Noob questions about FBA or MAME

tomume

Model: Raspberry 3
Version: Retropie 4.3
Location (external HD): G:\retropie-mount\roms

Hi guys, I'm not english fluent so maybe that's why i couldn't understand the "arcade wiki page" on how to configure it even though I used to play arcade games on winkawaks and mame when I was a teenager (PC). I managed to get some roms specific for the FBA 0.2.97.42 (apparently you need to have a specific version of the rom in the retropie universe...). My question is, should i put those roms into the folder G:\retropie-mount\roms\fba ? But then, what's the story with the .DAT file that's is available to download too ?!? What is it, what's it good for ? Also, where shoul I put the BIOS file ? or I don't need to put any ?

I'm sorry to ask that because I feel like this question has been asked a lot, but I just can't find any clear explanation for my actual english or computer skill.

Thanks again

PS: I'm just interested in playing some classic games, like the Street Fighters series, Marvel Vs. Capcom, Metal Slug, Alien Vs Predator, etc. Not all the arcade library.

dankcushions

@tomume said in Noob questions about FBA or MAME:

Model: Raspberry 3
Version: Retropie 4.3
Location (external HD): G:\retropie-mount\roms

Hi guys, I'm not english fluent so maybe that's why i couldn't understand the "arcade wiki page" on how to configure it even though I used to play arcade games on winkawaks and mame when I was a teenager (PC). I managed to get some roms specific for the FBA 0.2.97.42 (apparently you need to have a specific version of the rom in the retropie universe...).

it's the same for any universe :)

My question is, should i put those roms into the folder G:\retropie-mount\roms\fba ?

yes

But then, what's the story with the .DAT file that's is available to download too ?!? What is it, what's it good for ?

the .dat is used for verifying and rebuilding romsets. you don't need it if you already have the correct romset.

Also, where shoul I put the BIOS file ? or I don't need to put any ?

the bios files go in the same place as the roms (/fba/). you should put ALL the roms from that romset in you the /fba/ folder to ensure you have all the bios/parent files you need.

PS: I'm just interested in playing some classic games, like the Street Fighters series, Marvel Vs. Capcom, Metal Slug, Alien Vs Predator, etc. Not all the arcade library.

or.... you can do this, rather than copy the whole romset. look each rom up in the compatibility lists, and then check if it needs anything in the Parent or BIOS columns - if so, also transfer that file to your /fba/ folder, as well as the rom itself.

tomume

Ok thanks for the replay !

But if I want to make my own rom selection, do I have to alter the .dat file ? Where do I find the compatiility lists ?

mitu

@tomume said in Noob questions about FBA or MAME:

But if I want to make my own rom selection, do I have to alter the .dat file ?

No you don't need to alter the .dat file, you can use the .dat file to build/verify ROMs using a tool like clrmamepro or RomCenter.

Where do I find the compatibility lists ?

The docs - https://retropie.org.uk/docs/FinalBurn-Alpha/ and https://retropie.org.uk/docs/MAME/
I'd recommend looking over the whole Arcade section in the docs to understand - or just start up - how ROMs, DATs and emulators fit in.
You can try to get a good non-merged set of ROMs for your emulator of choice (mind the ROM set version) and try them in RetroPie, with either lr-mame2003 or lr-fbalpha.

tomume

@mitu Yes, thanks it worked.

But I got some problemes with Sega CD games though... No idea where to place the BIOS files and the fact that I launch some games and it doesn't boot.

I put the bios files here:
G:\retropie-mount\BIOS

mitu

@tomume Copy the BIOS directly to \\retropie\BIOS and try again. Make sure you copy the right files - see https://retropie.org.uk/docs/Sega-CD/

tomume

thanks all.

Actually the Bios files were meant to go in:
G:\retropie-mount\BIOS

mitu

@tomume You said

No idea where to place the BIOS files and the fact that I launch some games and it doesn't boot.
I put the bios files here:
G:\retropie-mount\BIOS

then

Actually the Bios files were meant to go in:
G:\retropie-mount\BIOS

Which one is correct ?

tomume

I don't know why it wouldn't boot the first time. I believe it was more due to rom problem maybe...=?!?
anyway the BIOS files are meant to go there as I don't receive anymore the warning message that a BIOS file is missing when i launch PSX games.

Pussyfoot

I have a thread about a similar topic. I went through and sorted most of the games that work better in MAME 2003/2010 vs. FBA vs. AdvanceMAME3.X. I posted lists of the rom names for each folder. I do not use the arcade folder. I believe I also posted my BIOS folder contents. I also have some other tips in that thread.