Visual Boy Advance was released quite a while now. I remember when I used this emulator on my old Windows XP computer, and I still have this GBA Emulator until now on my PC.
As a Pokemon fan, I can’t forget how impressive Visual Boy Advance is. Good thing there are still developers of VBA still working on updating this software.
There are dozens of GBA emulators available on different platforms, but if you prefer to play Pokemon GBA games on your Windows computer, I would suggest installing Visual Boy Advance.
We created a review for Visual Boy Advance, and you may want to check it, see Visual Boy Advance (VBA) Review for GBC and GBA Gaming on Windows.
Visual Boy Advance Download
Visual Boy Advance Frequently Asked Questions
Does Visual Boy Advance Work with ROM Hacks?
VBA emulator works perfectly with many ROM hacks, and to make any Pokemon ROM Hacks work on your Windows computer, you may need to use Lunar IPS patcher or follow this guide on How To Patch IPS and UPS Files to Play a ROM Hack.
Is it Compatible with Cheats?
I discovered that some VBA versions have issues when it comes to cheating. Perhaps due to the modifications made to the emulator. But this version is your perfect choice if you wish to use cheats in your Pokemon GBA gaming.
Cheats from regular Pokemon GBA games and even rom hacks work perfectly in this Visual Boy Advance version.
I Installed the Emulator, but the Cheats Aren’t Working?
Certain ROM versions don’t support cheats. For instance, FireRed v1.1 doesn’t work with cheats, while FireRed V1.0 does. Make sure you have the ROM version for cheating.
Also see: How to Fix Not Working and Glitchy Cheats for Pokemon GBA Games
Is It Free?
Creating Windows applications is not merely an easy task. But luckily, since when it was available, Visual Boy Advance is free to download for all.
You don’t need to buy software to play Pokemon GBA games because VBA has all you need to enjoy the game; want to explore and enjoy the extra feature of your Pokemon game? Use the cheating feature of VBA.
In my opinion, Visual Boy Advance is the best software for playing Pokemon GBA games on Windows. Almost all the settings and features you need to enjoy your Pokemon gaming are already in the software.
A while ago, I created a video that uses a VBA emulator. If you’re interested in watching the video, you can find it here, Pokemon FireRed Legendary Pokemon Cheat With Gameshark Codes, and to my surprise, the video is quite popular on Youtube.
Most of our readers are Android users; if you’d like to play Pokemon on your device, please follow the article How To Play ROM Hacks on Android.
Other issues related to Visual Boy Advance and their fixes
- How To Fix Save Data Could Not Be Accessed Error on VBA
- How To Fix “1m sub-circuit board is not installed” Error on VBA and MyBoy
Conclusion
So that’s it, I hope this article helps you to get started using Visual Boy Advance on your Windows computer. If you have questions, I would love to answer them as fast as I can.
Please send them the comment form below, and don’t forget to follow our social media account for updates.
Does anyone still have a code for ‘have all TMs’ and ‘have all berries’ in the bag? I know these codes used to be available, but they are not shared much anymore because of the risk of corrupting the game. However, I want to use them in a ROM hack where there are simply no Poke Marts, so that is not very helpful. I found a held item modifier for the second Pokemon in the party for Crystal, but nothing similar for Emerald. Also, that method is very slow compared to having a code where you can just choose the amount you want (1–99 / 00–FF).
Hey there! The Have All TMs and Have All Berries cheats are a bit risky to use. They usually fill your Bag with every TM or Berry, which can leave no room for newly obtained items. Because of that, I generally don’t recommend using them, especially if you’ve already made good progress in the game. If you only need a few specific TMs or Berries, it’s much safer to use an individual item modifier cheat instead.
note one of these cheats work with visual boy or mgba
How do I deal with bad eggs
You can get rid of them by depositing in your Box in the PokeCenter.
That does not get rid of them just makes them hide away wasting up more and more box slots. I have heard you can perform the cloning glitch but in reverse to delete them instead. I once saw a code that changed it to a valid garbage pokemon allowing it to be outright deleted, but unfortunately I have not seen that code nor have it anymore :(.
