GB-Link Get started

Quick Start

Congratulations, you’re ready to set up your GB-Link adapter! This guide covers adapters from Etsy (v1), Crowd Supply (v2), or a DIY build.

GB-Link adapter with cables attached, top-down view
Link cable and USB connected to the adapter.

1. Plug in your hardware

Firmware only: Skip the Game Boy and cartridge. Plug the adapter into USB, wait for the red light, then go to step 2.

To play a game: Set up your Game Boy first, then the adapter.

Game Boy Advance connected to a GB-Link adapter with a link cable and USB
Example setup: Game Boy Advance, link cable, GB-Link adapter, and USB.
  1. Put your game cartridge in the console and turn it on. Leave it on for the rest of setup.
  2. Plug in the link cable:
    • Game Boy or Game Boy Color: either end works. Plug one end into the console’s link port and the other into the GB-Link adapter.
    • Game Boy Advance: the two ends are different. Plug the slim end into the GB-Link adapter and the wide end into the Game Boy Advance. Swapping these stops GBA modes from working.
  3. Plug the adapter into your computer or Android phone with USB. Official GB-Link adapters use USB-C. Some DIY builds use Micro-USB instead. A charge-only cable will not work. Use one that carries data.

The adapter’s light should turn red ( LED guide) once it has power. That is your cue to move on to step 2. If it stays off, try a different USB cable or port.

V2 ships with a link cable, so V1 and DIY builders should bring their own. Skip the cheapest no-name GBA cables if you can. They are the most likely to cause flaky connections.

2. Connect and check firmware

Open the Game/Tool Launcher in a supported browser.

Find the Device Health panel. On desktop it sits on the right. On mobile it is below the game list.

Device Health panel on the Game/Tool Launcher with a Connect button
Device Health panel. Click Connect to link your adapter.

Connect

  1. Click Connect.
  2. Approve the browser prompt for your adapter (table below).
  3. Wait until Status shows Connected and the LED turns green.
BrowserWhat to select
Chrome / EdgeGame Boy Link in the USB picker, then Connect
Firefox 151+Continue to Installation, then Add, then GBLink USB, then Allow. Screenshots
Chrome on AndroidAllow USB access if Android asks, then use the same USB picker as desktop

Want every browser prompt spelled out? See Setting Up Your Adapter.

Check firmware

Look at the firmware line in the same panel:

What you seeWhat to do
Firmware shows a version (for example 2.2.1) and no update warningYou are up to date.
Update available: with an Update firmware buttonClick Update firmware and wait for the flash to finish. Reconnect if it asks you to, then check that the new version shows under Firmware.

The launcher includes the latest firmware. On Chrome or Edge you usually do not need to download anything yourself.

Firefox users: The launcher can show your version over WebSerial, but one-click flashing needs Chrome or Edge. Use Flash manually instead on the launcher, or follow Updating Firmware.

3. Launch a game or tool

In the Game/Tool Launcher, with the adapter connected, choose a game or tool from the list. Common choices include Tetris, Dr. Mario, Pokémon Trading, Pokémon Gen 3, and Advance Wars. There are utilities too, like Game Boy Printer and GB Cart Doctor.

Tetris Online card on the GB-Link game launcher
Example from the launcher list: Tetris Online.
  1. Click the game or tool you want.
  2. Follow the prompts in the web client.
  3. Open the in-game link menu when the client tells you to.

If something fails to start or connect, go back to step 2 and update firmware if an update is available, then try again.

Cartridge requirements and per-game notes live in Games & Tools.

Troubleshooting

ProblemTry this
Connect does nothingUse Chrome, Edge, or Firefox 151+. See What you need. Unplug the adapter from your computer or phone, plug it back in, then click Connect again.
Browser can’t find the adapterUnplug the adapter from your computer or phone, wait a moment, then plug it back in. Try another USB port or cable if it still does not show up.
Firmware version shows UnknownUnplug the adapter, plug it back in, then click Connect again. Refresh the page and reconnect if needed.
Update stallsUnplug the adapter from your computer or phone, plug it back in, and try again. Or flash manually.
Page refresh broke the linkUnplug the adapter from your computer or phone (or press reset), plug it back in, then reconnect in Device Health.
Linux permission deniedRun ./scripts/setup-permissions.sh from the firmware repo.

Still stuck? Ask in the GB-Link Discord. Someone there has usually seen the same issue, and it is the best place for live help.

After your first connection

Edit this page on GitHub
Prev
What is GB-Link?