Play Pokemon FireRed on any device with the best GBA emulators!
Gone are the days when you need to boot up a Game Boy Advance and pray it works just to play Pokemon FireRed.
Today, thanks to emulators, you can re-experience the Kanto Region anytime using your PC, Mac, or even your phone.
FireRed always holds a special place in my heart, and I lost count of how many times I replayed this game.
In this article, I compiled all the best Pokemon FireRed emulators that I’ve used over the years so you can play this game on your device.
More from Pokemoncoders:
- Best Emulators for Playing Pokemon GB/GBC Games on PC
- Best GBC Emulators for Android
- How to Use Pokemon FireRed Cheats With My Boy Emulator for Android
Table of Contents
For Android
MyBoy! Lite
MyBoy! Lite is one of my go-to options when it comes to Pokemon FireRed. Even though it’s only the free version of MyBoy!, this GBA emulator doesn’t come short in any essential feature for enjoying Pokemon games. It’s also completely free and safe.
The feature of this emulator that stood out to me the most was the link cable emulation for both local and multiplayer. This means you can trade Pokemon with yourself and your friends.
You can enjoy multiplayer battles through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections. There’s nothing better than putting your FireRed teams against each other after your Kanto adventures. Cheats are also ed by this emulator.
PizzaBoy
After using MyBoy for so long, I wasn’t open to any other emulator, until PizzaBoy came along.
This emulator runs Pokemon FireRed and any other retro GBA games as smooth as butter. When it comes to accuracy and speed, this is the emulator for the job, especially if you play fighting GBA games that require minimal input lag.
But what I loved most about PizzaBoy is its for Retroachievements. This gives me another layer of challenge in playing Pokemon FireRed and yet another reason to go back to a game I finished multiple times already.
John GBA Lite
John GBA Lite proves that less is more. With its simple and easy-to-use interface, you can play Pokemon FireRed quickly and without hassle.
If you like to use cheats, then I highly recommend this emulator as it s Raw, GameShark, and CodeBreaker cheats.
If you have a Bluetooth or MOGA controller, you can link it to your Android device and use it to play with this emulator. While it loses on customization options, it has fewer ads than MyBoy.
For Windows PC
mGBA
This emulator once ran behind VBA, but thanks to continuous development, it has sured its competition and is currently standing at the apex of GBA emulation on PC.
If you’re looking for the best emulator for Windows to play Pokemon FireRed in, this is it.
MGBA is by far the most complete emulator project and comes with great features. One of them is its customization.
Don’t get me wrong, the default settings are good to go, but if you’re into tinkering with settings for a more enjoyable and personalized experience, mGBA lets you do just that.
Visual Boy Advance
I’ve been using Visual Boy Advance since the 2010s. This was my first GBA emulator for PC, and I still use it to this day. It’s simple, easy to use, and it s my wireless controllers.
If you are a heavy cheat , this is a great choice. I love the Ctrl+C shortcut for cheats that makes adding the codes I want quick and easy.
It also s local link cable, making trading with yourself a piece of cake. If you want something that’s simple and convenient, perfect for old games like Pokemon FireRed, VBA is a great choice for PC emulation.
RetroArch
If you play other games besides FireRed, or even other systems for that matter, RetroArch is a versatile and all-in-one emulator.
Besides GBA, it can also emulate other systems by using cores. It requires a little setting up, but when you get the gist of it, you can play almost any retro game you want.
The emulator is open source and is still constantly updated to this day. It’s also cross-platform and has a built-in NetPlay Lobby, which lets you host or multiplayer sessions with your favorite games. You can even watch others play in spectator mode.
Read more: How to Play Pokemon GBA/GBC Games and ROM Hacks on PC Using RetroArch
For iOS
Delta Emulator
Delta Emulator is the all-around emulator for Apple devices.
This emulator seamlessly combines seven systems into one and brings them into your iPhone. However, Delta is quite beginner-friendly, and even first-time emulator s can understand the interface.
I also love how it has a fast-forward button that is readily available because I use that a ton when playing Pokemon FireRed.
The best thing about Delta Emulator is it’s available in the App Store right now, making it safe and easy to install.
Related article: How to Play Pokemon ROM Hacks on iOS with Delta Emulator
RetroArch
There’s not much difference between the PC and iOS versions of RetroArch. Both offer the same emulation quality and features.
If you have been using emulators for a while now, this is a great choice. But if you’re a beginner, I recommend you go with Delta instead.
For macOS
mGBA
Once again, mGBA takes the spotlight for Game Boy Advance emulation for the macOS.
If you want an easy solution to play Pokemon FireRed on your Mac device, this is the best there is. It has a fast-forward option that allows you to choose between 2x and 10x speed.
You can also cheat using mGBA. Although VBA is available, mGBA noticeably has fewer glitches and bugs on Mac.
VisualBoyAdvance-M
VisualBoyAdvance-M (VBA-M) is a reliable GBA emulator for running FireRed on macOS. One of its advantages is that it’s actively updated by its developers, ensuring better stability over time.
It also s cheats and offers advanced features like a memory viewer for experienced s.
OpenEmu
Finally, we have something that is made purely for macOS. OpenEmu also s multiple gaming systems.
The interface is simple yet attractive with cover art and ratings. If you like to use a gamepad like me, this emulator connects with any controller seamlessly.
Conclusion
Which emulator are you using to play Pokemon FireRed? The truth is, you can’t go wrong with any of these options.
With the advancement of GBA emulation, your experience will be smooth and seamless, no matter which emulator you choose. The only deciding factor here is your personal preference.
So, pick up your device, your emulator of choice, start FireRed, and let another nostalgia-filled Kanto adventure begin!
