GB Enhanced+
GB Enhanced+ is a free, open-source emulator for DMG, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance and Pokémon Mini systems, available on Linux, macOS and Windows.
What GB Enhanced+ is
GB Enhanced+ is a free, open-source emulator for DMG, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance and Pokémon Mini systems, available on Linux, macOS and Windows. Nintendo DS emulation is described as experimental. The project focuses on Game Boy peripherals and less common hardware features, with support listed for the Wave Scanner, Wantame Card Scanner, Vaus Controller and WorkBoy. It includes link cable emulation, real-time clock features, save states and controller input. Configuration options include joystick haptics and accelerometer input for motion controls, and documentation describes netplay settings for linking emulator instances. The emulator can automatically apply an IPS or UPS patch when a matching ROM filename is used. PDF and ODT manuals cover operation, netplay, rumble support and motion controls. Building it requires SDL 2.0, OpenGL 3.3 or greater, a C++ compiler and CMake; Windows also requires GLEW. Qt for the GUI and SDL2_net for netplay are optional. It is licensed under GPLv2. Save states from version 1.9 and earlier are incompatible with version 1.10.
Good
- Emulates DMG, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance and Pokémon Mini.
- Supports link cable emulation and real-time clock features.
- Includes controller haptics and accelerometer input options.
- Can automatically apply matching IPS or UPS patch files.
- PDF and ODT manuals cover operation and controls.
Watch out
- Nintendo DS emulation is experimental.
- Older save states are incompatible with version 1.10.
- Windows builds require GLEW.
Who it suits
GB Enhanced+ suits players looking for a free emulator for Game Boy systems or Pokémon Mini, especially those interested in peripheral support. Its documented build requirements may matter to people compiling it themselves.
Verdict
GB Enhanced+ covers several Game Boy systems and unusual peripherals, with netplay and motion-control options. Note its experimental Nintendo DS support and the version 1.10 save-state incompatibility.
Plans and prices
From GB Enhanced+'s own pricing page, checked 29 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| GB Enhanced+ | Free | Free open-source emulator under GPLv2 |
The facts
Each one read from GB Enhanced+'s own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Build requirements
- The listed required build dependencies are SDL 2.0, OpenGL 3.3 or greater, a C++ compiler and CMake; GLEW is mandatory on Windows.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Controller features
- The configuration documentation describes joystick haptics and controller accelerometer input for motion controls.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Integration and external tools
- The configuration documentation allows specifying an external audio conversion command and gives ffmpeg as an example.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Known save-state limit
- The 1.10 release notes say save states from version 1.9 and earlier are incompatible with version 1.10.checked 29 Sep 2026
- License
- The emulator is Free Open Source Software available under GPLv2.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Manuals
- The project provides PDF and ODT manuals covering operation, netplay, rumble support and motion controls.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Netplay
- The configuration documentation describes netplay options for linking emulator instances, including hard synchronization and client and server ports.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Optional components
- Qt for the GUI and SDL2_net for netplay are optional dependencies.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Patch support
- The configuration documentation says the emulator can automatically apply an IPS or UPS patch file with the same name as a ROM.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Peripheral breadth
- The 1.10 release notes list support for the Wave Scanner, Wantame Card Scanner, Vaus Controller and WorkBoy.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Peripherals
- The emulator focuses on emulating Game Boy peripherals and accessories.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Project goal
- The project aims to provide a portable, fully functional Game Boy emulator that also emulates obscure hardware and features.checked 29 Sep 2026
- What it emulates
- GB Enhanced+ emulates DMG, GBC, GBA and Pokémon Mini systems, and describes its NDS emulation as experimental.checked 29 Sep 2026
