The full-scale GBA game jam is back after a two-year hiatus!
You have 3 months to make something cool that runs on the Game Boy Advance, using whatever tools you like!
Come join us on Discord or IRC for help getting started, chat with other participants and head over to gbadev.net for useful links & resources!
Sponsors
Join us as a sponsor, showcase your product/services and help the scene!
Prizes
The current prize pool is and will be split among the top ranked entries (details). Anyone can contribute by donating.
The top 3 winners will also receive a GBxCart RW courtesy of insideGadgets!
Rules
- Your submission must include a .gba file! You can also attach screenshots, readmes, game manuals, etc.
- It should run on real hardware or an accurate emulator such as mGBA or NanoBoyAdvance.
- Ports from other platforms are allowed, emulated games are not.
- It must feature a substantial amount of new & original work (i.e. not something you were already working on for months).
- Only use code and assets that you have explicit permission to use, giving appropriate credit.
- No NSFW or offensive content.
F.A.Q.
I never made a GBA game before, where do I start?
There are many libraries available for many different programming languages!
Check out our Getting Started guide for more info.
Can I use GB Studio?
We do not recommend it, as it requires an old unmaintained version (GB Studio v2.0.0-beta5 + gbsenpai).
That said, you are welcome to try!
Can I make something that's not a game?
Yes, you can make anything (demo, toy, tool, port, music cart, etc.) as long as it runs on the GBA!
(i.e. the submission should include a .gba file, as this is what the judges will be testing)
Can I make a romhack?
No, as it would not be possible for you to legally distribute the resulting .gba file.
Can I work in a team?
Sure, if you're willing to share the prize >:)
If you're looking for a partner, check out the #matchmaking channel on our Discord (or the Community tab above!)
Can I enter with something I was already working on before the start of the jam?
Generally no, but we may allow it as long as the majority of work is done during the jam.
If in doubt, please ask us before proceeding!
Examples of things that are allowed:
• A brand new game using your own existing game engine.
• A remake of your (or someone else's) game from a different platform, rewritten from scratch.
• A brand new game you barely started (e.g. you only made a title screen or a mockup of the gameplay).
Examples of things that are not allowed:
• A GBA project you've been working on for months.
• An update/patch for a game you already released publicly.
Can I submit more than one entry?
Sure! The entries will be rated separately, but each person or team may only accept prizes on behalf of a single entry.
(i.e. you can't win both the 1st and 2nd place prize)
If I'm a judge, can I submit an entry for fun?
Yes, you and your team just won't be eligible for prizes. The prizes go to the highest-ranked entries that are not from a judge.
Can I submit a game in a language other than English?
Only if the text is not important. If your entry requires players to understand text, it must be possible to play in English, as this is the only spoken language that all judges have in common.
Can I use additional/custom hardware?
Technically, yes... However, as it will be unlikely the judges will have the hardware too, it means you will not be able to be judged, and thus will not eligible for prizes.
Can I use AI-generated assets?
If the AI was trained on copyrighted material without explicit permission from the authors, then no, as this would violate rule #5.
Do I have to publish my source code?
No, but doing so might earn you additional prizes!
Upon submission, you can link to a public git repo in the "Open Source Repository" field. To be eligible, we must be able to read and compile the code, and it must be licensed under an open source license (any of the "Free" licenses listed here are accepted), and assets must be licensed under a Creative Commons license.
Previous editions
You can find submitted entries in the GBAJam21 and the GBAJam22 pages.
Judging Criteria
Judges may run entries using mGBA or NanoboyAdvance, or on GBA/NDS hardware using a recent flashcart such as the EZFlash Omega or EverDrive GBA X5, or on 3DS hardware using VC injects or open_agb_firm.
After the jam ends, each entry will be rated on the following criteria:
- Overall - What do you think of this entry as a whole?
- Technical - How innovative is it from a technical perspective? Does it push the hardware to the limit?
- Originality - How refreshing is it from a non-technical perspective? Does it have a unique design / mechanics?
- Graphics - How impressive are the art, animation and visual effects? (if applicable)
- Audio - How good are the music and sound effects? (if applicable)
- Polish - How finished is the entry? e.g. Does it have decent length, depth, variety and/or attention to detail?
The winner will be determined by the entry with the highest average score in the "Overall" category.
Judges are volunteers. Details may change without prior notice.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to organizers, the gbadev community, the sponsors and everyone who donated to the prize pool!
The event is being hosted by the gbadev.net community.