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RetroGBm

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What RetroGBm is

RetroGBm is a free Game Boy Color emulator for Windows and Android. Written in C++, it supports MBC1, MBC3, and MBC5 cartridge mappers, battery-backed saves, and multiple rotating save states. Emulation options include adjustable speed and Real-Time Clock emulation, along with cycle-accurate CPU and PPU timing and audio emulation. The program also tracks play time. Controller support is available on Windows and Android, and Windows adds keyboard remapping. GameShark codes are supported on both platforms, with saving for those codes added in a release. Link play between Android and Windows is supported. For original Game Boy games, users can choose optional Game Boy Color palettes, including greyscale. The project’s repository identifies its license as GPL-3.0 and is where the site directs users for details and downloads. The listed build requirements are Visual Studio 2026 for Windows and Android Studio for Android. One version detail matters for users bringing saves forward: the v26.9 release states that older save states are not compatible with that release.

Who it suits

RetroGBm suits people looking to play Game Boy Color games on Windows or Android, with save states, controller support, and link play. It may also suit those who want GameShark support or palette options for original Game Boy games.

What it does well

  • Supports three cartridge mapper types.
  • Includes battery-backed saves and rotating save states.
  • Offers adjustable speed and RTC emulation.
  • Supports controller input on Windows and Android.
  • Link play connects Android and Windows.

What to know first

  • Older save states are incompatible with v26.9.
  • Windows builds require Visual Studio 2026.
  • Android builds require Android Studio.

Limits

The v26.9 release does not support save states from older versions.

Getting started

  1. Visit the RetroGBm website.
  2. Follow its link to the GitHub repository for details and downloads.
  3. Choose the Windows or Android version.
  4. For Windows builds, use Visual Studio 2026; for Android builds, use Android Studio.

Verdict

RetroGBm provides Game Boy Color emulation with save, controller, cheat, and link-play features on Windows and Android. Before using v26.9, note that save states from older versions are not compatible.

Questions

Is RetroGBm free?

Yes. It is listed as free, with a free plan.

Which platforms does it support?

RetroGBm is available for Windows and Android.

What games does it support?

It is a Game Boy Color emulator and supports MBC1, MBC3 and MBC5 mappers. Optional Game Boy Color palettes are available for original Game Boy games.

Does it support link play and controllers?

Yes. Link play works between Android and Windows, and controller support is available on both.

What is its license?

The repository identifies the license as GPL-3.0.

Where can I download it?

The website directs users to the RetroGBm GitHub repository for details and downloads.

Facts from RetroGBm's own pages

Accuracy and audio
It features cycle-accurate CPU and PPU timing and audio emulation. · retrogbm.com, 3 Oct 2026
Build requirements
The repository says Windows builds use Visual Studio 2026 and Android builds use Android Studio. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Cartridge support
It supports MBC1, MBC3, and MBC5 mappers. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Cheats
It supports GameShark cheat codes. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Compatibility limit
The v26.9 release states that older save states are not compatible with that release. · retrogbm.com, 3 Oct 2026
Controllers and keyboard
A release added controller support for Windows and Android and keyboard remapping for Windows. · retrogbm.com, 3 Oct 2026
Download
The site directs users to the RetroGBm GitHub repository for details and downloads. · retrogbm.com, 3 Oct 2026
Emulation controls
Users can adjust emulation speed, and the emulator supports Real-Time Clock emulation. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Game Boy palettes
A release added optional Game Boy Color palettes, including greyscale, for original Game Boy games. · retrogbm.com, 3 Oct 2026
GameShark
It supports GameShark on Windows and Android, with saving for GameShark codes added in a release. · retrogbm.com, 3 Oct 2026
Graphics and audio
It includes dot-based PPU timing, audio emulation, and CGB colours for DMG games with a grayscale option on Windows and Android. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
License
The repository identifies its license as GPL-3.0. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Link play
It supports link cable play. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Mapper support
It supports MBC1, MBC3, and MBC5 mappers. · retrogbm.com, 3 Oct 2026
Play tracking
The emulator tracks play time. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Product
RetroGBm is a fast, lightweight Game Boy Color emulator written in C++ for Windows and Android. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Purpose
RetroGBm is a fast and lightweight Game Boy Color emulator for Windows and Android. · retrogbm.com, 3 Oct 2026
Saves
It supports battery-backed saves and multiple save states with rotating quick saves. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026

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