Batocera Advanced Arcade Emulation
Specifications
- Product Name: Batocera
- Functionality: Advanced arcade emulation
- Compatibility: Works with ROMsets
- Tools: RomVault, RomCenter, ClrMamePro
Cleaning the ROMset:
To clean the ROMset on your Batocera, follow these steps:
- Use a ROM manager such as RomVault, RomCenter, or ClrMamePro to organize and filter your ROMs.
- Create custom filters using tools like Arcade Italia’s search tool.
- Export the filtered results in MAME XML format.
Using ROM Managers:
Each ROM manager has its own set of features:
- RomVault: Organize ROMs into working sets. Refer to the RomVault Crash Course Guide.
- RomCenter: Assign multiple folders and let it organize ROMs. Backup your ROMs before using. Check out the RomCenter Getting Started guide.
- ClrMamePro: Configure to use Non-Merged Sets and disable Separate BIOS sets for full set management. Learn more in the ClrMamePro Quick Start Guide.
Using ROM Filterers:
Dedicated filtering tools help remove unwanted files from your ROMset:
- Arcade manager: Simple UI-driven filter focused on Recalbox/RetroPie.
- BestArcade: Python script for filtering non-merged reference ROMsets.
- ROMLister: Tool to filter ROMsets based on defined attributes.
Additional Resources:
For more information and step-by-step guides, visit the BatoceraLinuxx Wiki: Batocera Wiki.
Advanced arcade emulation on Batocera
- If new to arcade emulation, it is recommended to read the arcade guide first before reading this one.
- This section could probably do with an overhaul of its headers.
- Cleaning the ROMset
Oftentimes, ROM sets will include all known releases. You may not have an interest in copying over every known arcade game onto your Batocera.
There are two sorts of tools to help out with this. First, getting a full set in the first place can be made easier with the use of a ROM manager, but it isn’t strictly required if you have a full ROM set all ready to go. - You can create your own custom set of filters using Arcade Italia’s search tool. When you’re done setting your filters, click Options → Export the results (most managers will accept the MAME XML format).
ROM Managers:
- RomVault: Multi-dat manager. Can consolidate ROMs from any set into any working set. Useful to those who randomly grab ROM files from all over the joint without regard to acquiring full sets.
- RomCenter: A more powerful but slightly more difficult to use multi-data manager. Useful to those who need to maintain multiple sets at once.
- ClrMAMEPro: The big daddy. The “everything and the kitchen sink” approach. It is the hardest to use, but also the most powerful.
- Once you have a full set, use of a filtering tool can remove clones, non-games, non-working, etc.,files from the set. Some ROM Managers also include filtering tools, but dedicated filtering tools are usually better.
- ROM filterers:
- Arcade manager: A simple UI-driven filter. Easiest to use, but it is focused on Recalbox/RetroPie.
- BestArcade: A Python script focused on filtering down the non-merged reference ROMsets
(fbneo, mame2003, mame2003plus and mame2010). - ROMLister: A simple tool which filters down a given ROMset based on defined attributes.
- Step-by-step of how to use these tools. Under construction.
Managers
- RomVault
RomVault. If not able to run, may require the installation of .NET 4.7.2. - Works by using a simple three-folder system: DatRoot, RomRoot, and ToSort. Put the Roms from an unknown set into the ToSort folder, and RomVault will organise everything it knows (dat files from the DatRoot folder) into the RomRoot folder.
- Crash course on how to use RomVault: https://wiki.romvault.com/doku.php?id=install_and_setup
RomCenter
- RomCenter.
- Each database requires its own data file, but a number of folders can be assigned to it. There is no distinction between unsorted and sorted ROMs; RomCenter will simply attempt to organise the current working ROM folder. For this reason, it is recommended to back up your ROMs first in case RomCenter or your configuration gets it wrong.
- RomCenter Getting Started guide.
ClrMamePro - To Do
ClrMamePro.
- Crash course on how to use ClrMamePro: http://mame.3feetunder.com/clrmamepro-quick-start-guide/
- Just note that you’d want to set the ROMset type to “Non-Merged Sets” and also probably want to click Advanced and turn off Separate BIOS sets (the equivalent of a “full” non-merged set).
- For more in-depth option explanations, refer to the ClrMAMEPro manual.
Filters
- Arcade manager
Arcade manager.
- It was designed for Recalbox and Retropie, thus it’s focused on the low-powered SBCs like Raspberry Pi. Still a pretty useful tool for understanding conceptually what’s going on and a very good filter.
