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SPECIFICTION
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GoBoy

github.com

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Spec score 7.9 #7 of 23 in Game Boy Emulators

What it is

GoBoy is a free, open-source emulator for Nintendo Game Boy and Game Boy Color, written in Go. It runs most Game Boy games and some Game Boy Color games, with color and sound support. Builds are listed for Linux, macOS, and Windows; users can download a release or install from source using Go and the documented commands. Debugging options print opcodes and register values or toggle individual sound channels. The listed controls are arrow keys, Z, X, Enter, and Backspace, with shortcuts for palette changes and fullscreen. For battery-backed ROMs, GoBoy creates a save file beside the ROM and updates it every second while the game runs. It uses the Pixel library for graphics and controls, which requires OpenGL; Linux builds also require GTK, and Windows 10 builds require MinGW. The project describes itself as a work in progress and development exercise, and lists unresolved graphics, audio, and cartridge issues. Save states and boot ROM support remain TODOs.

Spec sheet

Purpose
GoBoy is a Go-written Nintendo Game Boy and Game Boy Color emulator that can run most GB games and some CGB games.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Platforms
GoBoy is compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The repository identifies its license as MIT.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Colour and sound
The emulator supports colour and sound.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Controls
The listed controls are the arrow keys, Z, X, Enter, and Backspace; the palette can be cycled with = in DMG mode and F toggles fullscreen.Read 9 Oct 2026 · humpheh.github.io
Debugging
Debug functions can print opcodes and register values at each step and toggle individual sound channels.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Dependencies
Graphics rendering and control binding use the Go pixel library and require OpenGL; Linux builds also require GTK, and Windows 10 builds require MinGW.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Development status
The project describes itself as a work in progress and says it was primarily built as a development exercise.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Game support
The emulator can run most Game Boy games and some Game Boy Color games, with color and sound support.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Installation
Users can download a release or install from source with Go using the repository's documented commands.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Known limitations
The project lists sprite rendering glitches, MBC3 banking and clock support, audio issues, and save states as bugs or TODO items.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Release
The releases page lists GoBoy v0.5 as the latest release and describes improvements to audio timing, graphics rendering, and performance.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Requirements
GoBoy uses the Pixel library for graphics and controls, which requires OpenGL; the page also lists GTK for Linux builds and MinGW for Windows 10 builds.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Save files
For battery-backed ROMs, GoBoy creates a .sav file beside the ROM and updates it every second while the game runs.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Status
The project describes itself as a development exercise that is still a work in progress.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support and contributions
The project invites users to open pull requests and contribute to emulator development.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Testing
The project says it passes Blargg's cpu_instrs and instr_timing test ROMs and runs those checks on each commit.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

GoBoy Free No paid plans or pricing stated on the pages opened Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every GoBoy plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Runs most Game Boy games and some Game Boy Color games.
  • Includes color and sound support.
  • Supports Linux, macOS, and Windows.
  • Battery-backed ROM saves update every second.

Limits

  • Save states are not supported.
  • Requires OpenGL; Linux also requires GTK.
  • Windows 10 builds require MinGW.
  • Graphics, audio, and cartridge issues remain unresolved.

Who it suits

GoBoy may suit users interested in a free Game Boy emulator who are comfortable with its listed dependencies and work-in-progress status. Its debugging options may also suit people exploring emulator development.

Verdict

GoBoy provides a free emulator with debugging options and support for multiple desktop platforms. Its development status and dependency requirements are important considerations.

Where Specifiction places it

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