In today’s digital age, where advanced gaming consoles dominate the market, it’s easy to forget the charm and nostalgia of the Game Boy Advance (GBA) era. However, thanks to the development of GBA emulators, gamers can relive their favourite childhood memories by playing GBA games on various platforms. But there are many GBA emulators for Android and Windows.
Choosing the best GBA emulator can be a tough choice. You are at the right place if you are also confused between all these GBA emulators in the market. This article will tell you the 12 best GBA emulators for different devices, each with unique features and performance.
What Is A GBA Emulator?
Before we explore the top GBA emulator options, let’s take a moment to understand what a GBA Emulator is. The Game Boy Advance (GBA) was a portable gaming console released by Nintendo in 2001.
Boasting a vast library of games, it rapidly captured the hearts of gamers worldwide. However, as technology advanced, the GBA gradually became obsolete, leaving ardent gamers yearning to relive their special gaming experiences.
This is where GBA emulators step in. Emulators are software applications designed to replicate the functionalities of specific gaming consoles, enabling users to play their beloved games on modern devices like computers, smartphones, or tablets. GBA emulators offer an avenue to recapture the enchantment of GBA games without the requirement for the original hardware.
Top 12 Best GBA Emulators:
Now that we have understood what a GBA emulator is get into the list of 12 best GMA emulators for mobile and Pc that you can use to imitate the Game Boy Advance console.
1. Visual Boy Advance- M:
Supported Devices: Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS
Price: Free
VBA-M is a popular choice for GBA emulation due to its cross-platform compatibility and rich feature set. It offers excellent game compatibility and supports a wide range of GBA titles. It is the best GBA Emulator for Windows, Mac, and mobile devices. VBA-M allows users to customize controls, apply cheats, and emulate multiplayer functionality.
However, it lacks advanced features in other emulators, and occasional compatibility issues may arise. Nonetheless, VBA-M remains a reliable option for reliving GBA gaming memories.
2. ClassicBoy Gold:
Supported Devices: Android
Price: Free – $5.99
ClassicBoy Gold is considered the best GBA emulator for Android with cheats. It allows users to play games from a wide range of consoles. With support for Game Boy Advance, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Sega Genesis, PlayStation, and NES, it covers a diverse collection of gaming systems.
This emulator ensures compatibility with nearly all the games available on each console above, delivering a comprehensive gaming experience. One of the standout features of ClassicBoy Gold is its versatility. It allows users to enhance their gaming sessions by utilizing external devices.
This means you can connect various peripherals and accessories to elevate your gameplay enjoyment further. ClassicBoy Gold accommodates your preferred input method, granting you greater control over your gaming experience, whether a gamepad, keyboard, or joystick.
3. mGBA:
Supported Devices: Windows
Price: Free
mGBA is a lightweight and fast GBA emulator known for its accuracy and efficiency. It is compatible with GBA games and offers customizable controls, save states, and game speed adjustments. mGBA’s minimalistic interface and low resource requirements make it ideal for low-end devices. You get additional features when you play GBA ROMS on PC.
However, audio emulation can sometimes be imperfect, and advanced features such as cheat code support are limited. Overall, mGBA excels in delivering a smooth and authentic GBA gaming experience.
4. RetroArch:
Supported Devices: Android
Price: Free
The next on our list is RetroArch, a tiny app that runs other emulators. RetroArch itself does not function as an emulator. Instead, it is a unified and singular application with interactions with diverse emulators. Employing the Liberto development interface, RetroArch facilitates the installation of emulator cores on many devices.
Within RetroArch, cores are installed for all platforms, including Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advanced. This convergence of cores allows for the seamless enjoyment of a vast array of games within a single application. While RetroArch may not possess an extensive feature compared to other emulators, it excels in compatibility during gameplay.
5. Higan Emulator:
Supported Devices: Windows
Price: Free
Higan, formerly known as BSNES, is a multi-system emulator that includes GBA support. It aims for high accuracy and offers excellent compatibility with GBA games. Higan provides advanced features like save states, cheat code support, and video filters. However, Higan’s high system requirements may limit its usage on low-end devices.
Additionally, its complex setup and configuration process can be daunting for inexperienced users. Nevertheless, Higan’s commitment to accuracy and comprehensive emulation capabilities make it a powerful choice for enthusiasts.
6. Pizza Boy Emulator:
Supported Devices: Android
Price: Free
Pizza Boy GBA has garnered widespread acclaim as the premier Game Boy Advance emulator for Android devices. Although relatively new, it has quickly become a top contender among the best GBA emulators available. Despite its newcomer status, Pizza Boy GBA boasts many features that rival and even surpass those of well-established emulators.
