MAME4droid (0.139u1)

MAME4droid is a single-player Arcade game that emulates arcade games supported by the original MAME 0.139u1. It offers good graphics and provides an authentic arcade experience. This version is a faithful port, allowing users to access and play a wide variety of classic arcade games on their preferred device.

Genres & Tags

Arcade

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

79%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,531 reviews

graphics10 positive mentions

monetization7 negative mentions

Great nostalgia factor, allowing players to relive classic arcade games from their childhood.
Works well with a variety of ROMs, providing a smooth gaming experience for many titles.
User-friendly interface with options for customizing controls and settings.

Many users report issues with missing ROM or CHD files, making it difficult to play certain games.
The emulator struggles with 3D games, often resulting in lag and poor performance.
Some users experience problems with controller support, particularly with multiple controllers.

graphics
32 mentions
31 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The graphics of the emulator receive mixed reviews, with some users praising the ability to upscale low-resolution graphics beautifully on high-resolution screens, while others report significant performance issues and poor graphics quality, especially with more demanding games. Many users note that the overall visual experience can vary greatly depending on the device's capabilities, and there is a consensus that improvements are needed for smoother gameplay and better graphical fidelity. Despite these criticisms, the emulator is still regarded as one of the best options for playing MAME games on Android.
- “All important settings which make arcade games look nice are available, and when you know how to use them, graphics look amazing, especially on a phone.”
- “The low resolution graphics upscale beautifully to my tablet's 2K screen, and I use a SFC30 SNES Bluetooth controller with no issues.”
- “Good application; I think the controls are not so good, but I have downloaded Tekken 5, and the graphics are very good.”
- “Graphic is very bad”
- “I need a graphic update”
- “Lots of lag and graphics and sounds are not very good..”
optimization
29 mentions
52 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
Overall, users report mixed experiences with optimization in the emulator, noting that while menu screens function well, gameplay performance varies significantly, often running between 28% to 46%. Many users appreciate the emulator's capabilities and smooth performance on certain devices, but they also highlight the need for better optimization, particularly for newer Android versions and multicore processors, as well as improvements in Bluetooth controller support and game compatibility. Despite these issues, the emulator is still regarded as one of the best in its category, with many games running smoothly when properly configured.
- “It's an amazing emulator but it does need optimization because most games don't work.”
- “Superb - and above all - current port of MAME that so far seems solid as a rock and has surprisingly good performance.”
- “After adjusting a few options I managed to get over 350 ROMs to run with little or no stuttering, allowing me to play Irem games perfectly along with NBA Jam.”
- “Menu screens run fine, but the gameplay on the field runs at 28% to 46%, and that's without the fog graphics which reduces performance by 10% to 15%.”
- “Same settings as older version but worse performance on the same device.”
- “Needs better optimization.”
gameplay
18 mentions
33 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The gameplay experience is mixed, with users reporting significant performance issues, particularly in multiplayer modes where syncing problems and lag are common. While some players enjoy smooth gameplay with various input options and a large library of games, others express frustration over slow emulation and connectivity issues that hinder the overall experience. Overall, the emulator shows potential but requires improvements in multiplayer functionality and performance optimization.
- “Amazing gameplay apk emulates love it's app...”
- “Awesome gameplay”
- “Gameplay was cool within the app with different input/control options.”
- “Menu screens run fine, but the gameplay on the field runs at 28% to 46%, and that's without the fog graphics which reduces performance by 10% to 15%.”
- “Really great MAME emulator, though there's a problem that could you allow a third person to join a multiplayer when using net play? My third friend was unable to connect even though we're playing a game that allows 4 players to join, and please fix the syncing problem when playing with friends on net play; there's a problem where the gameplay between me and my friend doesn't align.”
- “But please fix this problem when 'net-playing' that sometimes the host doesn't match the guest gameplay, like delay or lagging. For example, in fighting games, the positions are different from the host to the guest.”
stability
14 mentions
64 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
36 % negative mentions
Overall, the stability of the emulator is generally praised, with many users reporting smooth performance and minimal bugs when running most games. However, some users experience issues with multiplayer setups, occasional glitches, and specific games like Neo Geo titles suffering from audio lag. While the app works well on various devices, there are notable exceptions where certain users encounter freezing and loading problems.
- “Excellent version of MAME, works well with most games, fast and relatively bug free.”
- “Works pretty nice, almost all my games run great.”
- “If you have the right ROMs, this app runs great.”
- “The app is great and all, but the only problem I have is the multiplayer feature; it glitches after a few minutes of play.”
- “Sometimes my joystick glitches, which affects the overall experience.”
- “Rubbish; it doesn't load and freezes every time.”
monetization
10 mentions
30 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
70 % negative mentions
Users appreciate the monetization model of the app, highlighting that it is completely free and devoid of ads, which enhances the overall user experience. The absence of advertisements is frequently praised, making it a standout choice among MAME emulators for Android.
- “I had to come back and write a quick review because this app is completely free, has no ads, and is a fantastic MAME emulator with lots of features.”
- “No ads, simple to install and use.”
- “No ads.”
- “It's free, and without ads, so it would be hard to complain, even if it didn't run well.”
- “The best part is no annoying ads.”
- “Best MAME emulator for Android, and it doesn't have ads.”
music
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
100 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that while the game allows players to adjust music volume settings, there are concerns about adware issues affecting the overall experience, particularly on platforms like Google Chrome and YouTube.
emotional
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express a sense of nostalgia when engaging with the game's mechanics, particularly noting how the dual-finger touch for alternate firing evokes emotional memories reminiscent of classic titles like Time Crisis. However, this nostalgia is tempered by frustration over the loss of the cursor, which impacts gameplay.
- “Made me feel nostalgic.”
story
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Users appreciate the story elements in games like "New Zealand Story" and "Bomberman," highlighting their enjoyment. However, there are frustrations with certain game ports, such as "Cave Story," not functioning properly on the emulator. Overall, the narrative experiences in select titles stand out positively amidst mixed reviews.
grinding
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Users appreciate the grinding aspect for its efficiency, noting that it eliminates the tedious setup often associated with retroarch, providing a streamlined experience.
humor
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Users find humor in the contrast between those who criticize the emulator as "boring" and the inherent flaws in its graphics, suggesting a lighthearted take on the game's imperfections.