zx_go
What it is
zx_go is a free emulator for Sinclair 8-bit computers, including the ZX80, ZX81, classic ZX Spectrum models, Pentagon, SAM Coupé, and Spectrum Next. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, with pre-built binaries for x64 and ARM64 systems; Windows ARM64 is marked experimental. The project describes its classic-machine support as mature, with cycle-accurate Z80 emulation and memory and port contention. Spectrum Next mode boots into NextZXOS, but compatibility with arbitrary .NEX games is still developing: some titles work, others have bugs, and many have not been verified. Supported media include tape, snapshot, disk, microdrive, NEX, and RZX formats, with load and save support varying by format. Emulated hardware includes disk interfaces, mouse, printer, and joysticks, alongside beeper, AY, DAC, and Next audio. Debugging options include visual and scriptable telnet tools, as well as headless tracing. Building from source requires Go 1.25 or later, a C compiler, and OpenGL libraries.
For and against
For
- Supports ZX80, ZX81, Spectrum, and other Sinclair machines.
- Classic emulation includes cycle-accurate Z80 behavior.
- Provides visual and scriptable telnet debuggers.
- Pre-built binaries cover macOS, Windows, and Linux.
- Open-source under the MIT license.
Against
- Spectrum Next game compatibility is still developing.
- Licensed Spectrum Next ROMs are not bundled.
- Windows ARM64 binaries are experimental.
- Source builds require Go 1.25 or later.
The verdict
zx_go offers broad Sinclair-machine coverage, media formats, and debugging tools across three desktop operating systems. Spectrum Next users should account for the separate licensed ROM requirement and unfinished game compatibility.
Who it suits
zx_go suits people who want to run Sinclair 8-bit software on Linux, macOS, or Windows. Its classic-machine line is described as the more mature part, while Spectrum Next game support remains in progress.
Plans and prices
Free
MIT-licensed emulator; licensed Spectrum Next ROMs are not bundled
Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Build requirements
- Building from source requires Go 1.25 or later, a C compiler, and OpenGL libraries.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Classic emulation
- The project describes its classic machines as mature and stable, with cycle-accurate Z80 emulation and memory and port contention.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Compatibility status
- The maker says Spectrum Next game compatibility is still developing: some titles are playable, others have bugs, and many are unverified.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Debugging
- It provides a visual debugger, a scriptable telnet debugger, and headless tracing and instrumentation.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Debugging limit
- Reverse debugging cannot show memory, and rewind does not yet capture a +D or Opus Discovery controller.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- Pre-built binaries are listed for macOS on Apple Silicon and Intel, Windows x64 and experimental ARM64, and Linux x64 and ARM64.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Formats
- Supported media include SNA, Z80, SZX, TAP, TZX, several disk formats, microdrive MDR, NEX, and RZX files, with load and save support varying by format.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- License
- The project is MIT licensed; its embedded FPGA loader is GPLv3, and NextZXOS system ROMs have separate licensing.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Media formats
- Supported formats include SNA, Z80, SZX, TAP, TZX, multiple disk formats, MDR, NEX, and RZX recordings.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Next ROM requirement
- Spectrum Next mode requires two licensed ROMs and SD-card content; the maker says the ROMs are not bundled and the app can download them from the official Spectrum Next distribution.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Next ROMs
- The Spectrum Next requires licensed system ROMs that are not bundled; the program offers to download them from the official Spectrum Next distribution.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Operating systems
- Pre-built binaries are listed for macOS, Windows, and Linux, including x64 and ARM64 variants, with Windows ARM64 marked experimental.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Peripherals and sound
- Emulated peripherals include +3 FDC, Beta Disk, Opus Discovery, Interface 1 and 2, DISCiPLE, Multiface, Kempston mouse, ZX Printer, and joystick schemes; sound includes beeper, AY, DACs, and Next audio.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- zx_go is a Go emulator for the Sinclair ZX80, ZX81, classic ZX Spectrum models, Pentagon, SAM Coupé, and Spectrum Next.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- Building from source requires Go 1.25 or later, a C compiler, and OpenGL libraries.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Sound and peripherals
- Emulated sound includes the ULA beeper, AY, Turbosound, SpecDrum, Covox, and Next DAC; listed peripherals include disk interfaces, microdrive, mouse, printer, and joysticks.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Spectrum Next
- The emulator cold-boots the Spectrum Next through its FPGA boot chain into NextZXOS and implements custom hardware including Layer 2, sprites, tilemap, Copper, MMU, and multiple clocks.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Spectrum Next status
- The Spectrum Next cold-boots into NextZXOS, while arbitrary .NEX game compatibility is described as young and incomplete.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
