MAME
MAME (an acronym of Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator) is a free and open source emulator designed to recreate the hardware of arcade game systems in software on modern personal computers and other platforms. The intention is to preserve gaming history by preventing vintage games from being lost or forgotten. The aim of MAME is to be a reference to the inner workings of the emulated arcade machines; the ability to actually play the games is considered "a nice side effect". Joystiq has listed MAME as an application that every gamer should have.
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Genre
EmulatorCharacteristics
Arcade, Game Console, Retro, Single-Player, Vintage Calculator, Vintage ComputingAvailability and Pricing
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Computers
starting at US$0 -
Mobile
starting at US$0 -
Consoles
starting at US$0
Specs for Recommended levels of performance in MAME
Most software developers publish system requirements, and while they're accurate, they can be difficult to interpret; not everyone's comfortable with the jargon employed and older components are often referred to long after they've left the market.
Here are current specs for pre-built machines capable of handling MAME.
for Recommended performances | |||
---|---|---|---|
Components | Minimum | Typical | |
Processor (a.k.a. CPU) |
Qualcom Snapdragon 820 or better
Qualcom Snapdragon 845 |
Qualcom Snapdragon 835
Samsung Exynos 8890 |
Alternative CPU Options |
Video Card (a.k.a. GPU |
not needed
Qualcom Adreno 540 |
not needed
|
Alternative GPU Options |
Memory (a.k.a. RAM) | 3 GB or better | 4 GB |
Sadly, there are also no predefined standards for performance; some developers have very high standards while others can be a bit optimistic so your mileage may vary.
Ready-to-Order Smartphones Meeting these Specs Prices range from ∼ US$505 to US$1055, accessories included.
The following Smartphones meet the system requirements set by MAME's developers. There are no performance standards defining how well a recommended system should perform (some developers overestimate them, others can be a bit optimistic), but unless you want framerates above 30fps or run the game above HD resolution, this should do nicely.
Each product below was checked recently for rebates and availability from retailers located in Canada or which at least makes importing easy.
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BlackBerry DTEK60 from US$350;
~$505 with accessoriesBundled with a security suite and Android Marshmallow out-of-the-box, this is a premium smartphone for the security-conscious.
Device Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by Large Smartphones and Phablets standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy performance in MAME
Meets recommended specsProcessor: Qualcom Snapdragon 820Graphics: Qualcom Adreno 530Memory: 4.00 GBStorage: 32.00 GBScreen Size: 5.5"Screen Resolution: 2560×1440Dimensions: 15.39 x 7.54 x 0.70 cmWeight: 0.17 kgdetailed info from US$341.09 - US$341.09 from Staples (New)as of 2019-02-19 10:54:18, EST
- US$365.18 from Amazon (New)as of 2019-02-19 11:55:04, EST
- US$401.73 from Walmart (New)as of 2019-02-20 04:28:42, EST
Pricing Accuracy
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. × -
Razer Phone (2017) from US$690;
~$955 with accessoriesBuilt for gaming, this smartphone delivers smooth and vivid video and audio for gaming, but also for movies and pretty much everything else... Read More about the RZ35-02150100-R3U1
Device Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by Large Smartphones and Phablets standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy performance in MAME
Meets recommended specsProcessor: Qualcom Snapdragon 835Graphics: Qualcom Adreno 540Memory: 8.00 GBStorage: 64.00 GBScreen Size: 5.7"Screen Resolution: 2560×1440Dimensions: 15.85 x 7.77 x 0.80 cmWeight: 0.20 kgdetailed info US$682.18 from Razer (New)as of 2019-02-17 14:56:08, ESTPricing Accuracy
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the Razer site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. × -
