What You Need

Before you start, you need three things: a GB-Link adapter, a working Game Boy setup, and a browser on a computer or phone.

1. A GB-Link adapter#

An RP2040-based USB adapter that sits between your console and your host device. Any generation runs the same firmware and works with launcher.gblink.io.

Pick one:

2. Your Game Boy setup#

Three parts plug together: console → link cable → adapter.

Console — Game Boy, Game Boy Color, or Game Boy Advance with a working link port. FPGA consoles with link support also work (Analogue Pocket, Chromatic, Game Bub). Software emulators and handhelds without a physical link port are not supported.

Link cable — Plug one end into the console’s link port and the other into the GB-Link adapter. V2 ships with a generic cable; V1 and DIY need your own.

GBA cable orientation: GBA link cables have two ends — slim (master) and wide (slave). The slim end goes on the GB-Link adapter; the wide end goes on your Game Boy Advance. Getting this backwards breaks GBA modes.

GBA cable quality: Cheap third-party cables often lack a proper ground and cause flaky connections. Use a quality cable or the one included with V2.

Game cartridge — Each web client needs the right cart in the console (e.g. Pokémon Ruby for Gen 3, Tetris for online battles). See Games & Tools for the full list.

3. A host device and browser#

Plug the adapter into a desktop, laptop, or Android phone over USB. V2 uses USB-C; V1 and DIY use the Pico’s port (usually Micro-USB). No separate power supply — the adapter is bus-powered.

Open launcher.gblink.io in a supported browser. No drivers or apps to install.

Optional#

• A second player with their own GB-Link setup (for multiplayer)
• Linux users: run ./scripts/setup-permissions.sh from the firmware repo once for USB access without sudo

Next step#

Once you have all three, follow the Quick Start guide.