The Gen 1 and 2 games for the Gameboy and Color systems are always fun. They tickle the nostalgia bone, which makes you want to play them again.
Those Pokemon GBC games nowadays can be hard to play on an actual device, and this is why we’re making a list of the best emulators for playing Pokemon GBC games on PC.
Also see: Best Pokemon GBC ROM Hacks
It isn’t that hard to find GBC emulators on PC, but the real challenge is finding the right one for your needs.
Don’t worry, this list will help you find the best emulators around with all the features you want.
Other Related Topics
- GBA Emulators For Mac
- 5 Best Nintendo DS Emulators for Android
- Best GBA Emulators for iOS
- 5 Best GBA Emulators for PC
Table of Contents
Why Use a GBC Emulator?
They’re Easy to Find
For starters, it’s always a good thing if the emulator is free. Many GBC emulators for PC are fairly easy to find and unlike GBC emulators for Android devices, you can them for free.
Safe to Use
While you can find some good GBC emulators, safety is always a good priority. Free ones can be ed from all sorts of websites. There are those that are obtained from questionable websites.
Even if the emulator is good and legitimate, the site itself may not be. We have a couple of those emulators for here if you have time to check them out.
Countless features available
Features in GBC emulators are usually pretty basic and they don’t have to be a lot.
The common one should include a turbo or speed button, for fast game progression.
Other examples include being able to use cheats and those that allow you to do quick save and quick load. They’re also called save states and other features are always welcome.
Top 4 GBC Emulators for PC
4. BGB
This is a standard and easy-to-use GBC emulator. It has some of the basic and needed features like save states and being able to use cheats.
There’s no turbo button though, but the frame rates are quite acceptable. You can even adjust the settings on the screen to change the colors based on what you want.
Features
- Adjust screen settings
- Use cheats
- Save states
Pros
- Free
- Easy to use
- Decent enough to emulate
Cons
- No turbo button
3. RetroArch
RetroArch is a versatile platform that allows you to play classic games, such as Pokémon Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles, on various computers and consoles.
It has a smooth, -friendly interface and s emulators, game engines, and media players, making it a comprehensive solution for retro gaming. With RetroArch, you only need to configure your settings once for all your games.
You can even play original game discs directly from the software. RetroArch is the ultimate tool for reliving your favorite retro gaming experiences.
Features
- s a wide range of emulators, game engines, and media players
- Unified settings configuration for ease of use
- Ability to play original game discs (CDs)
- Advanced features such as shaders, netplay, rewinding, and runahead
- Next-frame response times for minimal latency
- Machine translation for multiple languages
- Accessibility features for visually impaired gamers
Pros
- Versatile: Compatible with many systems and platforms
- Comprehensive: Includes advanced features not found in many other emulators
- Consistent Configuration: One-time setup for all games
- Enhanced Graphics: Shaders improve the visual quality of games
- Online Multiplayer: Netplay feature allows for online gaming with friends
- Accessibility: Features to aid visually impaired s
Cons
- Complex Initial Setup: Can be difficult for beginners to configure
- Resource-Intensive: Requires significant system resources for optimal performance
- Occasional Bugs: Some emulators may not run smoothly
- Learning Curve: Advanced features may be challenging to master
- Compatibility Issues: Not all games may be fully ed or functional
2. mGBA
Despite the name having the GBA title, this emulator can also run GB and GBC games.
All the features are still packed like a cheating system and a turbo button. Several other features allow you to modify the resolution, screen elements, and frame rate.
It can also be connected to another emulator, Dolphin. mGBA also s save states and other common features.
Features
- Use cheats
- A turbo button
- Modify the frame rate and screen
- Save states
- Screen recording
Pros
- Tons of features
- A safe emulator to get
- Easy to use
Cons
- Some GBC ROMs are incompatible
1. VBA
The Visual Boy Advance or VBA is definitely at the top of anyone’s list when it comes to Pokemon emulation.
Most people use it for GBA emulation, but it can also run Gameboy and Gameboy Color games. This emulator has everything from save states to turbo buttons.
There are options for cheats, so if you know programming, you can unlock some to make your gameplay more enjoyable. You can also take video recordings and screenshots.
Visual Boy Advance has several different versions, but with this , you’ll get the version that s cheats.
Features
- Save States
- Turbo Button
- Can Run GBA Games Too
- Adjust Video Settings
- Screen Recording and Images
Pros
- Safe Sources to
- Easy to Use
- Tons of Features
Cons
- Some GBC ROM hacks do not run on VBA
GBC Emulators: and Installation Quick Guide
Step 1: the Emulator from the Website
your emulator of choice from their available websites.
Step 2: Unzip the Emulator File
Some emulators will require to be unzipped. Simply do that as seen in the image below.
Step 3: Install and Launch the Emulator
You’re done, all you have to do is launch the emulator and load the ROM of your choice.
In Closing
That concludes our list of the best emulators for playing Pokemon GBC games on PC.
In most cases, we use VBA as it suits most of our needs. We have different preferences, so it’s up to you which one you will choose and as long as you stick from the suggestions mentioned above, you’ll be surely safe.
There are a lot of emulators out there aside from the ones we mentioned. We just stated the ideal ones for PC, because the ones for Android and iOS devices can be different.
Just that these emulators are free. If you’re looking for a specific emulator with a feature that you want, then go for it.
What is your favorite emulator for GBC games? Feel free to hit the comments.
