First things first, this emulator is not available on Google Play, so you'll need to give your Android device permission to install apps from outside this marketplace.To do this, enter the 'Settings', tap 'Applications', and tick 'Unknown Sources'. |
Download GBAoid. You can find the APK file here. You can either download it on your PC and transfer it across, or download it directly on your phone.If you download it on your PC, plug your Android in via the USB cable and find the phone's SD card under 'My Computer' on Windows or 'Devices' on OS X. Unzip the file and drag the APK file over.Then, use a file manager app (we recommend AndroZip) on the phone to find the GBAoid APK and tap 'Install' to, erm, install it.If you download it directly to the phone, you'll need a ZIP file manager (the free AndroZip is the one you want, again) to extract the APK file and install it. |
Phew! Done! Okay, the next step is grab a GBA BIOS file. This code is copyrighted to Nintendo, so to avoid getting in a legal bind, the developer makes you find, download, and install it yourself.For the same reason, we won't give you an exact location. But, a little Googling for 'gba_bios.bin' will point you in the right direction.Either download directly on the phone, or get it on your PC and transfer it across using USB. Then, load GBAoid. It will ask you to find the BIOS - hit 'Browse', and select the file you just acquired. |
Almost there. We need a game now. These are called ROMs and are very easy to find. You'll need to source a file off of the Internet (either on your phone or a PC) - but we won't be giving you exact locations of any naughty files.Drop the '.GBA' file in a sensible place on your SD card (we say: make a folder called 'GBA Roms' on your card). Now, open GBAoid again, find the ROM, and tap it to play. If all goes well, the game should start playing. Huzzah!You can control it with the virtual buttons, or hit the 'Menu' button and choose 'input settings' to configure a gamepad or the Xperia Play's controls. |