Linking Up¶

Two devices running slot can link up like two Game Boys with a cable between them. Trade Pokémon, battle, or race in Mario Kart.

There's no cable. One device runs its own Wi-Fi network and the other joins it. You don't need to be connected to Wi-Fi.

Linking¶

1. Both players open the same game.
2. Press SELECT + MENU.
3. One player picks Host, the other picks Join.

The host waits 30 seconds for the joiner to show up. The game may reload once while it gets ready for the link.

To unlink, press SELECT + MENU again and pick End Link.

Closing the lid, powering off or ejecting also ends a link session.

Which games can link¶

It depends on the game and the emulator.

On mGBA¶

Game Boy, Game Boy Color and GBA games on mGBA link like a cable. The host sends its game over and both devices run the same thing in lockstep. That's how Mario Kart works.

While you're linked like this, the joining player is playing the host's game. Your own save and resume state on the joining device are left alone.

Both devices need the same BIOS setup. If one has a gba_bios.bin and the other doesn't, the link ends with "BIOS does not match".

On gpSP¶

gpSP does the GBA link cable for Pokémon and both Advance Wars, and the wireless adapter for FireRed, LeafGreen and Emerald.

Trading Pokémon? Put the game on gpSP first with START on the shelf, on both devices.

Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen and Emerald can switch between cable and wireless with SELECT on the link screen.

If slot says "Please switch to gpSP", the game needs the wireless adapter. Change the emulator with START on the shelf. See Playing Games.

While you're linked¶

• The game keeps running behind menus. Pausing one device would freeze the other.
• Fast-forward, rewind, loading states and opening the state switcher are all disabled.
• A badge shows whether you're Hosting or Joined.
• If the other device goes quiet for 2 seconds, the link ends.

If it doesn't connect¶

Keep the two devices close and start Join after Host.