A few days ago, the MAME 0.274 emulator suite was released, bringing with it a powerful new feature and a host of improvements across the emulation landscape.
This month’s release is headlined by the highly anticipated 64-bit ARMv8 recompiler back-end, promising significant performance gains for systems with RISC CPUs. So, if you use a modern smartphone, tablet, or laptop and have noticed previous versions of MAME are not up to speed with desktop and other laptop devices, this should now improve.
But that’s not all – MAME 0.274 also delivers expanded support for digital pets, LCD games, synthesisers, and classic computers, alongside numerous bug fixes and refinements.
(Funnily enough, I stumbled across a stand selling digital pets in a branch of The Entertainer at Christmas. Had no idea Tamagotchi was still a thing!)
One of the most exciting developments in this release is the addition of the 64-bit ARMv8 recompiler. This new engine has been tested on macOS, Linux, and Android platforms, and early results indicate substantial performance improvements when emulating systems powered by RISC processors like MIPS III, PowerPC, and SuperH. While existing recompiler back-ends have also received bug fixes and x86-64 performance enhancements, the actual performance boost will depend on your specific hardware and the emulated system.
In short, your mileage may vary…
MAME 0.274 Supported Emulation
Beyond the recompiler, MAME 0.274 welcomes a diverse array of newly supported devices. Digital pet enthusiasts will be delighted to see several new additions, including various Tamagotchi and Digital Monster versions. Retro gaming fans can also enjoy emulations of Tronica LCD games, while music aficionados will appreciate the inclusion of several classic synthesisers. Philips CD-i graphics formats have received much needed attention, with fixes for several display issues, and video emulation for the Philips Minitel 2 terminal has also been improved. A complete overhaul of NEC µPD17771C emulation significantly enhances games like Star Speeder on the Epoch Super Cassette Vision.
Computer emulation has also made significant strides this month. MAME developers have taken further steps toward emulating first-generation Power Macintosh systems. Heath/Zenith computers now boast hard-sectored floppy formats and working joystick support. Mouse support has been added for the JUKU E5104, and the Silicon Graphics Professional IRIS 4D workstations are now considered fully working. Amiga graphics emulation has also seen progress, with further improvements on the horizon.
Game Issues Fixed
This release also addresses a wide range of issues reported by MAME testers. Sound problems in games like Galaxian and Splatter have been resolved, and graphics glitches in titles like Lasso and Asterix have been fixed. Input issues with trackballs and light guns have been tackled, and several DIP switch settings have been corrected. Performance issues have been addressed and many more bug fixes are listed in the release notes.
MAME 0.274 adds a substantial number of new working systems and clones, expanding the range of playable games and devices. From classic handhelds and digital pets to obscure arcade titles and vintage computers, this release offers something for every emulation enthusiast. Several systems have also been promoted to working status, including the Silicon Graphics Professional IRIS 4D workstations.
Head over to the download page to grab your copy of MAME 0.274.
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Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.
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