1. Emulation Issues:
* Incorrect Emulator: Make sure you're using a good, reliable emulator designed for Game Boy Advance games. Popular options include VisualBoyAdvance (VBA), mGBA, and No$GBA.
* Emulator Settings: Your emulator's settings can significantly affect game performance. Tweaking these settings might improve the visual experience:
* Video Settings: Check your emulator's video settings. Some emulators have options to control the rendering method (such as bilinear filtering or scaling methods).
* Frame Rate: Experiment with the frame rate. Sometimes lowering the frame rate can improve visual clarity, especially if your computer struggles to handle the game smoothly.
* Compatibility: Make sure your emulator is up-to-date and compatible with your game's ROM. Older emulators might have issues with newer game releases.
* Scaling: Adjust the game window size. Stretching or scaling the game window can introduce pixelation. Try setting it to a native resolution like 240x160.
2. ROM Quality:
* Corrupted ROM: A corrupted ROM can cause visual glitches. Try downloading the ROM from a trusted source and verify its integrity using a checksum tool.
3. Hardware Issues:
* Outdated Graphics Card: If you're using a very old computer with outdated graphics hardware, it might not be able to handle the game's graphics.
4. Game File Issues:
* Modding: If you've made any modifications to the game (like adding new sprites or changing textures), those modifications might be causing the pixelation.
How to Troubleshoot:
1. Try a different emulator: If you haven't already, try switching to a different emulator.
2. Adjust emulator settings: Experiment with different video settings in your emulator.
3. Download a new ROM: If you suspect a corrupted ROM, download a new one from a trusted source.
4. Update your graphics drivers: Ensure that your graphics card drivers are up-to-date.
5. Check your hardware: If your computer is very old, it might be time for an upgrade.
6. Remove any mods: If you've modded the game, try reverting to the original version to see if that solves the issue.
Important Note: Using illegal ROMs is against copyright law. Be sure to obtain your games legally.