That sounds like a promising way to get rid of a Bad Egg. Unfortunately, I haven’t come across that cheat yet. Hopefully someone here can share the full details with us.
Just use the teleport cheat + the Battle Factory to get rid of it:
1. Isolate the Bad Egg and go capture two extra pokemon.
2. Put your real party safe and add the extra pokemon and the Bad Egg to your party.
3. Activate the teleport cheat and ensure it takes you to the Battle Frontier. Now, hold L (and/or R) while walking through the door.
4. Go normally to the Battle Factory and let them take your party, pick three level 50 pokemon and pay attention to ensure you don’t miss when your character has to go through the door. Again, hold L (and/or R) while walking through the door.
The Bad Egg is gone and now you have a team of level 50 pokemon.
You’re welcome 🥰.
Hey MamaLuigi, thanks for sharing this. Two things to add. This only works on Emerald, since the Battle Factory is part of the Battle Frontier. FireRed, LeafGreen, Ruby and Sapphire do not have it. The Battle Factory trick is real and it does work, so appreciate you writing it out.
I want to download Pokemon Soul Silver GBA file, does anyone have one I could use?
Sorry Brandon, but we don’t give out GBA files here, simply because it’s illegal to share such files and considered Piracy. You can find them somewhere else.
for me its just a white screen and it keeps going from 90%-80%-100%
what is the problem?
Hi Jon, this guide will help you fix the white screen problem; see this https://www.pokemoncoders.com/fix-white-screen-visual-boy-advance/
Can somebody pls tell me on how to open a gameboy, since the downloaded and extracted files of (even normal not rom hack) pokemon games it won’t appear. Am I doing something wrong?
Can I use this emulator with my iPhone ?
This won’t work on iPhone, but there are GBA emulators available that will work on iPhone and possibly with cheats.
I think mGBA is better in terms of accuracy
I kinda agree since mGBA is the improved version of VBA. However, when it comes to cheating VBA turns out to work the best.
pokecoder what do i do after i download visual boy advance download
You can simply import any GBA or GBC games you have and play them.
Why is it just a black screen
You need to download an emulator
how you installed 1m sub circuit board
If you mean the “1m sub-circuit board is not installed” error, here’s a guide we created for that, see How To Fix “1m sub-circuit board is not installed” Error on VBA and I appreciate your feedback after following the tutorial.
To everyone with the white screen here is a fix: Go to options emulator save type and u will see a thing that says 64kb and 128kb put the 128kb and then it SHOULD be fixed now.
Hi there Fox, thanks for sharing that information. Actually we an article created with in-depth information and fix about the white screen problem, here it is How To Fix White Screen On Visual Boy Advance.
why is it just a black screen?
wheres the link
The link is there but it seems you weren’t able to find it. I created a button anyway. Check it again.
Does it work for gba romhacks? because when I try to open glazed and blazed glazed, i get nothing. However, when i try crystal clear it works just fine.
where is link to download it
that what im trying to find out
it just says loading battery for the 2 hours i waited i just downloaded it no cheats no changes real time clock no real tiem clock its just white
it’s still just a white screen
What do you mean?
does anyone know how to make a gameshark file for pokemon firered to use with vba windows? I’m on windows 10. im new to this, have mainly used vgbanext android, never could do the windows version. I have very little patience to take too long to do this. if any of yall have a solution, id appreciate it very much.
can it be used on windows 10 touch tab
Agree with other posters. VisualBoyAdvance-SDL.exe file via SourceForge.net doesn’t work – it opens for 0.5 seconds in a Command Line-like environment, and then closes.
Tried to run as administrator but failed too. Using Windows 10 Home if that helps anyone.
Thanks for the heads up, just want you to know that I’ve made an update to the link. Feel free to try and let me know how it go to you guys.
The application doesn’t open
it doesnt open
You mean the VisualyBoyAdvance file?
yes the application just closes itself 0.5 sec after it opened
That’s strange, did you use any cheats? If yes, then turn them off.
also if it only stays open for 0.5 seconds how do u disable the cheats