Best GBA Emulator for Android: Top 10 Apps Compared

If you’ve been an avid Pokémon enthusiast like me for many years, and desire to revisit the classic Pokémon Emerald or other games that made your childhood more enjoyable. But finding a GameBoy Advance is next to impossible in the present, and that’s why a list of the best GBA emulators on Android is a lifesaver. We’ve already covered an entire list of the best Windows emulators. If you’re using a desktop. Don’t waste more time, let’s go through the details.

Best GBA Emulator for Android (Free & Premium Options)

1. MyBoy! Lite

I often revisit some of the GBA Pokémon titles now and then when I need to indulge in some quality retro gaming. If you do this, MyBoy is the best GBA emulator I choose to use and install. The reason for this is that the free version, also known as the Lite version, is sufficient to run through games with ease.

To enhance your experience, you can get the Pro Version of the emulator. Personally, I didn’t feel the need to do this because the one slot was enough for me. Additionally, the Pro version can also provide up to 16x faster advancement towards the tables. The ability to fast-forward through the lengthy dialogues in the games is certainly a savior feature. However, I’ve always found the 2x speed-forward limit on the free version to be sufficient. Overall, MyBoy! remains one of the top GBA emulators I have for many years.

Pros

• Fast aur smooth performance
• Free version daily gameplay ke liye kaafi hai
• Lightweight (sirf ~10MB)
• Easy ROM loading
• Stable Pokémon games ke liye

Cons

• Only one save slot in free version
• Limited fast-forward (2x)
• Multiplayer requires the Pro version

Also read: Best Android Emulator for PC & Mac (2025 Edition)

2. RetroArch

Don’t get me wrong. John GBAC, along with all other emulators on this list are excellent. However, in terms of range of capabilities, I’ll give the award to RetroArch. The overall experience of RetroArch is beautiful retro. Also, it’s not something users can get effortlessly. It can take some time to understand RetroArch mechanics and how the emulator functions with it. But once you grasp it, nothing beats it. Although other emulators on this list are generally straightforward, RetroArch is a tad complicated.

Initially, I was unable to comprehend the purpose of cores. Then I worked my way through the program and realized that you first have to download the Game Boy Advance Core and then load the ROMs into it. If you’re able to succeed in overcoming the sloppy and unintuitive interface, it will be an enjoyable time. There’s no limit to what RetroArch can do, and this is why it’s one of the best GBA emulators on Android.

Pros

• Multi-console support
• Highly customizable
• Advanced features and shaders
• Free and open-source

Cons

• Complex for beginners
• UI feels confusing at first
• Requires manual core setup

3. John GBAC

If you’ve been looking for the best GBA emulators for some time, you’ve likely seen those Johh GBA as well as John GBC emulators. One is a standalone emulator that works using GameBoy Advance ROMs, the alternative uses GameBoy Classic ROMs.

Then, John GBA, along with GBC developers, created an answer and developed John GBAC. By using this, you can play ROMs from both worlds. Additionally, if you go to the PlayStore page, you’ll be able to see the fact that John GBA and GBC can “not be actively updated in the future”. If you’re looking for the most optimized and well-supported performance, GBAC can be your best option to begin from now. Additionally, it’s also free, so you don’t need to go back on GBA Lite any longer.

Pros

• GBA + GBC ROMs ek hi app me
• Free to use
• Simple interface
• Stable performance

Cons

• Outdated UI for the user
• Ads present
• Advanced features limited

4. GBA Emulator

For seasoned GBA emulator users, downloading ROMs from the web and playing them is routine. For those who aren’t accustomed to the whole best GBA emulator experience, it may be frustrating to look for games, then unzip them, and play them.

Furthermore, in contrast to ClassicBoy, which doesn’t permit users to download their games, you can download them fast using GBA Emulator, which is great. This is something I loved. A simple, straight-to-gaming simulator. There are also features like 2x speed-forward, fast load/save, and more. But there’s an issue. The emulator is filled with advertisements. If you’re seeking a free tool that can emulate GBA games, this is the most effective emulator available.

Pros

• In-app game library available
• Compressed ROMs support
• Easy for beginners
• Fast save/load option

Cons

• Ads In the free version
• Privacy concerns (in-app downloads)

5. Pizza Boy GBA

If you’re an individual who enjoys aesthetics frequently, this isn’t for you. What makes PizzaBoy GBA stand out is its simplicity. extremely simple to learn about. There’s nothing to do in terms of the user interface, and with a simple tap on the three dots at the left-hand side, you can load a ROM and play it. it. Also, I was really impressed by the ability to use cheats in this emulator. I’m certain that if you’ve played through a million times, cheats let players add spice. So, that’s great.

Other useful features include the ability to fast-forward and set your own personal configuration for controls, and more. If you purchase the Pro Version of the game unlocks numerous other options, such as accessing multiplayer modes, Quick Saves, and many more. If you are looking for these options, then you’ll be able to buy them. All in all, PizzaBoy GBA is an excellent emulator for your ROMs. Additionally, the fact that it has no advertisements makes it a better choice to utilize available.

