The MAME 2000 Reference Set is a specific collection of arcade game ROMs designed to work with the MAME 0.37b5 emulator. This set is widely used in retro gaming because its low resource requirements make it ideal for low-powered devices like older smartphones, the Raspberry Pi, and handheld consoles. Key Details
Version Compatibility: Each version of MAME requires ROMs from a matching "romset." The MAME 2000 emulator core strictly requires the 0.37b5 set and will generally not work with newer versions like MAME 0.139.
Release Date: The original MAME 0.37b5 was released on July 28, 2000.
Game Count: The official list for this set contains approximately 2,240 games, including various bootlegs and hacks.
File Format: These sets often come in "non-merged" formats, meaning each game's ZIP file contains all the data needed to run that specific game without needing a "parent" ROM file.
Samples: Some games (like Donkey Kong or Mario Bros.) require a separate "Samples" set containing recorded audio files to play sounds correctly. Usage Tips
Here’s a forum-style / Reddit-style post you can use or adapt for a retro gaming community.
Title: Diving into the MAME 2000 Reference Set – Is MAME 0.37b5 Still the King of Low-Power Emulation?
Body:
Alright, let’s talk about a classic that refuses to die: the MAME 2000 Reference Set (built around MAME 0.37b5).
For those new to the scene, back in the early 2000s, this version of MAME was a turning point. It wasn't the newest back then, but it became the gold standard for emulation on underpowered hardware. Fast forward to today, and the "MAME 2000 set" (0.37b5 ROMs) is still the go-to for:
Why 0.37b5? ✔ Incredibly lightweight – Runs full speed on a potato. ✔ Huge library – Focuses on golden era arcade games (late '70s–mid '90s). Think Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Street Fighter II, Metal Slug (most of them), Neo Geo classics. ✔ Stable reference set – Once you have the "MAME 2000 Reference Set," you know every ROM matches the emulator perfectly. No guessing about versions.
The catch (and it’s a big one): ❌ Accuracy is rough by modern standards. Sprite layer glitches, missing sound effects, and incorrect emulation details are common. ❌ No CHD support (so no hard drive based games like Killer Instinct or later fighters). ❌ Many games from 1997+ are broken or missing entirely.
My experience: I recently dug out an old Pi 1 Model B and loaded up the 0.37b5 reference set. Honestly? For a nostalgia cabinet running 80s and early 90s games, it’s flawless. CPS1, CPS2 (with some rom tweaks), Neo Geo – all buttery smooth. But trying to run Battletoads arcade or Raiden Fighters? Nope. Crash city.
Question for the group: Are you still using MAME 2000 / 0.37b5 in 2025? Or have you moved up to MAME 2003 Plus or even FB Neo?
Also – does anyone have a good source for the exact dat file for the "MAME 2000 Reference Set"? I’ve got a mixed ROM folder and want to audit it against the original reference.
Let’s hear your retro arcade emulation war stories. 👾 MAME 2000 Reference Set - MAME 0.37b5 ROMs and ...
The MAME 2000 Reference Set (based on MAME 0.37b5) is a specific collection of arcade ROMs curated for use with the MAME 2000 emulator core. Released originally in July 2000, this set is highly valued in the retro-gaming community for its performance on low-powered hardware like the Raspberry Pi Zero, original Wii, and mobile devices. Key Characteristics of the 0.37b5 Set May 2016 - Software Superglue
The MAME 0.37b5 ROM set, also known as the MAME 2000 Reference Set, is a legacy collection released in July 2000. While ancient by modern emulation standards, it remains highly popular for lower-powered devices like the Raspberry Pi Zero/1, older smartphones, and portable consoles because it is significantly less CPU-intensive than newer versions. Key Compatibility & Usage
MAME 2000 Reference Set a curated collection of arcade game ROMs specifically matched to MAME version 0.37b5
, which was originally released in July 2000. It is widely used today because it is significantly less CPU-intensive than modern versions of
, making it the "standard" choice for low-powered devices like the Raspberry Pi Zero , original , and older Android phones. Key Specifications
old mame emulator for old processors? PC Engine/turbografx emu?
Here’s a blog post draft tailored for retro gaming or emulation enthusiasts. You can adjust the title and tone as needed.
This article does not provide ROM download links. The MAME 2000 Reference Set is for users who own original arcade PCBs or have legally dumped ROMs. Many ROMs are still under copyright. Check your local laws. The MAME 2000 Reference Set is a specific
Once you have the correct 0.37b5 ROMs, setup is straightforward:
/home/pi/RetroPie/roms/mame-mame4all/ or simply roms/mame).While everyone plays Pac-Man and Street Fighter II, the MAME 2000 reference set holds treasures you may have missed:
Released in April 2000, version 0.37b5 was a transitional build. It featured:
Configure MAME: Before running games, ensure MAME is configured correctly. You can do this by running MAME and then exiting; it will create a mame.ini file where you can set paths and preferences.
Running a Game: Place your ROMs in the correct directory, configure MAME if needed, and run MAME. Select the game you want to play from the list.
| Feature | MAME 2000 (0.37b5) | MAME 2003 (0.78) | MAME 2010 (0.139) | FinalBurn Neo | |--------|---------------------|--------------------|--------------------|----------------| | ROM count | ~2,500 | ~4,000 | ~8,000 | ~3,500 | | CHD support | No | No | Partial | No | | Neo Geo | Bootlegs only | Partial | Full | Full | | CPS3 | No | No | Yes | Yes | | Performance | Excellent (Pi Zero) | Good (Pi 2+) | Poor (needs Pi 4) | Good (Pi 3+) | | Save states | Yes | Yes | Unstable | Yes |
Verdict: Choose MAME 2000 for low-end devices and classic 80s/early 90s games. Choose newer cores for CPS3, Neo Geo full library, or 3D games.
The MAME 2000 Reference Set is a standardized ROM collection built around MAME version 0.37b5 (released in May 2000). Unlike modern MAME sets (which can contain over 40,000 ROMs and require massive storage), the 0.37b5 set focuses on a smaller, more curated library of approximately 2,000–2,500 working ROMs. Title: Diving into the MAME 2000 Reference Set
This set is often referred to as the "MAME 2000" set because it reflects the state of MAME at the turn of the millennium. The reference set ensures that every ROM matches the exact checksums (CRC/SHA1) expected by the 0.37b5 driver, eliminating the common "missing files" errors seen with mismatched versions.