gbdev/rgbds

Health v2 · maintenance only

Adoption not part of the score

1638 stars · 191 forks observed · 2026-08-28

What it is AI-extracted, prompt v1, taxonomy v1, 2026-08-30, confidence not recorded

RGBDS is a free, open-source assembler/linker toolchain for developing Nintendo Game Boy and Game Boy Color software in assembly. It comprises four CLI tools: RGBASM (assembler), RGBLINK (linker), RGBFIX (ROM header/checksum fixer), and RGBGFX (PNG-to-Game Boy graphics converter).

Use cases

• assemble game boy roms from assembly source
• link object files into a playable game boy rom
• fix game boy rom header checksums
• convert png images to game boy tile graphics
• develop game boy color homebrew games
• build game boy roms in a docker ci pipeline
• write sm83 assembly for retro hardware

When to choose

• you want to write Game Boy or Game Boy Color homebrew in native assembly
• you need a complete, well-documented, actively maintained GB assembly toolchain
• you want fine-grained control over ROM memory layout via linker scripts
• you need a toolchain that integrates into custom build pipelines or CI

When to avoid

• you want to develop Game Boy games in C (use GBDK instead)
• you target other consoles or CPUs than the Game Boy's SM83
• you prefer a high-level game engine or visual tooling over assembly

Facets

cli-tool · maturity stable

compiler developer-tools graphics cli developer-tools embedded-systems windows cli gameboy asm-assembler linker rom-header-fixer png-graphics-converter homebrew sm83 gbz80 retro-gamedev game-development command-line linux macos docker

Member repositories

For agents

markdown · JSON · MCP: product_card(name="gbdev/rgbds")