With the release of vba this emulator is now officially discontinued!

Many many thanks to everyone that helped!


I ported the gameboy advance emulator gdkGBA (originally made by gdkchan) to the nintendo switch! (Works on all versions as far as I know)

To set up I strongly recommend putting the original gba_bios.bin in sd:/switch/gba_bios.bin!
After that put the roms into sd:/switch/roms/ and start the homebrew.

As soon as retroarch gets updated for 5.0 this will instantly become obsolete!

source (you need the sdl2-libraries from the devkit-pro pacman to build this)

Known issues:
Sound is a bit weird (it seems like sometimes the wrong instruments play)
Some games seem to crash the switch after a while. (mostly fixed in v8)
Sometimes the switch likes to crash even in games that normally run pretty stable :/ (fixed in v8 I think)
Some games have graphical glitches/don't work at all
Saving doesn't work on some games. If that happens please don't hesitate to tell me and for now you can set (buggy) savestates using plus+r and load them using plus+l.

Please update to the latest version before reporting Problems!

Game compatibility list

UPDATE:
Sound now much better now! Many thanks to @renhei for the fix!
UPDATE2:
Changed rompath from sd:/switch/roms to sd:/switch/roms/gba in order to avoid confusion with the gbc emulator. Also double joycons now work in unattached mode!
UPDATE3:
Merged gdkchans changes to the ppu. Some games that had problems with artifacts on screen (I tried harvest moon) now look much better! However this is apparently causing trouble in some games so I also attached v2.
UPDATE4:
Added proper in-gaming-saving support! The old buggy savestate-feature is now read-only (so that you can move your progress to the new save-files). I recommend removing the old .savegame-file after making sure the new, better in-game-saving works correctly in order to make sure that you don't accidentally load it
Many thanks to @gdkchan for fixing some underlying issues with the in-game-saves of this emulator!
Also I added support for the original gba_bios.bin:
If you want to use it (which I strongly recommend since the open-source-one that's bundled is causing trouble with some games) put it into sd:/switch/gba_bios.bin
UPDATE5:
In game saving should now actually work in most games! Many thanks to @gdkchan for explaining to me how the gba handles saves!
UPDATE6:
Recompiled everything with latest libnx. Hopefully fewer crashes now.
UPDATE7:
Savestate feature is back. Please only use if the savegames fail as it is known to sometimes cause issues!
UPDATE8:
Updated libnx (again) and made a few small fixes. If you're experiencing fewer/more crashes please don't hesitate to tell me
UPDATE8.5 (Experimental only):
Pushed the new graphics-fixes from @gdkchan. Please only use them if you're experiencing graphical glitches since they introduce a large slowdown in some games.
UPDATE8.6 (Experimental only):
Pushed @gdkchans new fixes+optimisations. The experimental version should now run a bit faster!
UPDATE9:
Saving should now be more reliable again (makes the save-feature work as it did in v7 again).

 

[radaq]

Yeah it's frustrating to make progress just to lose it. I'd recommend saving often and updating anytime a new version is out to see if it helps fix any issues.

Ive been but its kind of annoying saving every 15mins...
I only save when something big or huge happens, like I just evolved my Pokemon so I saved that but yeah.

 

[Deletedmember448668]

radaq: I’m getting annoying switch crashes with the 7update on pokémon emerald...
I put 15mins in leveling up my pokémon in the game to have it crash my switch....

Wow you sound like a spoiled brat! It's your own fault for expecting it to be flawless. It's a port for one, two it's in early development, and three.. not meant to be an end game emulator. Im refraining from cussing you out..but it's hard to not call you for what you are...dense af

 

[DiJornios]

Do you think you can work on some games having acing problems specifically Mother 3?
@jakibaki

 

[Leonidas87]

For all those complaining about crashing, saving issues, graphical glitches the proof is right here how far along this emulator has come.



Do some research before talking down on the emulator, developer or this project.

