DocBoy vs PyBoy

DocBoy is a free, open-source Game Boy emulator written in C++17. It emulates the original DMG Game Boy and Game Boy Color, with M-cycle-accurate CPU emulation and T-cycle-accurate PPU emulation using a Pixel FIFO. Supported cartridge types include NoMBC, MBC1, MBC2, MBC3, MBC5, MBC7, HUC1 and HUC3. Its frontends provide save and load, save states, fast-forward, configurable palettes, screenshots and an SDL graphical menu. An optional GDB-style command-line debugger offers disassembly, breakpoints, watchpoints, stepping, rewind and memory viewing. DocBoy can also operate as a libretro core through RetroArch. Releases provide Windows and Linux executables, while the project documents an Android libretro build; RetroArch is described as supporting Android and iOS. Save states, link cable emulation and a real-time clock are listed. The project says perfect emulation remains distant and accuracy can affect performance. It uses the MIT license and accepts bug reports and proposals through issues or pull requests.

PyBoy is a Game Boy and Game Boy Color emulator implemented in Python and Cython. It runs from a command line or inside Python programs, supporting automation, testing, and AI experiments. Install it with `pip install pyboy`; documentation links to setup instructions for macOS, Linux, and Windows. The Python interface sends button input, reads memory, and captures screenshots. Its documented hardware-facing API includes the CPU and address space, graphics, audio, cartridge hardware, and input, while leaving internal emulation components and platform-specific window implementations outside the reference. Rendering may be skipped or disabled, and the documentation says parallel instances can improve throughput. PyBoy links to Gym integration instructions and examples for Kirby, Tetris, and Super Mario Land. It supports save states, link cable emulation, and a real-time clock. Supported platforms include Windows 64-bit, macOS, Linux, and Raspberry Pi OS. The project is free under the GNU Lesser General Public License version 3.