gbajs3 vs mGBA

gbajs3 is a free, browser-based Game Boy Advance emulator for modern browsers, with no plugins required. It offers interchangeable mGBA WebAssembly and pure JavaScript gbajs cores. Both cores support a realtime clock. Controls include remappable keyboard bindings and virtual controls for desktop and mobile, alongside mobile interface support and offline progressive web app support. Fast forward is included. Save states and cheat codes work with the mGBA core, while a surface-level assembly debugger is available with the gbajs core. The project also lists a Go server for logged-in users, an Nginx server for content, an admin interface and PostgreSQL support. Self-hosting uses an environment file and Docker Compose. The setup guide says the default admin password is admin and instructs changing it after login. The README marks debugger and server enhancements as unfinished, and GitHub lists no releases.

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.