ZEsarUX is free, open-source emulation software for Sinclair computers and other systems, including ZX Spectrum, ZX80, ZX81, QL, Z88, Amstrad, MSX, ColecoVision, and Sega machines. For Spectrum emulation, its listed details include timing behavior, undocumented Z80 flags and registers, contended memory, and ULA timing. It supports tape, snapshot, floppy, microdrive, MMC/SD, IDE, and cartridge formats, and can capture audio and video to files. Debugging tools include reverse debugging, CPU history, breakpoints, watches, assembler and disassembler views, and memory inspection. ZEsarUX Network Gaming supports multiplayer across up to 16 emulator instances or through a central online server. A remote command protocol can be used with a telnet client; the project also mentions enhanced debugging from Visual Studio Code through DeZog. Text-to-speech software can read the emulator menu and captured game text. Listed host platforms include GNU/Linux, FreeBSD, Haiku, macOS, Windows, Raspberry Pi, and Cygwin, with a Docker image linked. ZEsarUX is distributed under GNU GPL v3 and costs nothing to use. Included third-party ROMs, media, programs, and games are not covered by that license.
Who it is for
ZEsarUX suits people who want to emulate Sinclair computers and other listed systems, with debugging, media support, or multiplayer features. Its accessibility options may also suit users of text-to-speech software.
What is good
- Free software under GNU GPL v3.
- Includes reverse debugging, breakpoints, and memory inspection.
- Network Gaming supports up to 16 emulator instances.
- Text-to-speech can read menus and captured game text.
- Available for several listed operating systems.
What to know first
- Included third-party content is not covered by the GPL license.
- No free trial is listed.
Verdict
ZEsarUX offers broad system emulation alongside detailed debugging, media, and accessibility features. Check the license distinction for included third-party content, which is outside the project’s GNU GPL coverage.
ZEsarUX plans and pricing
All plansCompared on ZX spectrum emulators
- Free plan
- Yes
- Host platforms
- GNU/Linux, FreeBSD, Haiku, macOS, Windows, Raspberry Pi, Cygwin
- Tape formats
- RWA, SMP, WAV, TZX, PZX, CDT, TAP, P, P81, O, CAS
- Snapshot formats
- ZSF, ZX, Z80, SP, SPG, NEX, SNA, P, P81, O, Z81, ACE
- Built-in debugger
- Yes
- Open source
- Yes
- Peripheral support
- joysticks, steering wheel, ZX Printer, light guns, light pen, Kempston mouse, ZX Microdrive, MMC/SD interfaces, IDE interfaces, DivMMC, DivIDE, Dandanator, SamRam, LEC Memory, HiLow DataDrive
