Changes

|predecessor = [[Game Boy/Game Boy Color emulators|Game Boy (Color)]], [[Virtual Boy emulators|Virtual Boy]]|successor = [[Pokémon mini emulators|Pokémon mini]], [[Nintendo DS emulators|Nintendo DS(i)]]

 The '''[[wikipedia:Game_Boy_Advance|Game Boy Advance]]''' (often shortened to GBA) is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on the 21st of March 212001, 2001; in North America on the 11th of June 11, 2001; and in Australia and Europe on the 22nd of June 22, and retailed for {{Inflation|USD|99.99|2001}}. It has a ARM7TDMI CPU at 16.78 MHz and a Zilog Z80 CPU at 8 MHz and 4 MHz. It has 288KB of RAM and 96KB of VRAM.

===PC / x86===<div style="overflow-x:auto;width:100%">{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;width:100%"

! scope="col"|GB[[#Hardware_features_and_accessories|Hardware features<br/GBC! scope="col"|NDS! scope="col"|Game Link Support! scope="col"|e-Reader>and accessories]]! scope="col"|[[libretro#Enhancements|Enhancements]]! scope="col"|[[Emulation Accuracy|Accuracy]]Compatibility

!colspan|[[mGBA]]<br/><small>[https://docs.libretro.com/library/mgba/ mGBA_libretro]</small>|align="13"left|{{Icon|Windows|PC Linux|macOS|FreeBSD|Web}}|[https://mgba.io/builds/1/ Dev builds]<br/>[https://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/ libretro core]<ref group=N>[https://old.reddit.com/x86r/emulation/comments/12x3fsm/mgba_0102_released/jhigow4/ endrift confirming the libretro core is tracking the master branch]</ref><br/>[https://mgba.io/downloads.html {{MGBAVer}}]|{{~}} ||{{~}} || ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}

|[[mGBAVisualBoy Advance#VBA-M|VBA-M]]<br/><small>[https://docs.libretro.com/library/vba_m/ vbam_libretro]</small><br/><small><abbr title="VBA Next is a Game Boy Advance emulator based on VBA-M 2011 with backported patches for performance and compatibility improvements.">[https://docs.libretro.com/library/vba_next/ vba_next_libretro]</abbr></small>

|[https://mgbanightly.iovba-m.com/ Nightly builds]<br/> [http://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/ libretro core'''s'''] <br/> [https://downloadsgithub.html com/visualboyadvance-m/visualboyadvance-m/releases {{MGBAVerVBAMVer}}]|{{~}} ||{{~}} || ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}||{{~}}|-|[[NanoBoyAdvance]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}|[https://nightly.link/nba-emu/NanoBoyAdvance/workflows/build/master Dev builds]<ref group=N name=medusabr/>Experimental separate build under the name of [https://github.com/nba-emu/NanoBoyAdvance/releases {{NanoBoyAdvanceVer}}]|{{n}} ||{{~}} || ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}}|-|[[mGBA#medusa|medusaSkyEmu]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|Web}}|[https://github.com/skylersaleh/SkyEmu/pull/321 Dev Builds]<br/ref> [https://github.com/skylersaleh/SkyEmu/releases/ {{SkyEmuVer}}]|{{n}} ||{{✓~}} || ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||Mid{{~}}|-High |[[ares]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}|[https://nightly.link/ares-emulator/ares/workflows/build/master <abbr title="Latest development build version">git Artifacts</abbr>]<br/>[https://github.com/ares-emulator/ares/releases {{aresVer}}]|{{?}} ||{{~}} || ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓~}}

|[[higanGBE+]]

|[httphttps://byuugithub.orgcom/emulationshonumi/higan gbe-plus/releases {{higanVerGBEVer}}]|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗~}} ||{{✗?}} ||{{✓}} ||Cycle ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓~}}

|[[VisualBoy AdvanceNo$|No$GBA]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|DOS}}|[http://problemkaputt.de/gba.htm {{No$GBAVer}}]|{{~}} ||{{~}} || ||{{✗}} ||{{~}}[https://problemkaputt.de/gbanew.htm *] ||{{~}}|-|[[BizHawk]]<br/><small>(mGBA 0.10.0)</small>|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}|[https://gitlab.com/TASVideos/BizHawk/-/pipelines Dev builds]<br/>[http://tasvideos.org/BizHawk/ReleaseHistory.html {{BizHawkVer}}]|{{~}} ||{{~}} || ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}}|-|[[Mesen|Mesen]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}|[https://github.com/SourMesen/Mesen2#VBAdevelopment-Mbuilds {{MesenVer}}]|{{~}} ||{{~}} ||? ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||WIP|VBA-M|[[MAME]]

|<abbr title="Latest development version">git artifacts</abbr><ref group=N>[https://nightly.link/mamedev/mame/workflows/ci-windows/master CI-Windows] [https://nightly.link/mamedev/mame/workflows/ci-linux/master CI-Linux] [https://githubnightly.comlink/visualboyadvancemamedev/mame/workflows/ci-mmacos/visualboyadvancemaster CI-mMacos]</ref><br/>[http://releases www.mamedev.org/release.html {{VBAMVerMAMEVer}}]|{{✓?}} ||{{✗~}} ||{{✓}} [http://adb.arcadeitalia.net/lista_mess.php?software_list_name=gba&compatibility= ?] ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||Mid ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓✗}}

|[[NanoBoyAdvance]https://docs.libretro.com/library/gpsp/ gpSP_libretro]

|[https://githubbuildbot.libretro.com/fleroviuxnightly/NanoboyAdvance 1.5libretro core]|{{✗~}} ||{{✗~}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||Cycle [https://docs.libretro.com/library/gpsp/#compatibility ?] ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~✗}}

|SkyEmu[[Mednafen]]<br/><small>[https://docs.libretro.com/library/beetle_gba/ mednafen_gba_libretro]</small>|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}|[{{MednafenURL|releases/}} {{MednafenVer}}]<br/>[https://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/ libretro core]|{{?}} || || ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}|-|[https://hades-emu.org Hades]

|[https://github.com/skylersalehhades-emu/SkyEmu git]|Hades/releases/tag/v1.0.0 {{✓HadesVer}} |]<br/> [https://nightly.link/hades-emu/Hades/workflows/build/master Nightly builds]<br/> [https://github.com/hades-emu/hades Git]|{{~?}} ||{{~}} ||{{~}} ||{{✗}} ||Cycle ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~✗}}

|[[areshigan]](火眼)<br/>byuu (謬/view)

|[https://github.com/areshigan-emulatoremu/areshigan/releases /tag/v110 {{aresVerhiganVer}}]|{{✓?}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗✓}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}<ref group=N>Superseded by [[ares]].</ref>

|[https://web.archive.org/web/20150311100053/http://ciacin.site90.com/ideas.php 1.0.4.0]|{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗iDeaSVer}}|-|[[GBE+]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS?}}|[https://github.com/shonumi/gbe-plus {{GBEVer}}]|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}

|[https://fms.komkon.org/VGBA /#Downloads {{VGBAVer}}]|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}|-|[[MAME]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS|FreeBSD}}|[http://www.mamedev.org/release.html {{MAMEVer}}]|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||Cycle ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}

|[https://github.com/blastrock/meteor 1.4.2]|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||Low-Mid ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}|-|[[No$|No$GBA]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|DOS}}|[http://problemkaputt.de/gba.htm {{No$GBAVerMeteorVer}}]|{{✗?}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||Mid ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}

|[http://boycottadvance.emuunlim.org/Downloads.htm 0.2.8]|{{✗BoyCottAdvanceVer}} ||{{✗}} |]|{{✗?}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||Low ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}

|[https://www.zophar.net/macintosh/gba/playboy-advance.html 1.0]|{{✗PlayBoyAdvanceVer}} ||{{✗}} |]|{{✗?}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||Low ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}

|AloneGBAGameBeanAdvance

|[https://standalonesgithub.dev 1.0.2com/bmchtech/GameBeanAdvance Git]|{{?}} || || ||{{✓}} ||{{✗~}} ||{{✗}} |-|[[NooDS]]|align=left|{{✗Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}} |[https://github.com/Hydr8gon/NooDS/releases git]|{{✓?}} ||Mid || ||{{✗✓}} ||{{✓}} ||?{{✗}}|}</div> ===Mobile / ARM===<div style="overflow-x:auto;width:100%">{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;width:100%"|-! scope="col"|Name! scope="col"|Platform(s)! scope="col"|Latest Version! scope="col"|[[#Hardware_features_and_accessories|Hardware features<br/>and accessories]]! scope="col"|[[#Enhancements|Enhancements]]! scope="col"|Compatibility! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>! scope="col"|Active! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]

