these options are not flexible enough for more specific imports. Additionally, LaunchBox doesn't provide a robust way to handle updates to the MAME set. Based on that, here are a few suggestions:

    1. During import, provide more import options with advanced filters.

    2. Before importing, offer a checklist screen of selected games, allowing the user to manually include or exclude titles for a more customized import.

    3. Support for MAME games that work in other emulators (Flycast, Model 2, Supermodel, Demul, etc.). The import wizard could include these games and manage their emulators automatically. More generally, the wizard should support any MAME game that works either in MAME or in another emulator.

    4. Support for managing MAME ROMs at any time. After importing a MAME set, a user may want to add a new game later. A wizard could detect what's already imported and what's not, providing an easy way to add or remove MAME games.

    5. The previous functionality could also apply when a new version of the MAME set is released. The user could access the wizard and see which new games have been added, choosing whether or not to import them.