BestArcade
- BestArcade.
Requires a non-merged set. Acts as a filter that uses a smart score system to decide which ROMs to keep when there are multiple matches for a single game. Somewhat simple to use, but it does require Python.
ROMLister
- ROMLister.
- To Do
- This tool is no longer maintained.
All the arcade emulators on Batocera
Too many columns. Information is not accurate. For the actual information here, can it be merged with the table in the regular guide?
|
Arcade emulator |
Alternative name |
Romset |
Roms folder | Default on hardware |
Purpose |
Extras |
Notes |
|
Arcade emulator |
Alternative name |
Romset |
Roms folder | Default on hardware |
Purpose |
Extras |
Notes |
|
MAME (standalone) |
Mame |
Latest |
mame |
PC |
All arcade hardware |
highscores, samples, overlays | The latest and greatest, usually the hardest to run |
|
libretro/mame |
Mame |
Latest |
mame |
PC |
All arcade hardware |
highscores, samples, overlays |
Batocera for PC is shipped with the latest stable MAME version available at the time of release, see the table up there. |
|
libretro/imame4all |
iMame4All |
0.37b5 |
mame |
RPi0 (<v30) |
All arcade hardware |
highscores, samples, overlays |
Very old version, good for lower devices like pi0, but not many games are supported. |
|
libretro/mame0139 |
Mame2010 |
0.139 |
mame |
PC |
All arcade hardware |
highscores, samples, overlays |
Good core for medium-powerful boards like Pi3 |
|
libretro/mame078plus |
Mame2003Plus |
0.78+ |
mame |
PC |
All arcade hardware |
highscores, samples, overlays |
Good port for less powerful boards with back porting of more recent developments. Romset is a bit specific, it’s not the same as standard 0.78 |
|
libretro/fbneo |
Final Burn Neo |
Latest |
fbneo |
All |
All 2D arcade hardware |
highscores |
1.0.0.X
Romset is always evolving; it is mostly based on MAME 0.187 romset, but some ROMs are different |
|
libretro/neogeo |
Neo Geo |
Latest |
fbneo |
All |
All 2D arcade hardware |
highscores |
can also set to use MAME emulators, but FBNeo is the recommended way to go |
|
Arcade emulator |
Alternative name |
Romset |
Roms folder | Default on hardware |
Purpose |
Extras |
Notes |
|
libretro/flycast |
Flycast |
Latest |
atomiswave |
All |
Atomiswave arcade hardware |
AtomisWave ROMs can be picked from the latest MAME ROM set.t | |
|
libretro/flycast |
Flycast |
Latest |
naomi |
All |
Naomi arcade hardware |
NaomROMsms and CHD can be picked from the latest MAME ROM set. | |
|
Hypseus |
Daphne |
Specific |
daphne |
All |
Daphne arcade hardware |
Emulator for laserdisc arcade games like Dragon’s Lair, uses a very specific non-MAME-based romset. | |
|
libretro/fbalpha2012 |
Final Burn Alpha |
FB Alpha 0.2.97.29 |
fbneo / neogeo |
RPi0 (>v31) |
All 2D arcade hardware |
An emulator that performs well on low-power boards.
Retropietest’s excellent page on it (note we aren’t using the same romset version). |
|
|
libretro/dice |
DICE |
DICE v0.3.0 |
dice |
All |
Arcade hardware with no CPU | Emulator for early machines with no CPU |
NeoGeo system
- The NeoGeo system is not an emulator itself, but uses the FBNeo emulator. (
- Why do we have this? This doesn’t work like this for any other system. This section is also confusing. Are we no longer defining systems by their folder? Are settings retained from the general mame and fbneo folder?)
- You can use this system to visually separate the NeoGeo games from the other arcade games; they will appear as a dedicated system in EmulationStation.
- It uses the same romset as the FBNeo emulator.
Setting a Rotary Joystick with libretro mame2003plus
If you have a special stick like the Happ Rotary Arcadee you need to configure both the joystick and the keyboard at the same time:
You must launch your game, open the oetroarch menu with Hotkey + B, go to Input Interface, and activate the option Simultaneous. Then you can use your joystick and keyboard keys at the same time.
Highscores
High scores can be tracked and kept through the use of `highscore.dat,` which must be in the right version for each emulator/emulator version. They can be found or must be placed here :
- For FBNeo: /userdata/bios/fbneo
- For mame2003plus : /userdata/saves/mame/mame2003-plus/hi
- For mame2010: /userdata/saves/mame/mame2010/hi
- For mame: see temporary solution in the following post
Configuration menus
This is the per-game menu for accessing the machine’s advanced configuratio, such as its dip switches, service mode,d e and diagnostic input.
