Coffee GB review
A broad, open-source GB/GBC emulator with accessory support and rollback netplay.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Coffee GB is an open-source emulator for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Super Game Boy features. It is designed for players who want one application across Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, with support for keyboard and game-controller input. Its scope covers both standard cartridge play and a range of original hardware behaviors, while the MIT License makes the project available as open-source software.
The feature depth is the main reason to consider Coffee GB. Save states, rewind, autosave, and battery-backed saves cover different ways to preserve progress, while ROM loading supports GB, GBC, ROM, ZIP, and 7z files. Super Game Boy borders and palettes add presentation options, and customizable display and sound settings provide further control. Real-time clocks, rumble, tilt controls, Game Boy Camera support, and Game Boy Printer support extend compatibility beyond basic Game Boy emulation. Game Genie and GameShark cheats are also included.
For multiplayer, rollback netplay supports link-cable games, giving Coffee GB a broader feature set than an emulator limited to local play. The project also includes a reusable Java emulation core with Kotlin and Java user-interface layers, supporting its desktop applications and Android port. Players should choose Coffee GB if they want open-source software, four-platform coverage, save flexibility, accessory emulation, and netplay in a focused Game Boy emulator. It is less suitable for anyone seeking systems beyond Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Super Game Boy features, or expecting ROM files to be bundled.
Coffee GB pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android
- Includes rollback netplay, save management, and rewind
- Emulates Camera, Printer, rumble, tilt, and real-time clocks
- Where it doesn't
- Focused on Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Super Game Boy features
- ROM files are not included
- No iOS platform is listed
Coffee GB fact sheet, pricing and score →
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