!colspan|[[mGBA]]|align="13"left|{{Icon|Mobile Android|iOS|Linux|Pandora}}|[https://github.com/huhao1987/mGBA_Android unofficial android version]<br/>[https://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/ ARMlibretro core]|{{~}} ||{{~}} || ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}

|[[mGBAVisualBoy Advance#VBA-M|VBA-M]]<ref group=N name=libretro>Only available on mobile as a libretro core (e.g. [[RetroArch]]).</ref>

|[https://mgbabuildbot.iolibretro.com/nightly/downloads.html {{MGBAVer}}libretro core]|{{✓~}} ||{{✓~}}<ref group=N name=medusa /> ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||Mid-High ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓~}}

|[[SkyEmu]]|align=left|{{Icon|Android|iOS}}|[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sky.SkyEmu v3.2] (Play)[https://www.amazon.com/SkyEmu-GBC-GBA-NDS-Emulator/dp/B0CGHK8QP5 v3.2] (Amazon)[https://github.com/skylersaleh/SkyEmu git]|{{n}} ||{{~}} || ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}}|-|[[gpSP]]|align=left|{{Icon|Android|iOS|Pandora}}<br/>{{Icon|Didj|Symbian}}|[https://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/ libretro core]<br/>[http://repo.openpandora.org/?page=detail&app=package.gpsp.notaz 0.9.2.8 Pandora]<br/>[https://github.com/Summeli/gpSP4Cute Symbian]|{{~}} ||{{~}} ||[https://docs.libretro.com/library/gpsp/#compatibility ?] ||{{✓}} ||{{~}}<ref group=N name=gpsp>Libretro Core Only.</ref> ||{{~}}|-|Pizza Boy GBAA Basic

|[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=it.dbtecno.pizzaboygbapro pizzaboygba 1.3112.01]|{{✓}}<ref group=N name=pizzaboygbc>Separate app called Pizza Boy GBC.</ref> ||{{✗}} ||{{✓~}} ||{{✗~}} ||{{✗}} ||Mid ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓~}}

|[httphttps://www.explusalpha.com/ contents/gba-emu GBA.emu]<br/><small>(VBA-M 2.1.4 based)</small>

|[https://github.com/Rakashazi/emu-ex-plus-alpha/releases/tag/Pre-release Pre-release]<br/>[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.explusalpha.GbaEmu {{.emuVer}}][https://github.com/Rakashazi/emu-ex-plus-alpha git]</br>[https://pyra-handheld.com/repo/apps/75 1.5.46.02 Pyra]|{{✓}}<ref group=N name=gbc.emu>Separate app called GBC.emu.</ref> ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||Mid ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}|-|VGBAnext|align=left|{{Icon|Android}}|[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fms.emu {{VGBANextVer}}]|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||Low ||{{✗~}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓~}}

|[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fastemulator.gba 1.82.0]|{{✓}}<ref group=N name=myoldboy>Separate paid app called My OldBoy!.</ref> ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||Mid ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}}|-|[[gpSP]6]|align=left|{{Icon|Pandora|Didj}}|[http://repo.openpandora.org/?page=detail&app=package.gpsp.notaz 0.9.2.8 Pandora]|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||Mid ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓~}}

|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓?}} ||{{✗}} ||? ||Mid ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{~}}

|GBA_J2ME|align=left|{{Icon|Java}}|[http://web.archiveoldfag.orgtop/webdownloads/20190801135245/http://allaboutwindowsphone?act=view&id=168 1.com/software/content/VBA8_1.php VBA80]|{{?}} || || ||? ||{{✗}} ||{{~}}|-|VGBAnext|align=left|{{Icon|W8PAndroid}}|[https://wwwplay.appx4fungoogle.com/xapstore/15223apps/ 2details?id=com.fms.27emu {{VGBANextVer}}]|{{✓?}} || || ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} |-|[[NooDS]]|align=left|{{Icon|Android}}|[https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hydra.noods 0.1]<br/>[https://github.com/Hydr8gon/NooDS/releases git]|{{? }} || ||Low-Mid ||{{✓}} ||{{✗✓}} ||{{✗}}

|{{✓?}} ||{{✗}} ||{{~}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||High ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}

|[[VisualBoy Advance#VBA-M|VBA-Mhttp://web.archive.org/web/20190801135245/http://allaboutwindowsphone.com/software/content/VBA8_1.php VBA8]]<ref group=N name=libretro />|align=left|{{Icon|Android|iOS|Linux|PandoraW8P}}|[https://githubwww.appx4fun.com/visualboyadvance-mxap/15223/visualboyadvance-m 2.1.427]|{{✓?}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||? ||{{✓}} ||? ||{{✓✗}} ||{{✓✗}} |}</div> ===Consoles===<div style="overflow-x:auto;width:100%">{|{{✗}}class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;width:100%"

!colspanscope="13col"|ConsolesName! scope="col"|Platform(s)! scope="col"|Latest Version! scope="col"|[[#Hardware_features_and_accessories|Hardware features<br/>and accessories]]! scope="col"|[[#Enhancements|Enhancements]]! scope="col"|Compatibility! scope="col"|<abbr title="Free/Libre and Open-Source Software">FLOSS</abbr>! scope="col"|Active! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]

|align=left|{{Icon|Wii|WiiU|Switch}}<br>{{Icon|3DS|PSV}}|[https://mgba.io/builds/1/ Dev builds]<br/> [https://mgba.io/downloads.html #homebrew {{MGBAVer}}]<br/>[https://www.retroarch.com/?page=platforms libretro core]|{{~}} ||{{~}} || ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} |-|[[Nintendo Switch Online]] <small>(Sloop)</small>|align=left|{{Icon|Switch}}|N/A|{{~}} ||{{✗~}} ||[[Wikipedia:List_of_Nintendo_Switch_Online_games#Game_Boy_Advance|Only for selected titles]] ||{{✗}} ||{{✗✓}} ||{{✓}} |-|[https://docs.libretro.com/library/vba_next/ VBA Next]|align=left|{{Icon|NGC|Wii|NX}}<br/>{{Icon|PS3}}<br/>{{Icon|PS4}}<br/>{{Icon|Vita}}<br/>{{Icon|Xbox|Xbox360}}|[https://www.retroarch.com/?page=platforms libretro core]|{{?}} ||{{~}} ||Mid ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}}

|align=left|{{Icon|PSP|DC}}|?|? ||? ||? ||? ||{{✗PSP}} ||? ||<br/>{{✓}} Icon|PS2|{{✗}} NGC||{{✗Wii}}|-|[[gpSP#PSP_version|TempGBA4PSP]]|align=left|<br/>{{Icon|PSP3DS|Vita}}|[httphttps://www.mediafireretroarch.com/download/41ny5xrwxizalx4?page=platforms libretro core]<br/>[[GpSP#PSP_Version|TempGBA4PSP-26750221.zip 26750221]]|{{✗~}} ||{{✗~}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} [https://docs.libretro.com/library/gpsp/#compatibility ?] ||{{✓}} ||Mid ||{{✓}} ||{{✗~}} <ref group=N name=gpsp></ref> ||{{✓}}

|{{✓~}} <small>(3DS only)<small> ||{{✓n}} ||[[Wikipedia:Virtual_Console#Titles_2|Only for selected titles (3DS)]]<smallbr/>[[Wikipedia:Virtual_Console#Titles_3|Only for selected titles (Wii U only)<small> ]] ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} <small>(Pokemon only)</small> |-|Game Boy Player|align=left|{{Icon|GCN}}||{{~}} ||{{n}} || ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}}|-|ReGBA|Align=left|{{Icon|PS2}}|[https://www.ps2-home.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1332 v1.45.5 revision 3]|{{? }} || || ||{{✗✓}} ||{{✓✗}} ||{{✓~}}

|align=left|{{Icon|GCN|Wii|WiiU}}

|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗?}} ||{{✓}} ||Mid ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗~}}

|align=left|{{Icon|GCN|Wii|WiiU}}

|{{✓?}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}}<ref group=N>As VBA-Next.</ref> ||Mid ||{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}|-|[[gpSP]]|align=left|{{Icon|PSP}}|0.91|{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||Mid ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗~}}

|{{✗?}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||Low ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}

|{{✗?}} ||{{✗}} ||{{~}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}} ||Low-High ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}

|[[gpSP|UO gpSP Kai]](UO gpSP改)

|{{? }} ||? ||? ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}|-|[[NooDS]]|align=left|{{Icon|Switch|Vita|WiiU}}<br/>{{Icon|PSP}}|[https://github.com/Hydr8gon/NooDS git]<small> (Switch/Vita/WiiU)</small><br/>[https://github.com/Xiro28/NooDS_PSP git] <small>(PSP port)</small>|{{? }} ||{{✗}} ||? ||{{✓}} ||{{✗✓}} ||{{✗}}

