Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

BGB

bgb.bircd.org

WindowsmacOSLinux
Visit bgb.bircd.org
Spec score 7.9 #6 of 23 in Game Boy Emulators

What it is

BGB is a free Game Boy emulator and debugger for playing games and examining emulation. It emulates Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Super Game Boy, with gamepad support, rewind, save states, low latency, and high-quality sound and graphics. ROMs can be loaded from ZIP and GZIP files. The debugger can analyze emulation, help create or modify ROMs, and create, search, load, and save cheat codes; supported formats include GameGenie and GameShark. BGB can also emulate the Game Boy Camera using an image file, test pattern, or webcam. TCP/IP linking connects BGB instances, while Super Game Boy multiplayer supports up to four gamepads. BGB is listed for Windows, and its maker says it also runs under Wine on Linux and macOS; 32-bit and 64-bit versions are provided. The listed current release is version 1.6.6, dated 2025-07-20. Game linking may not work with every game and requires a modern PC with very low lag. AVI recordings omit sound, which is recorded separately to WAV. The manual states that the program has no warranty and is used at the user's own risk.

Spec sheet

Purpose
BGB is a Game Boy and Game Boy Color emulator and debugger for playing games and inspecting emulation.Read 2 Oct 2026 · bgb.bircd.org
Platforms
The x86 version is tested on Windows 95b through Windows 11 and Wine on Linux and OS X; the x64 version is tested on Windows XP 64-bit, Windows 7, 10, 11, and Wine on Linux and OS X.Read 1 Oct 2026 · bgb.bircd.org
Support
The manual lists the contact address as bgb at bircd dot org; the homepage says to include “gameboy” in the email subject to avoid spam filtering.Read 2 Oct 2026 · bgb.bircd.org
Accuracy
The maker describes its emulation as hardware-accurate and says it is based on research with test ROMs.Read 2 Oct 2026 · bgb.bircd.org
Camera emulation
BGB emulates the Game Boy Camera using an image file, built-in test pattern, or webcam.Read 1 Oct 2026 · bgb.bircd.org
Cheats
It supports GameGenie and GameShark cheats, cheat loading and saving, cheat searching, and creation of new cheat codes.Read 1 Oct 2026 · bgb.bircd.org
Compatibility
The maker says BGB runs on Windows and Wine and provides 32-bit and 64-bit versions.Read 2 Oct 2026 · bgb.bircd.org
Current release
The current release is BGB 1.6.6, dated 2025-07-20 in the version history.Read 1 Oct 2026 · bgb.bircd.org
Current version
The homepage lists version 1.6.6, dated 2025-07-20 in its version history.Read 2 Oct 2026 · bgb.bircd.org
Debug performance
Enabling break-on settings or breakpoints activates debug mode and makes BGB run about twice as slowly because of extra checks.Read 1 Oct 2026 · bgb.bircd.org
Debugger
The debugger includes a disassembler, assembler, breakpoints, watchpoints, tracing, and tools for viewing memory and registers.Read 2 Oct 2026 · bgb.bircd.org
Disclaimer
The manual says the program has no warranty and is used at the user's own risk.Read 2 Oct 2026 · bgb.bircd.org
Emulated systems
It emulates Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Super Game Boy.Read 2 Oct 2026 · bgb.bircd.org
File formats
BGB can load ROMs from ZIP and GZIP files.Read 1 Oct 2026 · bgb.bircd.org
Game link
It supports TCP/IP game linking between BGB instances.Read 1 Oct 2026 · bgb.bircd.org
Game-link limitation
Game link requires a modern PC around 1–2 GHz and less than 1 ms lag, and it does not work with all games.Read 1 Oct 2026 · bgb.bircd.org
Gameplay
Features include gamepad support, high quality sound and graphics, smooth VSync animation, low latency, rewind, and save states.Read 2 Oct 2026 · bgb.bircd.org
Gameplay features
The emulator includes gamepad support, high-quality sound and graphics, smooth VSync animation, low latency, and rewind.Read 1 Oct 2026 · bgb.bircd.org
Multiplayer
Super Game Boy multiplayer supports up to four gamepads, and the feature list includes TCP/IP game link support.Read 2 Oct 2026 · bgb.bircd.org
Older hardware
The maker says it currently still works on Windows 95b and Pentium 1 PCs.Read 2 Oct 2026 · bgb.bircd.org
Product type
BGB is a GameBoy emulator and debugger.Read 1 Oct 2026 · bgb.bircd.org
Recording limit
AVI recordings use an installed system codec and do not include sound; audio is recorded separately to WAV.Read 2 Oct 2026 · bgb.bircd.org
ROM formats
BGB can load games from ZIP and GZIP files.Read 2 Oct 2026 · bgb.bircd.org
Save states
It supports save and load states with mappable quick keys and preview screenshots for state slots.Read 1 Oct 2026 · bgb.bircd.org
Supported systems
It emulates GameBoy, GameBoy Color, and Super GameBoy.Read 1 Oct 2026 · bgb.bircd.org
System requirements
The x86 version requires DirectX 7 or later, OpenGL, and Winsock 2, with a minimum Pentium 133 MHz and 16 MB RAM listed for Windows 95b.Read 1 Oct 2026 · bgb.bircd.org

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Emulates Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Super Game Boy.
  • Includes rewind and save states.
  • Debugger supports ROM inspection and cheat-code tools.
  • Game Boy Camera emulation accepts images or a webcam.
  • Free to use.

Limits

  • Game linking does not work with every game.
  • Linking requires a modern PC and very low lag.
  • AVI recordings do not include sound.
  • The manual states there is no warranty.

Who it suits

BGB suits players who want to run Game Boy, Game Boy Color, or Super Game Boy games, and users who want debugging and cheat tools. It is also relevant to people seeking camera emulation or TCP/IP linking between BGB instances.

Verdict

BGB combines Game Boy emulation with debugging, cheats, camera emulation, and linking features. Check the link requirements and recording limits if those functions matter to your setup.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to BGBAll alternatives →