MAME

Official Site

Release Date	1997-02-05

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

Emulator

Characteristics

Arcade, Game Console, Retro, Vintage Calculator, Vintage Computing

Can be bought from

• Official Website
• Other
• Google Play Store

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 developpers 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.

The following smartphones will be great for MAME. prices range from $504.99 to $1055.00, accessories included.

Want a simple solution? Here are a few pre-built Smartphones which should do the trick.

• 

  LG G5 from $3505%, Best price yet!
  ~$505 with accessories

  One of the most innovative smartphones of 2016, the LG G5 offers a slightly clunky but modular design. This makes battery replacement and swapping much easier t... Read More about the LGH831

  • the Mobile Photographer
  • the Mobile Gamer
  • the Media Consumer

  Device Ratings

  by Smartphones standards

  Bang for the Buck	5/5
  Versatility for the Price	4.5/5
  Power	1.5/5
  Storage	2.5/5
  Portability	3.5/5
  Autonomy	0.5/5

  by All Smart Devices standards

  Bang for the Buck	2.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	4.5/5
  Power	1/5
  Storage	1/5
  Portability	5/5
  Autonomy	3/5

  by One-Handed Smartphones standards

  Bang for the Buck	5/5
  Versatility for the Price	4.5/5
  Power	2.5/5
  Storage	3.5/5
  Portability	2.5/5
  Autonomy	0.5/5

  performance in MAME

  3/5

  Meets recommended specs

  Specs

  Processor: Qualcom Snapdragon 820

  Graphics: Qualcom Adreno 530

  Memory: 4.00 GB

  Storage: 32.00 GB

  Screen Size: 5.3"

  Screen Resolution: 1440×2560

  Dimensions: 14.94 x 7.39 x 0.77 cm

  Weight: 0.16 kg

  detailed info

  $349.99 from Newegg (New) as of 2018-10-16 06:04:23, EDT

  pricing accuracy

  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 Newegg site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
• 

  Razer Phone from $950;
  ~$1005 with accessories

  Built 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

  • the Mobile Gamer
  • the Photo Editor
  • the Media Consumer

  Device Ratings

  by Smartphones standards

  Bang for the Buck	4.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	1/5
  Power	4.5/5
  Storage	4.5/5
  Portability	0.5/5
  Autonomy	0.5/5

  by All Smart Devices standards

  Bang for the Buck	2/5
  Versatility for the Price	1/5
  Power	2/5
  Storage	1.5/5
  Portability	4.5/5
  Autonomy	3/5

  by Large Smartphones and Phablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	5/5
  Versatility for the Price	2/5
  Power	4.5/5
  Storage	4.5/5
  Portability	1.5/5
  Autonomy	0.5/5

  performance in MAME

  3/5

  Meets recommended specs

  Specs

  Processor: Qualcom Snapdragon 835

  Graphics: Qualcom Adreno 540

  Memory: 8.00 GB

  Storage: 64.00 GB

  Screen Size: 5.7"

  Screen Resolution: 2560×1440

  Dimensions: 15.85 x 7.77 x 0.80 cm

  Weight: 0.20 kg

  detailed info

  from $949.00

  • $949.00 from Canada Computers (New)
    as of 2018-10-17 06:01:00, EDT
  • $949.99 from Microsoft (New)
    as of 2018-10-17 06:00:41, EDT

  pricing accuracy

  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 from $700;
  ~$755 with accessories

  2016's flagship phone from Samsung features a gorgeous screen, long battery life, and a very decent camera. It's also water and dust resistant, which should con... Read More about the SM-G930W8

