Pick a game
Choose a built-in GB/GBC homebrew game or import a local .gb/.gbc ROM. The file is read only in this browser.
GB / GBC Handheld Emulator
This tool supports Game Boy (GB) and Game Boy Color (GBC), including local .gb/.gbc ROM import. Use touch, keyboard or gamepad controls. Files stay in this browser and are never uploaded. Game Boy Advance (GBA) is not supported.
Open GB / GBC Handheld Emulator →How to play
Play your way
Use the arrow keys with X and Z, a gamepad, or the on-screen D-pad and buttons on a phone or tablet.
Save and come back
Save to one of three slots, hold R to rewind a mistake, and pick up where you left off next time.
Everything you expect from an emulator
Accurate emulation
The open-source emulation core passes standard CPU, timing and picture tests for this hardware, so games run as they would on the real thing.
Save states and rewind
Freeze the game in one of three slots, load it back any time, or hold rewind to step back a few seconds after a mistake.
Cartridge saves
Games that save their own progress keep it in this browser, and the player offers to continue where you stopped.
Touch, keys and gamepads
Large on-screen buttons with diagonal D-pad, full keyboard control and standard gamepads, including shoulder buttons for rewind and fast-forward.
Palettes and speed
Give monochrome games a classic green, pocket grey, amber and more, play at half or double speed, or fast-forward through slow parts.
Screenshots and full screen
Save a sharp 640 × 576 PNG of the screen, or go full screen with the controls laid out for your phone.
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Handheld console player FAQ
Is the handheld console player free?
Yes. Play every game online for free, as long as you like, with no sign-up, no ads and nothing to install. The games themselves are free, openly licensed homebrew.
Can I play retro handheld games in my browser?
Yes. Pick a game from the library and it starts in seconds right in your browser, with sound, on a computer, tablet or phone. No downloads, plug-ins or emulator setup needed.
Which games can I play?
A hand-picked library of 11 free, openly licensed homebrew games by indie developers: puzzles, platformers, a rhythm collection, action games and a role-playing adventure, in monochrome and full colour. Each game shows its authors and licence, so it is free to play and share.
Can I play on my phone?
Yes. The on-screen D-pad and buttons are sized for thumbs and support diagonals and two buttons at once. Turn your phone sideways and go full screen for a bigger picture with the controls on both sides.
What are the controls?
Arrow keys or WASD for the D-pad, X or K for A, Z or J for B, Enter for Start and Shift or Backspace for Select. P pauses, hold Space to fast-forward, hold R to rewind, F6 and F9 save and load, F goes full screen and M mutes. Gamepads work too: the right face button is A, the bottom one B, and the shoulder buttons rewind and fast-forward.
How do I save my game?
Save anywhere to one of three save-state slots per game (F6 saves, F9 loads), and games with built-in saves keep their progress automatically. Your saves stay in this browser, and next time the player offers to continue right where you stopped.
Can I rewind or fast-forward?
Yes. Hold R or a shoulder button to rewind a few seconds after a mistake, and hold Space to fast-forward through slow parts. You can also play at half or double speed and give monochrome games one of eight classic screen palettes.
Does it play sound?
Yes. Each game's chiptune music and sound effects play in your browser, starting with your first click or key press. Set the volume in Settings or press M to mute.
Who made these games?
Independent developers from the homebrew community. Open a game's info button to see the authors, the licence and links to the source code and the authors' pages.
Can I import local games? Does it support GBA?
Import .gb files for Game Boy (GB) and .gbc files for Game Boy Color (GBC), up to 8 MB. Files stay in the browser and are never uploaded. GBA is not supported.
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