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Arcade Manager

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Arcade Manager's own site

What Arcade Manager is

Arcade Manager is a free, open-source tool for filtering arcade ROM collections for RetroPie and Recalbox. It helps users remove unwanted, bad, or unplayable games, with a wizard offering prepared selections such as top games, vertical games, and multiplayer games. Users can copy or clean up selected ROM files, assuming a working set that matches the MAME or FBNeo version in use. The tool checks ROM sets against DAT files and can convert them to non-merged format, but merged and split sets are not supported. It can also download and install overlays or bezels for RetroPie or Recalbox, merge or split game-list files, and convert DAT or INI files. Arcade Manager does not download ROMs. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, although Windows ARM, Linux ARM, and Intel macOS binaries are not currently supported. The application supports multiple languages, includes extensive help, and offers a console application for automation. The project is maintained by cosmo0 and licensed under GPL-3.0.

Who it suits

It suits people organizing arcade ROM collections for RetroPie or Recalbox, particularly users working with MAME or FBNeo sets. Its console application may suit users who want to automate tasks.

What it does well

  • Filters out unwanted, bad, or unplayable games.
  • Wizard offers prepared game selections.
  • Can check sets against DAT files.
  • Includes overlay and bezel installation.
  • Console application supports task automation.

What to know first

  • Does not download ROMs.
  • Merged and split ROM sets are unsupported.
  • Copying assumes a matching working ROM set.
  • Windows ARM, Linux ARM, and Intel macOS binaries are unsupported.

Limits

Arcade Manager does not download ROMs and does not support merged or split ROM sets. Windows ARM, Linux ARM, and Intel macOS binaries are not supported.

Getting started

  1. Visit https://cosmo0.github.io/arcade-manager/.
  2. Choose the Windows, macOS, or Linux version supported by your system.
  3. Use the game-selection wizard to choose a prebuilt list.
  4. Copy or clean up selected ROM files from a working set matching your MAME or FBNeo version.
  5. Use the console application if you want to automate tasks.

Verdict

Arcade Manager combines ROM selection, cleanup, and game-list utilities for RetroPie and Recalbox. Check its ROM format and platform limits first, and bring your own compatible ROM set.

Questions

Is Arcade Manager free?

Yes. It is free and open source, under the GPL-3.0 license.

Which systems does it support?

The maker lists Windows, macOS, and Linux. Windows ARM, Linux ARM, and Intel macOS binaries are not supported.

Does it work with RetroPie and Recalbox?

Yes. It is designed for both and can install overlays or bezels for either.

Does Arcade Manager download ROMs?

No. It filters and manages ROM files but does not download them.

Can it handle merged or split ROM sets?

No. Those set formats are not supported; it can convert a set to non-merged format.

Who maintains Arcade Manager?

The project identifies cosmo0 as its maintainer.

Facts from Arcade Manager's own pages

Architecture limits
The maker says Windows ARM, Linux ARM, and Intel macOS binaries are not currently supported. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Automation
The v25.1 release added a console application for automating tasks. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Emulators
It is designed for RetroPie and Recalbox and can work with arcade emulator ROM sets such as MAME and FBNeo. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Game lists
It can merge and split game list files and convert DAT or INI files. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Game selection
A wizard provides pre-built lists of games for users who want to select recommended titles from large ROM sets. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Help
The application includes extensive help for users. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Intended users
The tool is designed for use with RetroPie and Recalbox. · cosmo0.github.io, 10 Oct 2026
Interface and help
The project describes its interface as user-friendly and says extensive help is included. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Languages
The application supports multiple languages, and contributors can help translate it through Weblate or by submitting translation files. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
License
The repository lists the project under the GPL-3.0 license. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Lists and formats
It can merge and split game-list files and convert DAT or INI files. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Maintainer
The maker's site says ArcadeManager is maintained by cosmo0. · cosmo0.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
No ROM downloads
ArcadeManager does not download ROMs. · cosmo0.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
Overlays
It can download and install overlay packs for RetroPie or Recalbox. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Platform limit
The project says Windows ARM, Linux ARM, and macOS x86 binaries are not currently supported. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
Purpose
ArcadeManager manages MAME/FBNeo arcade ROM collections by filtering out unwanted, bad, and unplayable games. · cosmo0.github.io, 10 Oct 2026
ROM checks
The tool can check a ROM set against a DAT file and convert it to non-merged format; merged and split sets are not supported. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
ROM downloads
The tool does not download ROMs. · cosmo0.github.io, 10 Oct 2026
ROM files
Users can copy or clean up selected ROM files. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
ROM management
Users can copy or clean up a selection of ROM files. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
ROM set requirement
Copying files assumes a working ROM set that corresponds to the MAME/FBNeo version in use. · github.com, 10 Oct 2026
ROM set support
The tool can check a ROM set against a DAT file and convert it to non-merged format; merged and split sets are not supported. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Supported platforms
The maker lists Windows, macOS, and Linux as supported platforms. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026

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