This paper presents a systematic index of MAME (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator) ROMs designed as a reference for archivists, preservationists, researchers, and advanced hobbyists. It defines scope and terminology, describes classification schemes, indexing metadata, collection management practices, and provides practical examples for constructing, querying, and maintaining a ROM index while respecting legal and ethical constraints.
But what exactly are you looking at, and why does MAME (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator) make everything so complicated? Let’s break down the world of MAME ROM indices. What is an "Index of" Page? index of mame roms
In technical terms, an “index” refers to a directory listing on a web server or FTP site — often generated automatically by the server — showing all files in a given folder. For example: This paper presents a systematic index of MAME
The “index of MAME ROMs” is a nostalgic yet functional artifact of early emulation culture. It represents a time when arcade preservation relied on openly shared directory listings. Today, it exists in a legal shadow — useful for researchers and legitimate owners, but dangerous for casual users who may unknowingly violate copyright. Let’s break down the world of MAME ROM indices
And within that page, you would see: