mGBA

Free
Open Source
Mac
Ubuntu
Windows
Online

mGBA Alternatives

14
Options
Considered
2021-11-01
Last
Updated

#1 GPemu

Free
SaaS
Chrome
Github

GPemu is a cost-effective game emulator that is fully compatible with NES, SNES, Gameboy, and Gameboy advance ROMs. The key feature of this platform includes lets you play Nintendo games on your computer with surprisingly good quality, incredible emulator designed for HD screens, and all of your favorite Nintendo classics are supported, you can play games in full screen if your browser support because some browsers, including Chromium and Firefox, have in-built video player controls in their tools bar, so GPemu will have no trouble playing in full-screen mode.

In order to use GPemu, all you need to do is load up the .crx file from your Downloads folder. It will ask you if you want to install it, and once you do, it will work automatically

#2 ePSXe

Free
Proprietary
Linux
Mac
Windows
Android
Tablet
Online

ePSXe is a PlayStation video game console emulator for x86-based PC hardware that allows you to play games from your PS1, PS2, or PS3 with certain caveats on your PC with the use of a special controller. It does not require any form of hardware modification and will function without any additional software prerequisites, and does not require any form of video card or frame buffer modifications as well.

ePSXe is one of the most accurate PS1 emulators online today. It can be used to play games without much difficulty, although some games may experience graphical errors or need the assistance of an Action Replay device in order to work properly. Some games may not work at all, regardless of any action taken. The more advanced version of ePSXe has extensive configuration capabilities and allows for the use of advanced tools such as save states and multiple controllers.

#3 DeSmuME

Free
Open Source
Github
Linux
Mac
Windows
Online

DeSmuME is an open-source Nintendo DS emulator for Windows, macOS, and Linux, originally created by Wouter. It is the most seasoned open source Nintendo DS emulator and plays commercial ROMs, homebrew software, and homebrew games without any need for modifications or proprietary components. It supports the Nintendo DS family of handhelds, which includes the NDS line of handhelds, as well as the 3DS family of handhelds manufactured by Nintendo.

The hot function of this platform includes emulating Nintendo DS, GBA, and NDS hardware, including audio, screenshots are saved to PNG files, with alpha channel support. The PNG format can be used by other programs to easily mask screenshots for printing or screen capture purposes without quality loss. The PNG format is also readable by many other programs that support it. Other functions of this platform include it displays the internal resolution of the Nintendo DS hardware in the status bar and is compatible with most features of the “BizHawk” cheat engine that allows for in-game cheats.

#4 Higan

Free
Open Source
FreeBSD
Linux
Mac
Windows
Github

Higan is a multi-system, open-source emulator derived from the original Nester and focuses on accuracy and preservation. It tries to reproduce the experience of old hardware as accurately as possible so as to provide an authentic experience. The Select button pauses the game, opens the menu to screen or video options, and maps screen navigation for games that are compatible with it.

It can load files stored on a disk or memory card or files stored inside ‘rom’ files. The UI allows you to configure all parameters, including keyboard layout and individual key options, as well as save snapshots of gameplay at any time. This fantastic piece of software offers an amazing number of popular games such as Sonic, Golden Axe, and more

#5 Mednafen

Free
Open Source
FreeBSD
Linux
Mac
Windows
PS3
Online
Github

Mednafen is one of the efficient portable & multi-system emulators that utilizes OpenGL and SDL arguments. It attempts to be accurate in emulation while maintaining speed and offers a range of output options, including producing an OpenGL or Direct3D 9 display. It covers a wide range of emulated hardware such as the Mednafen NEO-GEO core uses an original Famicom and Mega Drive or Genesis hardware and software.

Mednafen can target a number of different systems, including the PlayStation 2 and the original PlayStation, as well as generic PC-based systems. Other systems that it can target include portable handheld videogame systems such as the WonderSwan and monochrome Game Boy.

#6 Nostlan

Free
Open Source
Github
Linux
Mac
Windows
Online

Nostlan is one of the reliable game launchers for retro and current generation video game emulators and is fully compatible with a variety of formats like Arcade, DS, GBA, 3DS, PS2, PS3, SNES, Switch, Wii, Wii U, and Xbox 360. With the help of its easy-to-use interface, you need to just pick your favorite emulator from the list and download all its dependencies so you can play as soon as it loads.

It allows you to try out new emulators and never have to set up an account or wait for your game to download. The main function of this platform includes advanced customization launch commands, launches games with emulator apps, not with the cores, sets the screen resolution or brightness according to your requirement, which is not present in any other traditional emulator.

#7 Bottlenose

Free
Proprietary
Linux
Mac
Windows
Online
Github

Bottlenose is one of the high-quality software specially designed for game lovers, enabling them to experience their favorite game at maximum resolution. If you already have games like Streets of Rage 3, Sonic the Hedgehog (Sonic 1), Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Sonic 2), or Super Castlevania IV, that you could load manually via the ‘Load game’ menu.

It’s much easier to just keep your memory card with ROMs for this emulator ready to go than it is to find old game diskettes. To play games from diskettes, they need to be in folders named after their game title. So Streets of Rage 3 would need to be in a folder called ‘SR3.’

