flesh out arcade core descriptions

dist/info/fbalpha2012_cps1_libretro.info

@@ -11,4 +11,4 @@ permissions = ""
 display_version = "v0.2.97.28"
 supports_no_game = "false"
 notes = "(!) The BIOS files must be inside the ROM directory."
-description = "'FB Alpha 2012 CPS-1' is compatible with FB Alpha v0.2.97.28 ROM sets. This core variant is for CPS-1 games only."
+description = "Based on a snapshot of the Final Burn Alpha codebase from circa 2012, 'FB Alpha 2012 CPS-1' is compatible with FB Alpha v0.2.97.28 ROM sets. This core variant is for CPS-1 games only. It exists solely for use with RAM-constrained platforms, such as certain console or embedded platforms, that do not have the capacity to load the full core along with large games. Most users should use up-to-date FBNeo instead."

dist/info/fbalpha2012_cps2_libretro.info

@@ -11,4 +11,4 @@ permissions = ""
 display_version = "v0.2.97.28"
 supports_no_game = "false"
 notes = "(!) The BIOS files must be inside the ROM directory."
-description = "'FB Alpha 2012 CPS-2' is compatible with FB Alpha v0.2.97.28 ROM sets. This core variant is for CPS-2 games only."
+description = "Based on a snapshot of the Final Burn Alpha codebase from circa 2012, 'FB Alpha 2012 CPS-2' is compatible with FB Alpha v0.2.97.28 ROM sets. This core variant is for CPS-2 games only. It exists solely for use with RAM-constrained platforms, such as certain console or embedded platforms, that do not have the capacity to load the full core along with large games. Most users should use up-to-date FBNeo instead."

dist/info/fbalpha2012_cps3_libretro.info

@@ -11,4 +11,4 @@ permissions = ""
 display_version = "v0.2.97.29"
 supports_no_game = "false"
 notes = "(!) The BIOS files must be inside the ROM directory."
-description = "'FB Alpha 2012 CPS-3' is compatible with FB Alpha v0.2.97.29 ROM sets. This core variant is for CPS-3 games only."
+description = "Based on a snapshot of the Final Burn Alpha codebase from circa 2012, 'FB Alpha 2012 CPS-3' is compatible with FB Alpha v0.2.97.29 ROM sets. This core variant is for CPS-3 games only. It exists solely for use with RAM-constrained platforms, such as certain console or embedded platforms, that do not have the capacity to load the full core along with large games. Most users should use up-to-date FBNeo instead."

dist/info/fbalpha2012_libretro.info

@@ -11,4 +11,4 @@ permissions = ""
 display_version = "v0.2.97.29"
 supports_no_game = "false"
 notes = "(!) The BIOS files must be inside the ROM directory."
-description = "'FB Alpha 2012' is compatible with FB Alpha v0.2.97.29 ROM sets."
+description = "Based on a snapshot of the Final Burn Alpha codebase from circa 2012, 'FB Alpha 2012' is compatible with FB Alpha v0.2.97.29 ROM sets. Most users should use up-to-date FBNeo instead and should only fall back to this core if their device is not capable of running that core."

dist/info/fbalpha2012_neogeo_libretro.info

@@ -11,4 +11,4 @@ permissions = ""
 display_version = "v0.2.97.29"
 supports_no_game = "false"
 notes = "(!) The BIOS files must be inside the ROM directory."
-description = "'FB Alpha 2012 Neo Geo' is compatible with FB Alpha v0.2.97.29 ROM sets. This core variant is for Neo-Geo games only."
+description = "Based on a snapshot of the Final Burn Alpha codebase from circa 2012, 'FB Alpha 2012 Neo Geo' is compatible with FB Alpha v0.2.97.29 ROM sets. This core variant is for Neo-Geo games only. It exists solely for use with RAM-constrained platforms, such as certain console or embedded platforms, that do not have the capacity to load the full core along with large games. Most users should use up-to-date FBNeo instead."

dist/info/fbneo_libretro.info

@@ -44,4 +44,4 @@ firmware9_desc = "fbneo/cchip.zip (C-Chip Internal ROM)"
 firmware9_path = "fbneo/cchip.zip"
 firmware9_opt = "true"
 notes = "(!) The BIOS files can also be inside the ROM directory or the root of SYSTEM directory.|(!) Homepage : https://neo-source.com/"
-description = "'FinalBurn Neo' is compatible with FinalBurn Neo latest ROM sets. Formerly known as 'FB Alpha'."
+description = "Based on the latest up-to-date source, 'FinalBurn Neo' is compatible with FinalBurn Neo latest ROM sets. This core should be the first choice for most users who want to run arcade games via libretro. MAME runs more games, so if FBN is incompatible with a game, those are the next ones to try. The FBA2012 cores should only be used if a device cannot run FBN at full speed. Formerly known as 'FB Alpha'."

