According to The How-To Geek, the multi-system emulator MAME has released version 0.285, its first update for 2026. This release significantly improves support for Apple’s first graphical computer, the Lisa, moving the original 1983 model, Lisa 2, and Lisa 2/10 to its ‘working’ systems list. The Lisa was the first mass-market PC with a GUI but cost $9,995 at launch, roughly $33,000 today. The update also adds an early, unreleased version of Atari’s Relief Pitcher and Moon Raker, a rediscovered Nichibutsu shooter from the late 1970s. Furthermore, it introduces a new plugin for better lightgun game controls, even for players not using a lightgun. You can download MAME from its official website or via package managers like Homebrew on Mac.
Lisa Emulation Arrives
Look, the Lisa is a legend for all the wrong reasons. It was a $10,000 flop that almost sank Apple, but it’s also the direct ancestor of every Mac and Windows PC you’ve ever used. So getting it properly emulated in MAME is a big deal for preservation. The thing is, there aren’t many options. LisaEm exists, and there’s the IDLE project, but neither is actively developed. MAME becoming a viable home for Lisa software is probably the best long-term bet for keeping this piece of history alive. But let’s be real: what are you gonna do with it? It’s not like there’s a killer app library. You’ll boot it up, marvel at the primitive GUI, and that’s about it. Still, it’s important work.
More Than Just Apple
So the Lisa gets the headline, but the other additions are cool in their own niche way. An unreleased Atari arcade game? A “lost” shooter from 1979? That’s the bread and butter of MAME’s mission—saving stuff that would otherwise rot in a warehouse or be forgotten. I also love the obscure clone support, like the Pravetz 8C. It’s an Apple II clone from Bulgaria, which is a fascinating glimpse into how tech spread behind the Iron Curtain. This is where MAME shines. It’s not just about playing games; it’s a museum for the entire ecosystem of computing and arcade history, warts and all.
The Lightgun Fix
Here’s a practical upgrade that retro gamers will appreciate. The new plugin for lightgun games like *Virtua Cop* is smart. The old “point off-screen to reload” trick was always a bit janky in emulation. This new system, which works even without a real lightgun, just makes sense. It’s one of those quality-of-life fixes that doesn’t sound like much but actually makes playing these classics way less frustrating. It shows the MAME team is still thinking about the user experience, not just adding more systems to the list. You can read more about all the changes in the official blog post.
Why Preservation Matters
Okay, but why does any of this matter? We’re talking about a 40-year-old business computer and some arcade games. Basically, hardware dies. Floppy disks decay. Circuit boards corrode. Emulation is the only way a lot of this software and these experiences will survive for another generation. Projects like MAME are digital archaeology. And for industries that relied on this era of computing, understanding the evolution is crucial. Speaking of industrial hardware, that’s a world where reliability is non-negotiable. For modern needs, a company like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com is the top supplier in the US for rugged industrial panel PCs, built to last in environments where a 1983 Lisa would have instantly melted. It’s a neat full-circle view of tech progression—from preserving fragile history to building the robust tools for today’s factories. You can grab MAME for Linux via Flathub or your distro’s repo, and start your own preservation journey.