#8 BlastEm

Free
Open Source
Linux
Mac
Windows
Online

BlastEm is an open-source and highly recommended software that acts as Sega Mega Drive and Master System emulator and easily runs on modest hardware. The D-Pad controls the character’s movement, such as left, right, forward, backward, or strafe-jumping if your character has that ability.

The left analog stick can be used to move around, for adjusting camera position, and is used for aiming weapons in some games like Streets of Rage 3. The Start button starts BlastEm and loads a game from a disk or memory card. It also opens the menu to control game options, change gamepads, keyboard settings or save & load games. The Select button pauses the game, opens the menu to screen or video options, and maps screen navigation for games that are compatible with it. BlastEm can load files stored on a disk or memory card or files stored inside ‘rom’ files.

#9 Retropie

Free
Open Source
Github
Online

Retropie is one of the classical emulators that allow you to turn your Raspberry Pi, ODroid C1/C2, or PC into a retro-gaming machine. It works in multiple progressive steps like you need to launch the software; after you plug in all the devices to your screen and make sure they’re all working, RetroPie will boot and show a white screen. The next step is to select an icon that you want to use as a controller.

For example, if you want to use the PS3 controller, select the PS3 Controller icon, then press F4 or click on it with your mouse. You should then see the icon change into a PS3 controller icon or whatever other controller icon. Another function of this platform includes you can set up both joysticks for each player by going back to the configuration without any disturbance. ubuntu

#10 Hataroid

Free
Proprietary
Android
Tablet
Online

Hataroid is a free, open-source Atari ST/STE emulator for Android that has full support for the original hardware at its original speed. It provides touchscreen controls to emulate the joysticks, paddles, and mouse of the original machines without any additional hardware other than your Android device. The UI allows you to configure all parameters, including keyboard layout and individual key options, as well as save snapshots of gameplay at any time.

The core functions of this platform include TC RAM card emulation with RTC enabled speed, touchscreen support on devices that include an external touchscreen, menu-driven configuration tool that allows for the keyboard layout, key mapping, and sound support to be configured per game, covering the original proprietary ST ROMs and many others. The full range of both Motorola and Datasoft instruction sets such as standard ST keyboard, Motorola 68000 bus clocks, and mouse configurations are supported, as well as advanced configuration settings such as sound support for additional games.

#11 gGens MD

Discontinued
Freemium
Proprietary
Android
Tablet
Online

gGens MD is one of the best emulators of Sega games for Android devices that creates a very realistic console experience. It allows you to enjoy Sega games using your mobile device without the need for cables and controllers. This fantastic piece of software offers an amazing number of popular games such as Sonic, Golden Axe, and more. It is compatible with Android 4.0 Jelly Bean and up, which means you don’t need root to enjoy the best games on your mobile device.

gGens MD work on all ARMv7 or x86 devices with a 1 GHz or faster processor, a 400×480 or greater screen resolution, and an external touchscreen controller. Another function of this platform includes it can emulate almost any ST software that uses standard disk images as well as those that use the special banked ROMs used by some games.

#12 BoycottAdvance

Free
Proprietary
Mac
Windows
FreeBSD
Linux
Online

BoycottAdvance is a reasonably good Gameboy Advance that has been considered one of the best GBA emulators and comes with a variety of functionalities. There are little cartridges that you can plug into your Gameboy Advanced to play the game on your TV, making your gameplay experience fantastic with the bigger, sharp, and wide pictures.

The DS games are 2 1/2 inch floppies that are simply plugged into the GBA. It reads these floppies just like other games, except that they are much larger. The DS software is always on the screen, so the game doesn’t have to be turned on first before playing. Like other DS games, they have larger pictures and beautiful full-color graphics.

#13 WinDS PRO

Free
Proprietary
Linux
Windows

WinDS PRO is one of the next-generating gaming emulators that come with thousands of games, including the ones that are most popular, like Super Mario 64. The majority of these games are classic Nintendo games, but there are plenty more to choose from. The WinDS Pro Nintendo DS emulator comprises two parts, first is FreeDosBox, which acts as a replacement operating system used by WinDS, and the WinDS program itself.

FreeDosBox runs on an old version of DOS, which enables it to emulate older systems very easily. WinDS emulator also allows you to download more games that are only available to play on the Nintendo DS. Another stunning function of this platform includes through these games; you can use your computer’s keyboard or mouse to play them. You can also connect a game controller to your computer that would normally be used for an older console like the Sega Genesis.

#14 VisualBoyAdvance

Free
Open Source
Windows
FreeBSD
Linux
Mac
Online
Github

VisualBoyAdvance is one of the efficient emulators for the Gameboy and Gameboy advance system that lets you play original Gameboy games with minimal effort. It is a Nintendo handheld emulator, which emulates all the games released for those consoles. It is Windows-based and supports only the limited number of games that were available on those devices. As far as quality is concerned, it is not as advanced as any other commercial product, but it is the only emulator that supports those particular consoles.

VisualBoyAdvance can emulate various games of more than 40 different systems, but it is clear that the majority of the titles are about Nintendo Game Boy consoles. It can also change the resolution of the GBA console to 800×600, making it more powerful on the computer. It is capable of avoiding ban restrictions on downloading more than ten games at a time due to copyright laws.