GoBoy vs oxGBC

GoBoy is a free, open-source emulator for Nintendo Game Boy and Game Boy Color, written in Go. It runs most Game Boy games and some Game Boy Color games, with color and sound support. Builds are listed for Linux, macOS, and Windows; users can download a release or install from source using Go and the documented commands. Debugging options print opcodes and register values or toggle individual sound channels. The listed controls are arrow keys, Z, X, Enter, and Backspace, with shortcuts for palette changes and fullscreen. For battery-backed ROMs, GoBoy creates a save file beside the ROM and updates it every second while the game runs. It uses the Pixel library for graphics and controls, which requires OpenGL; Linux builds also require GTK, and Windows 10 builds require MinGW. The project describes itself as a work in progress and development exercise, and lists unresolved graphics, audio, and cartridge issues. Save states and boot ROM support remain TODOs.

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.