20 Gameboy Advance (GBA) Emulators for Android
Yo, fellow Pokémon fanatics! If you’re anything like me and have been obsessed with Pokémon since the dawn of time, you probably crave revisiting those classic gems like Pokémon Emerald. But let’s face it, getting your hands on a GameBoy Advance these days is as likely as finding a unicorn riding a skateboard. That’s where the best GBA emulators for Android come to save your nostalgia-hungry soul. We’ve already got a kickass list of GBA emulators for iOS users, so if you’re rocking an iPhone, go check that out. Now, without wasting any more of your precious time, let’s dive into the good stuff.
Must read: NDS Emulators for Android
Table of contents
- 1. MyBoy! Lite
- 2. RetroArch
- 3. John GBAC
- 4. GBA Emulator
- 5. Pizza Boy GBA
- 6. Nostalgia.GBA
- 7. GBA Emulator – Classic GameBoy
- 8. Lemuroid
- 9. ClassicBoy Games Emulator
- 10. VGBAnext
- 11. One Emulator
- 12. GameBoid (GBAoid)
- 13. CoolGBA
- 14. GBA.emu
- 15. Matsu Player
- 16. GBA Pro Plus 4.0.0
- 17. GBA Games
- 18. GBA Emulator – Nostalgia Games
- 19. Emulator for GBA 2
- 20. SuperGBA
1. MyBoy! Lite
Every time I feel like a retro gaming binge, MyBoy! Lite is my go-to emulator. Why? Because it’s as smooth as a buttered-up dolphin. The free version handles your favorite Pokémon titles like a champ. Just grab the ROM, tap on it, and boom—instant nostalgia trip. Plus, it’s so lightweight it won’t eat up your storage. Want more speed? The Pro version offers up to 16x fast-forward, but honestly, the free version’s 2x limit is usually more than enough.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Seamless emulation | Free version can’t load states from multiple slots |
| Free version is packed with features | Fast-forward speed limited to 2x in the free version |
| Clean UI with no ads | |
| Super lightweight | |
| Download MyBoy Lite! (Free) | Download MyBoy! Premium ($4.99) |
2. RetroArch
Alright, RetroArch might feel like trying to pilot a spaceship at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a beast. This all-in-one emulation software is packed with versatility, though it’s as user-friendly as a rabid porcupine. You need to download the GBA Core and load your ROMs into it. If you can survive the UI, you’ll find that nothing else compares to its power and customization.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| All-in-one emulation software | May seem very confusing |
| No ads, 100% free | Heavy |
| Open source with tons of customization options | |
| Download RetroArch (Free) |
3. John GBAC
If you’ve been hunting for GBA emulators, you’ve surely stumbled upon John GBA or John GBC. But let’s be real—switching between them is a pain in the ass. That’s why John GBAC is a godsend, merging both worlds into one emulator. It’s actively updated and free, so you can forget about those separate, outdated apps.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| GBC and GBA emulation | Sometimes can’t read files |
| Actively updated | |
| Straightforward UI | |
| Download John GBAC | Download John GBA Lite |
4. GBA Emulator
For the noobs out there, GBA Emulator is perfect because it handles compressed files without unzipping and has an in-app game library. That’s right, no more endless Googling for ROMs. But be prepared for a crapload of ads.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| In-built GBA game library | Intrusive ads |
| Snappy | |
| No restrictions on saving and loading | |
| Download GBA Emulator (Free) |
5. Pizza Boy GBA
Pizza Boy GBA is the easiest emulator to get into. It supports cheats, fast-forward, and lets you customize the control layout. The Pro version unlocks more goodies like multiplayer modes and quick saves, but even the free version is a solid choice. And guess what? No ads!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| No ads, free | UI feels cluttered |
| Free version offers most features you need | |
| Saving and loading is hassle-free | |
| Download Pizza Boy GBA Basic | Download Pizza Boy GBA Pro |
6. Nostalgia.GBA
Nostalgia.GBA has a unique blue retro theme and decent UI. The free version lacks fast forward but lets you rewind, which is perfect for fixing your mistakes. Cheats, screenshots, and customizable emulation quality make it worth using.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Well-placed controls | Ads |
| Quick loading speeds | Importing individual games can be tedious |
| Decent UI | No fast forwarding |
| Download Nostalgia.GBA (Free) | Download Nostalgia.GBA Pro ($2.99) |
7. GBA Emulator – Classic GameBoy
This emulator might have a generic name, but it packs a punch with multiple themes and an in-built ROM download guide. The UI is attractive, and it’s super easy to use, though the ads can be a bit much.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| In-built ROM download guide and sites | Intrusive ads |
| Multiple themes | |
| Sync save files to Google Drive | |
| Download GBA Emulator Classic GameBoy |
8. Lemuroid
Lemuroid’s default controller and screen layout are the best of any emulator. It’s free, ad-free, and easy to use, though you need to move all ROMs to one folder. Once you do that, it’s smooth sailing.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| No ads, free | Requires moving all ROMs to one folder |
| Excellent interface | |
| Very easy to use | |
| Download Lemuroid |
9. ClassicBoy Games Emulator
