Freedom251 › Commodore 64 Emulators
Z64K
What Z64K is
Z64K emulates the Commodore 128, Commodore 64, Spectrum 48/128K, VIC 20 and Atari 2600, with the maker describing its display as pixel exact. It runs through Java on Windows, macOS and Linux and requires JRE 8 or later. The homepage offers the main JAR plus command-line files, a changelog and a quick guide. Keyboard shortcuts include fullscreen, clipboard text copy and paste, reset, mouse capture and warp mode. C128 controls include display switching and extended key mappings. A built-in debugger and a SID Analyzer add emulation tools; the analyzer offers waveform, envelope, oscillator and combined modes. Supported disk and tape formats include D64, D71, G64, G71, IMD and CRT, and the changelog documents loading and saving G71 images and loading IMD images. The Virtual FS device is experimental; its scratch command simulates deletion but does not remove files from the host system. Linux users might need to change JAR permissions to allow execution.
Who it suits
Z64K suits people looking to emulate one of its listed classic systems on a computer with an updated Java runtime. It also offers tools such as a debugger, SID Analyzer and C128-specific controls.
What it does well
- Emulates five listed systems
- Includes a built-in debugger and SID Analyzer
- Supports D64, D71, G64, G71, IMD and CRT formats
- Offers C128-specific display controls
What to know first
- Requires JRE 8 or later
- Virtual FS is experimental
- Linux users might need to change JAR permissions
Limits
Z64K is free. Its Virtual FS device is experimental, and the scratch command simulates deletion without removing files from the host file system.
Getting started
- Visit the Z64K website.
- Install an updated Java runtime environment, JRE 8 or later.
- Download Z64K.jar and, if useful, the command-line files, changelog, or quick guide.
- On Linux, change the JAR file permissions if needed to allow execution.
- Use the available keyboard shortcuts and C128 controls.
Verdict
Z64K covers five systems and includes a range of keyboard, disk-image and analysis tools. Its Java requirement and experimental Virtual FS behavior are worth noting before use.
Questions
How much does Z64K cost?
Z64K is free, and a free plan is listed.
Which systems does Z64K emulate?
It emulates the Commodore 128, Commodore 64, Spectrum 48/128K, VIC 20, and Atari 2600.
Which platforms does it support?
It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux through an updated Java runtime environment and requires JRE 8 or later.
What disk and tape formats does it support?
The listed formats are D64, D71, G64, G71, IMD, and CRT.
Does it have a debugger or SID Analyzer?
A built-in debugger is listed. The SID Analyzer offers waveform, envelope, oscillator, and combined display modes.
What is the Virtual FS limitation?
The Virtual FS device is experimental. Its scratch command simulates deletion but does not delete files from the host computer.
Facts from Z64K's own pages
- C128 controls
- The emulator supports C128-specific keyboard shortcuts, including toggling its second display and switching 40/80 display mode. · z64k.com, 3 Oct 2026
- C128 display controls
- For C128, ALT+O toggles VICIIe/VDC output to the main screen and ALT+2 toggles the second display. · z64k.com, 3 Oct 2026
- C128 keyboard
- The page describes extended C128 keys, including function key mappings and an option to enable or disable extra keys. · z64k.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Disk image support
- The changelog documents support for loading and saving G71 images, including saving MFM tracks, and support for loading IMD images. · z64k.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Download
- The homepage lists Z64K.jar and companion command-line, changelog, and quick-guide files for download. · z64k.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Emulated systems
- Z64K describes pixel exact emulation of the Commodore 128, Commodore 64, Spectrum 48/128K, VIC 20, and Atari 2600. · z64k.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Experimental feature
- The changelog describes the Virtual FS device as experimental and still a work in progress. · z64k.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Keyboard controls
- Listed shortcuts include fullscreen, clipboard text copy and paste, reset, mouse capture, and warp mode. · z64k.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Linux setup
- Linux users might need to change the Z64K.jar file permissions to allow execution. · z64k.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Platform compatibility
- The maker says Z64K should run on any platform with an updated Java runtime environment installed. · z64k.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Z64K describes itself as providing pixel exact emulation of the Commodore 128, Commodore 64, Spectrum 48/128K, VIC 20, and Atari 2600. · z64k.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Recent changelog entry
- The homepage changelog lists a C128 VICIIe IRQ flag fix dated 14 April 2025. · z64k.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Runtime
- The site says Z64K should run on any platform with an updated Java runtime environment and requires JRE 8 or better. · z64k.com, 3 Oct 2026
- SID Analyzer
- The changelog says version 2 added a SID Analyzer with waveform, envelope, oscillator, and combined display modes. · z64k.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Site updates
- The maker says the changelog includes changes not shown on the homepage. · z64k.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Support
- The homepage invites users to contact the maker with feedback or questions via its contact page. · z64k.com, 3 Oct 2026
- Virtual filesystem limit
- The changelog says the Virtual FS scratch command simulates deletion but does not currently delete files from the host file system. · z64k.com, 3 Oct 2026
Where Z64K stands on Freedom251
- Commodore 64 Emulators#21 of 31