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SPECIFICTION
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SameBoy

sameboy.github.io

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Spec score 7.5 #14 of 23 in Game Boy Emulators

What it is

SameBoy is a free, open-source emulator for Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Super Game Boy systems. Its supported machines include Game Boy Pocket and Light, Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Player in Color mode, and Super Game Boy 2. The project describes its design as focused on accuracy and says it passes multiple test ROM suites. It supports battery saves and save states that follow the BESS specification, as well as turbo, rewind, slow motion, cheats and rumble. Peripheral emulation includes local link cable, infrared, Game Boy Camera, Game Boy Printer and Workboy. Display options include scaling algorithms and filters, customizable controls and fullscreen mode; an integrated GBS player is also included. Developer tools include a disassembler, expression evaluator, breakpoints, watchpoints, call stack tracing, and memory and video RAM viewers. Builds are listed for macOS, Windows and iOS, and the project describes SDL support for other operating systems. Some features are exclusive to the macOS Cocoa frontend, while camera and printer emulation are available in Cocoa macOS and iOS frontends.

Spec sheet

Purpose
SameBoy is an open source emulator for Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Super Game Boy.Read 8 Oct 2026 · sameboy.github.io
Support
The project links users to a bug tracker and Discord server.Read 8 Oct 2026 · sameboy.github.io
License
The GitHub project describes SameBoy as open source and licensed under the Expat license, with an additional exception for the iOS folder.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Accuracy
The emulator is designed for high accuracy and passes multiple test ROM suites.Read 8 Oct 2026 · sameboy.github.io
Audio
SameBoy supports high quality 96KHz audio and sample-accurate sound emulation.Read 8 Oct 2026 · sameboy.github.io
Developer tools
Debugging tools include an expression evaluator, disassembler, conditional breakpoints and watchpoints, call stack tracing, and memory and video RAM viewers.Read 8 Oct 2026 · sameboy.github.io
Display and controls
It supports scaling algorithms and filters, customizable controls, joypads and fullscreen mode.Read 8 Oct 2026 · sameboy.github.io
Emulated peripherals
Features include local link cable, infrared, Game Boy Camera, Game Boy Printer and Workboy emulation.Read 8 Oct 2026 · sameboy.github.io
Emulated systems
It supports DMG, Pocket and Light, Color, GBC-mode Advance and Game Boy Player, Super Game Boy, and Super Game Boy 2 emulation.Read 8 Oct 2026 · sameboy.github.io
Gameplay features
The emulator includes turbo, rewind, slow-motion, cheats, rumble support and an integrated GBS player.Read 8 Oct 2026 · sameboy.github.io
iOS limitations
The features page says Game Boy Camera and Game Boy Printer emulation are available in the Cocoa macOS and iOS frontends, while some other features are limited to macOS.Read 8 Oct 2026 · sameboy.github.io
macOS-only features
Some features, including the native Cocoa interface, optional update checker and installer, and multiple cartridge instances, are exclusive to the macOS Cocoa frontend.Read 8 Oct 2026 · sameboy.github.io
Platform availability
The official downloads page lists builds for macOS, Windows and iOS, plus source code; the project describes SDL support for other operating systems.Read 8 Oct 2026 · sameboy.github.io
Saves
Features include battery saves and save states, with save states following the BESS specification for cross-compatibility.Read 8 Oct 2026 · sameboy.github.io

Plans and prices

SameBoy Free Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Super Game Boy emulation Read 8 Oct 2026 · sameboy.github.io

Every SameBoy plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports multiple Game Boy family systems.
  • Save states follow the BESS specification.
  • Includes peripheral emulation and an integrated GBS player.
  • Offers debugging tools and display customization.
  • Free and open source under the Expat license.

Limits

  • Some features are exclusive to the macOS Cocoa frontend.
  • Camera and printer emulation are limited to Cocoa macOS and iOS.
  • Official downloads list macOS, Windows and iOS builds.

Who it suits

SameBoy suits players who want to emulate supported Game Boy family systems, and developers who want its debugging tools. It is available on desktop platforms and iOS, with some functions varying by frontend.

Verdict

SameBoy covers a broad set of Game Boy systems, peripherals and developer tools at no cost. Check frontend-specific feature limits if you need particular functions.

Where Specifiction places it

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