;[[mGBA]]:Aims for accuracy, speed, Free and features. For its accuracy, it's gradually becoming the best at that. It's actively developed and has features VBAopen-M lacks such as a Tilt Sensor, source Game Boy/Color and more recently Game Boy Camera supportAdvance emulator developed by endrift. It currently does not have an official Android build.;Being written from scratch, it aims for speed, [[VisualBoy AdvanceEmulation Accuracy|Visual Boy Advance (VBA)accuracy]]:The original , and portability. As of yet, it's the most complete GBA emulator. Discovered to have an <abbr title="Arbitrary Code Execution">ACE</abbr> vulnerability detailed below.:;emulation effort with [[VisualBoy Advance#VBA-MEnhancements|Visual Boy Advance-M (VBA-M)enhancements]]:A fork with additional improvements. It is behind in terms of accuracy and performance compared to mGBA.::;VBA-Next:A [[RetroArch#Hardware_features_and_accessories|feature support]] fork from an , passing the older revision of project VBA-M with added speedhacks and tweaks, making it useful for lower-end devicesits forks. A bit less accurate in some respects, but fixes It is also available as a few games such as Advance Wars 2Libretro core for RetroArch.;[[gpSP]]:Its last official version was As of 0.919. There are0, however, two forks of interest: [http://dl.qj.net/psp/emulators/gpsp-mod-20090720.html gpSPmod], and [http://filetrip.net/psp-downloads/homebrew/download-gpsp-j-12-06-16-f29570.htmlgpSP-J gpSPmGBA with a stripped-J]. gpSP-J down GUI has superior compatibility, while gpSPmod has more options been integrated into Dolphin recently for customization (full screen, cheats, etc). Both are superior to Kai.;games supporting [[higan#Hardware_features_and_accessories|connectivity features]]:Its GBA core is cycle-accurate as of v095, but it is behind in terms of performance compared to mGBA and VBA-M.;[[MAME]]:Has a <code>gba</code> driver markup as working but both graphics and sound are "imperfect".

'''NOTE;[[NanoBoyAdvance]]:''' There's a ''huge'' Highly [[Emulation_accuracy|accurate]]<abbr title="Arbitrary Code Execution"ref>ACE[https://github.com/nba-emu/NanoBoyAdvance/blob/master/docs/ACCURACY.md mGBA suite comparison]</abbrref> vulnerability affecting VBA and most of its forks, except Game Boy Advance emulator. It aims for VBA[[Emulation Accuracy|cycle-M. The function for adding GameShark codes accurate]] emulation when possible ("Import > Gameshark code file"CPU, DMA, timers, PPU and Game Pak prefetch) doesn't check if the file's size is within 1024 kilobits, meaning cheat code files from dubious sources can be engineered with malware in mindwhile also offering enhancements such as improved audio quality. There is good news; VBA-M still doesn't do a sanity check for those filesVery high compatibility, but it just crashes instead including games that require emulation of letting the code wreak havoc. So, depending on your use case, avoid using[https:# Cheat code files bigger than 1024Kb that you got online from untrustworthy sources//github.# The import code files featurecom/nba-emu/NanoBoyAdvance/blob/master/docs/ACCURACY.md# The old emulator altogether, and settle for other options like mGBA or VBAGame-compatibility peculiar hardware edge-Mcases]. All Unfortunately, following the release of them support the same SRAM save data next major update, developer "[https://github.com/fleroviux fleroviux]" will step down from actively developing the cartridge usesproject.[https://old.reddit.com/r/emulation/comments/1auz9c9/nanoboyadvance_180_is_released_plus_announcement/]

'''List of recommended GBA emulators for Android:'''* ;[[httpsVisualBoy Advance|Visual Boy Advance (VBA)]]://wwwThe original GBA emulator.androidauthority.comDiscovered to have an <abbr title="Arbitrary Code Execution">ACE</best-game-boy-emulators-for-android-368530/ 10 best Game Boy Advanced, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy emulators for Android] (SEPTEMBER 2, 2018abbr> vulnerability detailed below. Includes some emulators not found in above charts. Reviews may be subjective.)

==:;[[VisualBoy Advance#VBA-M|Visual Boy Advance-M (VBA-M)]]:A fork with additional minor improvements. It is behind in terms of [[Emulation issues==Accuracy|accuracy]] compared to mGBA or other recommended GBA emulators, but is still useful for its robust debugging features and sound interpolation that reduces hissing.

===Oversaturation===[[File:1406913527173:;VBA-1-.png|400px|thumb|right|'''LeftNext:''' The default game.<br/>'''Right:''' The "Gameboy Colors" mode on A [[VisualBoy Advance#RetroArch]] fork from an older revision of VBA-M|VBAwith added speedhacks and tweaks, making it useful for lower-M]]end devices.]]The screen on the original Game Boy Advance is not backlit and can be hard to see A bit less accurate in some conditions. To compensate, game developers often used oversaturated colors by default so that the result would look normal on hardware. On standard computer screensrespects, saturation is not an issue so this can look jarring and undesirable for gameplay. Some but fixes a few games made after 2003 may have also taken the Game Boy such as Advance SP <abbr title="AGS-001">model</abbr> into account since its screen was actually <abbr title="A newer model, AGS-101, was released in 2005 that was actually backlit">frontlit</abbr>Wars 2. For everything else though, emudevs have given some solutions:

====Emulator Options===='''No$GBA;[[SkyEmu]]:''' Under "Emulation Options"Low level Game Boy, select "GBA Mode"Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance emulator. There are four modesIts primary focus is to provide a [https://old.reddit.com/r/emulation/comments/ybejxv/skyemu_v2_release/itutt2h/ good user experience] through a good mixture of tradeoffs of [[Emulation_accuracy|accuracy]]<ref>[https://github.com/skylersaleh/SkyEmu#accuracycompatibility SkyEmu: Accuracy and Compatibility], [https://github.com/skylersaleh/SkyEmu/blob/dev/docs/Accuracy.md SkyEmu: Accuracy on Difficult to Emulate Games].</ref>, performance, features and usability. Capable of full instruction pipeline, prefetch emulation and per pixel PPU Implementation capable of both scan line and mid-scan line effects.

* '''GBA (no backlight);[[higan]] / [[ares]]:''' Strong desaturation* '''GBA SP [[Emulation Accuracy|Accuracy]] wise it is behind compared to NanoBoyAdvance, SkyEmu (backlightand maybe mGBA):''' Strong desaturation* '''Nintendo DS but it has dot-based instead of scanline-based renderer and doing better job compared to VBA-M. Also it is behind in GBA mode:''' Some desaturation* '''VGA Mode (poppy bright):''' No desaturationterms of compatibility compared to mGBA, NanoBoyAdvance and SkyEmu, but Ares stands out being [[Multi-system_emulators|multi-system emulator]] and supports some useful [[#Enhancements|enhancements]] like shaders/filters and simple debug features.

'''mGBA;[[Mesen]]:''' Under Tools > Settings > Shaders > Load New Shader, select "gba-colorIt has potential to being the best GBA debugger in the future.shader"placeholder text

'''VBA-M;[[MAME]]:''' (nightly only): Under Options Has a <code>gba</code> Game Boy Advancedriver markup as working, you will find the option, '''LCD Filter'''but both graphics and sound are [http://adb.arcadeitalia.net/dettaglio_mame.php?game_name=gba "imperfect"] as of version 0.261.