OnePlus OnePlus 6T from US$550;
~$719 with accessoriesWith a fingerprint sensor built right into the screen, a long-lasting battery and fast charging, the Oneplus 6t offers a lot of value for the price. Its notch i... Read More about the
Device Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by One-Handed Smartphones standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy performance in MAME
Meets recommended specsProcessor: Qualcom Snapdragon 845Graphics: Qualcom Adreno 630Memory: 6.00 GBStorage: 128.00 GBScreen Size: 6.41"Screen Resolution: 2340×1080Dimensions: 15.75 x 7.48 x 0.82 cmWeight: 0.19 kgdetailed info US$544.99 from OnePlus (New)as of 2019-02-19 13:30:33, ESTPricing Accuracy
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the OnePlus site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. × -
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 from US$69010% cheaper than usual
~$955 with accessoriesThe Note 8 might not be the most cost-effective smartphone out there, but if you sketch on the go, take handwritten notes or have to work with signatures on a r... Read More about the SM-N950WZKAXAC
Device Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by Large Smartphones and Phablets standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy performance in MAME
Meets recommended specsProcessor: Qualcom Snapdragon 835Graphics: Qualcom Adreno 540Memory: 6.00 GBStorage: 64.00 GBScreen Size: 6.3"Screen Resolution: 1440×2960Dimensions: 16.25 x 7.48 x 0.86 cmWeight: 0.20 kgdetailed info from US$682.18 - US$682.18 from Best Buy (New)as of 2019-02-18 11:56:50, EST
- US$682.18 from Amazon (New)as of 2019-02-18 14:13:26, EST
- US$961.88 from Freedom Mobile (New)as of 2019-02-20 04:21:10, EST
- US$984.62 from Newegg (New)as of 2019-02-18 12:03:17, EST
- US$985.34 from Videotron (New)as of 2019-02-18 15:38:37, EST
- US$985.37 from Tiger Direct (New)as of 2019-02-20 04:26:51, EST
Pricing Accuracy
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. × -
Samsung Galaxy S8 from US$570;
~$805 with accessoriesA great phone to take with you on life's many adventures, the Galaxy S8 will do a great job capturing your best moments while enduring the splashes and long hou... Read More about the G950W
Device Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by One-Handed Smartphones standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy performance in MAME
Meets recommended specsProcessor: Qualcom Snapdragon 835Graphics: Qualcom Adreno 540Memory: 4.00 GBStorage: 64.00 GBScreen Size: 5.8"Screen Resolution: 1440×2960Dimensions: 14.89 x 6.81 x 0.80 cmWeight: 0.16 kgdetailed info from US$568.48 - US$568.48 from Amazon (New)as of 2019-02-18 12:13:56, EST
- US$568.48 from Samsung (New)as of 2019-02-18 15:45:02, EST
- US$644.28 from Bell (New)as of 2019-02-20 04:15:21, EST
- US$720.09 from Telus (New)as of 2019-02-18 15:19:42, EST
- US$720.09 from Koodo (New)as of 2019-02-15 11:04:02, EST
Pricing Accuracy
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. × -
Samsung Galaxy S8+ from US$710;
~$984 with accessoriesThis larger variant of the Galaxy S8 is especially appealing if you do a lot on your phone, want even better battery endurance or if smaller screens tend to str... Read More about the G955W
Device Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by Large Smartphones and Phablets standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy performance in MAME
Meets recommended specsProcessor: Qualcom Snapdragon 835Graphics: Qualcom Adreno 540Memory: 4.00 GBStorage: 64.00 GBScreen Size: 6.2"Screen Resolution: 1440×2960Dimensions: 15.95 x 7.34 x 0.81 cmWeight: 0.17 kgdetailed info from US$704.17 - US$704.17 from Freedom Mobile (New)as of 2019-02-20 04:12:56, EST
- US$735.24 from Bell (New)as of 2019-02-20 04:11:10, EST
Pricing Accuracy
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. × -
Samsung Galaxy S9 from US$650;
~$905 with accessoriesWith nearly all the bells and whistles and an outstanding camera, the Galaxy S9 embodies the best one can expect from an Android smartphone in 2018.
