ROM Set Question (MAME)

[MapleLeaf]

I'm looking to hand-pick my own MAME ROMS from a set for LB. I have limited storage space and there's maybe only 50-80 games that I want. When I look at how the ROMS/CHDs are named (I'm referring to the abbreviation) It's not clear to me which game is what. Absent plugging the entire set into MAME, is there a quick way to find what I'm looking for from this ROM set? I mean I doubt there's some master list some where detailing the full game name next to the abbreviation. 

I hope my explanation makes sense. 

[sundogak]

Easy part:  this site can search for game and will indicate MAME rom set  and any needed bios files:  http://adb.arcadeitalia.net/   If click "show clones" it will list other games associated with your entry in the MAME set. 

You can also use MAME itself to list out sets for game you want, example for Galaxian:

mame -listfull galaxian*
Name:             Description:
galaxian          "Galaxian (Namco set 1)"
galaxiana         "Galaxian (Namco set 2)"
galaxianbl        "Galaxian (bootleg, set 2)"
galaxianbl2       "Galaxian (bootleg, set 4)"
galaxiani         "Galaxian (Irem)"
galaxianm         "Galaxian (Midway set 1)"
galaxianmo        "Galaxian (Midway set 2)"
galaxiant         "Galaxian (Taito)"
galaxian_sound    "Galaxian Custom Sound"

Hard part:  if you have a "non-merged" rom set then you can simply pick and choose the rom zip file you want and it will work since contains all needed components for each parent/child game.  However, if you have a "split set" or "merged" rom set then depending on game you select you will likely run into issue where MAME will complain a ROM is missing if hack up a complete set.  Rom set tools like RomVault/ClrMAMEPro can take one type of set and convert to the other.  Basically, if going to be picking and choosing then need to know how MAME uses bios and game files so can make sure have all the pieces and parts. 

Edited July 1, 2021 by sundogak