PHPBoy
PHPBoy is a Game Boy Color emulator written in PHP 8.4, with backward compatibility for original Game Boy games.
What PHPBoy is
PHPBoy is a Game Boy Color emulator written in PHP 8.4, with backward compatibility for original Game Boy games. It offers a command-line terminal frontend and a browser version built with WebAssembly; an SDL2 desktop frontend is also available as work in progress. Emulation features include GBC color palettes and support for MBC1, MBC3, and MBC5 cartridges. The browser version runs without a backend and provides keyboard controls, speed adjustment, and pause and resume. The README reports 25–30 FPS without JIT and 60+ FPS with PHP JIT enabled. Testing results are mixed: PHPBoy passes all 11 of Blargg’s CPU instruction tests, while 10 of 39 Mooneye tests pass and additional support is in progress. The browser version is described as slow due to WebAssembly overhead, and its audio output is still in progress. The CLI can play audio using SoX. Setup lists Docker, Docker Compose, and Make as requirements; SoX is needed for CLI audio playback. The project uses the MIT License.
Good
- Supports Game Boy Color and original Game Boy games.
- Browser frontend runs without a backend.
- Browser controls include speed, pause, and resume.
- CLI audio is supported through SoX.
Watch out
- Browser version is described as slow.
- Browser audio output is still in progress.
- SDL2 desktop frontend is experimental.
- Setup requires Docker, Docker Compose, and Make.
Who it suits
PHPBoy suits people interested in emulating Game Boy Color and original Game Boy games through a terminal or browser. The experimental desktop frontend may interest users willing to try a work-in-progress option.
Verdict
PHPBoy offers terminal and backend-free browser access to Game Boy and Game Boy Color emulation. Browser speed, unfinished audio, and the experimental desktop frontend are important limits to weigh.
The facts
Each one read from PHPBoy's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Accuracy
- The project reports passing all 11 Blargg CPU instruction tests, while 10 of 39 Mooneye tests pass and Acid test support is in progress.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Audio
- The CLI frontend supports audio playback using SoX, while browser audio integration is still in progress.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Cartridges
- Its cartridge support includes MBC1, MBC3, and MBC5.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Dependencies
- The documented setup requires Docker, Docker Compose, and Make, with SoX needed for CLI audio playback.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Desktop status
- The SDL2 desktop frontend is experimental and is not fully tested or integrated.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Development tools
- The project describes a Docker-based development workflow using PHPUnit 10 and PHPStan level 9.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Emulation
- The emulator supports GBC color palettes, VRAM bank switching, DMG compatibility, and automatic colorization of original Game Boy games.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Frontends
- It offers a CLI terminal frontend, a browser WebAssembly frontend, and an SDL2 native desktop frontend that is marked work in progress.checked 9 Oct 2026
- License
- PHPBoy is distributed under the MIT License, which permits use, copying, modification, distribution, sublicensing, and sale subject to its stated conditions.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Performance
- The README reports 25–30 FPS without JIT and 60+ FPS with PHP 8.4 JIT enabled.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Product
- PHPBoy is a Game Boy Color emulator written in PHP 8.4 with backward compatibility for original Game Boy games.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- PHPBoy is a Game Boy Color emulator written in PHP 8.4 with backward compatibility for original Game Boy games.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- The project lists Docker, Docker Compose, and Make as requirements, with SoX needed for CLI audio playback.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Security and warranty
- The MIT license provides the software as-is without warranty; the repository page shows zero security advisories.checked 9 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Browser limits
- The README describes the browser version as slow due to WebAssembly overhead and lists Chrome 90+, Firefox 88+, Safari 14+, or Edge 90+ with WebAssembly support.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Browser requirements
- The WebAssembly frontend requires a browser with WebAssembly support; listed browser versions are Chrome 90+, Firefox 88+, Safari 14+, or Edge 90+.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Browser use
- The WebAssembly version runs in a browser without a backend and supports keyboard controls, speed control, and pause/resume.checked 4 Oct 2026
The company
- Maker
- The GitHub profile identifies the maker as Edd Mann and lists London, UK as the location.checked 9 Oct 2026
