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SPECIFICTION
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GoSpeccy

github.com

Free plan Linux
Visit github.com
Spec score 8.3 #5 of 23 in ZX Spectrum Emulators

What it is

GoSpeccy is a free ZX Spectrum 48K emulator written in Go for Linux. It provides almost complete Zilog Z80 emulation and uses a concurrent architecture. The emulator loads 48K SNA and Z80 snapshots, reads TAP tape files, accelerates tape loading, and opens ZIP files. A beeper and initial Kempston joystick support cover listed audio and input needs. Its SDL display backend offers a 2x scaler and fullscreen mode, while an on-screen console provides interactive controls. 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. Installation uses Go’s command line and the gospeccy command. The MIT-style license permits use, copying, modification, distribution, sublicensing, and sale under its conditions. Listed outstanding work includes memory and I/O contention bugs, limited file-format support, and missing tape saving.

Spec sheet

Purpose
GoSpeccy is a free ZX Spectrum 48K emulator written in Go.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Intended users
The README describes using it to load ZX Spectrum 48k games and demos in Z80 and TAP formats.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Support
The maker invites bug reports, testing, forks, and patches through the project repository.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The software is distributed under an MIT-style license that permits use, copying, modification, distribution, sublicensing, and sale subject to its stated conditions.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Architecture
The emulator uses a concurrent architecture.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Audio and controls
Features include beeper support and initial support for Kempston joysticks.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Audio and input
It supports a beeper and initial support for Kempston joysticks.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Console
An interactive on-screen console interface is based on clingon.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
CPU emulation
It includes almost complete Zilog Z80 emulation, tested against the FUSE test suite.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Display
It provides an SDL backend, a 2x scaler, and fullscreen mode.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Files
It supports 48k SNA and Z80 snapshots, read-only TAP tape files, and ZIP files.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Games and ROM
Copyrighted games are not included, while the README says the freely distributable Spectrum 48K system ROM is included.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Installation
The README gives a Go command-line installation using go get and starts the program with the gospeccy command.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
License and warranty
The repository includes an MIT-style license granting free use, modification, and distribution, and provides the software without warranty.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limits
The README lists memory and I/O contention bugs, limited file format support, and no tape saving among its to-do items.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Notable limits
The project lists memory and I/O contention bugs, limited file-format support, and missing tape saving among its to-do items.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Program loading
It can load a program from a TAP file and can accelerate tape loading.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
ROM and games
The Spectrum 48k system ROM is included, while copyrighted games and programs are not included.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Snapshots
It supports SNA and Z80 snapshot formats for 48K.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Tape and archives
It reads TAP tape files, accelerates tape loading, and supports ZIP files.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
World of Spectrum
A command-line option can search World of Spectrum for a program and start it.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Free Free Free ZX Spectrum emulator Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every GoSpeccy plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free ZX Spectrum 48K emulator
  • SNA and Z80 snapshot support
  • TAP loading with acceleration
  • Beeper and Kempston joystick support
  • Included Spectrum 48K ROM

Limits

  • Linux platform only
  • Tape saving is unavailable
  • Memory and I/O contention bugs listed
  • Limited file-format support

Who it suits

It is for Linux users who want to load ZX Spectrum 48K games or demos in TAP, SNA, or Z80 formats. Developers and enthusiasts may also value its open-source license and repository-based contribution model.

Verdict

GoSpeccy focuses on Spectrum 48K emulation with snapshot, tape, ZIP, display, and basic peripheral support. Its included ROM and permissive MIT-style licensing are useful, while the project’s listed bugs and missing tape saving define its limits.

Where Specifiction places it

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