Review: ZX Spectrum on Raspberry Pi

![Spectrum](https://misapuntesde.com/images/spectrum_01.jpg)

Reviewing *Twitter*, I've come across various news about *ZX Spectrum emulation on Raspberry Pi*, so I've wanted to review all the emulators we have available on this fantastic computer from the last century. Are you interested?... Of course!


[ ZEsarUX ]

Supported systems: *ZX80, ZX81, ZX Spectrum, QL, Z88, Timex TS 2068, Sam Coupe, Pentagon 128, Chloe 140 SE, 280 SE, ZX-Uno, Prism, TBBlue/ZX Spectrum Next, Jupiter Ace, Amstrad CPC 464* and **Sinclair QL**.

Others: Check out the change log [here](https://sourceforge.net/projects/zesarux/files/ZEsarUX-5.0/).

Last version: *5.0.* (21/04/w2017)

To install it, go to the download area of the web (check the link below), unzip the file and type *sudo ./install.sh*. Now you can execute it with *zesarux*. To access the *menu*, press *F5*.

The emulator runs inside a window (you can set full screen, too) and has many options to emulate (not just *Spectrum*). It's not as perfect and smooth as *Unreal Speccy Portable*, but maybe adjusting it will get a better emulation than the default settings.

Link: [sourceforge.net > zesarux](https://sourceforge.net/projects/zesarux/files/ZEsarUX-5.0/)

![Game Over](https://misapuntesde.com/images/2017/04/gover.jpg)

A cover that had controversy at that time. Do you know what game it is?

[ Unreal Speccy Portable ]

Supported systems: *Z80 128K (Pentagon) AY/YM*.

Supported formats: *sna, z80, szx, rzx, tap, tzx, csw, trd, scl, fdi, zip*.

Others: *Beeper, Beta Disk, Tape, Kempston Joystick/Mouse, Snapshots, Replays*.

Last version: *0.0.69.1* (04-09-2016)

It's my favorite *Spectrum* emulator. It starts full screen and you can already feel that you have a real *Spectrum 128K* in your hands again. Recommended. Very correct in the emulation and install it in a simple way with the following commands:


wget https://bitbucket.org/djdron/unrealspeccyp/downloads/unreal-speccy-portable_0.0.69.1_rpi_jessie.zip
unzip unreal* && cd usp*
./unreal_speccy_portable

I have to remember that you can install it from the script that I prepared for *PiKISS* and that you have available in [this link](https://github.com/jmcerrejon/PiKISS/blob/master/scripts/emus/speccy.sh). The Pi version is not the last available, but you can compile it if you want.

Link: [bitbucket.org > unrealspeccyp](https://bitbucket.org/djdron/unrealspeccyp/downloads/)

[ ZXBaremulator ]

![zxbare](https://misapuntesde.com/images/2017/04/zxbare.jpg)

Supported systems: *Z80*.

Features:

  • Support all Raspberry Pi models (A, B, A+, B+, 2, 3, Zero).

  • Includes 55 classic 48K Spectrum games.

  • Precise Z80 emulation (undocumented opcodes, hidden WZ register, bits 3-5 from 'F' register).

  • Precise Spectrum 48k emulation (full border, real-time screen drawing without double buffer, contended memory, floating bus, hi-res color effects).

  • Kempston joystick emulation using a PS3 DualShock gamepad in USB mode (no Bluetooth supported).

  • Accelerated tape loading from virtual TZX tapes (when possible). Original tape loaders are preserved.

  • Beeper emulation using the PI PWM capabilities, present on 3.5mm socket (no HDMI sound, sigh!).

![ZXBare Menu](https://misapuntesde.com/images/2017/04/zxbare_menu.jpg)

ZXBare Menu

*ZXBaremulator (a.k.a ZX Mini 35th anniversary edition)* is the first complete *ZX Spectrum 48K* bare-metal emulator for the *Raspberry Pi* computers. This means that you record an image on the *microSD* and play in a matter of seconds. It is an image of only 3MB and little you can burn with any software or unzip it on a *microSD with FAT32*. This last option is the one that has worked for me.

The system to load the games is a bit special. Once we have the *BASIC* prompt:

  • Press F1 to access the menu.

  • Choose a game from the list with the function keys.

  • Press F1 again.

  • To write *LOAD ""*, we have to **press J** (*LOAD*), and then *CTRL + P twice* for double commas.

  • Press ENTER and... get ready to play!

Link: [zxmini.speccy.org](http://zxmini.speccy.org/)

 [ Fuse - the Free Unix Spectrum Emulator ]

Fuse on Raspbian. Click to enlarge.

Features:

  • Accurate 16K, 48K (including the NTSC variant), 128K, +2, +2A and +3 emulation.

  • Working +3e, SE, TC2048, TC2068, TS2068, Pentagon 128, Pentagon "512" (Pentagon 128 modified for extra memory), Pentagon 1024 and Scorpion ZS 256 emulation.

  • Runs at true Speccy speed on any computer you're likely to try it on.

  • Support for loading from .tzx files, including accelerated loading.

  • Kempston joystick emulation.

  • Emulation of the various printers you could attach to the Spectrum.

  • Support for the RZX input recording file format, including 'competition mode'.

  • Emulation of the Currah μSource, DivIDE, Fuller audio box, Interface 1, Kempston mouse, SpecDrum, Spectrum +3e, ZXATASP and ZXCF interfaces.

  • Emulation of the Beta 128, +D, Didaktik 80/40, DISCiPLE and Opus Discovery interfaces.

  • Emulation of the Spectranet and SpeccyBoot interfaces.

  • Support for the Recreated ZX Spectrum Bluetooth keyboard.

Last version: 1.1.1

[FUSE](http://fuse-emulator.sourceforge.net/) is an alternative that I almost forgot. To install the package, just type:


sudo apt-get install -y fuse-emulator-common

A window with many options will appear. The first thing to do is load the system you need in *Machine > Select... (F9)*. I usually choose *Spectrum 128K*. Now we proceed to load a ROM with *File > Open (F3)*. **We must to write LOAD ""** and press *ENTER*. The emulation is very good, you can make captures, record video, etc.

[ Closing words ]

In the meantime I'm listening [this music](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-8N1flZw-Y), I've been testing emulator after emulator and I realize how easy it is to enjoy great jewels from the past or even [develop video games](http://www.mojontwins.com/juegos_mojonos/la-churrera-english/) for these platforms with no effort thanks to *The Mojon Twins*. My recommendation remains: **Unreal Speccy Portable**, with which I have been delighted for years. Perfect emulation, full-screen booting and easy-to-access options menu with many options. What's yours?. I read you in the comments.

[ Bonus ]

Link: [webdiis.unizar.es > Zx Spectrum Games Screenshot Catalog.pdf (13MB)](http://webdiis.unizar.es/asignaturas/videojuegos/Anexo/Ficheros%20presentacion/!!(Ebook)%20Zx%20Spectrum%20Games%20Screenshot%20Catalog%20(6000%20Color%20Screenshots%20Of%20Sinclair%20Zx%20Spectrum%20Games%20405%20Pages).pdf)

Link: [worldofspectrum.org](http://www.worldofspectrum.org/)