Used MAME4droid (0.139u1) for Android?


Editors’ Review

Download.com staff

MAME4droid (0.139u1) by Seleuco is an Android arcade emulator that brings classic coin-op cabinets to mobile screens, focusing on accurate arcade reproduction and playable ports. The app runs a large catalogue of legacy titles and exposes configurable touch controls, external peripheral support, and network Netplay for multiplayer sessions. Visual options include integer-based scaling and smoothing filters, making it suitable for retro collectors and mobile players seeking faithful cabinet-style play.

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The app targets classic coin-op preservation, running thousands of legacy arcade games on Android devices. It references a well-known MAME core and lists compatibility with an expansive set of arcade ROMs, so collectors can access many era-spanning titles. Performance aims are balanced against accuracy, with the build optimized to run on common mobile hardware while preserving original game logic and timing where possible.

An arcade-focused emulator built for extensive legacy libraries

Multiplayer and peripheral support shape how you play with others

Local and network Netplay are available for cooperative and competitive sessions, so matches can be held over a local network or the internet. The software detects legacy inputs like lightguns, trackballs, and mice, and includes native support scenarios for sheltered hardware such as NVidia Shield devices. Controller connectivity covers a range of Bluetooth and USB gamepads for shared-screen or remote play.

Visual presentation offers authentic CRT-style rendering choices

Video settings let players choose integer-based scaling and HQx smoothing up to HQ4x for cleaner sprites, along with visual overlays such as scanlines and CRT filters to simulate arcade displays. The interface exposes these rendering choices alongside animated touch-stick and button layouts, so mobile play can mimic cabinet ergonomics or be tuned for sharper pixel output on modern screens.

Setup and performance require technical attention from newcomers

Getting games running includes manual ROM placement and storage permissions on newer Android releases, which adds a configuration step before play. Performance depends on CPU capability; many 90s-era titles demand a dual-core mobile processor around 1.5GHz for smooth play. Some graphically complex arcade boards remain more demanding, so device choice directly affects which games run at full speed.

Enlarged image for MAME4droid  (0.139u1)
MAME4droid (0.139u1) 0/3
  • Pros

    • Supports thousands of classic arcade titles from a legacy MAME core
    • HQx smoothing and CRT/scanline overlays for authentic visuals
    • Netplay plus local multiplayer options for cooperative and versus matches
    • Auto-detection for lightguns, trackballs, mice, and many controllers
  • Cons

    • Requires specific ROM set and manual file placement for many games
    • More demanding 90s titles need a dual-core ~1.5GHz mobile CPU
    • Scoped Storage and folder permissions add setup steps on new Android

Bottom Line

Recommended for hands-on retro players comfortable with configuration

MAME4droid is a solid choice for retro players who enjoy authentic arcade emulation, rewarding those who accept a technical setup process. The app suits collectors and nostalgia-focused mobile gamers who prioritize fidelity and visual options; casual players seeking immediate plug-and-play simplicity may find the initial configuration and compatibility requirements less convenient.


Used MAME4droid (0.139u1) for Android?


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Full Specifications

GENERAL
Release
Latest update
Version
1.16.9
OPERATING SYSTEMS
Platform
Android
Operating System
Android 13.0
POPULARITY
Total Downloads
100
Downloads Last Week
5

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Developer’s Description

MAME4droid (0.139u1) is developed by David Valdeita (Seleuco) as a port of the MAME 0.139 emulator by Nicola Salmoria and the MAME team.

MAME4droid (0.139u1) is developed by David Valdeita (Seleuco) as a port of the MAME 0.139 emulator by Nicola Salmoria and the MAME team. It emulates arcade games supported by this version of MAME which includes over 8000 different ROMs.

* MAME4droid is an EMULATOR and DOES NOT INCLUDE ROMS OR COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL OF ANY KIND.

This version of MAME4droid was designed to be used with dual-core Android devices because it is based on the PC MAME version which requires higher specifications than the older versions.

Even with a high end device, do not expect "modern" arcade games from the 90s and beyond to necessarily work at full speed or compatibility. Some games like Outrun and the Mortal Kombat series are badly optimized and require at least a 1.5ghz dual core device.

With over 8000 games supported, some games will run better than others; some games may not run at all. It is impossible to support such a vast number of titles, so please do not email the developer asking for support for a specific game.

After installing, place your MAME-titled zipped roms in /sdcard/MAME4droid/roms folder.

This MAME4droid version uses only '0.139' romset.

Official web page for news, source code & additional information:

https://sourceforge.net/projects/mame4droid/

FEATURES

Native support for NVidia Shield Portable and Tablet devices

Autorotate with individual settings for portrait and landscape orientation

HW Keys remapping

Touch Controller can be toggled on and off

Image smoothing (including new HQx smoothing up to HQ4x)

Integer-based scaling for purest game recreation at higher resolutions

Overlay filters including scanlines, CRT, etc.

Digital or Analog touch selectable

Animated touch stick or DPAD

Customizable In-App button layout

iON's iCade and iCP (as iCade mode) external controllers supported

Plug and play support for most Bluetooth and USB Gamepads

Tilt Sensor replacement for joystick movement

Touch lightgun with auto-detection option

Mouse support for Nvidia Shield devices

Display 1 to 6 buttons on screen

Netplay over local WiFi

Options for video aspect ratio, scaling, rotate, etc.

MAME LICENSE

http://mamedev.org

Copyright 1997-2015, Nicola Salmoria and the MAME team. All rights reserved.

Redistribution and use of this code or any derivative works are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:

* Redistributions may not be sold, nor may they be used in a commercial product or activity.

* Redistributions that are modified from the original source must include the complete source code, including the source code for all components used by a binary built from the modified sources. However, as a special exception, the source code distributed need not include anything that is normally distributed (in either source or binary form) with the major components (compiler, kernel, and so on) of the operating system on which the executable runs, unless that component itself accompanies the executable.

* Redistributions must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.

THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.


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