Difference between revisions of "MGBA"

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(edits and a note about the ubuntu version)
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|sixth = [https://github.com/mgba-emu/mgba/ GitHub]}}
 
|sixth = [https://github.com/mgba-emu/mgba/ GitHub]}}
  
[[mGBA]] is an open-source [[Game Boy Advance emulators|Game Boy Advance emulator]]. It aims for both speed and accuracy.
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[[mGBA]] is an open-source [[Game Boy Advance emulators|Game Boy Advance emulator]] developed by endrift. Being written from scratch, it aims for speed, accuracy, and portability. As of yet, it's the most complete GBA emulation effort, passing the older project [[VisualBoy_Advance|VBA and its forks]]. It's also available as a [[libretro]] core.
  
 
==Downloads==
 
==Downloads==
* [https://endrift.com/mgba/downloads.html Stable and nightly builds]
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* [https://mgba.io/downloads.html Stable and nightly builds]
  
 
==Notable features==
 
==Notable features==
mGBA is a GBA emulator written from scratch with portability, accuracy and performance in mind. As of yet, it is the most complete GBA emulation effort. It aims to be easier to port and maintain than its older counterpart, [[VBA]] (or VBA-M). It's also available as a [[Libretro|libretro]] core. Notable features over other GBA emulators include:
 
 
 
* [https://mgba.io/2014/12/28/classic-nes/ NES Classic series compatibility]
 
* [https://mgba.io/2014/12/28/classic-nes/ NES Classic series compatibility]
 
* Local multi-pak link cable support, up to 4 players
 
* Local multi-pak link cable support, up to 4 players
* Complete solar sensor emulation (Boktai series), without the need of game-specific patches
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* Extensive hardware-based emulation that removes the need for game-specific patches
* Tilt sensor (WarioWare: Twisted!, Yoshi's Universal Gravity)
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** Solar sensor emulation for the Boktai series
* Rumble Pak (Drill Dozer, WarioWare: Twisted!)
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** Tilt sensor emulation for games like WarioWare: Twisted! and Yoshi's Universal Gravity
* As of April 8, 2017, a separate build named Medusa introduced the ability to emulate [[Nintendo DS emulators|DS]] games.<ref>https://mgba.io/2017/04/08/medusa</ref> This feature is a work in progress and in alpha, which means accuracy is spotty and features are lacking. The author has plans to have Medusa replace mGBA in 2018.
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** Rumble Pak emulation for games like Drill Dozer and WarioWare: Twisted!
 
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** Real-time clock (Boktai series, Pokémon series, Rockman EXE 4.5 Real Operation), synced to system time or set arbitrarily
Some other perks mGBA offers are:
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* Support for BPS/beat, IPS and UPS patching at runtime, including ROMs in compressed archives (.7z/.zip)
 
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* Game overrides, forcing games to use specific save formats or sensors (tilt, solar, etc.)
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* Very basic cheat code support (AR, GS, CB), though without search options
 
* Save states <!-- would be more notable if it didn't support them -->
 
* Save states <!-- would be more notable if it didn't support them -->
 
* Fast-forwarding and rewinding
 
* Fast-forwarding and rewinding
* Very basic cheat code support (AR, GS, CB), though without search options
 
* Real-time clock (Boktai series, Pokémon series, Rockman EXE 4.5 Real Operation), synced to system time or set arbitrarily
 
* Support for BPS/beat, IPS and UPS patching at runtime, including ROMs in compresed archives (.7z/.zip)
 
* Game overrides, forcing games to use specific save formats or sensors (tilt, solar, etc.)
 
  
And finally, there are some other currently unimplemented but planned features.<ref>https://mgba.io/2014/12/09/announcing-mgba/</ref> These include:
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endrift is also developing Medusa, a [[Nintendo DS emulators|DS emulator]].<ref>https://mgba.io/2017/04/08/medusa</ref> This project is in alpha, meaning accuracy is spotty and features are lacking. Medusa is planned to replace mGBA next year.
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Some features that are still planned include:<ref>https://mgba.io/2014/12/09/announcing-mgba/</ref>
  
