Head-to-head · Game Boy Emulators
BGB vs oxGBC
BGB leads on 2 checks, oxGBC on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreBGB · 9.2/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresBGB · 5 of 5
BGB scores higher on our rubric for game boy emulators: 9.2 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.
BGB offers link cable emulation; oxGBC doesn't publish it. BGB offers netplay; oxGBC doesn't publish it.
BGB is the better fit for windows users prioritizing accuracy and debugging. oxGBC is the better fit for cross-platform GB/GBC play with visual customization.
- BGB fits best
Windows users prioritizing accuracy and debugging
- oxGBC fits best
Cross-platform GB/GBC play with visual customization
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Side by side
| Feature | BGB 9.2/10 Visit ↗ | oxGBC 8.7/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.2 | 8.7 |
| Ranking | #3 in Game Boy Emulators | #8 in Game Boy Emulators |
| Best for | Windows users prioritizing accuracy and debugging | Cross-platform GB/GBC play with visual customization |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Not published | Not published |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Desktop | Cloud, Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Windows | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |
| Support | Email, Docs | Community |
| Built for | Solo, Small business | Solo, Small business |
| Features BGB 5/5 · oxGBC 3/5 | ||
| Save states | ✓ | ✓ |
| Link cable emulation | ✓ (best) | Not published |
| Netplay | ✓ (best) | Not published |
| Real-time clock | ✓ | ✓ |
| Controller support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Supported systems | Game Boy; Game Boy Color; Super Game Boy | Game Boy; Game Boy Color |
| Supported platforms | Windows; Wine on Linux and macOS | Windows; macOS; Linux; Android; WebAssembly/browser |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | BGB is a free emulator and debugger for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Super Game Boy software. It is aimed at Windows users who care about accurate hardware behavior, timing, and access to development-oriented tools alongside standard… Read the review → |
oxGBC is a Rust-based, open-source emulator for Game Boy and Game Boy Color software. It is aimed at players who want to run these systems across Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, or a browser, with consistent access to core emulation and… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
BGB — where it wins
- Hardware-accurate emulation with timing, RTC, and link support
- Debugger includes disassembly, breakpoints, watchpoints, and register editing
- Free access with save states, rewind, cheats, and recording
Where it doesn't
- Primary platform support centers on Windows
- Focuses on Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Super Game Boy systems
- Advanced debugging tools may exceed casual emulation needs
oxGBC — where it wins
- Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and browser play
- Offers multiple save slots, rewind, SRAM, and RTC emulation
- Adds remapping, shaders, filters, library scanning, and tile inspection
Where it doesn't
- Focuses only on Game Boy and Game Boy Color systems
- Link-cable emulation is not documented
- Netplay is not documented
- BGB9.2/10 · Free plan
A free Windows emulator with hardware-accurate timing and unusually deep debugging tools.
Visit BGBFull verdict → - oxGBC8.7/10 · Free plan
A free, cross-platform GB/GBC emulator with strong visual and save-state controls.
Visit oxGBCFull verdict →
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Guides on game boy emulators
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update