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ZX-Poly Emulator

ZX-Poly Emulator is a proof-of-concept emulator for a multi-CPU ZX-Spectrum 128 platform.

Place
#14 of 23
Score
6.0
ZX-Poly Emulator's website

What ZX-Poly Emulator is

ZX-Poly Emulator is a proof-of-concept emulator for a multi-CPU ZX-Spectrum 128 platform. Its design runs four ZX-Spectrum 128 systems in parallel, with each CPU handling a separate color component. It opens in ZX-Poly mode by default, while ZX-Spectrum 128 mode can be selected in the options. Available video modes include 256×192 graphics with 16 colors per pixel and 512×384 graphics with two colors per pixel. It supports snapshot formats including Z80, SNA, SZX, and ZXP, as well as Spec256 ZIP snapshots, ROM and PROM images, tape files, TRD, and SCL. Gamepads and joysticks are supported, with mapping in Service → Game controllers. A separate Sprite Corrector can edit image data from Z80 and SNA snapshots and generate ZXP snapshots. Spec256 emulation is restricted, and some games may not work correctly. The emulator and its parts use the GNU GPL-3.0 license; the zxpoly-emul module requires Java 22 or newer. Windows, macOS, and Linux are listed as host platforms.

Good

  • Runs four ZX-Spectrum 128 systems in parallel.
  • Supports multiple snapshot, tape, ROM, and PROM formats.
  • Works with gamepads and joysticks.
  • Sprite Corrector can generate ZXP snapshots.
  • GNU GPL-3.0 licensed.

Watch out

  • Spec256 emulation is restricted.
  • Some games may not work correctly.
  • zxpoly-emul requires Java 22 or newer.
  • Linux controller access may require extra configuration.

Who it suits

It suits people interested in adapting older ZX-Spectrum games by editing graphics, especially games without complex or packed sprites. Users should also be comfortable with the Java 22-or-newer requirement for zxpoly-emul.

Verdict

ZX-Poly Emulator offers a multi-CPU Spectrum concept, broad file support, and separate sprite-editing functionality. Its restricted Spec256 support and Java requirement are important constraints.

Plans and prices

From ZX-Poly Emulator's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
FreeFreeGNU GPL-3.0 · prebuilt desktop downloads and cross-platform JAR

The facts

Each one read from ZX-Poly Emulator's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Architecture
The concept runs four ZX-Spectrum-128 systems in parallel, with each CPU handling a dedicated color component.checked 8 Oct 2026
Color modes
ZX-Poly video modes include 256×192 graphics with 16 colors per pixel and a 512×384 mode with two colors per pixel.checked 8 Oct 2026
File formats
It supports Z80, SNA, SZX, ZXP, Spec256 ZIP snapshots, ROM and PROM images, TZX, TAP, WAV, TRD, and SCL files.checked 8 Oct 2026
Game controllers
The emulator supports gamepads and joysticks, with controller mapping available in Service → Game controllers.checked 8 Oct 2026
Intended users
The project describes adapting older ZX-Spectrum games, especially those without complex sprite output or packed sprites, by editing their graphics elements.checked 8 Oct 2026
Known limitations
The project lists incorrectly colored graphics in Knight Lore and lost colorization in some Bubbler elements as known Spec256 issues.checked 8 Oct 2026
License
The concept, emulator, and its parts are published under the GNU GPL-3.0 license.checked 8 Oct 2026
Purpose
ZX-Poly Emulator is a proof-of-concept emulator for a multi-CPU ZX-Spectrum 128 platform.checked 8 Oct 2026
Spec256 support
Spec256 emulation is restricted, and the project says some games may not work correctly.checked 8 Oct 2026
Sprite editing
The separate ZX-Poly Sprite Corrector can import Z80 and SNA snapshots, edit image data, and generate ZXP snapshots.checked 8 Oct 2026
System requirement
The zxpoly-emul module is built for Java 22 or newer.checked 8 Oct 2026
ZX-Spectrum mode
The emulator starts in ZX-Poly mode by default, and ZX-Spectrum 128 mode can be selected through options.checked 8 Oct 2026

Where it runs

Linux controller access
On Linux, access to /dev/input/event* for controllers may require the input group or udev rules.checked 8 Oct 2026

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