'''higan;[[gpSP]]:Originally made for the PSP, its last official version was 0.91. There are, however, two forks of interest: [http://dl.qj.net/psp/emulators/gpsp-mod-20090720.html gpSPmod], and [http://filetrip.net/psp-downloads/homebrew/download-gpsp-j-12-06-16-f29570.htmlgpSP-J gpSP-J]. gpSP-J has superior compatibility, while gpSPmod has more options for customization (full screen, cheats, etc). Both are superior to Kai. TempGBA is another good fork. For other platforms, there's a libretro port of gpSP with fast x86 and ARM dynarecs. While it'' Under Settings > Video Filters behind the best GBA emulators in terms of accuracy, you will find the "Color Emulation" checkboxits great performance makes it a viable option for old/underpowered machines or for using extreme fast-forward in games.

* '''Color Emulation off;Pizza Boy A:''' No desaturation* '''Color Emulation onLikely due to the [[Yuzu#Lawsuit|yuzu situation]], the project was pulled from the Play Store by its developer after seven years of development and was presumed dead in 2024[https://old.reddit.com/r/emulation/comments/1b97uus/emulator_pizza_boy_for_gba_and_gbc_removed_from/][https://old.reddit.com/r/EmulationOnAndroid/comments/1ba5h5g/pizzaboy_emulator_is_gone/][https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/7/24093867/another-emulator-is-shutting-down]. However, in April, the project was renamed and development has resumed[https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/23/24138403/speaking-of-turning-your-phone-into-a-nintendo-emulator][https:''' Gamma correction //gbatemp.net/threads/pizza-boy-a-basic-emulator-back-into-google-play-store-free-and adjusted color range-without-ads.'''NanoBoyAdvance'''654652/][https: Enabled by default//old.reddit.com/r/emulation/comments/1cbp2fx/pizza_boy_is_back/]. Under Config > Video > Color Correction > GBA

====Shaders====Cg ; [[Shaders and Filters|shadersNintendo Switch Online]] can be used (Sloop)* GBA support was added to Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack in February 2023, alongside GB games exclusive to the normal tier;* Users are [[OpenEmuWikipedia:List_of_Nintendo_Switch_Online_games#Game_Boy_Advance|limited to the selection of games]] or [[RetroArch]] that adjust Nintendo chooses to make available on the colors service;* Can support Local Play with other Switch Online users (up to those of a real GBA screen4 players, as well as other screen types. These are available in GLSL<ref name="GLSL">Local Play must be with individual Switch systems);* [https://githubtwitter.com/libretroLuigiBlood/glsl-shadersstatus/tree1624005571815899136 Accurate enough] at the point of being able to pass any of the ''AGB Test Cartridge'' (v10) tests without a single failure;* Video filters can be applied;* Allows exchange of regional variants in the International version of the app (USA and/master/handheld/shaders/color</ref> or European versions);* Allows rumble support for OpenGLgames that had such function back when played in a Game Boy Player (''Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3'', ''Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga'')* Different games between regions (Japan and Slang<ref name="Slang">https://github.com/libretro/slang-shaders/tree/master/handheld/shaders/color</ref> for Vulkan.International)

For GBA, there is '''NOTE:''' There's a ''huge'' <codeabbr title="Arbitrary Code Execution">gba-color.cgACE</codeabbr><ref>https://github.com/libretro/commonvulnerability affecting VBA and most of its forks, except for VBA-shaders/blob/master/handheld/shaders/color/gba-colorM.cg</refThe function for adding GameShark codes ("Import >Gameshark code file") doesn't check if the file's size is within 1024 kilobits, which simulates the color profile of a GBA screen under an external light source more accurately than meaning cheat code files from dubious sources can be engineered with malware in mind. There is good news; VBA-M or No$GBA color optionsstill doesn't do a sanity check for those files, but it just crashes instead of letting the code wreak havoc. If you prefer the darker color options that those emulators haveSo, then depending on your use <case, avoid using:# Cheat code>vba-colorfiles bigger than 1024Kb that you got online from untrustworthy sources.cg</# The import code><ref>https://githubfiles feature.com/libretro/common# The old emulator altogether, and settle for other options like mGBA or VBA-shaders/blob/master/handheld/shaders/color/vba-colorM.cg</ref> insteadAll of them support the same SRAM save data the cartridge uses.

There is also <code>nds-color.cg</code><ref>'''List of recommended GBA emulators for Android:'''* [https://githubwww.androidauthority.com/libretro/commonbest-game-shaders/blob/master/handheld/shaders/color/ndsboy-color.cg</ref> and <code>pspemulators-color.cg</code><ref>https://github.com/libretro/commonfor-shaders/blob/master/handheld/shaders/color/pspandroid-color.cg<368530/ref>10 best Game Boy Advanced, Game Boy Color, which simulates the color profiles of the original Nintendo DS frontlit screen and the PSP-1000/PSP-2000 backlit screenGame Boy emulators for Android] (SEPTEMBER 2, respectively2018. Includes some emulators not found in above charts. Reviews may be subjective.)

