Virtual Gameboy is a Nintendo Gameboy emulator which was designed by Marat Fayzullin. The Macintosh version of Virtual Gameboy is ported by John Stiles, and is available at http://emulation.net/ .
Virtual Gameboy is very easy to use! Opening the application will bring up a file selection dialog. Choose a Gameboy cartridge image and a window will appear. This is a "virtual Gameboy"—it should behave like a real Gameboy, complete with the original sounds, graphics, and even flaws of the original software. Although the default settings should work for the majority of games, additional options are listed in "Preferences" in case you want to experiment with different settings.
This emulator is shareware! If you like it, you are encouraged to register. Shareware registration is handled by Kagi, and is only $15. For details, please visit http://order.kagi.com/?E4&S or use the Register application included with Virtual Gameboy.
How To Use NetPlay
NetPlay is not working properly in this version! Although you can connect, games will not function properly once connected.
First, both players must decide what game to play. Obviously, both players must be playing the same game in order for NetPlay to work properly.
Then, one player must choose "Host" and the other should choose "Join." The host can choose the network type—AppleTalk or TCP/IP—and game name. The joining player should enter the Internet address (if TCP/IP) or choose the NetPlay game from the list (if AppleTalk). If there are no problems connecting, you should be able to play two-player games together until one of the players closes the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
• Where can I get game files?! (or: Where can I get game [xxx]??)
- Not from me. Certain sides on the Internet have a huge selection of cartridges available for the Gameboy—however, be warned that downloading ROMs you do not actually possess is a copyright infringement. For that reason, I will not provide ROMs for Virtual Gameboy or links to them—so don't e-mail me to ask for cartridge images! Your mail will be deleted. If you mail me about where to get games, you won't get a response.
• So how do I plug a Gameboy cartridge into my Mac?
- Sorry, it isn't easy. If you want to convert your own cartridges to files manually, the only way is to download the cartridge data on a Windows machine, and then copy it to your Macintosh via floppy disk or networking. The adaptors used for direct cartridge input are available for Windows machines, but none have been developed for Macintosh so far that I know of. Hopefully somebody will one day develop an adaptor for Macintosh.
• How do I control the game?
- The key settings are customizable. The default keys are:
arrow keys: direction pad
shift: B button
option: A button
tab: select button
return: start button
• The video is choppy.
- Your Macintosh is probably working really hard! If your computer is slowing down, Virtual Gameboy tries to compensate by lowering the framerate. This speeds up emulation, but at the expense of smooth graphics.
A few ways to smooth out choppiness on low-end Macs:
- Most importantly, disconnect from the Internet. Being online can slow down a computer by as much as 20% (this applies to all programs, not just Virtual Gameboy).
- Run in full screen mode.
- Lower the Cycles/Frame value, if it is high. Many games will let you set this value as low as possible without problems.
- Turn on "Interlaced Mode" in the Video Settings dialog. This can speed up video a great deal in full-screen mode, but looks a little darker.
- Make sure "Suspend Background Tasks (in Full-Screen Mode)" is activated. This is turned on by default.
- Put the video in a small window, or set your Full Screen Preferred Size to "Single."
- Lower the output quality of sound.
- Quit background applications and/or the Finder.
• You never responded to my e-mail....?
- There are several reasons. The most common is that your e-mail address in your mail program is wrong, or your mail server rejected the message, and the mail bounced. This happens extremely frequently with aol.com addresses; if you are an America Online user I would have to suggest that you switch to a real ISP as soon as you can. Another reason would be that you asked a question that was already covered in this document. Lastly, I am known to be extremely tardy with e-mail when more important things (like exams, projects, and parties) arise. Sorry, that's just prioritizing.
• Virtual Gameboy won't start; it can't find the Appearance Manager.
- Virtual Gameboy is very reliant on the newest and coolest features of the Mac OS. Specifically, it uses the Appearance Manager, which improves the look and feel of the Mac OS interface, and Navigation Services, which finally updates the horrible file-open and file-save dialog boxes which have plagued the Mac OS since System 6. You can get both of these extensions from http://emulation.net/gameboy/
• Game Genie/Game Shark codes aren't working!
- Virtual Gameboy is compatible with some, but not all, game codes. If the code you entered does not seem to have an effect, then it is likely to be incompatible with this release.
• This cart glitches out totally, or doesn't get past the title screen before crashing.
- Most problems of this sort can be cured by going to Virtual Gameboy's Emulation setup dialog (in Preferences) and altering the values of "Cycles/Frame." Some carts will work best with this setting placed above the default value, while others refuse to work if it's not at exactly 69000; many games will work either way, and a few will behave a little differently under each setting. It's often a matter of trial and error. Some games will also act very strangely in "Super Color GB" mode; this is not officially supported, but it does work for a few games and can look quite cool!
• How can I register?
- Registration is easy! You can register via the World Wide Web. Please visit http://order.kagi.com/?E4&S for a simple on-line registration form. This page is fully encrypted, so any personal information you send through the Internet cannot be viewed by third parties. If you prefer not to use the World Wide Web, a simple application is also included with Virtual Gameboy that will allow you to send in a registration via e-mail or postal mail. Within two working days of registration or sooner, you will receive a registration code which will fully unlock Virtual Gameboy.
