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 options include double-line mode, ULAplus, and Spec256 emulation. GZX also emulates the built-in MIDI port of the 128K Spectrum. It can record audio to WAV files and data sent to I/O ports, and includes a built-in debugger. Most of the project, including its 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, Windows, or HelenOS. It may be a poor fit if the games they need rely on unsupported behavior or turbo-loading from TZX.
What is good
- Emulates four ZX Spectrum models
- Reads, writes, and converts TZX, TAP, and WAV
- Supports Z80, SNA, and AY snapshots
- Includes a built-in debugger
- Most project components use an MIT-style license
What to know first
- Some games do not work
- Many TZX turbo-loading games fail to load
- ZX Spectrum ROM files are excepted from the license
Verdict
GZX covers several Spectrum models, tape and snapshot formats, and includes a debugger. Check its game-loading limitations and ROM-file exception before relying on it for a particular setup.
Get started with GZX
- Visit the GZX GitHub project.
- Choose the 2019.1 binary release for 64-bit Linux or Windows.
- On Linux or a similar system, build with a GNU toolchain and SDL 1.2 development package if needed.
Questions about GZX
Is GZX free?
Yes. The listed price is 0.00 USD per free under an MIT-style license. ZX Spectrum ROM files are excepted from the project's free software statement.
Which operating systems does it support?
GZX runs on Windows, Linux, and HelenOS. The 2019.1 binary release supports 64-bit Linux and Windows.
Which Spectrum models does it emulate?
It emulates the ZX Spectrum 48K, 128K, +2, and +2A.
What tape and snapshot formats does it support?
It can read, write, and convert TZX, TAP, and WAV tape formats. Snapshot support includes Z80, SNA, and AY.
Is GZX open source?
Most of the emulator, including its source code, binaries, font, and documentation, is free software under an MIT-style license.
Are there compatibility limits?
Some games still do not work, and many turbo-loading games from TZX 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