==Enhancements=Horrible Sound Quality=<div style="overflow-x:auto;width:100%">{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;width:100%"As a handheld rushed to the market |- style="font-weight:bold;"! colspan=2 | Name! mGBA! VBA-M! No$GBA! SkyEmu! NanoBoyAdvance! Mesen! Game Boy Player! Virtual Console! BizHawk! ares! GBE+! gpSP! Pizza Boy GBA (Pro)! MAME! Nintendo Switch Online (because Sloop)|-| rowspan=3 | Graphics| [[Resolution|Resizable Internal Resolution]]| colspan=14 | For emulation of 2D systems, the WonderSwan Color competitionresolution can only be upscaled, making the pixels more apparent.|-| [[Texture_packs#Sprite_Replacement_.282D.29|Sprite Replacement]]|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|-| [[Widescreen_hacks#Emulators_.282D.29|Widescreen Hack]]||||||||||{{N}}||||||-| rowspan=2 | Performance| [[Overclocking|Overclock]]|{{N}}[https://github.com/mgba-emu/mgba/issues/2833 *]|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{?}}[https://old.reddit.com/r/emulation/comments/65j3c3/can_a_emulated_game_run_better_then_the_actual/dgau7ck/ *]|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{Y}}[https://old.reddit.com/r/emulation/comments/8nw23h/gba_emulator_w_overclock_support/e02nnn6/ *]|{{N}}|-| [[30/60_FPS_cheat_codes|Internal Framerate Hack]]|||||||{{N}}|{{N}}||{{N}}|||||{{N}}|-| rowspan=6 | Post-Processing| [[Wikipedia:Category:Anti-aliasing_algorithms|Post-rendering AA]]<br/><small>(FXAA, TXAA and MLAA/SMAA)</small>| {{Y}}|||||||||||{{Y}}||||-| [[Wikipedia:Comparison_gallery_of_image_scaling_algorithms|Post-rendering scaling]]<br/><small>(Sharp bilinear, the Game Boy Advance had some cut cornersLanczos and [[Wikipedia:GPUOpen#FidelityFX_Super_Resolution|FSR 1]])</small>|{{Y}}|||||||||||{{Y}}||{{Y}}||-| [[Shaders_and_filters|Filters]]|{{Y}}|{{Y}}|||{{Y}}|{{Y}}||||{{Y}}||{{Y}}|{{Y}}|{{Y}}|{{Y}}|-|[[Shaders_and_filters#AI-powered filters|AI-powered filter compatible]]<br/><small>([https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/news/gfecnt/nvidia-freestyle-ansel-enhancements-geforce-experience-article/ Freestyle])</small>| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{N}}|-| [[Shader_Presets|Shader Chain]]|{{~}}<ref group=N3 name=lrExclusive></ref>|{{~}}<ref group=N3 name=lrExclusive></ref>|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{Y}}[https://github.com/ares-emulator/ares/pull/1397 *]|{{N}}|{{Y}}|{{N}}|{{Y}}|{{N}}|-|[[High_dynamic_range#Inverse_tone_mapping|Inverse tone mapping compatible]]| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{N}}| {{N}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{N}}|-| rowspan=5 | [https://tasvideos.org/Emulatorresources/Features TAS features]| [[Wikipedia:Macro_(computer_science)|Macros/Scripts]]/[https://tasvideos.org/LuaScripting Lua]|{{Y}}<ref group=N3 name=ExStandalone>Exclusive to standalone version.</ref>||||{{N}}|{{?}}|{{N}}|{{?}}|{{N}}|{{Y}}|{{N}}|||{{Y}}[https://docs.mamedev.org/plugins/inputmacro.html *]|{{N}}|-| Rewind|{{Y}}|||{{Y}}||||||||{{Y}}|{{Y}}||{{Y}}|-| Fast-Forward/Turbo Speed|{{Y}}|||||||||||{{?}}|{{Y}}|||-| Savestates|{{Y}}|||{{Y}}|{{Y}}|||||||{{Y}}|{{Y}}|||-| [https://tasvideos. The sound hardware was affected the hardestorg/Movies Movie recording/playback]| {{?}}[https: while it could play Game Boy Color sound //forums.mgba.io/archive/index.php?thread-4910.html]|||||||||||{{?}}||||-| rowspan=1 | Controls| [[Input_lag|Input lag-mitigating technique]]|{{~}}<ref group=N3 name=lrExclusive></ref>|||||||||||{{?}}|||{{N}}|-| rowspan=6 | Quality of life| Built-in addition [http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,106405 Custom resolution/CRTSwitchRes]<br/><small>For using this on Windows OS you need [http://geedorah.com/eiusdemmodi/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=1009#p1009 CRT Emudriver].<br/>Another option is using EDID editor tool such as "Custom Resolution Utility".</small>| colspan=14 | <small>Exclusive to samples [https://docs.libretro.com/guides/crtswitchres/ libretro cores] and sequenced music [[GroovyMAME]] at the moment.<br/>Also there is a [https://github.com/psakhis/Groovy_MiSTer project] for achieving software emulators like what would be heard libretro cores and GroovyMAME send the raw RGB data over a network to a core running on MiSTer, it basically turns the SNES, MiSTer into a GPU for the actual playback quality is awful compared emulator allowing for easy setup and use with CRT TVs/Arcade monitors.</small>| {{N}}|-| Built-in [[Cheats_and_patches|Cheat Manager]]|{{Y}}|||||||||||{{?}}|{{Y}}|{{Y}}||-| [[Save_disk_space_for_ISOs#Game_Boy_Advance_.2F_Nintendo_DS_.2F_Nintendo_3DS|Streamable compression format]]|{{Y}}||||{{Y}}||{{N}}|{{N}}|{{Y}}|||{{?}}|{{Y}}|{{Y}}|{{N}}|-| Per-Game Profiles||||||||||||{{Y}}||{{Y}}||-| Command Line Options||||||{{Y}}||||||{{Y}}||{{Y}}|{{N}}|-| [[Frontends#Graphical_User_Interfaces_.28GUIs.29|Big Picture Mode]]|||||||||||||||{{Y}}|-| rowspan=5 | Misc| [[Netplay|Netplay]]<br/><small>You can use either yuzu/Ryujinx for playing GBA games online via netplay.<br/>This enhancement shouldn't be confused with GBA connectivity features emulation.</small>|[https://mgba.io/faq.html#glossary WIP]|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{?}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{Y}}[https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/game-boy-advance-nintendo-switch-online-switch/ *]|-| [https://github.com/ipatix/gba-hq-mixer High Quality Audio Mixer]<br/><small>HQ audio mixer for games which use Nintendo's MusicPlayer2000 sound engine</small>|{{~}}||||{{Y}}|||||{{N}}||{{?}}|||{{N}}|-| [[Virtual_reality#VR_game_room_simulations|EmuVR support]]| colspan=14 | Exclusive to [https://www.emuvr.net/wiki/Installation_Guide#Downloads libretro cores] at the sound samples stored internally moment.|-| [https://retroachievements.org/gameList.php?c=5 RetroAchievements]|{{~}}<ref group=N3 name=lrExclusive>Exclusive to libretro core. There is also a [https://github.com/RetroAchievements/RAVBA modified version of VBA-M] for RetroAchievement support. [https://github.com/mgba-emu/mgba/issues/2232 Feature request: RetroAchievements integration in the ROMmGBA standalone].</ref>|{{~}}<ref group=N3 name=lrExclusive></ref>|{{N}}|{{N}}[https://github.com/skylersaleh/SkyEmu/issues/36 *]|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|{{Y}}[https://retroachievements.org/download.php#bizhawk *]|{{N}}||{{Y}}|{{Y}}|{{N}}|{{N}}|-| [[Wikipedia:Category:Debugging|Debug Features]]|{{Y}}[https://mgba.io/2021/03/28/mgba-0.9.0/#more-debugging-improvements *]|{{Y}}|{{Y}}||{{Y}}|{{Y}}||||{{Y}}|||||{{N}}|}</div><references group=N3/>

