Emulator Guide & Recommendations

Introduction

Pokémon Polished Crystal values hardware accuracy and requires emulators that are compatible with its enhanced features and mechanics. Not all emulators can run the game correctly, so choosing the right one is essential for a smooth experience.

This guide provides emulator recommendations for all major platforms, including which emulators to avoid due to known compatibility issues.

Important: If you consistently experience issues on an emulator that aren't reproducible on official hardware or the most accurate emulators (mGBA, SameBoy, BGB), you will not receive support. Always use a recommended emulator.

Quick Recommendations

Platform-Specific Recommendations

Windows

Recommended Emulators:

1. mGBA (Most Popular)

• Website: https://mgba.io/
• Why choose it:
  • Most popular Game Boy emulator
  • No known incompatibilities with Polished Crystal
  • Also plays GBA games
  • Easy to use with good UI
  • Active development and updates
  • Cross-platform support

Best for: Most players, especially those who want an all-in-one emulator for GB/GBC/GBA games.

2. BGB (Developer Choice)

• Website: https://bgb.bircd.org/
• Why choose it:
  • Used by Polished Crystal developers
  • More accurate than mGBA
  • Powerful debugger for advanced users
  • Supports Game Link cable emulation
  • Excellent for testing and development

Best for: Advanced users, developers, or those who want the highest accuracy.

3. SameBoy

• Website: https://sameboy.github.io/
• Why choose it:
  • One of the most accurate emulators available
  • Cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS)
  • Clean interface
  • Active development

Best for: Players who prioritize accuracy and authenticity.

macOS

Recommended Emulators:

1. SameBoy — Best choice for macOS
2. mGBA — Popular alternative with GBA support
3. Wine + BGB — For advanced users who want BGB on Mac

Note: SameBoy and mGBA both have native macOS builds and work excellently.

Linux

Recommended Emulators:

1. SameBoy — Highly accurate, native Linux support
2. mGBA — Popular choice with broad compatibility

Both emulators work seamlessly on Linux distributions. Install via your package manager or download from their official websites.

Android

Recommended Emulators:

RetroArch (Primary Recommendation)

• Website: https://www.retroarch.com/
• Recommended Cores:
  • SameBoy — Most accurate
  • Gambatte — Highly compatible alternative
• Do NOT use: VBA-M core (inaccurate)

EX Plus Alpha

• App: GBC.emu (Gambatte-based)
• Available: Google Play Store
• Good alternative if you prefer a standalone app

Important: Avoid "My Boy!" and "My OldBoy!" emulators—they have known compatibility issues.

iOS (iPhone/iPad)

Recommended Emulator:

SameBoy for iOS

• Availability: App Store
• Features:
  • Most accurate iOS emulator
  • Same core as desktop version
  • Good performance on modern devices

iOS-Specific Notes:

SameBoy for iOS works differently from the desktop version:

• Automatic savestates: Generates real-time .auto savestate files
• Per-game directories: Each game has its own folder:

  Sameboy/
  ├── polishedcrystal/
  │   ├── polishedcrystal.gbc
  │   ├── polishedcrystal.sav
  │   ├── polishedcrystal.auto (savestate)
  │   └── polishedcrystal.auto (savestate screenshot)
  

• Modifying files: Must be done outside the app and requires removing .auto files
• Launching behavior: Defaults to the savestate of the last played game

Delta Emulator:

While Delta is available on iOS, there is a higher incidence rate of issues with this emulator. There's no confirmed evidence that Delta itself has bugs, but SameBoy is strongly recommended for the most reliable experience.

Steam Deck

Recommended Emulator:

• mGBA — Best choice for Steam Deck
• Can be installed via EmuDeck or RetroDeck
• Works seamlessly with Steam Deck controls

Nintendo 3DS

Recommended Emulators:

1. CIA builds — Install Polished Crystal as a CIA file
2. mGBA — Available for 3DS homebrew

Both options work well for playing on 3DS hardware via homebrew.

Emulator Feature Comparison

Why Emulator Accuracy Matters

Polished Crystal includes many enhancements and features that push the Game Boy Color hardware to its limits. Inaccurate emulators may cause:

• Graphical glitches: Incorrect sprites, colors, or animations
• Audio issues: Missing or distorted sound effects
• Gameplay bugs: Freezes, crashes, or unintended behavior
• Save corruption: Lost progress or corrupted save files

Using a recommended emulator ensures you experience the game as intended. Seriously.

