
AppBoy
WHEN ACCURACY MATTERS...
Welcome to AppBoy: Your Ultimate macOS Gameboy & Gameboy Color Emulator!
Experience gaming nostalgia with AppBoy, powered by the renowned emulation core Gambatte. This open-source gem, licensed under the GNU General Public License V2, brings unparalleled accuracy and authenticity to your gaming sessions.
AppBoy is a proud fork of Gambattye, a macOS port of Gambatte, enhancing your gaming experience with its robust features and user-friendly interface. With AppBoy, dive into a world of features designed to enhance your gaming experience. Enjoy 16:9 widescreen stretch, seamless controller support, convenient save states, live DMG Palette swaps, and precise emulation speed adjustments.
Gambatte, the backbone of AppBoy, stands as a testament to excellence in emulation. Recognized for its meticulous accuracy, Gambatte ensures that every pixel and sound is faithfully replicated, delivering an authentic retro gaming experience like no other.
We extend our gratitude to the original contributors of Gambatte and Gambattye for their dedication and expertise in shaping the gaming landscape.
​
⋯
Features
JACK OF ALL TRADES... AND MASTER OF SOME
Modern Controller Support:
Experience the nostalgia of classic Game Boy gaming with the convenience of modern controller support. Connect your favourite controller to AppBoy and enjoy seamless gameplay just like the good old days, but with the comfort and familiarity of contemporary controls.
​
Adjustable Emulation Speed:
Tailor your gaming experience to your preferences with adjustable emulation speed. Whether you want to relish every moment or breeze through your favorite titles, AppBoy lets you control the pace of your gameplay, ensuring a personalized and enjoyable experience.
​
Instant Rewind Playback:
Step back in time and hone your gameplay skills with AppBoy's instant rewind feature. Whether you missed a jump, took an unexpected hit, or simply want to replay a favourite moment, our rewind functionality has you covered. Save up to approximately 30 minutes of gameplay in real-time and seamlessly rewind through your last moves. The rewind loop is intelligent, allowing you to resume gameplay from any save point or return to the very beginning of the rewind buffer. With just a tap of a button, you can correct mistakes, explore alternate strategies, or just enjoy the thrill of reliving those unforgettable moments.
​
Game Genie Cheat Codes:
Unlock new possibilities in your Game Boy games with the Game Genie cheat codes feature! This tool offers a seamless and organized experience, allowing you to save custom cheat profiles, so switching between different codes for various games is easy and efficient. Enjoy real-time control with the ability to activate or deactivate individual cheats during gameplay. Plus, the new .ggp file extension system makes sharing and importing Cheat Profiles simple and fast, letting you expand your gaming experience with ease.
​
Live DMG Color Palette Swap:
Indulge in nostalgia while customizing your gaming experience with the live DMG color palette swap feature. Choose from a variety of presets to recreate the authentic feel of the classic Game Boy screen, allowing you to relive the magic of retro gaming with vibrant colors and distinct visuals.
​
Save States:
Never lose your progress again with the save states feature. AppBoy enables you to save your game at any point and resume exactly where you left off, providing peace of mind and eliminating the frustration of losing progress in your favorite titles.
​
ROM File Display Name Cleaner:
Keep your ROM library organized and easily accessible with the built-in ROM file display name cleaner and a built in file explorer.. AppBoy automatically cleans up ROM file names so your library looks as slick as it can be!
​
And More...
Discover even more features and enhancements designed to elevate your Game Boy emulation experience to new heights. From intuitive user interface enhancements to performance optimizations, AppBoy is packed with features that cater to both casual players and seasoned enthusiasts alike.
​
⋯

Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I get games from?
Our emulator supports MOST compatible ROM files, ensuring a wide range of gaming options.
While we can't endorse or facilitate the acquisition of ROMs from unauthorized sources, we highly recommend importing backed up copies of personal cartridges. This not only ensures legal compliance but also preserves the authenticity of the gaming experience. For users seeking to create their own ROM backups, we suggest exploring devices like the GB Operator, designed specifically for this purpose.
By adhering to these practices, users can enjoy their favorite Game Boy titles with peace of mind.
Is it required for the app to import all ROM files internally? Or can I store them elsewhere?
Due to the strict requirements, guidelines, and permission restrictions of sandboxed apps, ROM files must be imported to the internal ROM folder for fast, unrestricted access within the emulator.
However, original copies of the ROMs can be safely stored elsewhere on the device's drives.
We've implemented a convenient solution for accessing these ROMs efficiently: simply double-clicking the original ROM file will automatically boot up the corresponding internal ROM file within the emulator, ensuring a seamless gaming experience while maintaining compliance with app store regulations.
I lost my save progress!? But the save file is still in the Save Data folder... what gives?
The most likely reason for lost save data is due to file name conventions.
AppBoy relies on the ROM file name to load its corresponding save files. If the ROM file is renamed, all save files must also be updated accordingly. To prevent this hassle, we've integrated a built-in ROM display name cleaner.
Alternatively, exercise caution and be sure to rename any ROMs upon import to avoid inadvertently losing valuable save data.

