SpeccyP
SpeccyP is free, open-source firmware that turns Raspberry Pi RP2040, RP2350A, and RP2350B microcontrollers into ZX Spectrum emulators.
What SpeccyP is
SpeccyP is free, open-source firmware that turns Raspberry Pi RP2040, RP2350A, and RP2350B microcontrollers into ZX Spectrum emulators. It supports the ZX Spectrum 48, Pentagon 128, 512, 512CASH, and 1024, Scorpion 256, GMX 2048, Navigator 256, and MurmoZavr 8Mb models. Video can output through HDMI or VGA at 60 Hz with automatic detection, or through TFT displays using ILI9341 or ST7789. Input options include PS/2 and USB keyboards, a USB mouse, NES and Xbox gamepads, and wireless gamepads in Kempston mode. Audio offers Soft and I2S AY-3-8910 and TurboSound modes, with volume from 0 to 100 percent. The Z80 emulator supports documented and undocumented processor features and selectable CPU types. SpeccyP mounts TRD and SCL disk images, connects TAP files, and loads tapes in NORMAL or FAST mode. Quick-save and load hotkeys are included, with startup restoration from slot 0. Settings are stored in speccy_p.cnf on the SD card root.
Good
- Supports many ZX Spectrum and expanded models
- HDMI, VGA, and TFT video outputs
- Wide keyboard and gamepad support
- TAP, TRD, and SCL file handling
- Quick-save and startup state loading
Watch out
- Protected FDI images are not readable
- m2p1 without PSRAM supports only Spectrum 48/128
- Requires supported Raspberry Pi microcontroller boards
Who it suits
SpeccyP suits Raspberry Pi users building a ZX Spectrum system with supported RP2040 or RP2350 hardware. It is also suited to users needing multiple display, controller, tape, and disk-image options.
Verdict
SpeccyP combines broad Spectrum emulation with flexible video, audio, controls, and storage support. Its main constraints are the supported hardware list and the lack of protected FDI reading.
The facts
Each one read from SpeccyP's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Audio
- Audio modes include Soft and I2S AY-3-8910 and TurboSound, with volume adjustment from 0 to 100%.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Configuration
- Settings are saved in speccy_p.cnf in the root of the SD card.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Controls
- It supports PS/2 and USB keyboards, USB mouse, NES gamepad, Xbox gamepad, and wireless gamepads over USB OTG or the listed adapters.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Emulated models
- It supports ZX Spectrum 48, Pentagon 128/512/512CASH/1024, Scorpion 256/GMX 2048, Navigator 256 and MurmoZavr 8Mb models.checked 4 Oct 2026
- File formats
- The file menu can mount TRD/SCL disk images or connect TAP files, and the firmware includes TAP loading in NORMAL or FAST mode.checked 4 Oct 2026
- File support
- The file menu can mount TRD/SCL disk images or connect TAP files, and the project notes that protected FDI images are still not readable.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Hardware limit
- The m2p1 RP2040 board works without PSRAM but supports only Spectrum 48 and 128 in that configuration.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Hardware support
- Precompiled firmware is listed for m1p1, m1p2, m2p1, m2p2, z0p2 and s2p2 boards.checked 4 Oct 2026
- License
- The project is distributed under the GNU General Public License v3.0 (GPL-3.0).checked 9 Oct 2026
- Memory limit
- The m2p1 RP2040 board works without PSRAM but is limited to Spectrum 48/128 models.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Notable limitation
- The README says protected FDI images are still not read.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Processor emulation
- The project uses a Z80 emulator that supports documented and undocumented processor features and offers selectable CPU types in its Advanced Menu.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- SpeccyP is firmware that emulates ZX Spectrum models on Raspberry Pi RP2040, RP2350A, and RP2350B microcontrollers.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Save and configuration
- Quick-save and load functions are available, and settings are saved to speccy_p.cnf in the SD card root.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Save states
- Hotkeys provide quick save and load, and the firmware can load a state from save slot 0 at startup.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Spectrum models
- Supported models include ZX Spectrum 48, Pentagon 128/512/512CASH/1024, Scorpion 256/GMX 2048, Navigator 256, and MurmoZavr 8Mb.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The README points users to the F1 Help screen and links a ZX_MURMULATOR Telegram channel for project information.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Supported boards
- Precompiled firmware is listed for m1p1, m1p2, m2p1, m2p2, z0p2, and s2p2 boards.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Video
- The firmware supports HDMI and VGA output at 60 Hz with auto-detection, plus ILI9341 and ST7789 TFT displays.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Z80 emulation
- The project uses a Z80 emulator supporting documented and undocumented processor features and offers several selectable CPU types.checked 4 Oct 2026
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