GSE
GSE: A focused, free emulator for speedrunners who need timing accuracy and run verification. Ranked #6 of 29 in Game Boy Advance Emulators by our editors (6.9/10); pricing: Free plan; best for speedrunners needing accurate timing and logging.
At a glance
- Editor score6.9 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forSpeedrunners needing accurate timing and logging
- Free planYes
- Paid fromNone
- Platform scopeDesktop and mobile
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Console-accurate timing for supported Game Boy Advance speedruns
- Input logging and 100 savestate slots support run verification
- Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android releases
Where it doesn't
- No cheat support
- Its design prioritizes speedrunning over general-purpose emulation
- The feature set is narrower than a broader gaming-focused emulator
Our verdict on GSE
GSE is a free, open-source emulator for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games. Its primary audience is speedrunners, especially those who need accurate timing, consistent frame pacing, low input latency, input logging, and support for console-verifiable Pokémon tool-assisted speedruns. Downloadable releases cover Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android, giving it a broad desktop-and-mobile footprint without adding a paid tier to evaluate.
Its strongest differentiator is the speedrunning feature set. GSE provides console-accurate timing for supported Game Boy Advance speedruns, configurable low-latency mode, and input logging for run verification. Up to 100 savestate slots across multiple sets support repeated practice and route work. The emulator also includes Discord Rich Presence, SDL3-based keyboard and controller support, configurable audio devices and volume controls, and filtering options including nearest-neighbor, bilinear, and sharp-bilinear. Compressed ROM loading covers 7z, RAR, TAR, GZ, and ZIP files.
GSE is a good choice for runners who value timing consistency, logging, savestates, and cross-platform availability in a focused emulator. It is less suited to users looking for a wider feature set centered on cheats or a broader general-purpose gaming experience, since cheat support is not included and the project emphasizes speedrunning. Choose GSE when verification-oriented tools and low-latency controls matter more than breadth; choose an alternative when those priorities are secondary.
GSE pricing
GSE fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | None |
| Platform scope | Desktop and mobile |
| Save states | Yes |
| Link multiplayer | Not verified |
| Cheat support | No |
| Graphics enhancements | Yes |
| Open source | Yes |
| Deployment | Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | github.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to GSE
- mGBAA free, open-source desktop emulator with broad emulation and debugging tools.9.0
- VisualBoyAdvance-MA free, cross-platform emulator with linking, upscaling, recording, and scripting.8.2
- RetroArchA free, open-source frontend with netplay and extensive configuration across web, desktop, and mobile.7.7
GSE vs the competition
Compare GSE with any tool side by side →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
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