What is nwMAME?

nwMAME is multi-platform (Windows, Linux, OS X) MAME front-end which uses power of Web. It's built top of NW.JS with HTML5, JavaScript, CSS3 and using several technologies like Node.JS, AngularJS, jQuery, Semantic UI and ect...

Why nwMAME?

As an OS X user, I highly influenced on OpenEmu project when I starting nwMAME project because OpenEmu wasn't enough to manage MAME library as I expected and using MAME in OpenEmu with giving up detailed MAME settings was driving me crazy! That's why I decided to make my own MAME front-end for fun.

Does nwMAME compatible with dedicated MAME-PCs?

Technically speaking, it can run anywhere where NW.JS runs but; user interface is designed and aimed for keyboard-mouse use only and that's why it's not suitable for dedicated MAME-PCs. No one wants to use keyboard-mouse between their game sessions. That's why I'm planning any other project for dedicated MAME-PCs especially use it with MAME joysticks. (or; I can merge these two project into one project. Hmmm)

Final Notes :

• nwMAME is not tested on retina screens yet!

Keep in touch for further updates!

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Installing nwMAME

First of all you have to download NW.JS executable which is compatible with your operating system and then download app.nw file from dist folder and open it with NW.JS executable or you can put it next to NW.JS executable with package.nw name and just run NW.JS. NW.JS will automatically run nwMAME for you.

Optionally you can embed nwMAME into NW.JS according to this article.

Using nwMAME (My Experience)

Well, starting instructions with "My Experience" idiom is not quite correct because I designed all application logic according to experience that I want. But I'm sure you're gonna love it ;)

Step 1 : Creating Directories

Create one directory for your MAME Library and create this directories inside of your MAME Library directory;

• Bios
• Cheat
• Covers
• Device
• Emulator
• Roms
• Settings

Purpose of this folder structure is managing all types of files separately and easy to update.

Step 2 : Downloading Required Files

Before starting download; I suggest minimum 0.160 version and above with 64 Bit binaries for best MAME experience as I tested! Your MAME performance is not directly related with nwMAME. nwMAME is only front-end application for MAME!

• Download and extract MAME emulator inside of your Emulator directory from Official MAME Development Team's Website

• Optionally you can download cheat.7z file (I don't know exact URL but you can easily find around the web) and put it inside of your Cheat directory (do not extract it)

• Download MAME Roms to your Roms directory

• Download BIOS files to your Bios directory

• Download Device files to your Device directory

For Example;

If you want to play Street Fighter EX2 Plus you should download;

1. sfex2p.zip file to your Roms directory
2. cpzn2.zip file to your Bios directory
3. qsound.zip file to your Device directory

But, I suggest you to download all Bios and Device files (you can find packed versions with easy Google search) and put them inside of your Bios and Device directories then you can focus only for your Roms.

Step 3 : Settings

Run nwMAME and click Settings button on the right bottom on nwMAME.

On MAME tab;

• Select MAME Output Directory as your Settings directory
• Select MAME Executable Path as your MAME emulator executable which you downloaded your Emulatordirectory before
• Select ROM Files Directory as your Roms directory
• Select BIOS Files Directory as your Bios directory
• Select Device Files Directory as your Device directory
• Optionally you can enable cheats and select Cheats File as your cheats.7z file which you downloaded your Cheatdirectory before
• Optionally you can also enable Run games in window mode option

On Covers tab;

• Select Cover Directory as your Covers directory
• Select Cover Extension depending your cover files extension

And you can also select Cover Size which one you desire.

Expert tab is reserved for expert MAME settings for later versions.

You can see execution errors, warnings and outputs on Logs tab.

Debug tab is used generally for development purposes.

Step 4 : Cover Files

Managing cover files are easy. Just put your cover image into Covers directory and rename it with game's short name. You can see your game's short name when you select List (No Covers) as Cover Size.

For Example;

Do you want to add a cover to Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3? Just rename cover image as umk3.jpg and Reload Application from Debug tab in settings window or close and re-open nwMAME.

Final Step : Update Game Library

Did you finished all steps successfully? Great, now you can update your game library on MAME tab. Updating game library process will take time, be patient until success message and save your settings!

What about updates?

Do you want to update MAME? Just download new version of MAME and extract it into your Emulator directory.

Do you want to update BIOS or Device files? Download the file you want to update and replace it with the old one.

Do you want to update nwMAME? Just follow installation instructions!