emulator: VBA-M
type: "standalone + libretro"
core_classification: official_port
source: "https://github.com/libretro/vbam-libretro"
upstream: "https://github.com/visualboyadvance-m/visualboyadvance-m"
profiled_date: "2026-03-25"
core_version: "2.1.4"
display_name: "Nintendo - Game Boy Advance (VBA-M)"
cores:
  - vbam
systems:
  - nintendo-gba
  - nintendo-gb
  - nintendo-gbc

notes: |
  Supports GB, GBC, GBA, and SGB (borders/palette only).
  BIOS usage controlled by vbam_usebios core option (default: disabled).
  Built-in HLE BIOS (myROM array) handles GBA SWI calls without external file.
  GB/GBC boot sequence skipped when BIOS absent.
  Upstream repo includes the libretro port in src/libretro/.

files:
  - name: gba_bios.bin
    system: nintendo-gba
    required: false
    hle_fallback: true
    size: 16384
    validation: [size]
    description: "GBA BIOS"
    source_ref: "src/gba/GBA.cpp:3262-3272 (CPUInit size check), src/libretro/libretro.cpp:846-851 (gba_init)"

  - name: gb_bios.bin
    system: nintendo-gb
    required: false
    hle_fallback: true
    size: 256
    validation: [size]
    description: "Game Boy boot ROM"
    source_ref: "src/gb/GB.cpp:2172-2192 (gbCPUInit size check), src/libretro/libretro.cpp:861-879 (gb_init)"

  - name: gbc_bios.bin
    system: nintendo-gbc
    required: false
    hle_fallback: true
    size: 2304
    validation: [size]
    description: "Game Boy Color boot ROM"
    source_ref: "src/gb/GB.cpp:2172-2192 (gbCPUInit size check), src/libretro/libretro.cpp:861-879 (gb_init)"