Because I cannot provide direct download links (copyright laws), here is the legal and practical workflow for advanced users:
The MAME 2014 reference set corresponds to MAME version (released 2014). It’s a curated snapshot used for preserving and emulating arcade software as it existed for that MAME release. The set typically includes ROM images and optional CHD (Compressed Hunks of Data) files for large media (CDs, hard-drive games).
| Tool | Function | Version requirement | |------|----------|---------------------| | clrmamepro | ROM set rebuild/verification | Datfile: mame0159.xml | | romvault | CHD + ROM integrity check | DAT: mame-0.159 | | chdman (MAME 0.159) | Verify CHD v4 checksum | chdman verify kinst.chd | mame 2014 reference set mame 0159 roms chds top
MAME 0.159 holds a special place in the emulation community. It represents a "Goldilocks" zone:
kinst.chd (Killer Instinct) – ~250 MB dragonlair.chd – ~300 MB Because I cannot provide direct download links (copyright
Pro tip: Look for DAT files ( .dat ) to verify your set against the official MAME 0.159 XML. Tools like or RomVault will audit and fix your collection.
The is a complete snapshot of all arcade games supported by the MAME emulator version 0.159, released in early 2015. | Tool | Function | Version requirement |
The is a snapshot of arcade game data specifically curated to match the MAME 0.159 emulator version . This set is often used by retro gaming systems (like RetroPie or specific MAME 2014 cores in RetroArch) because it provides a "balanced" point between emulation accuracy and performance on mid-range hardware. Components of the Set Understanding MAME & all the different versions
What (e.g., Raspberry Pi 3/4, PC, handheld) are you using?
This comprehensive guide breaks down what makes the MAME 0.159 set unique, how to manage ROMs and CHDs, and how to optimize your arcade setup. What is the MAME 2014 Reference Set?
Never uncompress these files. MAME reads them directly from the zip archive. 2. MAME 0.159 CHDs