There were ==Hardware features and accessories==<div style="overflow-x:auto;width:100%">{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;width:100%"|- style="font-weight:bold;"! colspan=2 | Name! mGBA! VBA-M <br/>[[VisualBoy_Advance#VBA_Link_e-Reader|VBA 1.73 Mod]]! No$GBA! SkyEmu! NanoBoyAdvance! Mesen! Game Boy Player! Virtual Console! BizHawk! ares! GBE+! gpSP! Pizza Boy GBA! MAME! Nintendo Switch Online (Sloop)|-|colspan=2 | [https://www.romhackingcopetti.netorg/utilitieswritings/881consoles/ toolsgame-boy-advance/#operating-system GBA BIOS] made to extract the internal high|{{Y}}|{{Y}}|{{Y}}|{{Y}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{Y}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{Y}}|{{?}}|{{Y}}|-quality music (as midi files plus a sound font, to be played on foobar2000), however, interest remains limited in implementing its playback in real-time on emulators. It's worth noting it exists as a very experimental feature on |colspan=2 | [[mGBA#GB.2FGBC_backwards_compatibility_emulation.2FEnhanced_Mode|GB/GBC backwards compatibility emulation/Enhanced Mode]] (nightly versions) under Enhancements as |{{?}}|{{?}}[https://www.romhacking.net/forum/index.php?topic=21831.0 *]|{{n}}|{{?}}|{{n}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}<abbr title="3DS only"XQ GBA Audio>*</abbr>|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{X}}<abbr title=", but very buggy and still limited to Plays GB/GBC games using the standard sound engine, the so-called through a separate app"Sappy" engine, which is still a big part of the GBA's software library.>*</abbr>|-| colspan===High Resolution Affine Transformation Graphical Effects===Similar to the scaling effects used on the Super NES known commonly as "Mode 7" graphics, the 2 | [[#Game_Boy_Advance_Video|Game Boy Advance has affine transformation effects for some backgrounds and individual sprites that can be done in hardware. Due to the GBA's lower resolution, some detail may be lost.Video]]|{{y}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{n}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|-The |rowspan=5 | [[mGBA]] emulator added an Enhancements menu where you can change the resolution #Connectivity|<abbr title="There are five different kinds of those graphical effectsconnectivity, for a smoother effectsupport varying by game. The graphical render engine will need to be OpenGL for those to take effect">Connectivity</abbr>]]|[https://squallsnake. It won't work on games where those effects are done in software instead of the hardware scaling features (like the 3D environment in Asterix & Obelix XXL)com/blog-gba-single-pak-multiplayer-game-list/ Single Pak]|{{✓}}<ref group=N2 name==Save formats===Originally, when saves were implemented, nobody settled libretro>Does not work on a formatLibretro core. Feature Requests: [https://github.com/libretro/vbam-libretro/issues/114 GBA Game Link Support], so the Visual Boy Advance devs made their own[https://github.com/libretro/vbam-libretro/issues/87 e-Reader support] for for VBA-M libretro core. Because other emulators often went with raw data, having to exchange different saves caused problems</ref>|{{✗}}[https://github. The original Visual Boy Advance tries to figure out which format a given save is but often fails at itcom/visualboyadvance-m/visualboyadvance-m/issues/831 *]|{{✓}}|{{✗}}[https://github. By explicitly telling the emulator to read it as a specific type using a file called com/skylersaleh/SkyEmu/issues/44 *]|{{✗}}|{{?}}|{{y}}|{{~}}<abbr title="Pokemon only">*<code/abbr>vba|{{✓}}|{{?}}|{{✗}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{✗}}|-over|[[#GBA_Multi_Pak_Link_Multiplayer_.ini281.7E4GBA.29|Multi Pak]]|{{✓}}<ref group=N2 name=libretro /code>, VBA complies|{{✓}}|{{✓}}|{{✗}}[https://github. VBAcom/skylersaleh/SkyEmu/issues/44 *]|{{✗}}|{{?}}|{{y}}|{{~}}<abbr title="Pokemon only">*</abbr>|{{✓}}|{{?}}|{{✗}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{✗}}|-M includes this config file by default, but older revisions like VBA 1|[[#Connectivity|Wireless]]|{{✗}} [https://mgba.io/timeline.7html#IN+THE+FUTURE *]|{{~}}|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|{{?}}|{{y}}|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|{{?}}|{{~}}|{{Y}}[https://www.2 and VBALink do notdavidgf.net/2024/01/13/gba-wireless-adapter/ *]|{{Y}}|{{?}}|{{✗}}|-|[[#GameCube Connectivity|<abbr title="The VBANintendo GameCube – Game Boy Advance link cable (model DOL-Next and VBA-M cores in Libretro have 011) is a link cable that links the GameCube to the Game Boy Advance, the file baked into Game Boy Advance SP, the binary so that it can load raw .sav filese-Reader, but converts or even a second GameCube via the format Game Boy Player. The Game Boy Micro is not compatible due to its own derivative at exactly 136 KB every timedifferent connector. The Wii, however, is compatible with save type info contained within the file. This completely avoids cable due to the previous issues at the cost of incompatibility Wii's backwards compatibility with standalone VBA GameCube games and most otherscontrollers.">GameCube communication</abbr>]]|{{✓}}<ref group=N2 name=libretro />To solve this incompatibility, Libretro devs created a |{{✓}}<ref group=N2 name=libretro />|{{✗}}|{{✗}}[https://githubold.reddit.com/libretror/vbam-libretroEmuDev/blobcomments/mastervvdqyk/srcrelease_of_skyemu_10/libretroifjfj7a/gbaconv/gbaconv.c command*]|{{✗}}|{{?}}|{{y}}|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|{{?}}|{{✗}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{✗}}|-|[[Wikipedia:Game_Link_Cable#Third_generation|<abbr title="The third generation started with the release of the Game Boy Advance which was released alongside its own link cable called the Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable (model AGB-line tool] to convert .srm save files made from these cores to raw .sav save data for other emulators005). It takes standard input (ifeatures yet another new type of link cable port which is used on the Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Advance SP and Game Boy Player.The e. just drag -Reader also uses the third generation link cable port, but since it is incompatible with Game Boy and drop Game Boy Color games, it is not backwards compatible with the second generation Game Link Cable.srm onto the executableAnother option is Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter (model AGB-015) for Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Advance SP, and outputs accordinglyGame Boy Player. It can also be done in reverse. A 64-bit binary of this tool for Windows can be found ">Link Cable</abbr>]]|{{✓}}<ref group=N2 name=libretro />|{{✓}}<ref group=N2 name=libretro />|{{✓}}|[https://wwwold.mediafirereddit.com/r/emulation/comments/15pvssg/the_skyemu_v3_gbgba_and_newly_nds_emulator_is_now/jw1785m/ WIP]|{{✗}}|{{?6bg8ag0bjs1b7ng here}}|{{y}}|{{✗}}|{{✓}}|{{?}}|{{✓}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{✗}}|-| rowspan=3 | [[GBA_e-Reader_emulators|e-Reader]].| [[GBA_e-Reader_emulators#Emulators|e-Reader Alone]]|{{✓}}<ref group=N2 name=Connectivity=libretro /> |{{~}}|{{✓}}|{{TBD}}|{{✗}}|{{?}}|{{y}}|{{~}}<abbr title="Wii U only">*</abbr>|{{TBD}}|{{?}}There are five different kinds of connectivity, support varying by game:|{{TBD}}*Single Pak|{{?}}*Multi Pak|{{?}}*Wireless|{{?}}*GameCube|{{✗}}*Nintendo DS|-Purple end in | [[GBA_e-Reader_emulators#Emulators|e-Reader/GBA means player 1Game]]|{{✓}}<ref group=N2 name=libretro />|{{~}}<ref group=N2 name=e-Reader-GBAGame>incomplete: this emulator will not recognize the games they're connected to. Normally, after choosing "Connection/to Game Boy Advance", while the e-Reader should have "(Game Name) Game Data" pre-loaded in its internal EEPROM memory and appearing in a grey end tiny black box on-screen, but this can't happen in either No$GBA means P2, P3VBA-M, or P4VBA e-Reader mods. DaisyWithout this step done, scanning e-chaining up to three cables Cards will set up the additional P3 and P4 just yield an error message. e-Reader/GBA game pack emulation in this emulator can be still reached by connecting ripping a save game from real e-Reader hardware, with this step already done. Using this save with the purple end e-Reader BIOS, it's possible to connect to the GBA game pack, and scan e-Cards... though it's a purple midsectionvery less-than-ideal solution and there are only pre-baked e-Reader save files for Super Mario Advance 4 (U), Pokémon Emerald (J), LeafGreen (J) and FireRed (J)."</ref>|{{~}}<ref group=N2 name=e-Reader-GBAGame></ref>|{{TBD}}|{{✗}}|{{?}}|{{y}}|{{✓}}|{{TBD}}|{{?}}|{{TBD}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{~}}<abbr title="SMA4 only">*</abbr>|-| [[GBA_e-Reader_emulators#Emulators|e-Reader/GCN Game]]|{{✓}}<ref group=N2 name=libretro />|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|{{?}}|{{y}}|{{✗}}|{{✗}}|{{?}}|{{✗}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{?}}|{{✗}}|-|rowspan=3 | Inputs|Rumble Feature| {{y}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| | {{?}}| {{?}}|||| {{y}}[https://wwwgithub.com/shonumi/gbe-plus#read-the-manual *]|| {{y}}|| {{~}}<abbr title="Allows rumble support for games that had such function back when played in a Game Boy Player (Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga)">*</abbr>|-|[[#Inputs|Solar Sensor]]| {{~}}<ref name=manual-switch group=N2>Only the Nintendo Switch port allows use of the Switch's light sensor.nintendo</ref>| {{~}}<ref name=manual group=N2>Only manual configuration.comNo automatic detection via light sensor/camera input/consumerweather forecast/downloadsGPS location/agblinkother.pdf</ref>| {{~}}<ref name=manual group=N2 />| {{~}}<ref name=manual group=N2 />| {{~}}<ref name=manual group=N2 />| class{{?}}||||| {{~}}<ref name=manual group=N2 />|| {{y}}|||-|Motion Control| {{y}}| {{y}}<ref group="wikitable" styleN2 name="textRetroArch>Motion Control support present on RetroArch VBA-alignM core.</ref>| {{n}}| | {{n}}| {{?}}||||| {{y}}[https:center;"//github.com/shonumi/gbe-plus#read-the-manual *]|| {{y}}|||-|rowspan=11 | [[#Special_hardware|Special hardware]]|Battle Chip Gate| {{y}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{y}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{n}}| {{n}}|-|Soul Doll Adapter| {{y}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{y}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{n}}| {{n}}|-|Multi Plust On System| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{y}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}|-|Turbo File Advance| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{y}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}|-|Power Antenna & Bug Sensor| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{y}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}

! scope="col"|NameOfficial Nintendo Infrared Adapter| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}! scope="col"|Platform(s){{n}}! scope="col"|Supported Version{{n}}! scope="col"|Single Pak{{n}}! scope="col"|Multi Pak{{n}}! scope="col"|Wireless{{n}}! scope="col"|GameCube{{y}}! scope="col"|Nintendo DS{{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}

