drhelius/Gearboy

What it solves

Gearboy is a high-accuracy emulator for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Super Game Boy. It provides a cross-platform environment to run classic games while offering professional-grade debugging and reverse engineering tools for developers and ROM hackers.

How it works

Written in C++, the emulator mimics the original hardware's behavior, including LCD ghosting and dot matrix effects. It includes a full debugger with a just-in-time disassembler, memory editor, and VRAM viewer. To modernize the experience, it integrates a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, allowing AI agents (like Claude or GitHub Copilot) to control the emulator, inspect memory, and manage breakpoints via an API.

Who it’s for

• Retro Gamers: Users wanting an accurate emulation experience across Windows, macOS, Linux, and RetroArch.
• ROM Hackers: People modifying game data, creating cheats, or translating games.
• Game Developers: Those reverse engineering or debugging Game Boy software using advanced tools and AI assistance.

Highlights

• AI-Assisted Debugging: Embedded MCP server for integration with AI agents to automate execution control and memory inspection.
• Comprehensive Debugger: Includes CPU and memory breakpoints, trace logging, and a VRAM viewer for tiles and sprites.
• Wide Compatibility: Supports a vast array of cartridge types (MBC1-7, HuC, etc.) and multiple operating systems.
• Advanced Emulation Features: Run-ahead support to reduce input lag, save states with rewind, and programmable shader chains.