Are GBA Games Compatible with Game Boy Color Link Cables? No – Different Protocols.

Incompatible

Game Boy Advance (GBA) games are not compatible with Game Boy Color (GBC) Cable Link systems.

Why

• Different Communication Protocols: GBA uses advanced "Game Link Cable" protocol (higher speed, 4-player support). GBC uses older "Cable Link" protocol.
• Different Physical Connectors: GBA = smaller rectangular. GBC = larger round.

What Works

• Two GBA systems (or GBA SP, GB Micro, DS/DS Lite in GBA mode) ↔ Game Link Cable.
• Two GBC systems (or GBC, GBP) ↔ Cable Link.

Cross-generation linking between GBA and GBC hardware is impossible.