MAME Smart ROM Sorter

Spec sheet

Purpose

MAME Smart ROM Sorter helps home arcade builders curate large MAME collections into smaller, purpose-built folders.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Intended users

The project describes use cases including general arcade cabinets, controller setups, light-gun or trackball builds, driving setups, fighters, and lean playable-game folders.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Integrations

The README lists ProgettoSnaps, AntoPISA MAME Support Files, Controls.dat, Arcade Database, and NPlayers as metadata and arcade data resources.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

CHD handling

The sorter supports CHD-aware export behavior for games that need disk folders.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Clone curation

Its 1G1R-style options use MAME parent and clone relationships plus region and language preferences to reduce duplicates.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Control filters

Users can filter around cabinet controls such as joystick, buttons, trackball, spinner, light gun, and driving controls.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Curation

Its 1G1R-style options use MAME parent and clone relationships with region and language preferences to reduce duplicate versions.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Downloads

The README identifies a Windows executable and a source ZIP as release downloads, with an optional SHA256SUMS checksum file.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

File handling

The sorter copies or hard-links matching files into a curated output folder.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Filtering

Filters and presets can shape a set around controls, players, screen orientation, genre, working status, and cabinet goals.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Integrations and data

The README lists ProgettoSnaps, AntoPISA MAME Support Files, Controls.dat, Arcade Database, and NPlayers as arcade metadata resources.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Licensing

The README says the source code uses the MIT License, documentation generally uses CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, and branding and other creative assets are reserved unless otherwise stated.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Local processing

The project says it is designed for local processing once the needed metadata is present, though optional support metadata may come from public community data sources.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Maker and support

The project credits Shawn Flanagan / CyborgBob as owner, creator, testing, direction, and release lead; the repository links to Technically Not a Technician and its YouTube channel.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Metadata

God Mode filtering uses MAME XML and optional support INI data.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Not a downloader

The project says it does not include, link to, download, or distribute ROMs, BIOS files, CHDs, samples, or copyrighted game content.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Output limitation

The sorter can curate files but cannot resolve missing parent ROMs, BIOS or device ZIPs, CHDs, or samples needed by MAME.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

ROM handling

The tool does not include, provide, link to, download, or distribute ROMs, BIOS files, CHDs, samples, or copyrighted game content.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

ROM requirements

Users must provide their own legally obtained MAME files, and the README recommends a non-merged ROM set.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Set requirement

The README says a non-merged MAME ROM set is required and warns that merged or split sets are more prone to dependency problems.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Windows warning

The standalone Windows executable is packaged with PyInstaller and may trigger antivirus warnings; the source package is included for inspection or rebuilding.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Where Specifiction places it

• ROM Management Software#22 of 397.3