Device Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by One-Handed Smartphones standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy performance in MAME
Meets recommended specsProcessor: Qualcom Snapdragon 845Graphics: Qualcom Adreno 630Memory: 4.00 GBStorage: 64.00 GBScreen Size: 5.8"Screen Resolution: 2960×1440Dimensions: 14.77 x 6.87 x 0.85 cmWeight: 0.16 kgdetailed info from US$644.25 - US$644.25 from Newegg (New)as of 2019-02-19 11:22:59, EST
- US$681.43 from Amazon (New)as of 2019-02-18 14:30:39, EST
- US$681.43 from Samsung (New)as of 2019-02-17 15:32:57, EST
- US$726.91 from Freedom Mobile (New)as of 2019-02-20 04:13:04, EST
- US$727.63 from Videotron (New)as of 2019-02-17 14:49:56, EST
- US$727.66 from Tiger Direct (New)as of 2019-02-20 04:33:41, EST
- US$727.66 from Sasktel (New)as of 2019-02-20 04:09:09, EST
- US$773.14 from Bell (New)as of 2019-02-20 04:21:30, EST
- US$799.68 from Telus (New)as of 2019-02-18 14:54:47, EST
- US$799.68 from Koodo (New)as of 2019-02-15 10:27:59, EST
Pricing Accuracy
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. × -
Google Pixel 2 XL from US$6604% cheaper than usual
~$914 with accessoriesWith a larger screen, this smartphone delivers a great movie-watching and gaming experience for entertainment and productivity on the go. It also features an im... Read More about the
Device Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by Large Smartphones and Phablets standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy performance in MAME
Meets recommended specsProcessor: Qualcom Snapdragon 835Graphics: Qualcom Adreno 540Memory: 4.00 GBStorage: 64.00 GBScreen Size: 6"Screen Resolution: 1440×2880Dimensions: 15.79 x 7.67 x 0.79 cmWeight: 0.18 kgdetailed info from US$651.11 - US$651.11 from Google Store (New)as of 2019-02-17 14:55:00, EST
- US$682.19 from Telus (New)as of 2019-02-18 15:04:42, EST
- US$682.19 from Koodo (New)as of 2019-02-17 14:52:12, EST
- US$985.37 from Bell (New)as of 2019-02-20 04:16:37, EST
- US$985.37 from Virgin Mobile (New)as of 2019-02-19 13:33:24, EST
Pricing Accuracy
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. × -
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge from US$760;
~$1055 with accessoriesSamsung's latest and greatest flagship phone with a beveled screen. It's a larger phone and definitely a pricey proposition, but it's powerful, has long battery... Read More about the SM-G935WZKAXAC
Device Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by Large Smartphones and Phablets standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy performance in MAME
Meets recommended specsProcessor: Samsung Exynos 8890Graphics: Qualcom Adreno 530Memory: 4.00 GBStorage: 32.00 GBScreen Size: 5.5"Screen Resolution: 1440×2560Dimensions: 15.09 x 7.26 x 0.77 cmWeight: 0.16 kgdetailed info US$757.95 from Videotron (New)as of 2019-02-19 13:19:36, ESTPricing Accuracy
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the Videotron site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
Wonder why you get better systems than requested?
That's because TekAdvisor looks for devices which will at least satisfy the demands for the best price without filtering over-performers. For instance: If 3-stars or even 5-stars systems are available in the same price range as 1-star options, I'm pretty sure you should consider the better-performing options as well.
The results above are the 9 systems offering the best bang-for-the-buck among the cheapest catalogued systems capable of running MAME at the specified level of performance or better.
Narrow down your search
Looking for a specific kind of device?
Were you looking for a laptop instead? You can focus your search on a specific kind of device with the options below:
Laptops
(61 results, starting at $800)Tablets
(18 results, starting at $699)Stationary Computers
(27 results, starting at $869)Laptops: Netbooks
(4 results, starting at $698)All Smart Devices
(100 results, starting at $770)Stationary Computers: Tower Computers
(18 results, starting at $710)Stationary Computers: Compact Towers
(5 results, starting at $890)Smartphones: One-Handed Smartphones
(5 results, starting at $750)Smartphones: Large Smartphones and Phablets
(10 results, starting at $900)Laptops: Portable Laptops
(54 results, starting at $849)Laptops: Large Laptops
(4 results, starting at $2065)Tablets: Large Tablets
(18 results, starting at $699)
Looking for a different performance level?
The systems above meet MAME's recommended specs. This should be the sweet spot for most people but if you're a hardcore MAME user, you might benefit from using a stronger machine.
You can look for something more powerful (or cheaper) by picking another performance level below: