how to change mame resolution

3 min read 26-01-2025

MAME, the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, lets you play classic arcade games on your PC. But the default resolution might not be ideal for your monitor. This guide shows you how to change MAME's resolution to fit your screen perfectly, improving your gaming experience. We'll cover several methods, from simple in-game adjustments to more advanced configuration tweaks.

Understanding MAME's Resolution Options

Before diving into the how-to, it's important to grasp what affects resolution in MAME. MAME offers several ways to adjust the display, each with its own trade-offs between image quality and performance. You'll encounter terms like:

Integer scaling: Stretches the original game image without blurring or distortion. This usually results in crisp, pixel-perfect graphics, but might not fill your entire screen. It's ideal for preserving the original game's look.
Aspect ratio: The ratio between the image's width and height. MAME might default to a 4:3 aspect ratio, common in older arcade cabinets. Adjusting this can help fill your widescreen monitor.
Resolution: This refers to the number of pixels displayed (e.g., 1920x1080). Matching your monitor's native resolution gives the sharpest picture.
Filters: These post-processing effects can improve the image's appearance, but they can affect performance.

Method 1: Using the In-Game Options (Easiest Method)

Many games within MAME have built-in options to adjust the screen.

Start the game: Launch the ROM you want to play in MAME.
Access the options menu: This is usually accessed by pressing the TAB key or a designated key in the game's interface.
Look for "Video" or "Display" options: The exact wording varies, but there should be options related to screen scaling, aspect ratio, or resolution. Experiment to find what works best for you.
Adjust settings: Try different scaling methods and aspect ratios until you find a suitable resolution. Note that some games might have limited options.

Method 2: Adjusting the MAME Configuration File (For Advanced Customization)

For more precise control, you can modify MAME's configuration file.

Locate the configuration file: The file is usually located in your MAME directory. The exact location depends on your operating system and how you installed MAME. It's often named mame.ini or similar.
Open the configuration file: Use a text editor like Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (macOS) to open the file.
Find relevant settings: Look for lines related to video settings such as refresh, aspect, resolution, scalers and video_filter. You'll likely find comments within the file explaining each setting.
Edit the settings: Modify these lines to match your desired resolution and scaling method. You might need to experiment to find what works best, researching the different scaler options available within the file.
Save the file: Save your changes and restart MAME.

Understanding Common Configuration Settings

aspect: Sets the aspect ratio (e.g., auto, 4:3, 16:9).
refresh: Sets the refresh rate (e.g., 60, 120). Match this to your monitor's refresh rate for smoother gameplay.
resolution: Some users find success by directly setting the resolution (e.g., 1920x1080). However, this is often handled automatically via the scaler.
scalers: This is a crucial setting allowing you to choose different scaling filters, each with different performance and visual quality characteristics. (e.g., hq4x, ntsc, simple). Research each one online to see the pros and cons.

Example (Adding a line for a specific scaler):

# Add this line to your mame.ini file
scalers = hq4x

Remember to replace hq4x with the scaler you prefer after experimenting.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Tools (For Beginners)

Several user-friendly tools simplify resolution changes. These tools often provide a visual interface making it easier to manage your settings. Search online for "MAME resolution tools" to find options compatible with your MAME version and operating system.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter problems:

Check your monitor's native resolution: Ensure MAME is not trying to output a resolution your monitor doesn't support.
Restart MAME: After making changes to the configuration file, always restart MAME to apply the changes.
Consult MAME's documentation: The official MAME documentation provides detailed explanations of all settings and options.
Search online forums: Many online communities dedicated to MAME can help troubleshoot specific issues you may encounter.

By using one of these methods, you can easily optimize your MAME resolution, resulting in a more enjoyable and visually appealing retro gaming experience. Remember to prioritize your monitor's native resolution for the sharpest image, while using a scaling filter to avoid blurry or distorted graphics.