mGBA
What it is
mGBA is a free, open-source emulator for Game Boy Advance, Game Boy, and Game Boy Color systems. It is designed to run on lower-end hardware while preserving accuracy and portability. Desktop releases support Windows, macOS, Linux, and Ubuntu, while homebrew builds are listed for Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch, Wii, and PlayStation Vita. Graphics upscaling is available, and supported Game Boy Advance peripherals include rumble, rotation and tilt sensors, a solar sensor, realtime clock, partial link cable support, and BattleChip Gate. Game Boy features include rumble, tilt, realtime clock, Game Boy Printer, and partial Game Boy Camera and Super Game Boy support. Built-in Lua scripting can access emulator memory and registers, save states, button states, game information, screenshots, callbacks, and frame or instruction advancement. Most GBA games boot, but Game Boy and Game Boy Color still have bugs. Nintendo DS support is limited to the medusa branch and has poor compatibility. The project began in April 2013 and uses the Mozilla Public License 2.0.
For and against
For
- Free open-source emulator
- Game Boy Advance, Game Boy, and Color support
- Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop releases
- Built-in Lua scripting
- Graphics upscaling available
Against
- No netplay
- Game Boy and Color support still has bugs
- Nintendo DS support has poor compatibility
- Controller support is described as lackluster
The verdict
mGBA covers three Game Boy generations with desktop and homebrew builds, scripting, and several peripheral features. Compatibility limits, absent netplay, and limited mobile development should shape platform expectations.
Who it suits
mGBA suits players seeking desktop or homebrew emulation for Game Boy Advance, Game Boy, or Game Boy Color software. It also suits users interested in Lua scripting and peripheral support.
Plans and prices
mGBA
Open-source Game Boy Advance emulator
Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io
On the record
- Additional accessories
- Supported Game Boy features include rumble, tilt, realtime clock, Game Boy Printer, and partial Game Boy Camera and Super Game Boy support.mgba.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Compatibility limit
- The FAQ says most GBA games boot, while Game Boy and Game Boy Color support still has bugs and DS support has poor compatibility.mgba.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Controller limitation
- The FAQ describes mGBA’s controller support as lackluster.mgba.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Desktop downloads
- The current release page lists downloads for Windows, macOS, Linux and Ubuntu.mgba.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Desktop support
- The FAQ lists Windows, macOS, and Linux among supported systems.mgba.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Development builds
- The downloads page lists development builds for Windows, macOS, Ubuntu, Nintendo 3DS, Switch, Wii, and PlayStation Vita.mgba.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Donations
- Donations are optional and are not required to keep mGBA free and open; the project accepts monthly Patreon pledges of any amount, including as low as $1 per month.mgba.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Emulation features
- Supported GBA peripherals include rumble, rotation and tilt sensors, solar sensor, realtime clock, partial link cable support, and BattleChip Gate.mgba.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Game Boy support
- mGBA also emulates Game Boy and Game Boy Color; the FAQ says most games work, though bugs remain.mgba.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Homebrew downloads
- The downloads page lists homebrew builds for Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch, Wii and PlayStation Vita.mgba.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The project timeline lists Dolphin integration as a feature added in version 0.9.0.mgba.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- License
- mGBA is licensed under the Mozilla Public License 2.0.mgba.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Lua scripting
- Starting with version 0.10, mGBA has built-in scripting capabilities and currently supports Lua scripting.mgba.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Maintainer and affiliation
- The site identifies Vicki Pfau as copyright holder and says the project is not affiliated with Nintendo.mgba.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Mobile status
- The FAQ says no one working on mGBA is an Android or iOS developer, making a quality official port difficult.mgba.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Notable limits
- The FAQ says the Wireless Adapter, IR Adapter, and Soul Adapter are not supported.mgba.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Other supported systems
- The FAQ also lists Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch, Wii, and PlayStation Vita.mgba.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Peripheral support
- Supported GBA peripherals include rumble, rotation and tilt sensors, the solar sensor, realtime clock, partial link cable support and BattleChip Gate.mgba.io · read 7 Oct 2026