dist/info/mame2000_libretro.info

@@ -12,4 +12,4 @@ permissions = ""
 display_version = "0.37b5"
 supports_no_game = "false"
 notes = "(!) The BIOS files must be inside the ROM directory.|"
-description = "'MAME 2000' is compatible withMAME 0.37b5 ROM sets."
+description = "Based on a snapshot of the MAME codebase circa 2000, 'MAME 2000' is compatible with the MAME 0.37b5 ROM set, which was used in the popular iMAME4All port. While this port is the fastest of the libretro cores, it also has the worst accuracy and compatibility, so it should only be used when speed is the utmost concern. If a device can run any of the later snapshots or FBNeo (or even FBA2012), those will all be better choices for most users."

dist/info/mame2003_libretro.info

@@ -12,4 +12,4 @@ permissions = ""
 display_version = "0.78"
 supports_no_game = "false"
 notes = "(!) The BIOS files must be inside the ROM directory.|"
-description = "'MAME 2003' is compatible with MAME 0.78 ROM sets."
+description = "Based on a snapshot of the MAME codebase circa 2003 (v0.78), 'MAME 2003' is compatible with MAME 0.78 ROM sets. MAME 2003/-Plus cores have tighter integration with libretro features than the more modern snapshots and are significantly faster, though this comes at a substantial reduction in both accuracy and compatibility. These cores are ideal for very weak hardware, such as Raspberry Pi and other Single-Board Computers and consoles, where even FBNeo may be too demanding. If you do not need the additional libretro features and your device can run any newer snapshot core or FBNeo, those are probably better choices for most users."

dist/info/mame2003_midway_libretro.info

@@ -12,4 +12,4 @@ permissions = ""
 display_version = "0.78"
 supports_no_game = "false"
 notes = "(!) The BIOS files must be inside the ROM directory.|"
-description = "'MAME 2003 Midway' is compatible with MAME 0.78 ROM sets. This core variant is for Midway games only."
+description = "'MAME 2003 Midway' is compatible with MAME 0.78 ROM sets. This core variant is for Midway games only. MAME 2003/-Plus cores have tighter integration with libretro features than the more modern snapshots and are significantly faster, though this comes at a substantial reduction in both accuracy and compatibility. These cores are ideal for very weak hardware, such as Raspberry Pi and other Single-Board Computers and consoles, where even FBNeo may be too demanding. This core is only useful for devices that are RAM-constrained and cannot load the regular MAME 2003 core into memory alongside large games. If your device can run the regular MAME 2003/-Plus core (or any newer snapshot) or FBNeo, those are all better choices for most users."

dist/info/mame2003_plus_libretro.info

@@ -12,4 +12,4 @@ permissions = ""
 display_version = "2003-Plus"
 supports_no_game = "false"
 notes = "(!) Unless using Full Non-Merged romsets, BIOS files must be inside the ROM directory.|See libretro core documentation for more information about content paths.|"
-description = "'MAME 2003-Plus' is compatible with MAME 2003-Plus latest ROM sets. MAME 2003-Plus uses MAME 2003 as a codebase, but contributors have backported support for an additional 350 games, as well as other functionality not originally present in the underlying codebase."
+description = "Based on a snapshot of the MAME codebase circa 2003 (v0.78), 'MAME 2003-Plus' is compatible with MAME 2003-Plus latest ROM sets. Contributors have backported support for an additional 350 games that are not included in the standard v0.078 ROM set, as well as other functionality not originally present in the underlying codebase. MAME 2003/-Plus cores have tighter integration with libretro features than the more modern snapshots and are significantly faster, though this comes at a substantial reduction in both accuracy and compatibility. These cores are ideal for very weak hardware, such as Raspberry Pi and other Single-Board Computers and consoles, where even FBNeo may be too demanding. If you do not need the additional libretro features and your device can run any newer snapshot core or FBNeo, those are probably better choices for most users."

dist/info/mame2009_libretro.info

@@ -12,4 +12,4 @@ permissions = ""
 display_version = "0.135u4"
 supports_no_game = "false"
 notes = "(!) The BIOS files must be inside the ROM directory.|"
-description = "'MAME 2009' is compatible with MAME 0.135u4 ROM sets."
+description = "Based on a snapshot of the MAME codebase circa 2009, 'MAME 2009' is compatible with MAME 0.135u4 ROM sets. If your device can run the up-to-date MAME - Current core (or any other newer snapshot) at full speed, most users will have a better experience with that core, while FBNeo is typically a better choice for speed vs accuracy, as long as it supports the game(s) in question. This core was created specifically for the performance concerns of the Wii U console, but should also work well on other moderately low-powered devices."

