History

A short history of the birth of the GBA homebrew scene.

The Game Boy Advance (GBA) was released in 2001 and quickly became one of the most popular handheld consoles of its time. With its 32-bit ARM7TDMI processor and 2.9-inch screen, it represented a major leap in terms of hardware capabilities compared to its predecessor, the Game Boy Color. But while mainstream games like "Pokémon" and "The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap" garnered widespread acclaim, a subculture was forming, dedicated to making unauthorized software for the device. This was the birth of the GBA homebrew scene.

Origins and Early Days

Homebrew refers to the unofficial software made by hobbyists and enthusiasts. As GBA's popularity surged, so did the interest in understanding its hardware and creating software for it.

Forums, IRC channels, and websites dedicated to GBA homebrew started popping up, providing resources, tutorials, and a platform for sharing projects.

The gbadev.org website provided a central place for people to share knowledge and post demos and games.

Tools and Emulators

Flash cartridges, like the Flash2Advance or the EZ-Flash, became the primary medium to run custom software. They allowed developers to upload their software to a cartridge and run it on an actual GBA system.

Emulators, such as VisualBoyAdvance (VBA), were crucial too. They enabled developers to test their software without the need for a physical GBA.

Challenges and Legalities

The homebrew scene was not without its challenges. Nintendo, protective of its intellectual property, wasn’t a fan of unauthorized software or hardware. Flash cartridges were often seen as a method for piracy, and in some countries, their sale and distribution were challenged legally.

However, it's essential to distinguish between the broader homebrew community, which focused on original creations, and those who used the tools for piracy. Most homebrew enthusiasts were driven by a passion for learning, creating, and sharing, rather than commercial gain or malicious intent.

Legacy

While the Game Boy Advance's commercial lifecycle ended, its homebrew scene continued to thrive, leaving behind a legacy of creativity and innovation.

The community is active to this day, helping each other and organizing jams through the GBADev Discord server. The gbadev.net website provides useful links, documentation, and forums.