mGBA is an open-source Game Boy Advance emulator for Windows, built by Jeffrey Pfau. It also covers Game Boy Color and Super Game Boy titles. The installer comes from github.com, the official server. Version 0.10.5 is 15.8 MB, costs nothing, and uses the Mozilla Public License 2.0.
An open-source GBA emulator with Game Boy Color tags
mGBA is an open-source Game Boy Advance emulator. It is also tagged GBC, Game Boy Color and SGB, which points to support for those systems as well.
Jeffrey Pfau is the developer, and the project site is mgba.io.
What a session with mGBA looks like
In practice you install the 15.8 MB build, open it, and load a game file you already own.
The package ID is JeffreyPfau.mGBA, which helps if you track the install through a package tool.
mGBA next to RetroArch and BizHawk
The listed alternatives are PPSSPP, RetroArch, DuckStation, Cemu, PCSX2 and BizHawk. Most of them target other consoles, such as PSP, PlayStation, Wii U and PlayStation 2, so they do not replace a GBA-focused tool.
RetroArch and BizHawk are the multi-system options in that list. mGBA is the narrower choice, aimed at Game Boy Advance.
What's new in 0.10.5
Version 0.10.5 arrived on March 9, 2025.
mGBA pros and cons
Pros
- Free to download and use
- Open source under the Mozilla Public License 2.0
- Small download at 15.8 MB
- Download comes from the official host github.com
- Tags cover GBA, Game Boy Color and SGB
Cons
- Little visual preview of the app before installing
- No feature list beyond one line of description
- Version 0.10.5 has no published changelog
Is mGBA safe?
mGBA is written by Jeffrey Pfau and its source code is released under the Mozilla Public License 2.0, so anyone can inspect how the emulator works. No scan results are on hand, so run your own antivirus check on the file before opening it.
How to install mGBA
- Press the download button to get the official file.
- Run the installer you saved and confirm the Windows security prompt if the publisher matches.
- Follow the setup steps, then start mGBA from the Start menu.
