RustZX
RustZX is a free, open-source emulator for the ZX Spectrum, written in Rust and available for Linux and Windows.
What RustZX is
RustZX is a free, open-source emulator for the ZX Spectrum, written in Rust and available for Linux and Windows. It emulates the 48K and 128K models, including Z80 core, AY chip, and beeper sound emulation. For software and saved games, it supports TAP tapes, SNA and SZX snapshots, and SCR screenshots. Input options include Kempston and Sinclair joysticks and a Kempston mouse; quick save and load use F1 and F2. The project also includes a separate no_std core library intended to help adapt the emulator to other environments. Its repository identifies an MIT license. Installation uses `cargo install rustzx`; building requires a C compiler and CMake for bundled SDL2, and Linux users also need the libasound2-dev development package. Sinclair-created ROMs are included in the core library, with an option to omit them by disabling the embedded-roms feature. The latest listed release is v0.16.0.
Good
- Emulates both ZX Spectrum 48K and 128K.
- Supports TAP, SNA, SZX, and SCR files.
- Includes joystick and Kempston mouse support.
- Quick save and load use F1 and F2.
- Separate no_std core library supports porting efforts.
Watch out
- Building requires a C compiler and CMake.
- Linux installation requires libasound2-dev.
- Listed host platforms are Linux and Windows.
Who it suits
RustZX suits people who want to run ZX Spectrum 48K or 128K software on Linux or Windows. Its tape, snapshot, joystick, mouse, and quick save/load support may be useful to those working with classic Spectrum media and peripherals.
Verdict
RustZX covers key Spectrum models, media formats, sound, and peripherals in a free, open-source package. Installation involves native build dependencies, including an additional development package on Linux.
The facts
Each one read from RustZX's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Audio
- Features include Z80 core emulation, AY chip emulation, and beeper sound emulation.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Controls
- It supports Kempston and Sinclair joysticks, Kempston mouse, and quick save/load.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Core library
- The separate rustzx-core library is no_std-capable, with resource-heavy features configurable through Cargo features.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The README says Sinclair-created ROMs are included in the core library and can be opted out by disabling the embedded-roms feature.checked 4 Oct 2026
- File formats
- It supports TAP tape files, SNA and SZX snapshots, and SCR screenshots.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Input emulation
- It supports Kempston and Sinclair joysticks, plus Kempston mouse emulation.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Install
- The README gives `cargo install rustzx` as the installation command and lists C compiler and CMake requirements for bundled SDL2.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The README gives cargo install rustzx as the installation command and says building requires a C compiler and CMake for bundled SDL2.checked 5 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository identifies the project as MIT licensed.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Models
- It emulates the ZX Spectrum 48K and 128K.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Processor and sound
- Features include Z80 core emulation, AY chip emulation, and beeper sound emulation.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Product
- RustZX is a ZX Spectrum emulator written in Rust.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- RustZX is a ZX Spectrum emulator written in Rust.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Release
- The releases page lists RustZX v0.16.0 as the latest release and describes additional Z80 register and instruction-flag emulation.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Save states
- Quick save and load are available using the F1 and F2 keys.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Spectrum models
- It emulates the ZX Spectrum 48K and 128K.checked 5 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Cross-platform
- The README describes RustZX as cross-platform.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Linux dependency
- On Linux, the README says to install required development packages including libasound2-dev.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Linux requirement
- Linux installation also requires the libasound2-dev development package.checked 5 Oct 2026
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