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GoSpeccy

GoSpeccy is a free ZX Spectrum 48K emulator for Linux, written in Go.

Place
#10 of 23
Score
6.0
GoSpeccy's website

What GoSpeccy is

GoSpeccy is a free ZX Spectrum 48K emulator for Linux, written in Go. It is intended for loading Spectrum 48K games and demos in Z80 and TAP formats. Its Zilog Z80 emulation is described as almost complete and tested against the FUSE test suite; the emulator uses a concurrent architecture. It reads TAP files, accelerates tape loading, opens ZIP files, and supports 48K SNA and Z80 snapshots. Tape files are read-only. A beeper provides audio, with initial support for Kempston joysticks. The SDL display backend offers a 2x scaler and fullscreen mode. An interactive on-screen console is based on clingon, and a command-line option can search World of Spectrum for a program and start it. A freely distributable Spectrum 48K system ROM is included, but copyrighted games and programs are not. The project is open source under an MIT-style license and comes without warranty. Its README lists memory and I/O contention bugs, limited file-format support, and no tape saving among outstanding items.

Good

  • Free ZX Spectrum 48K emulator for Linux.
  • Includes the freely distributable 48K system ROM.
  • Reads TAP files and accelerates tape loading.
  • Supports SNA and Z80 snapshots.
  • Provides SDL fullscreen mode and a 2x scaler.

Watch out

  • Memory and I/O contention bugs are listed.
  • File-format support is limited.
  • Tape saving is not available.
  • Copyrighted games and programs are not included.

Who it suits

GoSpeccy suits Linux users looking to load ZX Spectrum 48K games or demos in TAP or Z80 formats. Its repository-based installation and listed limitations are relevant to users comfortable with a developing emulator.

Verdict

GoSpeccy covers core 48K emulation, tape loading, snapshots, and SDL display features. Its documented bugs and missing tape saving matter if you need broader file handling or a finished emulator.

Plans and prices

From GoSpeccy's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
FreeFreeFree ZX Spectrum emulator

The facts

Each one read from GoSpeccy's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Architecture
The emulator uses a concurrent architecture.checked 8 Oct 2026
Audio and controls
Features include beeper support and initial support for Kempston joysticks.checked 8 Oct 2026
Audio and input
It supports a beeper and initial support for Kempston joysticks.checked 8 Oct 2026
Console
An interactive on-screen console interface is based on clingon.checked 8 Oct 2026
CPU emulation
It includes almost complete Zilog Z80 emulation, tested against the FUSE test suite.checked 8 Oct 2026
Display
It provides an SDL backend, a 2x scaler, and fullscreen mode.checked 8 Oct 2026
Files
It supports 48k SNA and Z80 snapshots, read-only TAP tape files, and ZIP files.checked 8 Oct 2026
Games and ROM
Copyrighted games are not included, while the README says the freely distributable Spectrum 48K system ROM is included.checked 8 Oct 2026
Installation
The README gives a Go command-line installation using go get and starts the program with the gospeccy command.checked 8 Oct 2026
Intended users
The README describes using it to load ZX Spectrum 48k games and demos in Z80 and TAP formats.checked 8 Oct 2026
License
The software is distributed under an MIT-style license that permits use, copying, modification, distribution, sublicensing, and sale subject to its stated conditions.checked 8 Oct 2026
License and warranty
The repository includes an MIT-style license granting free use, modification, and distribution, and provides the software without warranty.checked 8 Oct 2026
Limits
The README lists memory and I/O contention bugs, limited file format support, and no tape saving among its to-do items.checked 8 Oct 2026
Notable limits
The project lists memory and I/O contention bugs, limited file-format support, and missing tape saving among its to-do items.checked 8 Oct 2026
Program loading
It can load a program from a TAP file and can accelerate tape loading.checked 8 Oct 2026
Purpose
GoSpeccy is a free ZX Spectrum 48K emulator written in Go.checked 8 Oct 2026
ROM and games
The Spectrum 48k system ROM is included, while copyrighted games and programs are not included.checked 8 Oct 2026
Snapshots
It supports SNA and Z80 snapshot formats for 48K.checked 8 Oct 2026
Support
The maker invites bug reports, testing, forks, and patches through the project repository.checked 8 Oct 2026
Tape and archives
It reads TAP tape files, accelerates tape loading, and supports ZIP files.checked 8 Oct 2026
World of Spectrum
A command-line option can search World of Spectrum for a program and start it.checked 8 Oct 2026

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