oxGBC vs SkyEmu

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.

SkyEmu is a free emulator for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, and Nintendo DS systems. It runs on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows, and can load ROMs compressed in ZIP archives. Graphics options include upscaling shaders, color correction, and screen ghosting. Controls include game controllers, rumble, configurable keybinds, and mobile on-screen controls. Four persistent save-state slots include screenshot previews. A REST-like API supports asynchronous scripting and automation, and listed integrations include Retro Achievements, a RetroArch/libretro core, and Google Drive save-state sync. The web app runs locally using WebAssembly and JavaScript, keeping files on the user's machine; its service worker enables offline use on more platforms. The project describes its focus as preserving these systems for future generations while providing a good user experience. It says Game Boy Advance emulation is significantly more accurate than its Game Boy and Game Boy Color emulation. Many Nintendo DS games still have mild graphics and audio issues, and DS emulation is beta quality.