MAME
7.1#6 in sega genesis emulatorsFree planFree planAndroidLinuxmacOSWindows
VisitMAME vs RetroArch
What both publish
| Fact | MAME | RetroArch |
|---|---|---|
| License | The project as a whole is distributed under GPL-2.0, and the site says over 90% of its files, including core files, are under BSD-3-Clause. | RetroArch uses GPL version 3, while the libretro API uses an MIT license. |
| Platforms | The current source can be compiled for Windows, Linux, FreeBSD and macOS; official binary packages are designed for Windows. | The official downloads page lists Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, web browsers and various game consoles. |
| Purpose | MAME is a multi-purpose emulation framework intended to preserve software history by documenting hardware and how it functions. | RetroArch is a frontend for emulators, game engines and media players that runs classic games through a graphical interface with unified settings. |
| Support | Users can report information or code through the MAME GitHub page, MAME Forums, or the project contact page. | The FAQ directs users to the forums, Discord and documentation for help. |
MAME plans
- MAMEFree
RetroArch plans
- RetroArchFree
Pick MAME if…
MAME suits people interested in preserving or exploring vintage systems, as well as developers, ROM hackers, and users investigating software behavior. Its debugger and Lua interface also serve technical work on emulation and vintage software.
Pick RetroArch if…
Android users seeking one frontend for many systems; Players who need netplay, shaders or recording; People comfortable choosing and managing cores