Best GBA Emulators for PC, Mac, Android, and iOS
Quick Setup Guides, Tips, and Recommendations
Looking for the best Game Boy Advance emulator for your device?
This guide helps you quickly choose the right emulator for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, with setup tips, performance advice, and beginner-friendly explanations.
This page provides recommendations only. No ROMs, hacks, or emulator files are hosted here.
What Is a GBA Emulator?
A GBA emulator is software that allows you to play Game Boy Advance games on modern devices such as PCs, smartphones, and tablets.
Most emulators support features like:
- Save states
- Controller support
- Speed controls
- Improved visuals
Best GBA Emulators for PC (Windows)
VisualBoyAdvance / VisualBoyAdvance-M
VisualBoyAdvance (VBA) is one of the oldest and most recognized GBA emulators. Originally released in 2004, it later stopped development, but thanks to its open-source nature, the community created improved forks.
VisualBoyAdvance-M (VBA-M) is the most recommended version today, combining fixes and enhancements from several forks such as VBALink and VBA-Next.
Best for
- Beginners
- Older or low-end PCs
- Classic ROM hacks
Key Features
- Lightweight and fast
- Save states
- Cheat support
- Custom key mapping
Download
NO$GBA
NO$GBA is a solid alternative for Windows users. It is optimized for performance and works well even on very low-spec systems.
Best for
- Performance-focused users
- Older computers
Official Site
Quick Setup Guide (Windows)
- Download and install the emulator
- Extract your GBA ROM files if needed
- Open the emulator
- Configure controls via Options → Input
- Load a game using File → Open GBA
Tip: Enable Save States for quick progress saving.
Best GBA Emulators for macOS
OpenEmu
OpenEmu is a polished emulator frontend made specifically for macOS. It supports GBA and many other systems with a clean interface.
Best for
- macOS users who want simplicity
- Multi-system emulation
Highlights
- Drag-and-drop ROM loading
- Controller auto-detection
- Library-style game management
Official Site
mGBA
mGBA is a modern and highly accurate emulator available on multiple platforms, including macOS.
Best for
- Accuracy
- ROM hacks
- Frequent updates
Official Site
Best GBA Emulators for Android
My Boy! - GBA Emulator
One of the most popular Android GBA emulators, known for speed and reliability.
Features
- Save states
- Fast-forward
- External controller support
- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fastemulator.gba
RetroArch
RetroArch is a powerful emulator platform that supports GBA through dedicated cores.
Best for
- Advanced users
- Custom shaders and settings
- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.retroarch
Pizza Boy GBA Free
A lightweight and beginner-friendly emulator with a clean interface.
Best GBA Emulators for iOS
GBA4iOS
A classic iOS GBA emulator known for ease of use.
Delta Emulator
Delta is the modern successor to GBA4iOS, supporting multiple Nintendo systems.
Best for
- Modern iOS devices
- Controller support
- https://deltaemulator.com/
RetroArch (iOS)
Advanced option for experienced users.
Helpful Tips for Beginners
Which emulator should I choose?
- Beginner: VBA-M, My Boy!, OpenEmu
- Accuracy & ROM hacks: mGBA
- Advanced customization: RetroArch
Save Files
- Use in-game saves when possible
- Save states are convenient but not always compatible between emulators
Controllers
Most emulators support:
- USB controllers
- Bluetooth gamepads
- Console-style layouts
Important Disclaimer
- This site does not host ROMs, hacks, or emulator files
- All tools are credited to their original developers
- External links and copyrighted content will be removed upon request
- Users are responsible for complying with local laws