GB Enhanced+

B
B tier on Game Boy EmulatorsScore 7.1 · #5 of 23
Android app
Not listed
Free plan
Yes
Runs on
Linux, Mac, Windows
github.com
The GB Enhanced+ homepage

Summary

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.

Who it is for

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.

What is 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.

What to know first

  • Nintendo DS emulation is experimental.
  • Older save states are incompatible with version 1.10.
  • Windows builds require GLEW.

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.

GB Enhanced+ plans and pricing

All plans
GB Enhanced+ Free Free open-source emulator under GPLv2 github.com · 29 Sept 2026

Compared on Game Boy emulators

Free plan
Yesgithub.com
Supported systems
DMG/Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Pokémon Mini, experimental Nintendo DSgithub.com
Supported platforms
Windows, Linux, macOSgithub.com
Save states
Yesgithub.com
Link cable emulation
Yesgithub.com
Netplay
Yesgithub.com
Real-time clock
Yesgithub.com
Controller support
Yesgithub.com

Facts

What it emulates
GB Enhanced+ emulates DMG, GBC, GBA and Pokémon Mini systems, and describes its NDS emulation as experimental.github.com · 29 Sept 2026
Project goal
The project aims to provide a portable, fully functional Game Boy emulator that also emulates obscure hardware and features.github.com · 29 Sept 2026
Peripherals
The emulator focuses on emulating Game Boy peripherals and accessories.github.com · 29 Sept 2026
License
The emulator is Free Open Source Software available under GPLv2.github.com · 29 Sept 2026
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.github.com · 29 Sept 2026
Optional components
Qt for the GUI and SDL2_net for netplay are optional dependencies.github.com · 29 Sept 2026
Manuals
The project provides PDF and ODT manuals covering operation, netplay, rumble support and motion controls.github.com · 29 Sept 2026
Controller features
The configuration documentation describes joystick haptics and controller accelerometer input for motion controls.github.com · 29 Sept 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.github.com · 29 Sept 2026
Peripheral breadth
The 1.10 release notes list support for the Wave Scanner, Wantame Card Scanner, Vaus Controller and WorkBoy.github.com · 29 Sept 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.github.com · 29 Sept 2026
Integration and external tools
The configuration documentation allows specifying an external audio conversion command and gives ffmpeg as an example.github.com · 29 Sept 2026

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