* GC/GBA connectivity with Dolphin
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* ''Networked'' multiplayer link cable support
* e-Reader emulation
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* Dolphin/JOY bus link cable support (which is being taken up on Dolphin's side since they specifically developed connectivity for VBA)
* TAS and ROM hacking-oriented options
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* M4A audio mixing, for higher quality sound than hardware
* Single-pak link cable emulation
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* Re-recording support for tool-assist runs
* Wireless adapter emulation (Mario Golf, Classic NES Series, Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen/Emerald, built-in software when no game is inserted)
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* Lua support for scripting
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* A comprehensive debug suite
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* e-Reader support
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* Wireless adapter support (Mario Golf, Classic NES Series, Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen/Emerald, built-in software when no game is inserted)
  
==Command line shortcuts==
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==Manual (CLI version)==
usage: mgba [option ...] file
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:''<small>'''Note:''' The [[Emulation on Ubuntu|Ubuntu]] version consists of both a command-line version (<code>mgba-sdl</code>) and GUI version (<code>mgba-qt</code>). The command-line version does not need to be installed if you aren't going to run it. The main dependency for both is <code>libmgba</code>.</small>''
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<pre>usage: mgba [option ...] file
  
 
Generic options:
 
Generic options:
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   -5              5x viewport
 
   -5              5x viewport
 
   -6              6x viewport
 
   -6              6x viewport
   -f              Start full-screen
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   -f              Start full-screen</pre>
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
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==External links==
 
==External links==
* [https://mgba.io/2017/07/16/mgba-0.6.0/ 0.6.0 release notes and feature list]
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* [https://twitter.com/mgba_emu Twitter]
* [https://twitter.com/mgba_emu mGBA Twitter account]
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* [https://mgba.io/2017/10/01/mgba-0.6.1/ 0.6.1 release notes and feature list]
  
 
{{Game Boy Advance emulators}}
 
{{Game Boy Advance emulators}}

Revision as of 15:33, 12 November 2017

Mgba-logo.png
Current version: 0.10.3
Active: Active
OS: Multi-platform
Authors: Vicki Pfau (endrift)
Official website: mGBA
Source code: GitHub

mGBA is an open-source Game Boy Advance emulator developed by endrift. Being written from scratch, it aims for speed, accuracy, and portability. As of yet, it's the most complete GBA emulation effort, passing the older project VBA and its forks. It's also available as a libretro core.

Downloads

Notable features

  • NES Classic series compatibility
  • Local multi-pak link cable support, up to 4 players
  • Extensive hardware-based emulation that removes the need for game-specific patches
    • Solar sensor emulation for the Boktai series
    • Tilt sensor emulation for games like WarioWare: Twisted! and Yoshi's Universal Gravity
    • Rumble Pak emulation for games like Drill Dozer and WarioWare: Twisted!
    • Real-time clock (Boktai series, Pokémon series, Rockman EXE 4.5 Real Operation), synced to system time or set arbitrarily
  • Support for BPS/beat, IPS and UPS patching at runtime, including ROMs in compressed archives (.7z/.zip)
  • Game overrides, forcing games to use specific save formats or sensors (tilt, solar, etc.)
  • Very basic cheat code support (AR, GS, CB), though without search options
  • Save states
  • Fast-forwarding and rewinding

endrift is also developing Medusa, a DS emulator.[1] This project is in alpha, meaning accuracy is spotty and features are lacking. Medusa is planned to replace mGBA next year.

Some features that are still planned include:[2]

  • Networked multiplayer link cable support
  • Dolphin/JOY bus link cable support (which is being taken up on Dolphin's side since they specifically developed connectivity for VBA)
  • M4A audio mixing, for higher quality sound than hardware
  • Re-recording support for tool-assist runs
  • Lua support for scripting
  • A comprehensive debug suite
  • e-Reader support
  • Wireless adapter support (Mario Golf, Classic NES Series, Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen/Emerald, built-in software when no game is inserted)

Manual (CLI version)

Note: The Ubuntu version consists of both a command-line version (mgba-sdl) and GUI version (mgba-qt). The command-line version does not need to be installed if you aren't going to run it. The main dependency for both is libmgba.
usage: mgba [option ...] file

Generic options:
  -b, --bios FILE     GBA BIOS file to use
  -c, --cheats FILE   Apply cheat codes from a file
  -g, --gdb           Start GDB session (default port 2345)
  -v, --movie FILE    Play back a movie of recorded input
  -p, --patch FILE    Apply a specified patch file when running
  -s, --frameskip N   Skip every N frames
  --version           Print version and exit

Graphics options:
  -1               1x viewport
  -2               2x viewport
  -3               3x viewport
  -4               4x viewport
  -5               5x viewport
  -6               6x viewport
  -f               Start full-screen

References

External links

Nintendo Game Boy Advance Emulators