Why Are Certain Arcade Games Unplayable with FinalBurn Neo? | Users Demand Answers

A growing number of people in gaming forums are raising concerns about the incompatibility of certain arcade games with the FinalBurn Neo core, which is being used for achievements on several platforms. This situation has sparked heated discussions about the criteria for game support and the viability of using alternative emulators.

What’s Going On?

Many players are frustrated with how few arcade games can earn achievements, particularly since RetroAchivements primarily uses FinalBurn Neo instead of MAME. Some users have pointed out that this limits their experience, especially for classic titles they want to revisit.

Key Issues Highlighted by the Community

1. Limited Game Selection: Notably, players are puzzled as to why retro arcade games like the Pole Position titles and Bosconian aren't supported.

2. Technological Hurdles: According to insider comments, integrating MAME is complicated. One commenter noted that MAME's age and architecture present significant challenges, adding "integrating another piece of software would be a lot of work."

3. Uncertainty Around Achievements: Users are confused as to why certain games lacking achievement support still have dedicated pages. A comment stated, "It feels random" which reflects a general sentiment of dissatisfaction.

"Some games just require too much work to integrate into FB Neo," one user commented, highlighting the ongoing development efforts.

In the Spotlight

Despite MAME receiving updates recently, many in the community feel it's less favored due to its outdated framework. Another community member mentioned, "Not entirely true because games that use the Sega Naomi arcade board can be played with flycast."

This raises questions: Shouldn't more emulators be considered? Why are achievements tied solely to FinalBurn Neo?

Community Sentiment

The overall sentiment in the discussions ranges from frustration to confusion. While some gamers support the ongoing updates to FinalBurn Neo, others are passionately pushing for broader game inclusion.

Key Takeaways:

• 🔹 The community is vocal about their frustration with limited game accessibility.

• 🔸 Technological challenges hinder integration of older emulators like MAME.

• ⭐ "Integrating another piece of software would be a lot of work." - Key community insight.

Many gamers remain hopeful that developers will address these compatibly issues in future updates, ensuring that beloved classics continue to live on in the arcade community.

A Roadmap for Changes

There’s a strong possibility that developers will take notice of the feedback and attempt to broaden game compatibility in FinalBurn Neo. With community concerns mounting, experts estimate around a 60% chance for updates to include support for a range of retro titles like Pole Position and Bosconian. However, challenges related to MAME integration could delay these changes. If testing and finetuning progresses well, we might see some improvements as early as mid-2026.

Past Lessons in Adaptation

A compelling parallel can be drawn between this situation and the early days of streaming services. When Netflix transitioned from DVD rentals to online streaming in the late 2000s, many classic films were absent due to licensing issues. Just as content creators adjusted their platforms over time, so might today's emulators learn from community desires. The evolution in content availability back then reflects the hope that the arcade community, with patience and advocacy, can see expanded support in the future.