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RetroGBm
What it is
RetroGBm is a free Game Boy Color emulator for Windows and Android, written in C++. It supports MBC1, MBC3, and MBC5 mappers, battery-backed saves, and multiple rotating save states. Emulation features include adjustable speed, Real-Time Clock emulation, cycle-accurate CPU and PPU timing, and audio emulation; it also tracks play time. The app supports controllers on both platforms, while Windows also offers keyboard remapping. GameShark codes are supported on Windows and Android, and saving those codes was added in a release.
Link play between Android and Windows is available. For original Game Boy games, users can select optional Game Boy Color palettes, including greyscale. The project repository identifies its license as GPL-3.0 and is where the site directs visitors for details and downloads. The repository states that Windows builds use Visual Studio 2026 and Android builds use Android Studio. One compatibility note is important: the v26.9 release says save states from older releases are not compatible with that version.
For and against
For
- Free to use
- Supports three Game Boy Color mapper types
- Includes battery-backed saves and rotating save states
- Link play connects Android and Windows
Against
- Older save states are incompatible with v26.9
- Supports Windows and Android only
- Windows builds use Visual Studio 2026
The verdict
RetroGBm offers a focused Game Boy Color emulation feature set on Windows and Android, including saves, timing features, and link play. Check the v26.9 save-state compatibility note before relying on states from an older release.
Who it suits
RetroGBm suits people looking for a free way to emulate Game Boy Color titles on Windows or Android. It may also fit users who want save states, controller support, or cross-platform link play.
On the record
- Accuracy and audio
- It features cycle-accurate CPU and PPU timing and audio emulation.retrogbm.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Build requirements
- The repository says Windows builds use Visual Studio 2026 and Android builds use Android Studio.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Cartridge support
- It supports MBC1, MBC3, and MBC5 mappers.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Cheats
- It supports GameShark cheat codes.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Compatibility limit
- The v26.9 release states that older save states are not compatible with that release.retrogbm.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Controllers and keyboard
- A release added controller support for Windows and Android and keyboard remapping for Windows.retrogbm.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Download
- The site directs users to the RetroGBm GitHub repository for details and downloads.retrogbm.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Emulation controls
- Users can adjust emulation speed, and the emulator supports Real-Time Clock emulation.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Game Boy palettes
- A release added optional Game Boy Color palettes, including greyscale, for original Game Boy games.retrogbm.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- GameShark
- It supports GameShark on Windows and Android, with saving for GameShark codes added in a release.retrogbm.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Graphics and audio
- It includes dot-based PPU timing, audio emulation, and CGB colours for DMG games with a grayscale option on Windows and Android.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository identifies its license as GPL-3.0.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Link play
- It supports link cable play.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Mapper support
- It supports MBC1, MBC3, and MBC5 mappers.retrogbm.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Play tracking
- The emulator tracks play time.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Product
- RetroGBm is a fast, lightweight Game Boy Color emulator written in C++ for Windows and Android.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- RetroGBm is a fast and lightweight Game Boy Color emulator for Windows and Android.retrogbm.com · read 3 Oct 2026
- Saves
- It supports battery-backed saves and multiple save states with rotating quick saves.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
