oxGBC is a free emulator for Game Boy and Game Boy Color, written in Rust. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and browsers through WebAssembly, using one portable emulation core. The project aims for accurate emulation through sub-instruction CPU timing and dot-level picture processing, and checks the emulator against community test suites. Players can use multiple save-state slots, optional automatic save and restore, configurable rewind, and adjustable speed with Slow and Turbo modes. Keyboard and gamepad controls can be rebound, including button combinations. Video options include visual filters, LCD frame blending, built-in or custom palettes, and GLSL shaders through an optional OpenGL backend. The desktop interface includes a file browser and can scan a ROM directory to launch games. Listed cartridge support covers MBC0, MBC1, MBC1M, MBC2, MBC3 and MBC5, including battery-backed MBC3 real-time clock and SRAM. The project uses the GNU GPL version 3.0. On macOS, Gatekeeper blocks the first launch because the app is ad-hoc signed; users need to open it manually through security settings or clear its quarantine.
Who it is for
oxGBC suits people looking to emulate Game Boy or Game Boy Color on desktop, Android, a retro handheld, or a WebAssembly-capable browser. It also offers options for users who want configurable controls, rewind or save states.
What is good
- Supports Game Boy and Game Boy Color.
- Available across desktop, Android and browser platforms.
- Offers multiple save-state slots and configurable rewind.
- Controls can be rebound, including button combinations.
- Includes filters, palettes and optional GLSL shaders.
What to know first
- The macOS app is blocked on first launch by Gatekeeper.
- GLSL shaders require the optional OpenGL backend.
Verdict
oxGBC combines a shared emulator core with save states, rewind, adjustable speed and several video options. On macOS, the first launch requires manual action because Gatekeeper blocks the ad-hoc-signed app.
Compared on Game Boy emulators
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported systems
- Game Boy; Game Boy Color
- Supported platforms
- Windows; macOS; Linux; Android; WebAssembly/browser
- Save states
- Yes
- Real-time clock
- Yes
- Controller support
- Yes
