GZX is a ZX Spectrum emulator for Linux and Windows, with HelenOS also listed as a supported operating system. It emulates the 48K, 128K, +2, and +2A models and provides Kempston joystick emulation. For tape media, it can read, write, and convert TZX, TAP, and WAV formats; supported snapshot formats are Z80, SNA, and AY. Graphics features include double-line mode, ULAplus, and Spec256 emulation. GZX also emulates the 128K Spectrum's built-in MIDI port, records audio to WAV files, and can record data sent to I/O ports. A built-in debugger is included. Most of the emulator, including source code, binaries, font, and documentation, is free software under an MIT-style license; ZX Spectrum ROM files are excepted. The 2019.1 binary release supports 64-bit Linux and Windows. Building requires a GNU toolchain and SDL 1.2 development package on Linux or a similar operating system. Some games do not work, and many turbo-loading games from TZX fail to load.
Who it is for
GZX suits people looking to emulate supported ZX Spectrum models on Linux or Windows, or to build the emulator from source. Its debugger, tape conversion, and recording features may also suit users working with Spectrum software and media.
What is good
- Emulates four ZX Spectrum models.
- Reads, writes, and converts TZX, TAP, and WAV.
- Includes a built-in debugger.
- Free software under an MIT-style license, excluding ROM files.
What to know first
- Some games do not work.
- Many turbo-loading games from TZX fail to load.
- Building requires GNU toolchain and SDL 1.2 development package.
Verdict
GZX covers several Spectrum models and media formats, with a debugger and recording features. Readers should note that some games and many turbo-loading TZX games are unsupported or fail to load.
GZX plans and pricing
All plansCompared on ZX spectrum emulators
- Free plan
- Yes
- Host platforms
- Windows, Linux, HelenOS
- Tape formats
- TZX, TAP, WAV
- Snapshot formats
- Z80, SNA, AY
- Built-in debugger
- Yes
- Open source
- Yes
- Peripheral support
- Kempston joystick, MIDI port
