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pymgba-mcp

by zenitraM

pymgba-mcp

This is a vibecoded Python-based MCP (Model Context Protocol) server for the mGBA Game Boy/GBA emulator using native Python bindings. It interacts with mGBA through its native Python bindings, allowing not only to take screenshots but also to control the emulator, read and write memory, add breakpoints, and more - meant for vibe coding GB homebrew games.

It also ships as a Nix flake, to build mGBA and the Python bindings all together for a portable, easy to reproduce setup.

Features

  • Native Python bindings: Uses mGBA's built-in Python API instead of spawning external processes

  • Full emulator control: Run frames, step instructions, pause/unpause

  • Memory access: Read/write memory at any address

  • Button input: Press and hold Game Boy buttons

  • Screenshots: Capture the screen at any time

  • Save states: Save and load emulator state

  • Debugging: Set breakpoints, read CPU registers, step through code

  • OAM inspection: View sprite data

Related MCP server: mGBA MCP Server

Tools

Tool

Description

run_rom

Load and run a ROM for N frames, returns screenshot

step_frame

Run a single frame (or N frames)

press_button

Press a button (A, B, Start, Select, D-pad)

read_memory

Read bytes from a memory address

write_memory

Write bytes to a memory address

read_memory_range

Read a contiguous range of bytes

take_screenshot

Capture the current screen

save_state

Save emulator state

load_state

Load emulator state

get_registers

Get CPU register values

dump_oam

Dump sprite (OAM) data

reset

Reset the emulator

Usage with your favorite vibe coding tool

Install Nix: https://nixos.org/download.html, and add to your MCP settings:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "pymgba": {
      "command": "nix",
      "args": ["run", "github:zenitraM/pymgba-mcp"],
    }
  }
}

Running with Nix

Install Nix: https://nixos.org/download.html, clone this repo:

nix run .

Or directly from GitHub:

nix run github:zenitraM/pymgba-mcp
A
license - permissive license
-
quality - not tested
D
maintenance

Maintenance

Maintainers
Response time
Release cycle
Releases (12mo)
Commit activity

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