We are always willing to help those who are also willing to help themselves and others. Keep things positive and have patience it's amazing and we are all LUCKY ENOUGH how far this emulator has come.

The developer said it was temporary and not being updated much or at all but look people work together and we've all got something useable and playable to enjoy.

All the best @jakibaki and be sure to contact that other developer I mentioned previously about a potential game selection screen. It really does have potential and looks amazing to go along with GBA and GBC

 

[Bedel]

For all those complaining about crashing, saving issues, graphical glitches the proof is right here how far along this emulator has come.



Do some research before talking down on the emulator, developer or this project.

We are always willing to help those who are also willing to help themselves and others. Keep things positive and have patience it's amazing and we are all LUCKY ENOUGH how far this emulator has come.

The developer said it was temporary and not being updated much or at all but look people work together and we've all got something useable and playable to enjoy.

All the best @jakibaki and be sure to contact that other developer I mentioned previously about a potential game selection screen. It really does have potential and looks amazing to go along with GBA and GBC

Hey bro, what are you using to play with your PS4 controller? I've done some research, but everything costs too much for me.

 

[Eternam]

First time posting so I first wanted to thank you @jakibaki and the other users that contribute to this emulator. Its been great, I havent had a single crash on it. I mostly played Pokemon Ruby (5 hours), Link to the past (up to the dark world and super mario world (up to the second island). Yeah, I really want an Snes emulator for 4.1. I tryed some other games, some where slow or had grafical glitches that prevented me for playing but other than that, no problem on my end.
The only thing that I encounter trouble with was with mist. On a cage on Pokemon Ruby and in the lost woods on Link to the past. With v08 experimental the lost woods were fix but with slow framerate so I did what I had to do, got out of the woods, saved an load back in with the stable V08. But the problem continues on pokemon Ruby, anyone has any idea how to get around it? I dont mind if it means lower framerate Inside the cave. Thanks and keep up the good work.
Pokemon ruby mist problem: imgur. com/a/oOOVp3t

 

[Deletedmember448668]

Testing Golden Sun with v8.5 and all lighting is now fixed. Zero slow down as well! Great work guys!

 

[Leonidas87]

Hey bro, what are you using to play with your PS4 controller? I've done some research, but everything costs too much for me.

It is the 8Bitdo Wireless bluetooth adapter.

And for yourself and everybody else here is an Amazon link to the product:

https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Bluetooth-Adapter-Nintendo-Switch-Raspberry/dp/B0786JC6VW

Thumbs up if this helped

 

[Bedel]

It is the 8Bitdo Wireless bluetooth adapter.

And for yourself and everybody else here is an Amazon link to the product:

https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Bluetooth-Adapter-Nintendo-Switch-Raspberry/dp/B0786JC6VW

Thumbs up if this helped

Oh and it doesn't cost so much. Thanks buddy!

 

[Leonidas87]

Oh and it doesn't cost so much. Thanks buddy!

Nope not much at all actually.

Works with PS4, Xbox elite controller, wii controller, etc. Dont quote me on that but its versatile

 

[OkazakiTheOtaku]

*snip*
------
Anyway, @jakibaki the newest version of the emulator (v8) is rock-solid. I'm playing Rhythm Tengoku and a hack of FireRed and it's flawless. I've never docked my hacking switch so I don't know how it is in that regard, but handheld is great. Thanks for all of your work!

It's worth noting that FTPD for Switch can only send files to the Switch, not send them to your client. So reading crash logs would need the SD card removed, sadly. I'm sure when Atmosphere is in full swing that will be fixed, or a replacement FTP server will come.

 

[radaq]

For all those complaining about crashing, saving issues, graphical glitches the proof is right here how far along this emulator has come.



Do some research before talking down on the emulator, developer or this project.

We are always willing to help those who are also willing to help themselves and others. Keep things positive and have patience it's amazing and we are all LUCKY ENOUGH how far this emulator has come.

The developer said it was temporary and not being updated much or at all but look people work together and we've all got something useable and playable to enjoy.

