GiiBiiAdvance

What GiiBiiAdvance is

GiiBiiAdvance is a desktop emulator for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance, with versions for Linux and Windows. It also emulates the Game Boy Camera and can accept webcam input when webcam support is included. The maker describes most Game Boy and Game Boy Color games as emulated fairly accurately, and most Game Boy Advance games with reasonable accuracy. The project is not intended as a primary emulator for playing games; its maker directs people seeking stronger game support to other emulators.

The main window provides what is needed to play, while the debugger opens in separate windows. The debugger can be disabled on systems without a window manager. Lua scripting can be enabled if Lua 5.2 or newer is detected during the build. Linux builds require CMake, SDL2, libpng, and zlib; webcam support additionally requires OpenCV 4. The v0.3.0 release has two Windows downloads, including a smaller build without webcam support. It has no Linux build, so Linux users need to compile the project following the README instructions. GiiBiiAdvance is free, open source, and licensed under GPL v2. The project credits Antonio Niño Díaz, also known as AntonioND.

Who it suits

GiiBiiAdvance may suit desktop users who want to examine or develop around Game Boy, Game Boy Color, or Game Boy Advance emulation, including camera emulation and optional Lua scripting. It is less suited to people primarily looking for an emulator for playing games, since its maker points to other emulators for better game support.

Limits

The listed plan is free. The v0.3.0 release does not provide a Linux build, and webcam support is absent unless OpenCV 4 is included in the build.

Getting started

1. Open the GiiBiiAdvance project page on GitHub.
2. On Windows, choose either v0.3.0 download, with or without webcam support.
3. For Linux, follow the README build instructions.
4. Install CMake, SDL2, libpng, and zlib for a Linux build.
5. Include OpenCV 4 in the build if webcam support is wanted.

Verdict

Choose GiiBiiAdvance if you want a free, GPL v2 desktop emulator with Game Boy Camera emulation and optional scripting. Look elsewhere if your main goal is playing games with stronger game support, as its maker recommends other emulators for that use.