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MAME is an Arcade Emulator

MAME Table of Contents

Getting Started with MAME

How to Install MAME

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The Basics

$HOME or ~ refer to your home directory. On a typical linux distro, the full path will be \$HOME/\$USER. On a Steam Deck, the full path will be /home/deck. When navigating using the file manager, the file manager may not be display the username visually in the full file path.

Directories with a . in front of their name, like $HOME/.steam, are hidden by default. In Dolphin (a file manager), click the hamburger menu in the top right and toggle on Show Hidden Files. The setting may vary depending on which file manager you are using.

$HOME/Applications refers to the Applications folder in your home directory. On a typical linux distro, the full path will be \$HOME/\$USER/Applications. On a Steam Deck, the full path will be /home/deck/Applications. When navigating using the file manager, the file manager may not display the username visually in the full file path. The Applications folder is not created by default. If you have not created one already, do so before following the steps in this section.

MAME is available as a Flatpak on Linux. This page will cover how to utilize and install the Flatpak.

To download MAME:

  1. Open your distro's software manager.
    • On SteamOS and distros with KDE, you may use Discover, a "store" to install and manage Flatpaks.
  2. Search for "MAME" and click "Install" on the top right of the software page For MAME
  3. Open Konsole or a terminal of your choice
  4. Type the following two lines, one at a time, and press enter after each line:
    • flatpak override org.mamedev.MAME --filesystem=host --user
    • Alternatively, you may install and use Flatseal from your distro's software manager. Open Flatseal, locate the emulator on the left-hand side of the screen, scroll down to the Filesystem section and enable All system files

MAME Tips and Tricks