Pros

• Clean and minimal UI
• Cheat support
• No ads (major plus)
• Smooth performance
• Controller support

Cons

• Advanced features on the Pro version
• Multiplayer features in the paid version
• Not for Beginners

Also read: Best iOS Emulator for PC in 2025: Run iOS Apps on Windows & Mac

6. Nostalgia.GBA

The emulator Nostalgia is another great one that you can install for your Android device. Yes, you’ll be able to see advertisements, but if you love the UI and are willing to endure some ads, that’s not a big problem in the end. User interfaces are distinctive and feature a blue retro-styled gamer-style text and theme. It’s simple and lets you get immediately into loading and playing games.

The free version doesn’t include features such as fast forward; however, it is possible to rewind approximately 10 seconds. If you do make a mistake, this feature can help you get back on track. I have found myself rewinding many times (noob here, I’m sure) and found it extremely useful. It is also possible to utilize cheats, capture photographs, and, based on the device you are using, ensure you adjust the Emulation Quality to Medium, Low, or High. Overall, a good experience and one that I would recommend for using the best GBA emulator.

Pros

• Unique retro-style UI
• Rewind feature (10 seconds)
• Cheat support
• Emulation quality settings

Cons

• Ads in free version
• Fast-forward free version me nahi

7. GBA Emulator – Classic GameBoy

While not a lot of work was put into the name of this emulator, it’s certainly not a disappointment. It actually does certain things that no other emulator does for Android. For instance, the fact that it has a range of themes to pick from. This instantly enhances the overall gaming experience on the emulator. The aesthetic features play a crucial function in emulators, specifically because all you see in your gadget is the screen. This emulator completely does.

Another thing I loved was the fact that after I had installed and started the emulator, it revealed how I could download ROMs and load them onto it. It’s a helpful tip for those who haven’t ever downloaded ROMs before but aren’t aware of the way it works. It is extremely easy to use, and the user interface is good. It all is, however, at the expense of advertisements. Either way, one of the best GBA emulators for Android devices.

Pros

• Multiple themes available
• Beginner-friendly ROM guide
• Simple controls
• Easy setup

Cons

• Frequent ads
• Average performance
• Limited advanced options

8. Lemuroid

The next one is Lemuroid, which is one of my best GBA emulators. The reason is the default orientation of the screen and controller. It’s perfect. The controls are placed well, and the display is positioned between them, which, I believe, is the most perfect of the HUDs that you can find in other emulators. Additionally, nothing is happening here that could confuse. You can get to play GBA games.

For features you won’t have, rewind or other similar features; however, for a no-cost software, it provides more than what you could need. The greatest thing about it is that there aren’t any distracting ads to be found, which means you’ll enjoy an entirely free experience. One thing that was a bit was the fact that I was required to put all ROMs into one folder for the emulator to recognize them easily. Once I had gotten past this, everything else was smooth and silky.

Pros

• No ads at all
• Clean and modern UI
• Open-source
• Smooth gameplay

Cons

• No rewind feature
• ROMs must be placed in one folder
• Limited customization

9. ClassicBoy Games Emulator

ClassicBoy is the best GBA emulator in our list. The emulator itself is light, but it supports not only GBA but also PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Nintendo SNES, DS, and many more. You might be confused, as you’ll install the plugins to run the ROMs of the emulators that you are using. GBA comes with pre-installed ROMs. However, if you’d like to emulate DS games and a few other games, you’ll be required to install the plug-in. The ClassicBoy Lite is alright if you aren’t worried about needing to start a game over. I doubt that’s the case. Also, ClassicBoy Pro is surely worth it. But the trial version offers a fast-forward up to 12x.

Cherry on top of the Gaming Library list, which gives users access to thousands of games with every plugin. Be aware that ClassicBoy doesn’t allow users to download these games and only offers a list from which you can select the ROM you want, and know the file size along with several gameplay screenshots. It is then possible to manually go on the internet to download the ROM of the game you enjoy. Overall, it’s an extremely smooth emulator to install on Android.

Pros

• Multi-console support
• Fast-forward up to 12x
• Plugin-based flexibility
• Gaming library preview

Cons

• Save states locked in Pro version
• Plugins can confuse beginners
• ROMs not downloadable in-app

Also read: Best Linux Distro for Gaming 2025: Play Games Like a Pro

10. VGBAnext

Some best GBA emulators come with a free version as well. But that’s not the situation with VGBANext, as it’s an entirely premium version. If you’re looking for a top-quality program that doesn’t eat your pockets as much and lets you perform all the functions of a good emulator, this is the one for you. You can, for instance, store your game progress at any point and as many times as you’d like. Furthermore, the emulator permits the user to rewind and play the game.

It is also the Network Play support that allows you play the classic GBA games with friends. Additionally, the emulator adds support for Google TV, Android TV, and several gamepads for gamers. Overall, this emulator will be worth your time for those who don’t want to feel constrained when playing their most loved games.

Pros

• Premium experience (no ads)
• Unlimited save states
• Rewind & network play
• Android TV & gamepad support
• High performance

Cons

• Paid app only
• Slight learning curve for beginners

Comparison Table: Best GBA Emulator

Final Word: Use the Best GBA Emulator

That’s our top list of the best GBA emulators you can use on your Android device today. It will allow you to download and play the games that are worth your time, rather than having to go through an endless list of the best GBA emulators. Tell us in the comments below which emulator is the most suitable for you, and which emulators are for playing GBA games.

FAQs: Best GBA Emulator for Android