Screenshot of ru:Game Boy Advance SP Image by Russian Wikipedia authors, see the page history, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

TempGBA

GAME BOY ADVANCE EMULATOR CORE

TempGBA

TempGBA (libretro) — a libretro core that ports the PSP-era TempGBA Game Boy Advance emulator to the libretro API so it can run inside frontends such as RetroArch.

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Screenshot of ru:Game Boy Advance SP Image by Russian Wikipedia authors, see the page history, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Game Boy AdvancePRIMARY SYSTEM

History documentedPROJECT BEGAN

Open sourcePROJECT MODEL

WHY IT MATTERS

Lightweight GBA core for limited hardware

TempGBA is a libretro port of a PSP-focused GBA emulator and is intended as a compact core that can run on lower-end devices and on libretro frontends. It is one of several GBA cores available to RetroArch/libretro users.

BEST FOR

When to pick TempGBA

Choose TempGBA if you need a lightweight libretro core or are running on devices where other, more accurate GBA cores are too heavy. If you require maximum compatibility or advanced debugging/accuracy features, consider higher-accuracy cores such as mGBA or Beetle GBA instead.

Gameplay from Metroid Fusion on Game Boy Advance.

The people behind TempGBA

History and origin

TempGBA originated as a Game Boy Advance emulator targeted at handheld platforms (notably PSP/PSP-derived systems). The emulator was later ported into the libretro ecosystem and distributed as the TempGBA libretro core so it can run inside libretro frontends like RetroArch. The libretro project maintains documentation for the core and the core is listed in the libretro core list. Several community forks and PSP-specific builds of TempGBA remain available, reflecting an active community that maintained PSP ports and mods separate from the libretro core.

What TempGBA supports

Libretro frontends (RetroArch and other libretro-compatible frontends)
Platforms supported by RetroArch (Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, *nix)
Original PSP-targeted TempGBA builds (historical / platform-specific)
Handhelds and consoles that run libretro cores where TempGBA has been built

Download and availability

OFFICIAL DOWNLOADS

Get TempGBA

Official libretro-distributed TempGBA core is obtained via libretro/RetroArch core distribution mechanisms. The documented official locations are the TempGBA libretro documentation page and the libretro core download guides. Users should install the core using RetroArch's Core Updater or by following the libretro documentation for obtaining cores.

Get TempGBA ↗

DOCUMENTATION

Official documentation

Read the official configuration, compatibility, and troubleshooting material before changing advanced options.

Read official documentation ↗

Broken or missing download? Emulator projects move and official links sometimes change. Please contact Retro Replay so the source can be verified and updated.

TempGBA setup guide

Setup note: This setup guide assumes you want to run the TempGBA libretro core inside a libretro frontend such as RetroArch. Steps are specific to using the libretro ecosystem and the TempGBA core; they do not include obtaining or using commercial game ROMs or any proprietary firmware.

1) Install a libretro frontend (RetroArch recommended): Download and install RetroArch (or another libretro-compatible frontend) for your platform from that frontend's official site or package repository. Confirm RetroArch runs before attempting to install cores.
2) Acquire TempGBA core via Core Updater: Open RetroArch, go to Online Updater → Core Updater, and locate 'TempGBA' in the list. Use the Core Updater to download and install the TempGBA core. Alternatively, follow libretro's documentation for manual core installation if you prefer to place core libraries into RetroArch's cores directory yourself.
3) Place GBA content in an accessible folder: Put your legally obtained Game Boy Advance cartridge images (.gba files) into a folder you control. RetroArch will need read access to load the file. Do not expect TempGBA to include any commercial BIOS or firmware files.
4) Load the core and a game: In RetroArch, choose Load Core and select the TempGBA core. Then choose Load Content and navigate to a .gba file. The core should start and run the ROM. If you prefer one-step loading, many frontends allow selecting a ROM and choosing 'Run with Core' (then pick TempGBA).
5) Configure controls and performance: Map input in RetroArch's Input settings or use a preset controller profile. TempGBA is a lightweight core meant for lower-power devices; if you encounter audio or speed issues, check RetroArch's Performance/Video options (frame skipping, CPU scaling, and audio buffer settings) before switching cores.
6) Save states and battery saves: Use RetroArch's Save State and Save Game features to create snapshots (.state files) and battery-backed saves (.sav). Note that TempGBA and other GBA implementations may use different save formats; if you move between cores, compatibility of save files is not guaranteed.
7) Updating or building the core manually: For the latest builds or platform-specific ports, consult the TempGBA libretro repository and the libretro build instructions. The core is part of the libretro core ecosystem and can be built from source with the usual libretro build recipes; follow the libretro documentation and the TempGBA core README for build details and platform-specific notes.

Software reminder: TempGBA is provided as a libretro core; it does not include commercial games, BIOS, or copyrighted firmware. Obtain ROMs and any required files legally and follow applicable laws.