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Netbooting (also known as multibooting) is a feature of the Game Boy Advance that allows it to receive up to 256 KB of code via the Game Link Cable, even when no cartridge is present. Received code is stored in the RAM of the GBA, as opposed to games (which are stored in a ROM on the cartridge). This is often used for simple multiplayer games. One GBA with a cartridge sends the code to the other cartridge-less GBAs, allowing multiple GBAs to play with only the one cartridge. Unfortunately, only simple multiplayer games can be sent this way, due to the limited capacity. The Nintendo DS fowarded this concept to allow more complex download play and included more memory to allow downloading of 3D graphics and more extensive action.
A GBA is in 'netboot' or 'multiboot' mode (ready to receive code) if it is sitting there with the 'Game Boy' logo on the screen. If you want to enter MultiBoot mode with a cartridge inserted into the GBA, hold down SELECT+START for 5 seconds while turning the GBA on. To bring it out of multiboot, press the "A" button on the GBA.