One standout characteristic of Pizza Boy GBA is its exceptional performance and accuracy. It ensures smooth gameplay and faithfully replicates the original GBA experience, allowing you to enjoy your favourite games without compromise. Whether you’re battling through intense Pokemon encounters or exploring fantastical worlds, Pizza Boy GBA delivers the high-performance emulation necessary for an immersive gaming session.
7. No$GBA Emulator:
Supported Devices: Windows
Price: Free
No$GBA is a well-established GBA emulator known for its debugging capabilities. It provides accurate emulation and good compatibility with GBA titles. No$GBA also supports multiplayer gaming and has a range of debugging tools for advanced users.
However, the free version of No$GBA lacks some features, and occasional compatibility issues may arise with certain games. Nevertheless, for those interested in debugging and precise GBA emulation, No$GBA is a valuable tool.
8. John GBAC:
Supported Devices: Windows
Price: Free – $4.49
John GBA revolutionizes the Android gaming experience by delivering exceptional performance and a user-friendly design. This emulator goes above and beyond to provide many features that enhance your gameplay and enjoyment. With John GBA, you can dive into GBA games seamlessly and with unparalleled convenience.
One of the standout features of John GBA is its customizable virtual controls. This allows you to personalize your gaming experience by placing buttons and controls in most comfortable positions. Whether you prefer a classic layout or a customized arrangement, John GBA ensures you have complete control over your gameplay.
9. BatGBA Emulator:
Supported Devices: Windows
Price: Free
BatGBA is ideal for a Gameboy emulator if you’re seeking a hassle-free and primary emulator. It lacks advanced features, which may be a drawback for some users. However, it is an excellent option for individuals who prefer simplicity over additional features. Setting it up is straightforward and consumes minimal storage space, making it compatible with various hardware configurations.
With BatGBA, you can enjoy commercial and non-commercial games smoothly without encountering any bugs or lag issues. It is particularly suitable for those who prefer a lightweight setup and want to unwind with some GBA games during their leisure time.
10. My Boy! Emulator:
Supported Devices: Android
Price: Free – $4.49
My Boy GBA emulator is feature-rich and exclusively available for Android devices. It offers excellent compatibility with GBA games, fast emulation, and various features, including customizable controls, save states, and cheat codes. My Boy! also supports link cable emulation for multiplayer gaming.
However, the free version lacks some advanced features, and occasional performance issues may occur on low-end devices. Nonetheless, My Boy is for Android users seeking a comprehensive GBA emulation experience that is a reliable and popular choice.
11. Old Boy Emulator:
Supported Devices: Android
Price: Free – $3.49
The creators of My Boy also developed My OldBoy, which offers an extensive range of additional features and options. It is widely used for emulating Game Boy Color and other Game Boy emulators. Users can enjoy cable emulation for linking, cheat code support, compatibility with external hardware, and the ability to fast-forward or slow down gameplay.
Similar to My Boy, My OldBoy includes OpenGL Rendering and Rumble Emulation. However, unlike My Boy, it supports Game Boy and Game Boy Color games. Essentially, My OldBoy is similar to My Boy but with added support for Game Boy Color.
12. Nostalgia.GBC:
Supported Devices: Android
Price: $1.49
Nostalgia.GBC is a remarkable emulator that takes you on a captivating journey down memory lane. The emulator boasts a user-friendly interface, making navigating through your library of games easy. With its intuitive controls and customizable settings, Nostalgia.GBC ensures a seamless and personalized gaming experience. Whether you prefer the original screen layout or desire enhanced graphics and audio, the emulator caters to your preferences.
How To Install And Use A GBA Emulator?
The procedure to install and use the GBA emulator may differ based on the emulator, but the core procedure will remain the same. Here’s how to use the GBA emulator after installing it.
- Download the emulator software from a reputable source.
- Install the emulator on your device following the provided instructions.
- Obtain GBA ROMs (game files) from legal sources.
- Launch the emulator and configure any necessary settings.
- Open the desired GBA ROM file within the emulator.
- Start playing and enjoy your favourite GBA games.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Here are some queries that many users usually ask.
ClassicBoy Gold is considered the best GBA emulator for Android with cheats. It allows users to play games from a wide range of consoles.
The Visual Boy Advance- M emulator is the best Windows GBA Emulator.
Using GBA emulators themselves is generally legal. However, downloading and playing copyrighted ROMs (game files) without proper authorization from the copyright holder is considered piracy and illegal.
Yes, some emulators support multiplayer functionality through wireless or online connections.
Conclusion:
With the top GBA emulators for Android and Windows at your disposal, you can embark on a nostalgic journey through classic gaming.
Whether you prefer the versatility of MyGBA, the extensive features of RetroArch, the simplicity of VBA-M, the user-friendliness of John GBA, or the precision of mGBA, each emulator brings its unique strengths to the table. Take a moment to choose the emulator that suits you the best, and do let us know in the comment section below.
