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GoSpeccy
What it is
GoSpeccy is a free ZX Spectrum 48K emulator written in Go for Linux. It includes almost complete Zilog Z80 CPU emulation, which the project says is checked against the FUSE test suite, and uses a concurrent architecture. It reads TAP tape files, accelerates tape loading, opens ZIP files, and supports 48K SNA and Z80 snapshots. Tape files are read-only. A beeper provides sound, with initial support for Kempston joysticks. The SDL display backend includes a 2x scaler and fullscreen mode, while an interactive on-screen console is based on clingon. A command-line option can search World of Spectrum for a program and start it. The freely distributable Spectrum 48K system ROM is included, but copyrighted games and programs are not. The project repository provides installation instructions using Go commands and distributes the software under an MIT-style license. Its README lists memory and I/O contention bugs, limited file format support, and missing tape saving among outstanding items.
For and against
For
- Free ZX Spectrum 48K emulator for Linux
- Reads TAP, ZIP, SNA, and Z80 files
- Includes the Spectrum 48K system ROM
- Provides fullscreen mode and a 2x scaler
Against
- Tape files are read-only
- Tape saving is unavailable
- README lists memory and I/O contention bugs
- Copyrighted games and programs are not included
The verdict
GoSpeccy supports several ways to load Spectrum 48K software and includes a ROM, display options, and basic peripheral support. Its listed bugs and file format limits are relevant for users choosing an emulator.
Who it suits
GoSpeccy may suit Linux users who want to load ZX Spectrum 48K games or demos from supported snapshot and tape formats. Users should be comfortable installing it through Go's command line.
Plans and prices
Free
Free ZX Spectrum emulator
Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Architecture
- The emulator uses a concurrent architecture.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Audio and controls
- Features include beeper support and initial support for Kempston joysticks.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Audio and input
- It supports a beeper and initial support for Kempston joysticks.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Console
- An interactive on-screen console interface is based on clingon.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- CPU emulation
- It includes almost complete Zilog Z80 emulation, tested against the FUSE test suite.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Display
- It provides an SDL backend, a 2x scaler, and fullscreen mode.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Files
- It supports 48k SNA and Z80 snapshots, read-only TAP tape files, and ZIP files.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Games and ROM
- Copyrighted games are not included, while the README says the freely distributable Spectrum 48K system ROM is included.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The README gives a Go command-line installation using go get and starts the program with the gospeccy command.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The README describes using it to load ZX Spectrum 48k games and demos in Z80 and TAP formats.github.com · read 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.github.com · read 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.github.com · read 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.github.com · read 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.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Program loading
- It can load a program from a TAP file and can accelerate tape loading.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- GoSpeccy is a free ZX Spectrum 48K emulator written in Go.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- ROM and games
- The Spectrum 48k system ROM is included, while copyrighted games and programs are not included.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Snapshots
- It supports SNA and Z80 snapshot formats for 48K.github.com · read 8 Oct 2026
