GBCC Free plan 8.6 Visit oxGBC
github.com
What it is
oxGBC is a free Rust emulator for Game Boy and Game Boy Color. One portable emulation core supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and browsers through WebAssembly. The project aims for high accuracy using sub-instruction CPU timing and dot-level PPU emulation, and is validated in CI against community test suites including Blargg, Mooneye, SameSuite, DMG-acid2, CGB-acid2, CGB-acid-hell, and Magen.
Gameplay options include multiple save-state slots, optional automatic save and restore, configurable rewind, and adjustable speed with Slow and Turbo modes. Keyboard and gamepad controls are rebindable, including button combinations. Video options include visual filters, LCD frame blending, built-in or user-defined palettes, and custom GLSL shaders through an optional OpenGL backend. The desktop interface has a file browser and scans ROM directories. Listed cartridge support includes MBC0, MBC1, MBC1M, MBC2, MBC3, and MBC5, including battery-backed MBC3 real-time clock and SRAM. The project is licensed under GNU GPL version 3.0. On macOS, Gatekeeper blocks the first launch until the app is opened manually through security settings or its quarantine is cleared.
Spec sheet
- What it does
- oxGBC is a Game Boy and Game Boy Color emulator written in Rust.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Platforms
- The project provides Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android builds, plus a WebAssembly browser version.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Support
- The maintainer welcomes bug reports and feature requests through GitHub issues and asks reports to include the ROM title and observed problem.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- License
- The project is licensed under GNU GPL version 3.0.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Accuracy
- It aims for high accuracy using sub-instruction CPU timing and dot-level PPU emulation.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Controls
- Keyboard and gamepad controls can be rebound, including button combinations.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Emulated hardware
- The listed cartridge hardware includes MBC0, MBC1, MBC1M, MBC2, MBC3, and MBC5, with MBC3 real-time clock and battery-backed SRAM support.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Emulation accuracy
- The project says it aims for high accuracy using sub-instruction CPU timing and dot-level PPU emulation.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Gameplay features
- It supports multiple save-state slots, optional automatic save and restore, configurable rewind, and adjustable speed with Slow and Turbo modes.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Graphics options
- It supports optional OpenGL shaders, visual filters, LCD frame blending, built-in palettes, and user-defined palettes.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Intended audience
- The project describes itself as an emulator for desktop, Android, retro handhelds, and browsers running WebAssembly.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- macOS first launch
- The app is ad-hoc signed without a paid Apple Developer ID, so Gatekeeper blocks its first launch until the user opens it through macOS security settings or clears quarantine.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- macOS limitation
- The macOS app is ad-hoc signed rather than signed with a paid Apple Developer ID, so Gatekeeper blocks its first launch until the user opens it manually or clears quarantine.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Portable core
- The project says one portable emulation core powers Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and WebAssembly.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Retro handhelds
- A PortMaster package supports aarch64 and armhf Linux handhelds with glibc 2.28 and up.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Rewind and speed
- It offers configurable rewind and adjustable emulation speed with configurable Slow and Turbo modes.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- ROM library
- The desktop GUI includes a file browser and automatic ROM directory scanning for launching games.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- ROM management
- The desktop emulator includes a file browser and automatic ROM directory scanning with menu-based launching.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Save states
- It supports multiple save-state slots with optional automatic save and restore.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Validation
- The emulator is continuously validated in CI against community test suites including Blargg, Mooneye, SameSuite, DMG-acid2, CGB-acid2, CGB-acid-hell, and Magen.Read 3 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Video features
- Video options include custom GLSL shaders through an optional OpenGL backend, visual filters, LCD frame blending, and built-in or user-defined palettes.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Runs across desktop, Android, and WebAssembly browsers.
- Supports multiple save slots and optional automatic save and restore.
- Rewind and Slow or Turbo speed are configurable.
- Keyboard and gamepad bindings can be changed.
- MBC3 support includes a real-time clock.
Limits
- macOS Gatekeeper blocks the first launch.
- macOS app is ad-hoc signed, not signed with a paid Apple Developer ID.
- GLSL shaders require the optional OpenGL backend.
Who it suits
oxGBC suits players looking for a Game Boy or Game Boy Color emulator across desktop, Android, retro handheld, or browser platforms. Its configurable controls, saves, rewind, and graphics options may suit users who want to adjust how they play.
Verdict
oxGBC combines broad platform support with save, rewind, speed, and graphics options. macOS users should account for the first-launch security step, and shader use depends on the optional OpenGL backend.
Where Specifiction places it
- Game Boy Emulators#15 of 237.4