If you delete the parent game, none of the clone games will work. You cannot cherry-pick individual files easily. 3. Merged Sets (The Compressed All-In-One)
A merged set places the parent game and all of its regional clones into one single, large zip file. Highly organized and keeps the folder clean.
❌ Takes ~30% more disk space than split ❌ Slower to scan a full set (more files to hash) ❌ Not accepted by some old arcade ROM managers fbneo full non-merged rom set
: Unlike "Split" sets, a clone (like a Japanese version of a game) does not need the parent (the "World" version) to run. Built-in BIOS
: The catch is that non-merged sets take up much more disk space because data shared between versions of a game is duplicated across multiple files. Where to Use It If you delete the parent game, none of
Emulators like FBNeo need exact digital copies of these chips to run the game. A "ROM set" is a collection of these files, compressed into a ZIP archive, that corresponds to a specific arcade machine.
Each ZIP includes the parent ROMs and the BIOS (like the Neo-Geo BIOS) inside that specific file. Merged Sets (The Compressed All-In-One) A merged set
Once you have your set, make a backup. Store it on an external drive. Then, copy only your top 100 favorite games to your handheld. That small, curated subset will bring you more joy than a massive, unorganized archive ever could.
The official documentation often points toward reliable methods for securing current sets.
A merged set combines the parent game and all of its clones into a single, massive zip file.
✅ Every game is independent ✅ No parent/clone dependency ✅ Easy to delete, copy, or share individual games ✅ Works perfectly with frontends (LaunchBox, Retrobat) ✅ Ideal for handhelds (Anbernic, Miyoo, Retroid)