dist/info/mame2010_libretro.info

@@ -12,4 +12,4 @@ permissions = ""
 display_version = "0.139"
 supports_no_game = "false"
 notes = "(!) The BIOS files must be inside the ROM directory.|"
-description = "'MAME 2010' is compatible with MAME 0.139 ROM sets."
+description = "Based on a snapshot of the MAME codebase circa 2010, 'MAME 2010' is compatible with the MAME 0.139 ROM set, which was used in the popular MAME4droid port. If your device can run the up-to-date MAME - Current core (or any other newer snapshot) at full speed, most users will have a better experience with that core, while FBNeo is typically a better choice for speed vs accuracy, as long as it supports the game(s) in question. This core is mainly notable for using a very common ROM set that will never change."

dist/info/mame2015_libretro.info

@@ -12,4 +12,4 @@ permissions = ""
 display_version = "0.160"
 supports_no_game = "false"
 notes = "[1] MAME 2015 (0.160) supports MAME save states.|[2] MAME 2015 (0.160) supports extracted MAME cheats.|[3] The BIOS files must be inside the ROM directory.|[4] The same directory with CHD files inside must be inside the ROM directory.|[5] If desired, the ARTWORK, CHEATS, and SAMPLES directories can be|[^] inside the 'SYSTEMDIR\mame' directory.|[6] When saving, the following directories will be created in the 'SAVEDIR\mame'|[^] directory: STATES, NVRAM, INPUT, SNAPS, CFG, MEMCARD, and DIFF."
-description = "'MAME 2015' is compatible with MAME 0.160 ROM sets."
+description = "Based on a snapshot of the MAME codebase circa 2015, 'MAME 2015' is compatible with MAME 0.160 ROM sets. MAME is the most compatible emulator in the world, and it can run almost any game from any platform (though running console games through this core requires additional steps). If your device can run the up-to-date MAME - Current core (or any other newer snapshot) at full speed, most users will have a better experience with that core, while FBNeo is typically a better choice for speed vs accuracy, as long as it supports the game(s) in question."

dist/info/mame2016_libretro.info

@@ -12,4 +12,4 @@ permissions = ""
 display_version = "0.174"
 supports_no_game = "false"
 notes = "[1] MAME 2016 (0.174) supports MAME save states.|[2] MAME 2016 (0.174) supports extracted MAME cheats.|[3] The BIOS files must be inside the ROM directory.|[4] The same directory with CHD files inside must be inside the ROM directory.|[5] If desired, the ARTWORK, CHEATS, and SAMPLES directories can be|[^] inside the 'SYSTEMDIR\mame' directory.|[6] When saving, the following directories will be created in the 'SAVEDIR\mame'|[^] directory: STATES, NVRAM, INPUT, SNAPS, CFG, MEMCARD, and DIFF."
-description = "'MAME 2016' is compatible with MAME 0.174 ROM sets."
+description = "Based on a snapshot of the MAME codebase circa 2016, 'MAME 2016' is compatible with MAME 0.174 ROM sets. MAME is the most compatible emulator in the world, and it can run almost any game from any platform (though running console games through this core requires additional steps). If your device can run the up-to-date MAME - Current core at full speed, most users will have a better experience with that core, while FBNeo is typically a better choice for speed vs accuracy, as long as it supports the game(s) in question. Otherwise, this core is notable as the most recent snapshot core with an unchanging ROM set."

dist/info/mame_libretro.info

@@ -13,4 +13,4 @@ permissions = ""
 display_version = "Git"
 supports_no_game = "false"
 notes = "[1] MAME supports MAME save states.|[2] MAME supports extracted MAME cheats.|[3] The BIOS files must be inside the ROM directory.|[4] CHD files and their directories must be inside the ROM directory.|[5] ARTWORK, CHEATS, HASH, INI and SAMPLES directories can be placed|[^] inside the 'SYSTEMDIR\mame' directory. (INI/Source for drivers)|[6] When saving, the following directories will be created in the 'SAVEDIR\mame'|[^] directory: STATES, NVRAM, INPUT, SNAPS, CFG, MEMCARD, and DIFF.|[7] Default combo to call MAME GUI: Retropad Select + X|[^] Retropad Select + Start => CANCEL"
-description = "'MAME - Current' is compatible with MAME latest ROM sets."
+description = "'MAME - Current' is compatible with MAME latest ROM sets. MAME is the most compatible emulator in the world, and it can run almost any game from any platform (though running console games through this core requires additional steps). Its high compatibility makes it a good option for most users. If you cannot run this core full speed, the year-stamped forks are faster at the cost of reduced accuracy, but FBNeo is typically a better choice for speed vs accuracy, as long as it supports the game(s) in question."