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PyBoy

Free#11 of 23 in Game Boy Emulators

PyBoy: A developer-focused GB/GBC emulator for scripts, bots, debugging, and research. Ranked #11 of 23 in Game Boy Emulators by our editors (6.2/10); pricing: Free plan; best for developers and researchers using a Python API.

6.2/10Editor score
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At a glance

  • Editor score
    6.2 / 10
  • Pricing
    Free plan
  • Best for
    Developers and researchers using a Python API
  • Free plan
    Yes
  • Paid from
    None
  • Supported systems
    Game Boy, Game Boy Color
  • Facts checked
    20 Sep 2026
PyBoy screenshot

  • Where it wins

    • Python API exposes control, memory, screen, and sound data
    • Includes save states, rewind, RTC handling, cheats, and debugging
    • Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Raspberry Pi OS

  • Where it doesn't

    • Link-cable communication is experimental and limited to local instances
    • Netplay over a network is not verified
    • External controller support is not verified

Our verdict on PyBoy

PyBoy is an open-source emulator and Python library for Game Boy and Game Boy Color ROMs. It supports command-line use as well as Python scripts, making it a fit for developers, researchers, and users building bots or AI agents around emulation. Its API provides control over emulation, memory probing, screen and sound data access, and other programmatic operations. It runs on Windows 64-bit, macOS, Linux, and Raspberry Pi OS, and is available at no cost under its open-source model.

The main strength is depth beyond basic ROM playback. PyBoy supports saving and loading emulator states, rewind, real-time clock handling for compatible cartridges, GameShark cheat codes, debugging, and breakpoint support. These features give programmers several ways to inspect, automate, and reproduce emulator behavior. Gymnasium integration also supports projects that connect emulation with reinforcement-learning environments. For users who need a scriptable emulator rather than a controller-first desktop application, this feature set is the central reason to choose PyBoy.

PyBoy is less suitable for users seeking a conventional consumer emulator with broadly documented peripheral support or network multiplayer. Link-cable communication is experimental and documented between two local emulator instances, while network netplay and external controller support are not verified. The project’s narrow focus on Game Boy and Game Boy Color is an advantage for targeted development work but not for users wanting a multi-system emulator. Choose PyBoy for Python-driven experimentation, debugging, automation, and research; choose an alternative if standard multiplayer or external-device support is the priority.

PyBoy pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.
See plans on github.com

PyBoy fact sheet

Free planYes
Paid fromNone
Supported systemsGame Boy, Game Boy Color
Supported platformsWindows 64-bit, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi OS
Save statesYes
Link cable emulationYes
NetplayNot verified
Real-time clockYes
Controller supportNot verified
DeploymentSelf-hosted, Desktop
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux
SupportCommunity, Docs
Built forSolo, Small business (editorial estimate)
Integrations1 integrations: Gymnasium
PricingFree plan
Websitegithub.com
Facts checked20 Sep 2026

PyBoy integrations

PyBoy lists 1 integrations on its own site.

  • Gymnasium

Alternatives to PyBoy

See all PyBoy alternatives →

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Featured on iTechGuides

Featured on iTechGuides — PyBoy 6.2/10

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Guides on game boy emulators

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

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