For FB NEO, the default combo is [START] + [L1] + [R1] (old versions ( what older versions? Be specific): Hold [START])
For MAME, the default combo is pushing in [L3] + [R3] (old versions ( what older versions? Be specific. I also don’t think this was even removed, ie, you can still press Tab on the keyboard to access the dip switch menu): [Tab] on the keyboard)
For NEOGEO:
Is this actually the per-game service menu and not the dip switch settings provided by the core?
For the default ( factory?) NEOGEO BIOS, the default combo is [START]
+ [L1] + [R1] (old versions ( what older versions? Be specific): Hold [START])
For the universal BIOS:
At the boot screen, the default combo is holding down
During gameplay, the default combo is holding down [START] + [SELECT] or holding down [START] +
Set up a new shortcut via RetroArch:
[HOTKEY] +
→ Quick Access → Options → Diagnostic Input
Setup DIP Switches via RetroArch: [HOTKEY] + → Quick Access → Options → Dip Switches
Setup NEO-GEO BIOS via RetroArch:
[HOTKEY] + → Quick Access → Options → SPECIFIC NEO GEO BIOS → UNIBIOS or SPECIFIC BY DIP SWITCHES (UNIBIOS)
Not all games have a dip switch menu, and may crash when using these commands.
Here you can change the number of players, get more lives, switch to arcade or console mode, set up subtitles, or even activate the free mode!
Options available (Defaults)
- Diagnostic Input (shortcut combination):
- None
- Hold Start
- Start + A + B
- Hold Start + A + B ptart + L + R (Default) Hold Start + L + R Hold Select
- Select + A + B
- Hold Select + A + B Select + L + R
- Hold Select + L + R
- DIP Switches (settings) – may differ from game to game:
- Autofire: Off* or On
- Coin Mode: Mode 1*, Mode 2
- Coin A / Coin B | Coinage | Coin setting: 4 Coins 3 Credit, 2 Coins 1 Credit, 1 Coin 1 Credit*, 1 Coin 2 Credits, 1 Coin 3 Credits, 1 Coin 4 Credits, 1 Coin 6 Credits, Free to Play
- 2C to Start, 1 to Continue: Yes or No* | Starting Coin: Normal, 2x
- Difficulty: 1 (Easiest), 2, 3, 4 (Normal)*, 5, 6, 7, 8 (Hardest)
- Difficulty 2: Easy, Normal*, Hard, Hardest
- Bonus Life: 100K*, 200K, 100K,a nd every 200K, None
- Number of Players: 1, 2*, 3, 4
- Change Lives: 1, 2*, 3, 4, 5
- Free to play: Yes or No*
- Freeze: : Yes or No*
- Flip: Yes or No*
- Demo Sound | Attractive: Yes* or No
- Allow Continue: Yes* or No
- Game Mode: Game* or Test
- Sound Output: Mono or Stereo
- Unknown: Off* or On
- Region: Europe, USA, or Japan
- Mode: ARCADE or CONSOLE-AES
- Subtitles: English, Japanese, Korean,n or Portuguese Jukebox
MAME=standalone input remap files
For libretro MAME, it is recommended to use RetroArch’s remapping instead.
In MAME standalone, machines can be remapped using the built-in MAME menu.
- Launch the machine in question.
- While in-game, push in xiPz + xoPz at the same time (keyboard alternative: [Tab]) to open the MAME menu
- Go to “Input for this game”
Press (keyboard alternative: xbnter]) to confirm. Inputs can be cleared by double-tapping /[Enter] while hovering over the input.
Remap configuration files are stored at \userdata\saves\mame\mame\cfg\. More info at the remapping page.
Automatic Controller Mapping
Standalone MAME and libretro/MAME have options to automatically map the controls for certain games and controller types. For more information, see Automatic Controller Layouts.
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- Last update: 2025/05/12 21:06
FAQs
: Do I need to use all the ROM managers and filterers mentioned?
No, you can choose the tools based on your requirements. It is recommended to start with one and then explore others if needed.
Can I use Batocera for other types of emulation?
: Batocera primarily focuses on advanced arcade emulation, but it may support other types of emulation as well. Check the official documentation for more details.
Documents / Resources
 |
Batocera Advanced Arcade Emulation [pdf] User Manual Advanced Arcade Emulation, Advanced Arcade Emulation, Arcade Emulation, Emulation |