is a solid, stable release that polishes the Neo Geo and CPS-2 experience. It’s not the newest (FBNeo is now the recommended fork), but if you want a lightweight, single-executable emulator for classic 2D arcade games, this version still holds up.

Unlike standard MAME sets, the FBA v0.2.97.44 romset is unique. To ensure games launch correctly, users must match their ROM files to the exact version required by the emulator core. Reddit·r/RG350

For users of the popular multi-emulator frontend , the FB Alpha core was the gold standard for years. Many users still use this specific version because their existing configs, playlists, and shaders are built around it. While it has since been superseded by the "FB Neo" core, the older core is often still found in "complete" retro gaming images (like RetroPie images for the Raspberry Pi).

: If you have a Raspberry Pi, a modded PlayStation Vita, or a Windows XP retro PC, stick with v0.2.97.44. It is finished, stable, and lightweight. For Windows 10/11 with high-end gaming, use FB Neo.

: As a RetroArch core , it gained features like shader/overlay support, netplay, and centralized controller configurations. The Shift to FinalBurn Neo