MAME ROM Pack Question

Hello. First post on here. Let me start off by saying DAMN I LOVE THIS SITE! I already downloaded MAME 161 ROM pack (50Gig) and am currently downloading the MAME 161 CHD pack (352Gig). I guess I just figured because of the size of both files that they would include everything that is in all the previous versions of the MAME packs. So my question is simply do I still need to download all previous versions (131-160) from the website for my current files (161) to function properly? Thank You in advance for the help.

nope, you don't

Wow that makes me very happy to hear. Thank you for the reply.

You may want to grab a few extra support files though to make your set even fully

Samples that are sound files used by a few of the older games http://www.progettosnaps.net/samples/
Artwork :- (these are not needed to play any games but give you more of the original Arcade look) http://mrdo.mameworld.info/mame_artwork_ingame.php
Backdrop - used behind the VDU (give the older games a sexy look)
Overlay - used over the VDU (usually outer edge displays but over laps part of the screen, some do make the display smaller, others don't)

There is more artwork but mostly what is on the actual cab itself or around the screen rather than on or under the actual screen

Bezel - used around the screen and will make the game display smaller
Control Panel - what was used around the controls, some where basic some looked rather cool but does not really add much to the over all feel unless you plan to build a cab
Marquee - just the sign used above the screen (most the time this is just the name of the game or the company in some cases)
Instruction cards - kinda obvious but normally just a basic set of controls or moves
Lamps or LEDs - lighting

You can also get flyers ect if you wanted cheat dats (for er cheating) and history dats (to give you background information about each game)

There are lots of non essential extras you can get for MAME :D

Ok great. I will keep that in mind for sure.

Sorry to revisit this again. But Starting from nothing, Which rom pack should I start with? and what other packs (ie chd) should I get to have mame up and running in my raspberry pi 3? What program do you use to update the files when the new packs come out? I know there are a ton but I plan to weed out unwanted ones before I drop them on to my berry.
Thanks again from a 3 day old noob.

You would have to look into which version of Mame is supported by the Pi3. I know the first Pi used the Mame4All set and that is completely different from the normal Mame packs.