  • the Mobile Photographer
  • the Mobile Gamer
  • the Media Consumer

  Device Ratings

  by Smartphones standards

  Bang for the Buck	4.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	3.5/5
  Power	3/5
  Storage	2.5/5
  Portability	4/5
  Autonomy	0.5/5

  by All Smart Devices standards

  Bang for the Buck	1.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	2.5/5
  Power	1.5/5
  Storage	1/5
  Portability	5/5
  Autonomy	3/5

  by Large Smartphones and Phablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	4.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	4/5
  Power	1.5/5
  Storage	1.5/5
  Portability	5/5
  Autonomy	0.5/5

  performance in MAME

  3/5

  Meets recommended specs

  Specs

  Processor: Samsung Exynos 8890

  Graphics: Qualcom Adreno 530

  Memory: 4.00 GB

  Storage: 32.00 GB

  Screen Size: 5.1"

  Screen Resolution: 1440×2560

  Dimensions: 14.24 x 6.96 x 0.79 cm

  Weight: 0.15 kg

  detailed info

  $699.95 from Videotron (New) as of 2018-10-17 13:14:47, EDT

  pricing accuracy

  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 Videotron site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
• 

  BlackBerry DTEK60 from $530;
  ~$592 with accessories

  Bundled with a security suite and Android Marshmallow out-of-the-box, this is a premium smartphone for the security-conscious.

  • the Mobile Gamer
  • the Casual Nomad
  • the Media Consumer

  Device Ratings

  by Smartphones standards

  Bang for the Buck	4/5
  Versatility for the Price	4.5/5
  Power	1.5/5
  Storage	2.5/5
  Portability	2.5/5
  Autonomy	5/5

  by All Smart Devices standards

  Bang for the Buck	1.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	3.5/5
  Power	1/5
  Storage	1/5
  Portability	4.5/5
  Autonomy	5/5

  by Large Smartphones and Phablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	4/5
  Versatility for the Price	5/5
  Power	0.5/5
  Storage	1.5/5
  Portability	4/5
  Autonomy	5/5

  performance in MAME

  3/5

  Meets recommended specs

  Specs

  Processor: Qualcom Snapdragon 820

  Graphics: Qualcom Adreno 530

  Memory: 4.00 GB

  Storage: 32.00 GB

  Screen Size: 5.5"

  Screen Resolution: 2560×1440

  Dimensions: 15.39 x 7.54 x 0.70 cm

  Weight: 0.17 kg

  detailed info

  from $529.00

  • $529.00 from Amazon (New)
    as of 2018-10-17 06:20:27, EDT
  • $530.00 from Walmart (New)
    as of 2018-10-17 04:38:33, EDT
  • $549.99 from Staples (New)
    as of 2018-10-17 12:29:14, EDT

  pricing accuracy

  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. ×
• 

  OnePlus OnePlus 6 (8GB RAM + 128GB Storage) from $770;
  ~$769 with accessories

  If you're attracted by the OnePlus 6's cost but want more space for your files and continuously switch from one app to the other, this model is worth looking in... Read More about the

  • the Mobile Photographer
  • the Mobile Gamer
  • the Casual Nomad
  • the Media Consumer

  Device Ratings

  by Smartphones standards

  Bang for the Buck	4/5
  Versatility for the Price	4.5/5
  Power	4/5
  Storage	5/5
  Portability	1.5/5
  Autonomy	1.5/5

  by All Smart Devices standards

  Bang for the Buck	1.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	3.5/5
  Power	1.5/5
  Storage	1.5/5
  Portability	4.5/5
  Autonomy	3/5

  by Large Smartphones and Phablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	3.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	4.5/5
  Power	3.5/5
  Storage	5/5
  Portability	3/5
  Autonomy	1.5/5

  performance in MAME

  3/5

  Meets recommended specs

  Specs

  Processor: Qualcom Snapdragon 845

  Graphics: Qualcom Adreno 630

  Memory: 8.00 GB

  Storage: 128.00 GB

  Screen Size: 6.28"

  Screen Resolution: 2280×1080

  Dimensions: 15.77 x 7.54 x 0.78 cm

  Weight: 0.18 kg

  detailed info

  $769.00 from OnePlus (New) as of 2018-10-14 15:30:43, EDT

  pricing accuracy

  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 OnePlus site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
• 

