Game Boy Color / Game Boy

Provenance supports both the original Game Boy and the Game Boy Color on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV. With hundreds of classic titles spanning two generations — Pokemon Red and Blue, The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, Tetris, Pokemon Gold and Silver, Kirby’s Dream Land, and countless others — the Game Boy library is one of the most beloved in gaming history.

Provenance is free on the App Store, open-source, and requires no jailbreak.

Supported File Formats

• .gb — Original Game Boy ROM format
• .gbc — Game Boy Color ROM format

Game Boy Color is backward-compatible with original Game Boy cartridges, and Provenance handles both seamlessly. GBC-enhanced games that were playable on the original GB work correctly in Provenance as well.

Features

• Save States — Save your progress at any moment, completely separate from in-game saves
• Battery Save Emulation — In-game save systems (like those in Pokemon) are fully emulated
• Color Palettes — For original Game Boy games, Provenance can apply color palettes similar to those used by the real Game Boy Color hardware
• Controller Support — Works with MFi, Xbox, and PlayStation controllers; on-screen touch controls available for handheld use
• Fast Forward — Speed through slower sections or dialogue
• Cheat Codes — Game Genie and GameShark code support

iCloud Sync with Provenance Plus

Provenance Plus adds iCloud sync for your Game Boy and Game Boy Color save states. Whether you’re playing Pokemon on your iPhone or your iPad, your save data follows you automatically.

How to Get Started

1. Download Provenance from the App Store — it’s free.
2. Add your Game Boy ROM files (.gb for original, .gbc for Color) via iTunes File Sharing, the Files app, or web import.
3. Start playing — your Game Boy and Game Boy Color games appear in your library automatically.

For detailed setup instructions, visit the Provenance wiki.