oxGBC

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What oxGBC is

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 suits

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 it does well

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.

Limits

PortMaster packages support aarch64 and armhf Linux handhelds with glibc 2.28 or later. On macOS, Gatekeeper blocks the app's first launch until it is opened manually or its quarantine is cleared.

Getting started

Visit the oxGBC GitHub project.
Choose the version for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, or browser use.
For a supported retro handheld, use the PortMaster package on aarch64 or armhf Linux with glibc 2.28 or later.
On macOS, open the app manually through security settings or clear its quarantine after Gatekeeper blocks the first launch.
On desktop, use the file browser or scan a ROM directory to launch games.

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.

Questions

How much does oxGBC cost?

It is free and has no free trial.

Which platforms does it support?

It supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and browsers through WebAssembly. PortMaster packages support aarch64 and armhf Linux handhelds with glibc 2.28 or later.

Which systems does it emulate?

It supports Game Boy and Game Boy Color.

Is oxGBC open source?

Yes. It is licensed under GNU GPL version 3.0.

Does it support gamepads and real-time clock features?

It supports rebindable gamepad controls. Its listed cartridge support includes battery-backed MBC3 real-time clock and SRAM.

What should macOS users know before launching it?

The app is ad-hoc signed rather than signed with a paid Apple Developer ID. Gatekeeper blocks its first launch until users open it manually through security settings or clear its quarantine.

Facts from oxGBC's own pages

Accuracy: It aims for high accuracy using sub-instruction CPU timing and dot-level PPU emulation. · github.com, 2 Oct 2026
Controls: Keyboard and gamepad controls can be rebound, including button combinations. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Emulated hardware: The listed cartridge hardware includes MBC0, MBC1, MBC1M, MBC2, MBC3, and MBC5, with MBC3 real-time clock and battery-backed SRAM support. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Emulation accuracy: The project says it aims for high accuracy using sub-instruction CPU timing and dot-level PPU emulation. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Gameplay features: It supports multiple save-state slots, optional automatic save and restore, configurable rewind, and adjustable speed with Slow and Turbo modes. · github.com, 2 Oct 2026
Graphics options: It supports optional OpenGL shaders, visual filters, LCD frame blending, built-in palettes, and user-defined palettes. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Intended audience: The project describes itself as an emulator for desktop, Android, retro handhelds, and browsers running WebAssembly. · github.com, 2 Oct 2026
License: The project is licensed under GNU GPL version 3.0. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
macOS first launch: The app is ad-hoc signed without a paid Apple Developer ID, so Gatekeeper blocks its first launch until the user opens it through macOS security settings or clears quarantine. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
macOS limitation: The macOS app is ad-hoc signed rather than signed with a paid Apple Developer ID, so Gatekeeper blocks its first launch until the user opens it manually or clears quarantine. · github.com, 2 Oct 2026
Platforms: The project provides Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android builds, plus a WebAssembly browser version. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Portable core: The project says one portable emulation core powers Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and WebAssembly. · github.com, 2 Oct 2026
Retro handhelds: A PortMaster package supports aarch64 and armhf Linux handhelds with glibc 2.28 and up. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Rewind and speed: It offers configurable rewind and adjustable emulation speed with configurable Slow and Turbo modes. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
ROM library: The desktop GUI includes a file browser and automatic ROM directory scanning for launching games. · github.com, 2 Oct 2026
ROM management: The desktop emulator includes a file browser and automatic ROM directory scanning with menu-based launching. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Save states: It supports multiple save-state slots with optional automatic save and restore. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Support: The maintainer welcomes bug reports and feature requests through GitHub issues and asks reports to include the ROM title and observed problem. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Validation: The emulator is continuously validated in CI against community test suites including Blargg, Mooneye, SameSuite, DMG-acid2, CGB-acid2, CGB-acid-hell, and Magen. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Video features: Video options include custom GLSL shaders through an optional OpenGL backend, visual filters, LCD frame blending, and built-in or user-defined palettes. · github.com, 2 Oct 2026
What it does: oxGBC is a Game Boy and Game Boy Color emulator written in Rust. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026

Where oxGBC stands on Freedom251

Game Boy Emulators#13 of 23