Because common data (like sound samples or graphics) is repeated in every clone file, non-merged sets are much larger than split or merged sets [1, 2].
If you are obsessive about storage efficiency, seeing 20 copies of the same Q-Sound ROM or C-chip file across different clones may bother you. It’s philosophically wasteful, even if practically convenient. non merged mame rom set
Among these, the is often considered the "goldilocks" solution—more convenient than a split set, but less redundant than a fully merged set. But is it right for you? Because common data (like sound samples or graphics)
The primary advantage of a non-merged set is . With merged or split sets, a user who downloads a clone must ensure they also possess the correct parent version, with the correct filename and CRC32 hash. If the parent is accidentally deleted, moved, or renamed, the clone becomes unplayable. In a non-merged set, each game stands alone. This makes it ideal for: Among these, the is often considered the "goldilocks"
Ultimately, MAME is about preserving and playing arcade history. The best ROM set type is the one that gets you instead of wrestling with files. For most people, that’s non-merged.
If you have a non-merged set, you can take pacman.zip and pacmna.zip (the clone) and put them in different folders, and both will play perfectly without needing the other. Advantages of a Non-Merged MAME ROM Set