Common Emulator Issues

Issue: Visual glitches or incorrect colors

Solution: Switch to SameBoy or BGB for better accuracy.

Issue: Game freezes or crashes

Possible Causes:

• Using VBA or VBA-M (switch to mGBA)
• Corrupted ROM file (re-download from official releases)
• Outdated emulator version (update to latest)

Issue: Save file not loading

Causes:

• Moved ROM file without moving .sav file
• Save file created on incompatible emulator
• Savestate vs. save file confusion

Solution:

• Ensure .sav file is in the same directory as ROM
• Use in-game save (not savestates) for long-term saves
• Switch to a recommended emulator

Issue: Link cable features not working

Solution:

• BGB supports Game Link emulation
• Some features may require actual hardware or specific emulator configurations

Save File Management

Save Files vs. Savestates

• Save files (.sav): Created by the game itself (in-game save)

  • Portable between emulators
  • More reliable long-term
  • Recommended for primary saves

• Savestates: Created by the emulator (quick save/load)

  • Faster to save/load
  • Not portable between emulators
  • Risk of corruption
  • Good for temporary saves or experimenting

Best Practice: Always use in-game saves for permanent progress. Use savestates only for quick saves during play sessions.

Transferring Saves Between Emulators

Save files (.sav) are generally compatible between emulators, but savestates are not. To transfer your progress:

1. Load your game in the old emulator
2. Use the in-game save feature (not a savestate)
3. Locate the .sav file (same name as ROM, but .sav extension)
4. Copy the .sav file to your new emulator's save directory
5. Load the ROM in the new emulator

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Polished Crystal on real Game Boy Color hardware?

Yes! You can use a flashcart (like EverDrive-GB) to play Polished Crystal on actual Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, or Game Boy Advance SP hardware. This provides the most authentic experience.

Which emulator is most accurate?

SameBoy and BGB are considered the most accurate Game Boy Color emulators. For most players, both are excellent choices.

Can I use RetroArch on PC?

Yes, RetroArch works on PC and can use the SameBoy or Gambatte cores. However, standalone mGBA or SameBoy are often easier to set up for individual games.

Do I need to configure emulator settings?

For most players, default settings work fine. Some optional tweaks:

• Speed: Most emulators let you fast-forward (useful for grinding)
• Filters: Keep disabled for authentic pixel-perfect graphics
• Audio: Ensure sample rate matches (usually 48000 Hz)

Is there cross-platform save support?

Yes! Save files (.sav) work across all emulators and platforms. Just copy the .sav file to your new device.

Getting Started

Download Polished Crystal

Get the latest release from the official repository:

• Latest Release: Polished Crystal v3.2.3
• Files you need:
  • polishedcrystal-3.2.3.gbc (Polished build)
  • polishedcrystal-faithful-3.2.3.gbc (Faithful build)

Do NOT download debug ROMs unless you're testing for bugs.

Choose Your Emulator

Pick an emulator from the recommendations above based on your platform.

Load and Play

1. Download and install your chosen emulator
2. Open the emulator
3. Load the .gbc ROM file
4. Start playing!

Tip: Create a dedicated folder for Polished Crystal to keep your ROM and save files organized.

Related Guides

• Beginner's Guide — New to Polished Crystal? Start here
• Differences from Vanilla — What's changed from the original Crystal
• FAQ — Common questions about playing the game

External Resources

• Emu Gen Wiki - Game Boy Emulators — Comprehensive emulator database
• Polished Crystal Official FAQ — Official documentation
• Polished Crystal Wiki — Community-maintained wiki

Conclusion

Choosing the right emulator is crucial for enjoying Pokémon Polished Crystal without technical issues. mGBA, SameBoy, and BGB are all excellent choices that ensure hardware-accurate emulation and compatibility.

Quick Recap:

• ✅ Use mGBA, SameBoy, or BGB
• ❌ Avoid VBA, VBA-M, and My Boy!/My OldBoy!
• 💾 Always use in-game saves for permanent progress
• 🎮 Consider a flashcart for authentic hardware experience

Happy playing!