  Samsung Galaxy S8 from $820;
  ~$933 with accessories

  A 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

  • the Mobile Photographer
  • the Mobile Gamer
  • the Casual Nomad
  • the Media Consumer

  Device Ratings

  by Smartphones standards

  Bang for the Buck	3.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	3/5
  Power	3.5/5
  Storage	4.5/5
  Portability	3.5/5
  Autonomy	2/5

  by All Smart Devices standards

  Bang for the Buck	1/5
  Versatility for the Price	2.5/5
  Power	1.5/5
  Storage	1.5/5
  Portability	5/5
  Autonomy	4/5

  by One-Handed Smartphones standards

  Bang for the Buck	3.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	2.5/5
  Power	4.5/5
  Storage	5/5
  Portability	2.5/5
  Autonomy	2.5/5

  performance in MAME

  3/5

  Meets recommended specs

  Specs

  Processor: Qualcom Snapdragon 835

  Graphics: Qualcom Adreno 540

  Memory: 4.00 GB

  Storage: 64.00 GB

  Screen Size: 5.8"

  Screen Resolution: 1440×2960

  Dimensions: 14.89 x 6.81 x 0.80 cm

  Weight: 0.16 kg

  detailed info

  from $819.99

  • $819.99 from Amazon (New)
    as of 2018-10-17 05:17:34, EDT
  • $819.99 from Samsung (New)
    as of 2018-10-16 12:36:33, EDT
  • $849.99 from Bell (New)
    as of 2018-10-17 04:39:18, EDT
  • $950.00 from Telus (New)
    as of 2018-10-15 12:25:42, EDT
  • $950.00 from Koodo (New)
    as of 2018-10-12 10:42:11, EDT

  pricing accuracy

  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 $930;
  ~$1033 with accessories

  This 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

  • the Mobile Photographer
  • the Mobile Gamer
  • the Casual Nomad
  • the Media Consumer

  Device Ratings

  by Smartphones standards

  Bang for the Buck	2.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	2.5/5
  Power	3.5/5
  Storage	4.5/5
  Portability	2.5/5
  Autonomy	2.5/5

  by All Smart Devices standards

  Bang for the Buck	1/5
  Versatility for the Price	1.5/5
  Power	1.5/5
  Storage	1.5/5
  Portability	4.5/5
  Autonomy	4/5

  by Large Smartphones and Phablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	2.5/5
  Versatility for the Price	3.5/5
  Power	2.5/5
  Storage	4.5/5
  Portability	4/5
  Autonomy	2.5/5

  performance in MAME

  3/5

  Meets recommended specs

  Specs

  Processor: Qualcom Snapdragon 835

  Graphics: Qualcom Adreno 540

  Memory: 4.00 GB

  Storage: 64.00 GB

  Screen Size: 6.2"

  Screen Resolution: 1440×2960

  Dimensions: 15.95 x 7.34 x 0.81 cm

  Weight: 0.17 kg

  detailed info

  from $929.00

  • $929.00 from Freedom Mobile (New)
    as of 2018-10-17 04:25:02, EDT
  • $969.99 from Bell (New)
    as of 2018-10-17 04:30:58, EDT
  • $1035.00 from Telus (New)
    as of 2018-10-15 12:23:40, EDT

  pricing accuracy

  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 $1000;
  ~$1055 with accessories

  Samsung'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

  • the Mobile Photographer
  • the Mobile Gamer
  • the Casual Nomad
  • the Media Consumer

  Device Ratings

  by Smartphones standards

  Bang for the Buck	2/5
  Versatility for the Price	2/5
  Power	3/5
  Storage	2.5/5
  Portability	3.5/5
  Autonomy	2.5/5

  by All Smart Devices standards

  Bang for the Buck	1/5
  Versatility for the Price	1.5/5
  Power	1.5/5
  Storage	1/5
  Portability	5/5
  Autonomy	4/5

  by Large Smartphones and Phablets standards

  Bang for the Buck	2/5
  Versatility for the Price	3/5
  Power	1.5/5
  Storage	1.5/5
  Portability	4.5/5
  Autonomy	2.5/5

  performance in MAME

  3/5

  Meets recommended specs

  Specs

  Processor: Samsung Exynos 8890

  Graphics: Qualcom Adreno 530

  Memory: 4.00 GB

  Storage: 32.00 GB

  Screen Size: 5.5"

