Game Boy Advance emulator for Nintendo Switch leaks, includes 40 games

Previously unannounced official Game Boy and Game Boy Advance emulators for Nintendo Switch have reportedly been found by data miners, who are currently circulated the dumped files on select Discord servers and forums.

It appears the emulators, codenamed ‘Hiyoko’ (GB) and ‘Sloop’ (GBA) have been officially developed by the Nintendo European Research and Development (NERD) team, which has previously developed emulation tools for the wider company.

Within the game files, data miners have discovered references to support for Link Cable play (which can unlock certain multiplayer features in older games) and a complete list of 40 Game Boy Advance games that have been tested on the new platform.

Here’s every game reportedly referenced within the leaked GBA emulator files, courtesy of data miner MondoMega:

• Astro Boy: Omega Factor (US)
• Car Battler Joe (US)
• Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (US)
• Castlevania: Circle of the moon (US)
• ChuChu Rocket! (JP)
• Drill Dozer (US)
• Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones (US)
• F-Zero: Maximum Velocity (US)
• Game & Watch Gallery 4 (US)
• Golden Sun (US)
• Golden Sun: The Lost Age (US)
• Gunstar Super Heroes (US)
• Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town (US)
• Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories (US)
• Kirby and the Amazing Mirror (US)
• Koro Koro Puzzle Happy Panechu! (JP)
• Kuru Kuru Kururin (PAL)
• Lufia: The Ruins of Lore (US)
• Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (US)
• Mario Golf: Advance Tour (US)
• Mario Kart: Super Circuit (US)
• Mario Party Advance (US)
• Mario Tennis: Power Tour (US)
• Mario vs. Donkey Kong (US)
• Mega Man Battle Network 5 – Team ProtoMan (US)
• Mega Man Battle Network 2 (US)
• Mega Man Zero 3 (US)
• Metroid Fusion (US)
• Metroid: Zero Mission (US)
• Mr. Driller 2 (US)
• Ninja Five-O (US)
• Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team (US)
• Pokemon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire (US)
• Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald (seen only in leaked screenshots)
• Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 (US)
• Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation (US)
• Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis (US)
• Wario Land 4 (US)
• WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgames! (US)
• Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario Advance 3 (US)
• The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap (US)

While inclusion refers only to references in the files of the Game Boy Advance emulator, there are plenty of first-party Nintendo titles here that feel likely to make the cut, should Nintendo officially release this software.

So far, the company has yet to comment on the major leak – as is customary – so we have no real way of knowing whether the Nintendo Switch Online emulator rollout will continue with other console systems. Given the calibre of games here, it would be a real shame not to port them over as a boost for the Switch game lineup, but we can’t assume anything is set in stone yet.

With the slow trickle of Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis games slowing to a crawl for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers, including yet another emulated system would certainly provide an incentive for players to continue the yearly service. Keep an ear to the ground on this one – we’re likely to hear more on the project and its legitimacy in the near future.