!colspan="8"|PC Jukebox| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{y}}[https:/ x86/shonumi.github.io/articles/art31.html *]| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}| {{n}}

|[[mGBA]]Virtureal Racing System|align=left{{n}}|{{Iconn}}|Windows{{n}}|Linux{{n}}|macOS{{n}}|FreeBSD{{n}}|[https://mgba.io/downloads.html {{MGBAVern}}]|{{✓n}} |{{n}}|{{✓n}} |{{y}}[https://shonumi.github.io/articles/art24.html *]|{{✗n}} |{{n}}|{{✓n}} ||{{✗n}}

|[[VisualBoy Advance#VBAPlay-MYan|VBA-M]]{{n}}|align=left{{n}}|{{Iconn}}|Windows{{n}}|Linux{{n}}|macOS{{n}}|FreeBSD{{n}}|{{n}}| {{n}}|{{n}}| {{~}}[https://shonumi.github.com/visualboyadvance-mio/visualboyadvance-marticles/releases {{VBAMVer}}art32.html *]|{{✗n}} ||{{✓n}} ||{{✗n}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗n}}

|[[No$Campho Advance|No$GBA]]{{n}}|align=left{{n}}|{{Iconn}}|Windows{{n}}|DOS{{n}}|{{n}}|[http://problemkaputt.de/gba.htm {{No$GBAVern}}]|{{✓n}} |{{n}}|{{✓n}} |[https://old.reddit.com/r/emulation/comments/141mm66/glucoboy_found_and_dumped/jn0p5jr/ (WIP)]|{{✗n}} |{{n}}|{{✗n}} ||{{✗n}}

|[[DeSmuME]]Glucoboy|align=left{{n}}|{{Iconn}}|Windows{{n}}|Linux{{n}}|macOS{{n}}|[https://ci.appveyor.com/project/zeromus/desmume {{DeSmuMEVern}}]|{{✗n}} |{{n}}|{{✗n}} |{{n}}|{{✗y}} [https://shonumi.github.io/articles/art33.html *]|{{n}}|{{✗n}} |{{n}}|{{✓n}}

</div><references group=N2/> ===GB/GBC backwards compatibility emulation/Enhanced Mode===Game Boy Advance is backwards compatible with GB/GBC, resulting in some of the [https://cheapergamer.co.uk/gba-enhanced-gbc-games/ GB/GBC games enhanced if you play on GBA]. Having said that, this shouldn't be confused with [[Game Boy/Game Boy Color emulators|Game Boy/Game Boy Color emulation]] or [[Super_Nintendo_emulators#Hardware_features_and_accessories|Super Game Boy 1/2]]. Some of the multicore emulators supports both GB/GBC and GBA emulation, however they do not have support for "backwards compatibility/GBA mode" emulation. ===Game Boy Advance Video===:''See also: [[Wikipedia:Game Boy Advance Video|Game Boy Advance Video]] on Wikipedia''GBA Videos were officially released cartridges with movies/shows on them for viewing on GBA hardware. Most recommended GBA emulators should be able to play this type of cartridge if its 32MB, although [https://youtu.be/o9XmB43bN5w?t=540 not all of it supports 64MB ones].*[https://old.reddit.com/r/Gameboy/comments/byos8r/watching_gameboy_advance_video_on_a_gamecube/ Game Boy Player is not compatible with this feature]*mGBA support both 32MB and 64MB video cartridges.:See [[Home_Media_Player#Emulators|this dedicated page]] for more information about home media playback support for emulation softwares.:See [[Ripping_games|Dumping/ripping]]. ===Connectivity=======GBA Multi Pak Link Multiplayer (1~4GBA)====

'''Note''': Purple end in GBA means player 1, while a grey end in GBA means P2, P3, or P4. Daisy-chaining up to three cables will set up the additional P3 and P4 by connecting the purple end to a purple midsection.<ref>https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/agblink.pdf</ref> ====GBA Wireless Multiplayer====The [[Wikipedia:Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter|wireless adapter]] has the ability to connect five players<ref>https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/agbwireless_trilingual.pdf</ref> to each other and includes its own software to download a subset of another player's game that runs when no cartridge is inserted. ''Pokémon Fire Red'' and ''Leaf Green'' came bundled with this accessory , but it can also work with ''Pokémon Emerald'' and the ''Classic NES Series''.

No emulator The libretro core of [[gpSP]] has currently successfully emulated the wireless adapter<ref>https://www.davidgf.net/2024/01/13/gba-wireless-adapter/</ref>. [[GBE+]](in v1.6) and VBA-M partially implemented the support of this add-on, though it's still a work-in-progress, and can only access menus. The only project whose developers put Support of this add-on its roadmap is currently on [[mGBA]]'s roadmap.

====GameCube Connectivity====[https://nintendo.fandom.com/wiki/Game_Boy_Advance_to_Nintendo_GameCube_Link_Cable#List_of_Supported_Games The Game Boy Advance can also connect to the GameCube].<ref>https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/agbgcncable.pdf</ref> e-Reader functionality with GC games has now been emulated thanks to mGBA. [[Dolphin]] supports connectivity through rudimentary joybus emulation made in parallel with VBA-M. Because this emulator has fallen behind, the feature was recently added to [[mGBA]], a more accurate emulator. They showcased early higan support in a video, but nothing has been released as of yet.

=====Dolphin/mGBA or VBA-M=====

* If you are using VBA-M, uncheck Pause When Inactive in Options > Emulator. Then, under Options > Link > Joybus Options, Make make sure to the "Enable Joybus Connection" is on and set "IP/Hostname" to use default settings, that is <code>127.0.0.1</code> or <code>localhost</code>.

* In either emulator, Dolphin should recognize the Joybus Link by then , and the GC game will detect that a GBA was connected.

*[https://wiki.dolphin-emu.org/index.php?title=The_Legend_of_Zelda:_Four_Swords_Adventures The Legend of Zelda Four Swords Adventures]: Both two modes are available for the US/PAL version work. The third Japan-only Navi Trackers mode works as well, but the game crashes after the naming screen due to a bug in the GC/GBA connectivity.

==Special Hardware=Inputs=Emulation of these is spotty, apart from GBE+, which supports almost all GBA peripherals. {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;"|- style="font-weight:bold;"! Name! GBE+! mGBA! VBA-M! No$GBA! My Boy!! Pizza Boy GBA|-| Solar Sensor| {{✓}}| {{✓}}| {{✓}}| {{✓}}| {{✓}}| {{✓}}|-| Motion Control| {{✗}}| {{✓}}| {{✓}}<ref group=N name=RetroArch>Motion Control support present on RetroArch VBA-M core1.</ref>| {{✗}}| {{✓}}| {{✓}}|-| Battle Chip Gate| {{✓}}| {{✓}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|-| Soul Doll Adapter| {{✓}}| {{✓}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|-| Multi Plust On System| {{✓}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|-| Turbo File Advance| {{✓}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|-| Power Antenna & Bug Sensor| {{✓}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|-| Official Nintendo Infrared Adapter| {{✓}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|}<references group=N /> ===Solar Sensor=======Emulation====: This feature has been emulated in mGBA, VBA-M, No$GBA 2.6 onwards, and My Boy!:* mGBA: In the shortcuts editor, shortcuts can be configured to raise/lower the solar level incrementally or to set any particular brightness level. The Nintendo Switch port of mGBA also allows use of the Switch's light sensor.

====2. ROM Patches====: Fixes applied directly to the ROM by various scene release groups to make it compatible with any emulator/flashcard, making the in-game brightness level controllable with L+Left/Right. It's argued this makes for a better experience actually, but sadly not all releases are covered.

===;Motion Control===1. Emulation: This feature has been emulated in mGBA, VBA-M, My Boy! and Pizza Boy:====Emulation====* mGBA includes full motion control support using the motion sensor present in controllers like DualShock 4, DualSense and Switch Pro Controller.

====2. ROM Patches====: Fixes applied directly to the ROM (with the Lunar IPS utility, or at runtime using mGBA or VBA-M and naming them the same as the ROM in the same directory) by various scene release groups to make it compatible with any emulator/flashcard. D-Pad controls substituting motion controls don't work as well here as they tilt it "too much" at times to be very playable.

