Being unable to find a legit way to play GBA games was what got me into emulators in the first place. Eventually I "cracked" my Nintendo 3DS and turned it into a homebrew console, which was for me a really interesting and fulfilling technical challenge. It basically allowed for the whole Nintendo handheld catalogue (barring technical capabilities of the hardware itself), as well as some really cool customization. Highly recommend if you're looking for a handheld device that can play most Nintendo games pre-Switch.
(a)Making of Additional Copy or Adaptation by Owner of Copy.—
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 106, it is not an infringement for the owner of a copy of a computer program to make or authorize the making of another copy or adaptation of that computer program provided:
(1)that such a new copy or adaptation is created as an essential step in the utilization of the computer program in conjunction with a machine and that it is used in no other manner, or
(2)that such new copy or adaptation is for archival purposes only and that all archival copies are destroyed in the event that continued possession of the computer program should cease to be rightful.
it's only legal to emulate if you dump the ROM from the physical cartridge you own first. downloading the ROM off the internet is still illegal no matter what.
What crime are you being charged in? Piracy of a game cartridge is a clear crime. Downloading an emulator that interacts with a game cartridge you legally own? Not so clear.
The controlling case is Sony v Bleem, which was ruled in Bleem's favor: distributing (and selling) software to emulate proprietary platforms is legal, full stop.
