MAME Merged Vs. Split | Which One is Best & Clearing Up Confusion

[@danpatrick7176]

Non-merged has become my favorite as someone who wants games to "just work". I want to hand pick my collection as i do with other consoles. The file size is a lot larger but it's still worth for the simplicity. Plus i only have a few hundred that I want. I can easily move them around with no potential to break compatibility.

[@markkilby2012]

So there is unmerged (Non-merged) Split Merge & Merged am I correct? If so I know what they all do I just want to make sure because I don't see alot of info on KZbin about unmerged (non-merged) I only see info on Split Merged and Merged...

[@danpatrick7176]

Wow thats so much work to go thru all those as youve done. Awesome 👌

[@itylermartin]

Non-merged best suits my needs. I don't mind the extra space for the simplicity. One day I will migrate to split, but not yet 😂

[@warpedpolygon]

Yes, non morged is the easy non fuss way to get everything working.

[@MichaelM28]

Did you get inspiration for your channel name from Wobbling Pixels?

[@warpedpolygon]

I cant really recall the inspiration tbh, if any. Coincidentally I was considering Wobbly Polygon for a while.

[@ckmoore101]

This may be obvious, but is there is a simpler way to pair down the game list? I really am only interested in probably 50 games total. What is the most efficient method to cull down to that small list, from the big romset? I have premium Launchbox

[@garryw1974]

Just curious what is a clone version of a game anyway,is that like a hacked rom. Ive always wondered what clone versions ment. Cheers for the great video to.

[@warpedpolygon]

It's simply a different version / revision of the same game. These can be from different control schemes to simple uodates and fixes, and sometimes a bootleg or hack. Sometimes you want to use the clone version over the parent.

[@KhalidTahhan]

To follow your tutorials and use your files into split arcade systems with controls and configs all working its best to use non merged sets to pull the roms you list without any added confusion

[@warpedpolygon]

Yes, non-merged is the fuss free way to tackle everything.

[@JapaneseModernist]

I have been using non-merged as I only keep the games I want instead of the fullset. It's annoying to update but way better for me. I also use launchbox so it saves A LOT of time because my playlist is basically done systemwise instead of software-sided.

[@warpedpolygon]

When my project is finished this will not be an issue as all games will be represented. Will be providing an xml with everything setup.

[@marleybishop9649]

hold on where did you find those images of controls for all the games? That seems insanely helpful.

[@warpedpolygon]

I made them. All part of my mame pre configuration project

[@aceypcemu0018]

How to put all the merged files as split files on the LaunchBox...? There is a way? Sorry for the bad english!

[@warpedpolygon]

There isn't unfortunately

[@Andy.Something.]

I had been using split, but each set of games I always find a few that don't work and just write them off. With your latest set some didn't work that I didn't want to write off (major title, gal panic 4, scud hammer, lethal thunder). I tried various split and none worked, tried them from a merged set and they all worked. Oh, from the set before I always got a steering error with GTI Club after the countdown, any help with that?

[@Andy.Something.]

I remembered that Racing Jam and Thrill Drive was two I couldn't get working from the Konami set with split, I just tried again with merged and now they work (obvioulsy running slow but there for the future).

[@warpedpolygon]

I will look into this

[@Andy.Something.]

@@warpedpolygon I figured the GTI Club thing out, when it gives the error I need to go to the test menu and start game, it does say on screen to press the test button, but being newish to mame I didn't know the test button was service.

[@Kefka2b]

Hey, just a clarification as it's not clear to me, if you just want to have the preferred clone or the parent for each game, isn't the mon-merged set better? (as you won't need to keep both parent and clone for preferred clones). By the way do you know to keep only the preferred clone in the Launchbox importer?

[@warpedpolygon]

Non merged is a good way to go also. Split just saves more space overall. As for keeping the preferred version, it depends on if you are using a merged set?

[@warpedpolygon]

As you have non merged you can just import the preferred rom. Have you used the full set importer?

[@Kefka2b]

@@warpedpolygon yes that was a while ago so I'll need to check, I thought the LB importer would only keep the parent if you select skip clones. I can't recall an option to only keep the best version.

[@warpedpolygon]

@@Kefka2b there isn't an option to keep the best version as LB doesn't know which ones these are. Also, the best versions will change depending on use case. For e.g if you are using an arcade stick, analog is useless to you. That's what this project is all about. Identifying the best versions for use with a controller (and in general) and setting up those versions. When the project is closer to completion I'll be putting out an xml which has done all that for you

[@Kefka2b]

@@warpedpolygon sweet thanks

[@rsb3609]

Hi fella.....just wandering if there's any chance of you doing atutorial on how how to use ROM manager (or similar programs) on updating Roms.I feel your way of explaining, would make it a breeze..... just a thought.

[@warpedpolygon]

I don't actually use those programs at all tbh. Are you aware of my mame project?

[@rsb3609]

Yes mate.....and a grand job that you're doing....just thought you might clear up how to use clrmame (or the like).But no worries....I have my 0.251 Mame set,and am happy with what I have.....Cheerio....and all the best with your upcoming projects.

[@warpedpolygon]

@@rsb3609 i may cover these but the mame project kinda makes using them unnecessary. Just use the mame project with the latest set, and when mame gets updates just grab the couple that you need with each release. Sometimes updates carry nothing of importance (for arcade). This way your only updating what you need when you need. I will be listing and new stuff that needs to be added on the lb page as and when a mame update brings a change that needs new stuff.

[@jensschmidt3687]

Just starting out with MAME, at this point it feels overwhelming :P

[@warpedpolygon]

It's a penny drop thing. Once you get it you get it. Maybe check out my mame pre configured project made for such occasions.

[@aleknyteKoresh]

it's okay it's okay

[@warpedpolygon]

Haha I need to get it out man

[@bionicgeekgrrl]

perhaps a follow up to this might be to look at the CHDs as there are some games that require them. Not a huge number thankfully though.

[@pishbot]

excellent!

[@stefan-catalinanton4207]

Do you know if there is a rom set with only the arcade games?

[@warpedpolygon]

I wish....

[@bionicgeekgrrl]

There are no filler sets around, but in most cases its easier to grab the entire pack and make your own, either using LB or Arcade64 or one of the other MAME tools that exist for that purpose.