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Head-to-head · Game Boy Advance Emulators

VisualBoyAdvance-M vs Retra

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score VisualBoyAdvance-M #2 in Game Boy Advance Emulators 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit site
Retra #5 in Game Boy Advance Emulators 7.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Retra

VisualBoyAdvance-M leads on 0 checks, Retra on 3, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreVisualBoyAdvance-M · 8.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresRetra · 4 of 5

VisualBoyAdvance-M scores higher on our rubric for game boy advance emulators: 8.2 against 7.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #5.

Retra offers save states; VisualBoyAdvance-M doesn't publish it. Retra offers cheat support; VisualBoyAdvance-M doesn't publish it. Retra offers graphics enhancements; VisualBoyAdvance-M doesn't publish it.

VisualBoyAdvance-M is the better fit for cross-platform users needing linking and upscaling. Retra is the better fit for android users wanting careful save and ROM handling.

  • VisualBoyAdvance-M fits best

    Cross-platform users needing linking and upscaling

  • Retra fits best

    Android users wanting careful save and ROM handling

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Side by side

Feature VisualBoyAdvance-M 8.2/10 Visit ↗ Retra 7.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.2 7.1
Ranking #2 in Game Boy Advance Emulators #5 in Game Boy Advance Emulators
Best for Cross-platform users needing linking and upscaling Android users wanting careful save and ROM handling
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, Android Android
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features VisualBoyAdvance-M 1/5 · Retra 4/5
Save states Not published ✓ (best)
Link multiplayer Not published Not published
Cheat support Not published ✓ (best)
Graphics enhancements Not published ✓ (best)
Open source ✓ ✓
Specs
Platform scope Not published Mobile
Our review
Pros
  • Supports Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance software
  • Offers xBRZ, ScaleFX, Vulkan output, and a Libretro core
  • Includes linking, recording, Lua scripting, and Android builds
  • Save states, local saves, backups, and save timelines
  • Checksum-verified ROM imports with GBA, ZIP, UPS, IPS, and BPS support
  • Open-source Android app with cheats, rewind, patches, and custom controls
Cons
  • Reliable link netplay remains future work
  • Android builds are provided through the nightly channel
  • Different project pages may show different release versions
  • Android-only platform scope
  • Android build, device-testing, and ABI validation gaps remain
  • APK releases require testing and sideloading
Our verdict

VisualBoyAdvance-M is an open-source emulator for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance software. It is aimed at users who want one emulator across Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, with additional tools for improving visuals,…

Read the review →

Retra combines Game Boy Advance emulation with a local game archive, save manager, patch workspace, and homebrew hub for Android users. It uses an mGBA libretro core and organizes imported games with search, filters, artwork-based grid…

Read the review →
  1. VisualBoyAdvance-MGame Boy Advance Emulators 8.2Free plan
  2. RetraGame Boy Advance Emulators 7.1Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • VisualBoyAdvance-M — where it wins

    • Supports Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance software
    • Offers xBRZ, ScaleFX, Vulkan output, and a Libretro core
    • Includes linking, recording, Lua scripting, and Android builds

    Where it doesn't

    • Reliable link netplay remains future work
    • Android builds are provided through the nightly channel
    • Different project pages may show different release versions

  • Retra — where it wins

    • Save states, local saves, backups, and save timelines
    • Checksum-verified ROM imports with GBA, ZIP, UPS, IPS, and BPS support
    • Open-source Android app with cheats, rewind, patches, and custom controls

    Where it doesn't

    • Android-only platform scope
    • Android build, device-testing, and ABI validation gaps remain
    • APK releases require testing and sideloading
  • VisualBoyAdvance-M8.2/10 · Free plan

    A free, cross-platform emulator with linking, upscaling, recording, and scripting.

    Visit siteFull verdict →
  • Retra7.1/10 · Free plan

    A careful Android GBA emulator with deep save management and verified imports.

    Visit RetraFull verdict →

More comparisons

All game boy advance emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Guides on game boy advance emulators

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update