ClassicBoy supports multiple consoles, including GBA, PlayStation, and more. It has plugins for different consoles and a gaming library for finding ROMs. The free version is decent, but the Pro version is where it’s at.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Plugins for several consoles | Can’t resume games |
| Quickslot and 9 save slots for each console | |
| Extracts and runs ROMs | |
| Download ClassicBoy Lite (Free) | Download ClassicBoy Pro Games Emulator (Free, $5.99) |
10. VGBAnext
VGBAnext is a premium-only emulator that supports GB, GBC, NES, and GBA ROMs. It allows saving progress anytime, rewinding, network play, and gamepad support. If you want an unrestricted gaming experience, this is it.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Runs GB, GBC, NES, and GBA ROMs | No free version |
| Good user interface | Doesn’t allow cheats |
| Gets actively updated | |
| Download VGBAnext ($4.99) |
11. One Emulator
One Emulator – is your all-in-one emulator for Arcade, GBA, FC-Famicom, and SFC-Super Nintendo games. It scans your game files quickly, making it easy to jump into classics like Street Fighter, Super Mario, and more. The Net-Play section lets you play with friends, bringing a new dimension to your gaming nostalgia.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Supports multiple classic consoles | No built-in ROMs |
| Net-Play for multiplayer | Requires ROMs to be stored in a specific path |
| Quick game file scanning | |
| Download One emulator |
12. GameBoid (GBAoid)
GameBoid, also known as GBAoid, is a top-tier GBA emulator for Android. It’s completely free and runs most GBA games without a hitch. The downside? You’ll need to find your own Gameboy Advance BIOS, but that’s a minor hassle for such a solid emulator.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Free and easy to use | Requires own BIOS file |
| Runs most GBA games smoothly | |
| Customizable controls and save states | |
| Download GameBoid |
13. CoolGBA
CoolGBA is an advanced and free GBA emulator that also supports GBC games. It offers fast emulation speeds, high compatibility, and a great screen layout. If you’re craving a blast from the past, CoolGBA has you covered.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Supports GBA and GBC games | Occasional compatibility issues |
| Fast emulation speeds | |
| High game compatibility | |
| Download CoolGBA |
14. GBA.emu
GBA.emu is based on Visual Boy Advance M, offering robust save and cheat options. It supports .sav, .sgm, and .clt file formats, making it a powerful and versatile emulator for any GBA fan.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Based on Visual Boy Advance M | Some features require manual setup |
| Robust save and cheat support | |
| Customizable emulation options | |
| Download GBA.emu |
15. Matsu Player
Matsu Player is a multi-console emulator that supports PSX, Nintendo, Super Nintendo, GBA, and more. It lets you save at any point with its ‘savestate’ feature, though you’ll need to find your own ROMs. A handy choice for those who like variety.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Supports multiple consoles | Limited ROMs provided |
| Customizable screen resolution and controls | |
| Savestate feature | |
| Download Matsu Player |
16. GBA Pro Plus 4.0.0
GBA Pro Plus 4.0.0 is an advanced GBA emulator that promises a smooth gaming experience. Load your ROMs and start playing with customizable controls and various settings to enhance your gameplay.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Smooth gameplay | Setup can be confusing for beginners |
| Customizable controls | |
| Supports all GBA ROMs | |
| Download GBA Pro Plus 4.0.0 |
17. GBA Games
GBA Games Emulator is straightforward and easy to use. Just transfer your ROMs to your internal storage or SD card and start playing. It’s simple, effective, and perfect for those who want a no-nonsense emulator.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Easy to use | No built-in ROMs |
| Straightforward setup | |
| Supports GBA games | |
| Download GBA Games Emulator |
18. GBA Emulator – Nostalgia Games
GBA Emulator – Nostalgia Games supports multiple consoles including GBA. It’s packed with features like save states, cheats, and customizable controls. If you want a comprehensive emulator, this one’s a strong contender.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Supports multiple consoles | Can be resource-heavy |
| Save states and cheats | |
| Customizable controls | |
| Download GBA Emulator Nostalgia Games |
19. Emulator for GBA 2
Emulator for GBA 2 is a simple, free GBA emulator that offers quick setup and smooth gameplay. It doesn’t have the bells and whistles of other emulators, but it’s reliable and gets the job done.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Quick and easy setup | Lacks advanced features |
| Smooth gameplay | |
| Free | |
| Download Emulator for GBA 2 |
20. SuperGBA
SuperGBA is a reliable emulator for playing GBA games on your Android device. It supports save states, cheats, and customizable controls, offering a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience.
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Supports save states and cheats | No multiplayer support |
| Customizable controls | |
| Smooth gameplay | |
| Download SuperGBA |
There you have it—20 fantastic GBA emulators for Android to keep your retro gaming dreams alive. Dive into our list of the best GBA games ever to find your next favorite time sink. Let us know in the comments which emulator rocked your world and which GBA games are your top picks.
