How to Play Game Boy Games in Your Linux Terminal

Did you know you can play classic Game Boy games right from your Linux terminal? It’s not just a gimmick—there are actually some great emulators that run entirely in your terminal window. If you’re looking for a retro gaming fix or just want to show off what Linux can do, here’s how to get started.

What You Need

A Linux system (any modern distribution)
Terminal access (obviously!)
A Game Boy emulator for the terminal
Game Boy ROMs (legally owned, of course)

Let’s break down the process.

Step 1: Pick Your Emulator

For terminal-based Game Boy emulation, one of the best options is terminal-boy or gba-tc for Game Boy Advance games. However, the most user-friendly and actively maintained option is PyBoy, which can be run in headless mode (no GUI).

For a more classic experience, you can also try fbgba (framebuffer Game Boy Advance emulator) or gb (a simple terminal emulator).

To install PyBoy:

pip install pyboy

Or install gb (on Ubuntu/Debian):

sudo apt install gb

Step 2: Get Your ROMs

You’ll need the ROM files for the Game Boy games you want to play. Only use ROMs you legally own. Place them in a folder you’ll remember, like ~/roms/gameboy.

Step 3: Running the Emulator

Using PyBoy in Headless Mode

PyBoy can run in “headless” mode, meaning you won’t see graphics, but you can still play (great for scripting or quick tests).

pyboy --headless ~/roms/gameboy/YOUR_GAME.gb

Using gb

Just point it to your ROM file:

gb ~/roms/gameboy/YOUR_GAME.gb

Using terminal-boy

Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/OtherCrashOverride/terminal-boy.git
cd terminal-boy
make
./terminal-boy ~/roms/gameboy/YOUR_GAME.gb

Step 4: Controls

Each emulator has its own controls, but generally:

Arrow keys = D-Pad
Z / X = A / B buttons
Enter = Start
Shift = Select

Check the documentation for your emulator for the exact keybindings.

Step 5: Enjoy

That’s it! You’re now running a piece of Game Boy history, right in your terminal. It’s perfect for quick gaming sessions or just impressing your fellow Linux fans.

Tips & Troubleshooting

If graphics are garbled, make sure your terminal supports the required character sets.
For sound, most terminal emulators don’t support it, so gameplay will be silent.
If you get permission errors, double-check file locations and permissions.

Wrapping Up

Playing Game Boy games in the Linux terminal is a fun way to combine retro gaming with open-source flexibility. Whether you’re in it for the nostalgia or the technical cool factor, it’s worth trying out.

Have a favorite terminal emulator? Drop it in the comments!

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!