  Screen Resolution: 1440×2560

  Dimensions: 15.09 x 7.26 x 0.77 cm

  Weight: 0.16 kg

  detailed info

  $999.95 from Videotron (New) as of 2018-10-17 13:16:33, EDT

  pricing accuracy

  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 Videotron site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
• 

  Samsung Galaxy S9 from $960;
  ~$1047 with accessories

  With 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.

  • the Mobile Photographer
  • the Mobile Gamer
  • the Casual Nomad
  • the Media Consumer

  Device Ratings

  by Smartphones standards

  Bang for the Buck	2/5
  Versatility for the Price	2/5
  Power	2.5/5
  Storage	4.5/5
  Portability	3.5/5
  Autonomy	1.5/5

  by All Smart Devices standards

  Bang for the Buck	1/5
  Versatility for the Price	1.5/5
  Power	1/5
  Storage	1.5/5
  Portability	5/5
  Autonomy	3.5/5

  by One-Handed Smartphones standards

  Bang for the Buck	2/5
  Versatility for the Price	1.5/5
  Power	3.5/5
  Storage	5/5
  Portability	2.5/5
  Autonomy	2/5

  performance in MAME

  3/5

  Meets recommended specs

  Specs

  Processor: Qualcom Snapdragon 845

  Graphics: Qualcom Adreno 630

  Memory: 4.00 GB

  Storage: 64.00 GB

  Screen Size: 5.8"

  Screen Resolution: 2960×1440

  Dimensions: 14.77 x 6.87 x 0.85 cm

  Weight: 0.16 kg

  detailed info

  from $959.00

  • $959.00 from Freedom Mobile (New)
    as of 2018-10-17 06:24:34, EDT
  • $959.95 from Videotron (New)
    as of 2018-10-17 13:11:55, EDT
  • $959.99 from Amazon (New)
    as of 2018-10-17 05:44:25, EDT
  • $959.99 from Sasktel (New)
    as of 2018-10-17 04:33:55, EDT
  • $959.99 from Samsung (New)
    as of 2018-10-13 11:59:41, EDT
  • $1019.99 from Bell (New)
    as of 2018-10-17 06:20:02, EDT
  • $1055.00 from Telus (New)
    as of 2018-10-15 12:24:10, EDT
  • $1055.00 from Koodo (New)
    as of 2018-10-15 12:09:26, EDT

  pricing accuracy

  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. ×

Specs for Recommended levels of performance in MAME

System requirements can be difficult to interpret; they use technical jargon or sometimes refer to components which are no longer on the market. Here are common specs for machines capable of handling MAME.

If you'd rather build your own computer or check with your local computer shop to get your new gear, look for Smartphones with the following components:

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
  (90 results, starting at $800)
• Tablets
  (29 results, starting at $829)
• Stationary Computers
  (32 results, starting at $1199)
• Laptops: Netbooks
  (8 results, starting at $610)
• All Smart Devices
  (100 results, starting at $750)
• Stationary Computers: Tower Computers
  (24 results, starting at $1339)
• Stationary Computers: Compact Towers
  (3 results, starting at $1499)
• Stationary Computers: Ultra-Compacts
  (3 results, starting at $849)
• Smartphones: One-Handed Smartphones
  (4 results, starting at $820)
• Smartphones: Large Smartphones and Phablets
  (11 results, starting at $769)
• Laptops: Portable Laptops
  (78 results, starting at $800)
• Laptops: Large Laptops
  (7 results, starting at $1390)
• Tablets: Large Tablets
  (29 results, starting at $829)

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:

Wonder why you get better systems than requested?

That's because TekAdvisor limits results based on a maximum price rather than a maximum performance. 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.