MAME Machine Dependency Files and Data Viewer

JoeViking245 · June 17

MAME Machine Dependency Files and Data Viewer

The original intent of this plugin was to have a way to check if a specific MAME machine required 'other' files to be able to run. The only way I knew how to find this was to navigate to the Arcade Database (ADB), look up the game and then check the MAME Required Files section. (I've yet to see another source with this information spelled out.)

After doing some investigation into the available MAME parameters and outputs they provide, I was able to deduce this info and threw it into this plugin. I also wanted to give users quick access to the machine (game) on ADB. Pursuing this I found that they had a couple API calls available and so added the Machine Details section. Unfortunately, none of the calls gave the 'required files' data.

Features:

Shows files other than the main ROM that are required to run the game (if any).
- BIOS, Device and CHD and [optional - not required] Sample
See the games' Overall and Emulation status. (Good, Imperfect, Preliminary)
- If it's not "Good", see why. e.g.
  - "sound - unemulated"
  - "graphics - imperfect"
Direct link to the machine on the Arcade Database (ADB)
View details about the machine.
- ROM Genre
  Title Players
  Short Title nPlayers
  Clone of Language
  Manufacturer Input Controls
  Series Input Buttons
  Year Screen Orientation
  Status Screen Resolution
Works in platforms whose ROMs are MAME, but the emulator is not.
- e.g. platform emulator = DEMul, SuperModel, FBNeo, Model2 etc.

Requirements:

LaunchBox 13.19 (or newer)
MAME Arcade machines only. Will not work with MAME's Software Lists.
The game(s) being checked must be using MAME ROMs. (e.g. filenames generally 2 to 13 characters with no spaces)
The MAME emulator (or variant [e.g. mameui.exe]) installed in LaunchBox
- If the games' emulator is not MAME or one of its variants, the plugin will attempt to scan your installed emulators for one that is.
- RetroArch (with any MAME cores) does NOT count as a MAME emulator nor variant.
An internet connection to view the Machine Details and navigate to Arcade Database.

Installing:

Extract the contents of the download to /LaunchBox/Plugins/
- e.g. D:\LaunchBox\Plugins\MameRequiredFiles\MameRequiredFiles.dll

Using:

Right-click an Arcade game and select MAME Machine Dependency Files
View which dependency files are required to run the game (if any)
Click the Arcade Database logo (ADB) to navigate directly to the game on the ADB website
Hover the mouse over Status to see why the LEDs are Yellow (Imperfect) or Red (Preliminary)
Click Machine Details to view details about the machine
- (mostly duplicative of what you should already have/know)