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SPECIFICTION
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mGBA

mgba.io

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Spec score 8.4 #3 of 29 in Game Boy Advance Emulators

What it is

mGBA is a free, open-source emulator for Game Boy Advance games, designed to run on lower-end hardware while maintaining accuracy and portability. It also emulates Game Boy and Game Boy Color; most GBA games boot, while the FAQ notes bugs in Game Boy and Game Boy Color support. Nintendo DS support is very early, limited to the medusa branch, and has poor compatibility. Desktop downloads cover Windows, macOS, Linux, and Ubuntu, with homebrew builds for Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch, Wii, and PlayStation Vita. Supported GBA 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. The Wireless Adapter, IR Adapter, and Soul Adapter are not supported. Built-in Lua scripting can access emulator memory, registers, save states, buttons, game information, screenshots, callbacks, and frame or instruction advancement. The project began in April 2013 and uses the Mozilla Public License 2.0.

Spec sheet

What it does
mGBA is a Game Boy Advance emulator that aims to run on lower-end hardware without sacrificing accuracy or portability.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io
Purpose
mGBA is an open-source Game Boy Advance emulator designed to run on lower-end hardware without sacrificing accuracy or portability.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io
Integrations
The project timeline lists Dolphin integration as a feature added in version 0.9.0.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io
Support
The FAQ directs users to file bug reports on the GitHub issue tracker and recommends attaching the built-in bug report ZIP on PC for version 0.9.0 or newer.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io
License
mGBA is licensed under the Mozilla Public License 2.0.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io
Founded
2013Read 23 Sep 2026 · mgba.io
Additional accessories
Supported Game Boy features include rumble, tilt, realtime clock, Game Boy Printer, and partial Game Boy Camera and Super Game Boy support.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io
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.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io
Controller limitation
The FAQ describes mGBA’s controller support as lackluster.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io
Desktop downloads
The current release page lists downloads for Windows, macOS, Linux and Ubuntu.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io
Desktop support
The FAQ lists Windows, macOS, and Linux among supported systems.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io
Development builds
The downloads page lists development builds for Windows, macOS, Ubuntu, Nintendo 3DS, Switch, Wii, and PlayStation Vita.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io
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.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io
Emulation features
Supported GBA peripherals include rumble, rotation and tilt sensors, solar sensor, realtime clock, partial link cable support, and BattleChip Gate.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io
Game Boy support
mGBA also emulates Game Boy and Game Boy Color; the FAQ says most games work, though bugs remain.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io
Homebrew downloads
The downloads page lists homebrew builds for Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch, Wii and PlayStation Vita.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io
Lua scripting
Starting with version 0.10, mGBA has built-in scripting capabilities and currently supports Lua scripting.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io
Maintainer and affiliation
The site identifies Vicki Pfau as copyright holder and says the project is not affiliated with Nintendo.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io
Mobile status
The FAQ says no one working on mGBA is an Android or iOS developer, making a quality official port difficult.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io
Notable limits
The FAQ says the Wireless Adapter, IR Adapter, and Soul Adapter are not supported.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io
Other supported systems
The FAQ also lists Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Switch, Wii, and PlayStation Vita.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io
Peripheral support
Supported GBA peripherals include rumble, rotation and tilt sensors, the solar sensor, realtime clock, partial link cable support and BattleChip Gate.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io
Project history
The timeline says the project started in April 2013.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io
Project origin
The project started in April 2013.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io
Scripting
Starting with version 0.10, mGBA includes built-in Lua scripting capabilities.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io
Scripting features
Scripts can access emulator memory and registers, save states, button states, game information, screenshots, callbacks and frame or instruction advancement.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io
Supported systems
mGBA also emulates Game Boy and Game Boy Color; DS support is very early and only available in the medusa branch.Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io

Plans and prices

mGBA Free Open-source Game Boy Advance emulator Read 7 Oct 2026 · mgba.io

Every mGBA plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open-source
  • Emulates Game Boy Advance, Game Boy, and Game Boy Color
  • Homebrew builds listed for four console platforms
  • Lua scripts can access emulator state
  • Supports selected GBA and Game Boy peripherals

Limits

  • Game Boy and Game Boy Color support still has bugs
  • Nintendo DS support has poor compatibility
  • Wireless, IR, and Soul Adapters are unsupported
  • Controller support is described as lackluster

Who it suits

It suits players seeking a free emulator for Game Boy Advance, Game Boy, or Game Boy Color titles on supported desktop systems or listed homebrew devices. Lua scripting also gives technically inclined users access to emulator state and events.

Verdict

mGBA covers three Game Boy systems and offers scripting and peripheral support without a listed price. Compatibility varies by system, and its FAQ notes limits for controllers and several adapters.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to mGBAAll alternatives →