All the best @jakibaki and be sure to contact that other developer I mentioned previously about a potential game selection screen. It really does have potential and looks amazing to go along with GBA and GBC

No one is downing or complaining! The developer said to reply to him if there is crashes! Stop ASSUMING. I'm blocking you too.

 

[JJTapia19]

Wanted to let you know that V8 has been solid! I'm not getting the random crashes I was getting earlier. 8.5 is looking great with all the textures and effects displaying properly but it takes a massive hit at performance on most game I've tried. I'm sure that once the scene devs figure out how to get Hardware Acceleration it would run perfect. Thanks a lot for your amazing work again @jakibaki & @gdkchan

 

[radaq]

Wanted to let you know that V8 has been solid! I'm not getting the random crashes I was getting earlier. 8.5 is looking great with all the textures and effects displaying properly but it takes a massive hit at performance on most game I've tried. I'm sure that once the scene devs figure out how to get Hardware Acceleration it would run perfect. Thanks a lot for your amazing work again @jakibaki & @gdkchan

8 2.5 fixed a lot of graphics issues I didn't even realize in pokemon emerald, but people are getting butthurt just because I pointed out there was crashing when the developer asked for people to report crashing in a certain game.

 

[KuraudoSutoraifu]

So... to get back to topic, I noticed a few new graphical glitches that got introduced with v8.5 in Fire Emblem (Blazing Blade). There seems to be an issue with some windows / different layers?:

For example, the keyboard on the name select screen doesn't show up.
Other examples are the unit info screen:

And "cutscenes":

 

[Deletedmember448668]

Testing Golden Sun on v8.5. Running sooo much better! Shot this quick video on the spot, sorry for my hands shaking, i didnt have a real camera mount and my hands had to be in an akward position over my desk haha.

 

[JJTapia19]

I think it's not fair to keep calling this a temporary solution until retroarch comes. I mean I understand that was the original intention but now that the official emulator creator @gdkchan has stepped in and it's taking time to work and fix core emulator functions, I think it has evolved from a temporary solution. I hope the the core emulator is also getting beter with the fixes being introduced for this port. I'll be funny if in the future retroarch is having some issues with some games and people start recommending using this instead.

 

[Deletedmember448668]

I think it's not fair to keep calling this a temporary solution until retroarch comes. I mean I understand that was the original intention but now that the official emulator creator @gdkchan has stepped in and it's taking time to work and fix core emulator functions, I think it has evolved from a temporary solution. I hope the the core emulator is also getting beter with the fixes being introduced for this port. I'll be funny if in the future retroarch is having some issues with some games and people start recommending using this instead.

Could be a viable option if maintained even after retroarch release

 

[radaq]

I think it's not fair to keep calling this a temporary solution until retroarch comes. I mean I understand that was the original intention but now that the official emulator creator @gdkchan has stepped in and it's taking time to work and fix core emulator functions, I think it has evolved from a temporary solution. I hope the the core emulator is also getting beter with the fixes being introduced for this port. I'll be funny if in the future retroarch is having some issues with some games and people start recommending using this instead.

I agree, I message him about this and I ask him if he neeeded any help but he said he wants to keep it temporarily.
It’s open source so anyone can work on it if he doesn’t want too.

 

[SkyAeolus]

I think it's not fair to keep calling this a temporary solution until retroarch comes. I mean I understand that was the original intention but now that the official emulator creator @gdkchan has stepped in and it's taking time to work and fix core emulator functions, I think it has evolved from a temporary solution. I hope the the core emulator is also getting beter with the fixes being introduced for this port. I'll be funny if in the future retroarch is having some issues with some games and people start recommending using this instead.

A good friend of mine actually helped rewrite some script and submitted it back to him, which may or may not have prompted him to work on it some more. (I'd like to say he's responsible for v8.5)
That same friend is also trying to port vba over to the switch, which is a larger task in itself. So if this doesn't pan out maybe his project will.
He's more of a lurker than a poster though.