I don't see any problem with porting older versions to weaker machines that can't run the new ones (as the requirements of most emulators increase over time while the power of a game console does not), what I have a problem with is attacking an emulator for focusing on accuracy first and gameplay second. Even ZSNES had that focus after they realized per-game hacks were detrimental and started removing them.
The problem with that is that to claim MAME is the king of 'accuracy' is to be taking liberty with reality and facts to a great degree.Go read some of the blog posts by Haze - only a very, very select few of the drivers could have ever been said to be 'accurate' (most of them amounting to drivers meant for old '80s games) - the rest are (yes, *shock horror*) hack jobs that are as 'accurate' up to the point where the arcade games start to run - especially compared to MESS'. Try to use (say) PSX drivers in MAME for something like console games in MESS and you'll be horribly surprised at how 'accurate' it is indeed.That's not 'attacking' - that is repeating what a still more-or-less active MAME dev (one that headed the project actually for a time) has to say.Now I know this person is not on good terms with the rest of the MAME team, but I don't believe in 'design by committee' or repeating what everyone else says either.You speak your mind on any issues in FLOSS land (whether it's about Linux, FLOSS programs or anything of the sort - the 'elephants in the room') and you get immediately told 'don't criticize, you're attacking, blabla' - no, I'm not attacking - I'm doing what so far has been the ONLY conceivable route to progress in any scientific fied - criticism, examination - criticism given what has been said and what has been claimed about a project. Doesn't mean I depreciate the project - doesn't mean I don't see value in it - just means I have an opinion based on some logic that the MAME devteam doesn't happen to share. And I've happened to notice that if you don't go along with what's perceived to be the 'correct opinion' in these circles, you get ostracized. Big deal - been there, done that - and it doesn't phaze me. If we can't have criticism anymore and should not question anything, we might as well all revert back to the medieval ages and not question the sanctity of religions - because it's of a similar narrowness to be frank.