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Head-to-head · Game Boy Emulators

SkyEmu vs oxGBC

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score SkyEmu #6 in Game Boy Emulators 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit SkyEmu
oxGBC #8 in Game Boy Emulators 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit oxGBC

SkyEmu leads on 0 checks, oxGBC on 3, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreSkyEmu · 8.9/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresoxGBC · 3 of 5

SkyEmu scores higher on our rubric for game boy emulators: 8.9 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #8.

oxGBC offers save states; SkyEmu doesn't publish it. oxGBC offers real-time clock; SkyEmu doesn't publish it. oxGBC offers controller support; SkyEmu doesn't publish it.

SkyEmu is the better fit for users wanting broader Nintendo handheld support. oxGBC is the better fit for cross-platform GB/GBC play with visual customization.

  • SkyEmu fits best

    Users wanting broader Nintendo handheld support

  • oxGBC fits best

    Cross-platform GB/GBC play with visual customization

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature SkyEmu 8.9/10 Visit ↗ oxGBC 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.7
Ranking #6 in Game Boy Emulators #8 in Game Boy Emulators
Best for Users wanting broader Nintendo handheld support Cross-platform GB/GBC play with visual customization
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features SkyEmu 0/5 · oxGBC 3/5
Save states Not published ✓ (best)
Link cable emulation Not published Not published
Netplay Not published Not published
Real-time clock Not published ✓ (best)
Controller support Not published ✓ (best)
Specs
Supported systems 4 Game Boy; Game Boy Color
Supported platforms Not published Windows; macOS; Linux; Android; WebAssembly/browser
Our review
Pros
  • Supports Game Boy, Color, Advance, and Nintendo DS emulation
  • Includes save states, rewind, shaders, cheats, and controller support
  • Offers desktop, mobile, web, and REST-like API access
  • 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
Cons
  • Nintendo DS emulation is identified as beta quality
  • Its focus is limited to four Nintendo handheld systems
  • Listed integrations are limited to RetroArch/libretro and Google Drive
  • Focuses only on Game Boy and Game Boy Color systems
  • Link-cable emulation is not documented
  • Netplay is not documented
Our verdict

SkyEmu is a free, open-source emulator for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, and Nintendo DS software. It is aimed at users who want more than a single-system Game Boy emulator, with native builds for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS,…

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 →
  1. SkyEmuGame Boy Emulators 8.9Free plan
  2. oxGBCGame Boy Emulators 8.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • SkyEmu — where it wins

    • Supports Game Boy, Color, Advance, and Nintendo DS emulation
    • Includes save states, rewind, shaders, cheats, and controller support
    • Offers desktop, mobile, web, and REST-like API access

    Where it doesn't

    • Nintendo DS emulation is identified as beta quality
    • Its focus is limited to four Nintendo handheld systems
    • Listed integrations are limited to RetroArch/libretro and Google Drive

  • 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
  • SkyEmu8.9/10 · Free plan

    A broad, free handheld emulator with strong display, debugging, and automation features.

    Visit SkyEmuFull verdict →
  • oxGBC8.7/10 · Free plan

    A free, cross-platform GB/GBC emulator with strong visual and save-state controls.

    Visit oxGBCFull verdict →

More comparisons

All game boy emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Guides on game boy emulators

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update