===;Rumble Feature===

* '''Game Boy Player Rumble:''' Many regular GBA games, shipped on regular cartridges, enable rumble during gameplay when played on GB Player hardware (which is essentially GBA hardware). These include Super Mario Advance 4, Summon Night Hajimari no Ishi, Mario & Luigi 1: Superstar Saga, Shikakui Atama wo Marukusuru Advance (both releases), Pokémon Pinball, as well as Drill Dozer which disables its original cartridge rumble scheme and enables this one instead. None of the emulators support this, though it's being under development for the mGBA emulator.

===Special hardware===Emulation of these is spotty, apart from GBE+, which supports almost all GBA peripherals. ;Turbo File Advance===

===;Power Antenna & Bug Sensor===

===;Official Nintendo Infrared Adapter===

===;Figurine Readers===

===;Battle Chip Gate===

===;Glucoboy===* '''Glucoboy:''' An obscure medical peripheral designed to monitor a child's blood glucose levels and reward them for keeping tabs on their condition. No known emulator supports this so far, especially given the niche nature of this accessory. Not to mention that [https://assemblergames.com/threads/glucoboy-for-gameboy-is-this-the-rarest-game-accessory-for-gameboy-advance.41853/page-2 Bayer Healthcare destroyed all unsold stock] making it hard to find.It's emulated in GBE+ since version 1.8. ==Emulation issues=====Oversaturation===[[File:1406913527173-1-.png|400px|thumb|right|'''Left:''' The default game.<br/>'''Right:''' The "Gameboy Colors" mode on [[VisualBoy Advance#VBA-M|VBA-M]].]]The screen on the original Game Boy Advance is not backlit and can be hard to see in some conditions. To compensate, game developers often used oversaturated colors by default so that the result would look normal on hardware. On standard computer screens, saturation is not an issue, so this can look jarring and undesirable for gameplay. Some games made after 2003 may have also taken the Game Boy Advance SP <abbr title="AGS-001">model</abbr> into account, since its screen was actually <abbr title="A newer model, AGS-101, was released in 2005 that was actually backlit">frontlit</abbr>. For everything else though, emudevs have given some solutions: ====Emulator Options===='''No$GBA:''' Under "Emulation Options", select "GBA Mode". There are four modes. * '''GBA (no backlight):''' Strong desaturation* '''GBA SP (backlight):''' Strong desaturation* '''Nintendo DS in GBA mode:''' Some desaturation* '''VGA Mode (poppy bright):''' No desaturation '''mGBA:''' Under Tools > Settings > Shaders > Load New Shader, select "gba-color.shader" '''VBA-M:''' (nightly only): Under Options > Game Boy Advance, you will find the option, '''LCD Filter'''. '''higan:''' Under Settings > Video Filter, you will find the "Color Emulation" checkbox. * '''Color Emulation off:''' No desaturation* '''Color Emulation on:''' Gamma correction and adjusted color range.'''NanoBoyAdvance''': Enabled by default. Under Config > Video > Color Correction > GBA '''SkyEmu''': Color Correction is set by default to 1.00 force in this emulator, and there are 2 types of desaturation methods. The first one is named SkyEmu and is selected by default, and the other one is named Higan and, as it's name suggests, is based on higan's color correction. Change the desaturation type by pressing the ≡ button, then select GBA Color Correction Type. You can also change the intensity of the desaturation: slide the slider to 0.00 to brighten the screen a tad bit. ====Shaders====Cg [[Shaders and Filters|shaders]] can be used in [[OpenEmu]] or [[RetroArch]] that adjust the colors to those of a real GBA screen, as well as other screen types. These are available in GLSL<ref name="GLSL">https://github.com/libretro/glsl-shaders/tree/master/handheld/shaders/color</ref> for OpenGL, and Slang<ref name="Slang">https://github.com/libretro/slang-shaders/tree/master/handheld/shaders/color</ref> for Vulkan. For GBA, there is <code>gba-color.cg</code><ref>https://github.com/libretro/common-shaders/blob/master/handheld/shaders/color/gba-color.cg</ref>, which simulates the color profile of a GBA screen under an external light source more accurately than VBA-M or No$GBA color options. If you prefer the darker color options that those emulators have, then use <code>vba-color.cg</code><ref>https://github.com/libretro/common-shaders/blob/master/handheld/shaders/color/vba-color.cg</ref> instead.  There is also <code>nds-color.cg</code><ref>https://github.com/libretro/common-shaders/blob/master/handheld/shaders/color/nds-color.cg</ref> and <code>psp-color.cg</code><ref>https://github.com/libretro/common-shaders/blob/master/handheld/shaders/color/psp-color.cg</ref>, which simulates the color profiles of the original Nintendo DS frontlit screen and the PSP-1000/PSP-2000 backlit screen, respectively. For Game Boy Advance shader presets, see the "Shader Presets" page;{{Main|Shader_Presets}} ===Horrible Sound Quality===As a handheld rushed to the market (because of the WonderSwan Color competition), the Game Boy Advance had some cut corners. The sound hardware was affected the hardest: while it could play Game Boy Color sound in addition to samples and sequenced music like what would be heard on the SNES, the actual playback quality is awful compared to the sound samples stored internally in the ROM. There were [https://www.romhacking.net/utilities/881/ tools] made to extract the internal high-quality music (as midi files plus a sound font, to be played on foobar2000), however, interest remains limited in implementing its playback in real-time on emulators. It's worth noting that NanoBoyAdvance includes [https://github.com/ipatix/gba-hq-mixer High Quality Audio Mixer] and there's a very experimental feature exists on [[mGBA]] (nightly versions) under Enhancements as "XQ GBA Audio", but it's very buggy and still limited to games using the standard sound engine, the so-called "Sappy" engine, which is still a big part of the GBA's software library. ===High Resolution Affine Transformation Graphical Effects===Similar to the scaling effects used on the Super NES known commonly as "Mode 7" graphics, the Game Boy Advance has affine transformation effects for some backgrounds and individual sprites that can be done in hardware. Due to the GBA's lower resolution, some detail may be lost. The [[mGBA]] emulator added an Enhancements' menu where you can change the resolution of those graphical effects, for a smoother effect. The graphical render engine will need to be OpenGL for those to take effect. It won't work on games where those effects are done in software instead of the hardware scaling features (like the 3D environment in Asterix & Obelix XXL) ===Save formats===Originally, when saves were implemented, nobody settled on a format, so the Visual Boy Advance devs made their own. Because other emulators often went with raw data, having to exchange different saves caused problems. The original Visual Boy Advance tries to figure out which format a given save is but often fails at it. By explicitly telling the emulator to read it as a specific type using a file called <code>vba-over.ini</code>, VBA complies. VBA-M includes this config file by default, but older revisions like VBA 1.7.2 and VBALink do not. The VBA-Next and VBA-M cores in Libretro have the file baked into the binary so that it can load raw .sav files, but converts the format to its own derivative at exactly 136 KB every time, with save type info contained within the file. This completely avoids the previous issues at the cost of incompatibility with standalone VBA and most others. To solve this incompatibility, Libretro devs created a [https://github.com/libretro/vba-next/blob/master/libretro/gbaconv/gbaconv.c command-line tool] to convert .srm save files made from these cores to raw .sav save data for other emulators. It takes standard input (i.e. just drag and drop the .srm onto the executable) and outputs accordingly. It can also be done in reverse. A [https://thysbelon.github.io/gbaconv-web/ website version of this tool can be found here]. For more information about Game Boy Advance hardware and reverse engineering; <br/>* Rodrigo Copetti: [https://www.copetti.org/writings/consoles/game-boy-advance/ Game Boy Advance Architecture Practical Analysis]* MVG: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R43k-p9XdIk The Story of Quake on the Game Boy Advance], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Qqg4VCZ0k8 How the Game Boy Advance knew it was running a Game Boy Game], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GVSLcqGP7g Tomb Raider on the Nintendo Game Boy Advance is incredible], [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpNWEbZdXNw How Graphics worked on the Nintendo Game Boy Advance]* martin korth: [https://problemkaputt.de/gbatek-contents.htm gbatek]* [https://akkera102.sakura.ne.jp/gbadev/ akkera102.sakura gbadev (Japanese)]* [https://gbadev.net/gbadoc/ gbadev - gbadoc]* [https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/GBA_Development/Resources WikiBooks - GBA Development Resources]