ShmupMAME Version 5.4

Shmupmame v5.4 has been released, offering an enhanced version of MAME with reduced input lag for numerous shoot ’em up (shmup) drivers, including CPS1, CPS2, and CPS3, improving playability for Capcom fighters. New features include expanded loop capabilities for various games and refined de-lag methods using input injection and sprite buffer deletion. Notable included systems are Sega STV, Sony ZN, and Taito G-net, enhancing titles like “Mushihimesama” and “Radiant Silvergun.” Several drivers remain responsive with minimal lag. However, some games, particularly from Raizing and other low-budget developers, are excluded due to high latency issues.

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Shmupmame v5.4 has been launched. Shmupmame is an enhanced version of MAME. This version significantly reduces input lag for many drivers, particularly for shmups. It also supports the cps1, cps2, and cps3 drivers, allowing you to enjoy Capcom fighters with minimal input delay.

Shmupmame Changelog:
Shmupmame 5.0 (sh3, psx, stv, cave 68000, and others) by nimitz 2026
Loop 2 initiation for the following games:
• Batsugun special (Starts at loop 2 with maximum power, but “level 1”)
• Donpachi (jp) (Starts at loop 2 with maximum power)
• Dodonpachi (Starts at loop 2 with minimum power; maximum power is not essential)
• Dai-ou-Jou Black Label (includes WL) (Starts at loop 2 with maximum power for both shot and laser)
• Ketsui Ura Loop (Starts at loop 2 with maximum power)
• Ketsui Omote Loop (Starts at loop 2 with standard power)
• DaiFukkatsu 1.5 Omote Loop (Starts at loop 2 with maximum power)
List of included drivers (shmups only, with specific exceptions):
Shmupmame 5 “exclusives” (current alternatives are inferior, due to inaccuracies, runahead/preemptive limitations, or only available in vanilla MAME)
• CV1k using single buffering (Mushihimesama, Futari, Galuda 2, Dfk, Ibara, Deathsmiles, Pink Sweets, etc.)
• Sega STV using single buffering (Guardian Force, Radiant Silvergun, Cotton 2/boomerang, Soukyugurentai, Shienryu)
• Sony ZN using single buffering (Brave Blade, G-Darius, Raystorm, Aero Fighters special)
• Taito G-net using single buffering (Raycrisis, Psyvariar, Shikigami no Shiro, Night Raid, Xii Stag)
• Gradius IV using single buffering (voodoo1 video driver, no artifacts)
New de-lag methods in Shmupmame 5
• Cave 68000 via input injection (Dodonpachi, Esprade, Dangun Feveron, Mazinger Z, Air Gallet, Guwange (buffer delete)) (Donpachi and Hotdog Storm are already responsive)
• Jaleco Mega System 32 via input injection (P47 Aces, Game Tengoku, Gratia)
• Gradius II via sprite buffer delete (this method is new, possibly previously de-lagged in older builds)
De-lagged drivers transitioned from Shmupmame 4.2 (removed hacks causing visual side effects)
• Psikyo 1st gen with both injection and sprite buffer delete (Strikers 1945, Gunbird, Sengoku Ace, Tengai) (Frame advance indicates 3 frames, but is measured at 2 frames)
• Namco System 1 with both injection and sprite buffer delete (Galaga ’88, Blast Off, Dangerous Seed, Dragon Spirit (injection only))
• Some NMK 16 shmups via sprite buffer delete (Thunder Dragon 2, Rapid Hero, Macross 2, Strahl, US AAF Mustang, Black Heart, Acrobat Mission, Task Force Harrier)
• Psikyo 2nd gen via sprite buffer delete (Strikers 1945 2/3, Gunbird 2, Dragon Blaze, Space Bomber)
• Mars Matrix via sprite buffer delete (5 frames -> 3 frames, autosword and autofire for player 1)
• CPS2 via sprite buffer delete (Progear, Gigawing, 1944, 19XX) *not Great Mahou/dimahou and 19XX due to visual artifacts
• CPS1 via sprite buffer delete (3 Wonders, 1941, Area 88, Carrier Air Wing, Lost/Forgotten Worlds) *Varth/3 Wonders/Mercs remain untouched due to resulting visual artifacts
• Jaleco MegaSys1 via sprite buffer delete (Chimera Beast, EDF, Cybattler, P47, Saint Dragon) Plus alpha remains untouched but responsive
• Boogie Wings via sprite buffer delete (unique hardware/driver)
Included vanilla responsive drivers (2 frames lag or less)
• PGM (Ketsui, Espgaluda, DDP Dai-ou-jou, DDP2)
• Konami systems (Parodius series, Gradius I/III, Twinbee series, Salamander series, Thunder Cross 1/2, Xexex, Trigon)
• Toaplan systems (Batsugun, Tatsujin/Truxton 1/2, Fling Shark, Fire Shark, Twin Cobra, Outzone, Dogyuun, Vimana, Hellfire, Zero Wing)
• Taito F3 (Rayforce, Darius Gaiden, Grid Seeker, Gekirindan, Twin Cobra 2, Space Invaders 95)
• Taito F2 (Metal Black, Gun & Frontier, Super Space Invaders, Megablast)
• Seibu Systems (Raiden 1, Raiden 2/DX, Raiden Fighters 1/2/Jet, Viper Phase One)
• Sega System 16A/B (Fantasy Zone 1/2, Cotton, Aurail, SDI, Sonic Boom)
• Neo Geo shmups (some) (Twinkle Star, Tomaday, Andro Dunos, Viewpoint, Sonic Wings 2/3, Pulstar, Last Resort, Zed Blade, Shock Troopers 1/2), remaining ones require testing
• Omega Fighters & Cyvern (may require injection)
• Irem System (R-type 1/2/Leo, Mystic Riders, Image Fight, X-multiply, Air Duel, Gallop, Dragon Breed)
• Darius 1 & 2
• 1942 & 1943 & 1943 Kai
• Some classics (Mad Planets, Robotron, Juno First, Sky Kid, Xevious, Zaxxon, Centipede, Millipede, Space Invaders, Galaxian, Galaga, Gaplus, Space Invaders, Gyruss)
• Sammy Seta Visco hardware (Change Air Blade, Storm Blade, Vasara 1/2, Ultra X Weapons, Twin Eagle 2)
• Nostradamus
Drivers/games unfortunately not included:
• Most of Raizing’s 68000 games, 3-4 frames delay, recommended to be played with a runahead/preemptive emulator (Mahou is included as it is responsive)
• Dragon Saber, very laggy, and buffer delete is noticeable due to panning
• Daioh (unexpectedly laggy even though other games on the system function well; further investigation yielded no quick fix)
• Dooyong, Afega, Comad, and other very low-budget shmups, due to a lack of interest
• Early 80s Space Invaders clones, as there are hundreds of these, efforts were made to include only some of the best titles