| System | BIOS filename | Example games | |--------|--------------|----------------| | Neo Geo | neogeo.zip | Metal Slug, King of Fighters | | Capcom CPS-1 | cps1.zip | Street Fighter II, Ghouls ‘n Ghosts | | Capcom CPS-2 | cps2.zip | Marvel vs. Capcom, Super Puzzle Fighter | | Capcom CPS-3 | cps3.zip | Street Fighter III, JoJo’s Venture | | Sega System 16/18/32 | segabios.zip | Golden Axe, Shinobi | | Konami GX | konamigx.zip | Mystic Warriors, X-Men (6-player) |
Place these alongside your game ROMs. | Problem | Likely cause | Solution | |---------|--------------|----------| | “Missing ROM/CHD files” | Wrong ROM version or missing parent | Get a ROM set matched to your emulator version. | | Game loads to a black screen | Missing BIOS or bad ROM | Check if BIOS file is present and correct. | | Sound stutters / runs slow | Weak PC or wrong emulator settings | Enable frame skipping or switch to FBNeo. | | Can’t find the game in MAME list | ROM not compatible with that MAME version | Re-scan or run via command line. | | “This game requires CHD” | Game uses a hard disk or CD image (e.g., Killer Instinct, NFL Blitz) | Download the matching CHD file and place it in a folder named like the ROM inside roms/ . | Part 9: CHD files (Compressed Hard Disk) Some 3D arcade games (Midway’s Killer Instinct, Gauntlet Legends, NBA Jam Extreme, etc.) require CHD files – compressed images of the game’s hard drive or CD-ROM. arcade games roms
Use FinalBurn Neo via RetroArch – it’s easier to configure and still accurate for 95% of popular arcade games. Part 5: Matching ROMs to emulator versions – critical! This is the #1 source of frustration. | System | BIOS filename | Example games
| Emulator | Best for | |----------|----------| | (standalone) | Almost all arcade games (1980s–2000s). Most accurate but can be complex. | | FinalBurn Neo (FBNeo) | CPS-1/2/3, Neo Geo, Sega, Toaplan, Cave shooters. Faster than MAME for many games. | | RetroArch (with FBNeo or MAME cores) | Console-like interface, shaders, achievements, cross-platform. | | WinKawaks (older) | Neo Geo / CPS games only – outdated, not recommended. | | Demul | Sega Dreamcast / Naomi / Atomiswave arcade hardware. | | | Game loads to a black screen