emulator: MAME MESS
type: libretro
core_classification: official_port
source: "https://github.com/libretro/mame"
upstream: "https://github.com/mamedev/mame"
profiled_date: "2026-03-24"
core_version: "0.286"
display_name: "Multi (MAME/MESS)"

cores:
  - mamemess

notes: |
  SUBTARGET=mess build from libretro/mame. Same source, same CORE_NAME ("mame"),
  same paths (system_dir/mame/) as the mame core. Excludes arcade drivers, includes
  only console/computer/non-arcade drivers (~1290 driver files via mess.flt).
  romload.cpp unmodified. No hiscore support.

  Paths under system_dir/mame/ (artwork, cheat, hash, ini, plugins, samples,
  crosshair). ROM search: content_dir + system_dir/mame/bios + system_dir/mame/roms.
  Hash directory contains software list XMLs needed for MESS software loading.

  mess.flt exceptions: adds AES (+aes), CD-i consoles (+cdimono1, +cdimono2,
  +cdi910, +cdi490a), Atari Jaguar (+jaguar, +jaguarcd), CPS Changer
  (+wofch, +sfzch, +sfach, +sfzbch). Removes arcade 3DO machines (-3dobios,
  -alg3do, -orbatak, -md23do, -sht3do).

  1 active IS_BIOS_ROOT (miuchiz). XaviX TV game parent machines serve as
  console BIOS for cartridge-based software (IS_BIOS_ROOT commented out in
  source but functionally required).

files:
  # Miuchiz Virtual Companions
  - name: miuchiz.zip
    required: true
    category: bios_zip
    source_ref: "src/mame/misc/miuchiz.cpp:227"

  # XaviX TV games — e-kara family
  - name: ekara.zip
    required: true
    category: bios_zip
    source_ref: "src/mame/tvgames/xavix.cpp:2878"

  - name: ekaraa.zip
    required: true
    category: bios_zip
    source_ref: "src/mame/tvgames/xavix.cpp:2879"

  - name: ekaraj.zip
    required: true
    category: bios_zip
    source_ref: "src/mame/tvgames/xavix.cpp:2880"

  - name: ekarag.zip
    required: true
    category: bios_zip
    source_ref: "src/mame/tvgames/xavix.cpp:2881"

  - name: ekaras.zip
    required: true
    category: bios_zip
    source_ref: "src/mame/tvgames/xavix.cpp:2882"

  - name: isinger.zip
    required: true
    category: bios_zip
    source_ref: "src/mame/tvgames/xavix.cpp:2884"

  - name: ekaraphs.zip
    required: true
    category: bios_zip
    source_ref: "src/mame/tvgames/xavix.cpp:2887"

  - name: epitch.zip
    required: true
    category: bios_zip
    source_ref: "src/mame/tvgames/xavix.cpp:2890"

  - name: ekaramix.zip
    required: true
    category: bios_zip
    source_ref: "src/mame/tvgames/xavix.cpp:2893"

  # XaviX TV games — DDR / Popira / misc
  - name: ddrfammt.zip
    required: true
    category: bios_zip
    source_ref: "src/mame/tvgames/xavix.cpp:2896"

  - name: popira.zip
    required: true
    category: bios_zip
    source_ref: "src/mame/tvgames/xavix.cpp:2899"

  - name: popirak.zip
    required: true
    category: bios_zip
    source_ref: "src/mame/tvgames/xavix.cpp:2901"

  - name: popira2.zip
    required: true
    category: bios_zip
    source_ref: "src/mame/tvgames/xavix.cpp:2904"

  - name: taikodp.zip
    required: true
    category: bios_zip
    source_ref: "src/mame/tvgames/xavix.cpp:2907"

  - name: jpopira.zip
    required: true
    category: bios_zip
    source_ref: "src/mame/tvgames/xavix.cpp:2910"

  - name: evio.zip
    required: true
    category: bios_zip
    source_ref: "src/mame/tvgames/xavix.cpp:2913"

  - name: tak_daig.zip
    required: true
    category: bios_zip
    source_ref: "src/mame/tvgames/xavix.cpp:2918"

  - name: gcslottv.zip
    required: true
    category: bios_zip
    source_ref: "src/mame/tvgames/xavix.cpp:2920"

  - name: hikara.zip
    required: true
    category: bios_zip
    source_ref: "src/mame/tvgames/xavix.cpp:2925"