VERTICAL ARCADE
These overlays (sometimes known as bezels) display art on top of the game you're playing. To use them, you need a PC or Raspberry Pi (or other compatible system) running some version of MAME and the associated game software, as well as a widescreen (16x9) monitor mounted vertically. To display the overlay while playing a game, download the artwork file for that game overlay (it must have the same filename as the game), place it in the Artwork folder within your MAME directory and launch the game. (For instance, the software for the game Magic Sword is called msword.zip, so it requires a file in the Artwork directory also called msword.zip.)
All overlays are 4K resolution (2160 x 3840), and listed dimensions are for the game screen, relative to a 4K vertical monitor. The actual game screen size will depend on the resolution of your monitor.
Most of the overlays include multiple presets that let you choose the size of the game screen, access a "dark" version designed to look more like a dark arcade, and sometimes other options. To choose a preset, press Tab while running the game to bring up the MAME menu, select Video Options, and select a preset from the list.
Some overlays include Curved presets designed with a curved screen port, to better simulate the look of a CRT monitor. These presets work best if you are using a geometry shader that adds a curved look to the game screen. For an optimal experience, you may need to adjust your shaders to match the curvature of the screen shape in the overlay. If you are not using a geometry shader, you are using a shader that adds a curved bezel, or if you prefer a rectangular screen port, choose a Straight preset where applicable.
A bullet hell shmup from Japanese developer Visco, Vasara 2 is actually a prequel to the original Vasara, but both take place in a feudal Japan that is for some reason populated by giant robots, flying battleships and heroes on hover bikes. The game's characters, based on quasi-historical Japanese figures of the period, each bring different weapons into battle against villain Oda Nobunga, but all have both a close-range charge-up melee attack that destroys enemy projectiles and the Vasara ability, charged by collecting gems dropped by enemies, in addition to standard attacks. The Vasara attack clears the screen of bullets and severely damages enemies, something you'll need to manage to endless fields of bullets and enemies. Killing bosses with your melee attack yields flags, part of the Prestige Kill System that powers an increasing score multiplier. Though not one of the best-known or loved games of its type, Vasara 2 is another option for shmup fans looking for something new (that's somewhat old).