Should you always use the newest emulator available?

[Salaman64]

Hi. I am using an older version of mame. Should I be using the newest version. I did read that some games only support older versions so I have been reluctant to upgrade it.

[volumetric]

Cant think of anything in particular that would run in the old and not in a newer version of mame. There are a few older builds that run hacks to get certain games running (or running better). Psxmame springs to mind. For the most part though you are better of running the latest version of Mame. If only for the fact that up to date rom sets are easier to find, which means you'll have less issues with out of date roms.

[JoyStickKilla]

If it ain't broke........

[rastan]

I haven't updated my mame since 171 or 172 when all the trouble started with the new builds but I heard they fixed all of that with the latest builds.. but I don't think I'll be updating to a new mame anytime soon and trying to find the update roms just to catch me up to 175 probably isn't worth it as I don't think I can just download the 175 update and at it to my 171 (or 172). When the time comes that I need (or more like want) to update to a current mame build I'll just hit the usual place and snatch the current rom set and download the current mame build.

 

For the most part with the classic arcade games that we all know and love.. you'll be good with the oldest version of mame and won't miss a thing.. I would add that some games probably went from not working to working with every update and if you're a super arcade person that has to have all the rare and obscure games... that would make sense to update to new rom sets as they always seem to slip some obscure crap (lol) in there.

 

The main reason in my opinion to stay current with mame (other than keeping up with the rom sets) is the actual programming within the mame build themselves.. things like shaders, etc.. but I don't think anything major has been added would make be update from 171/172 at this point.

 

As for the general question.. should you always update to the newest emulator (for any system) yes and not... most of the time when it's done right the answer is yes because most emulators that get updated (other than mame) always have major updates to the software... but in some cases the newest version of the emulators may not run on your system.

 

For the most part other than mame I always update to the newest version of emulators like dolphin or ppsspp.. as they always seem to have major updates that make older versions obsolete in my opinion.. but considering it's emulation.. you'll always run into certain games ran better on older versions, etc. even if it's not noticeable.