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Tech riderRev. 21 Sept 2026

RustZX

Ch 146.8of 21 ZX Spectrum Emulators
  1. 1Runs onLinux, Windows
  2. 2CostsNot stated by the maker
  3. 3Host platformsLinux, Windows
  4. 4Tape formatsTAP
  5. 5Snapshot formatsSNA, SZX
  6. 6Built-in debuggerYes
  7. 7Open sourceYes
  8. 8Peripheral supportKempston joystick, Sinclair joystick, Kempston mouse
7 lines stated Written from the maker's own pages: github.com
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Overview

RustZX is ranked #14 of 21 in ZX spectrum emulators on Specifiction. It runs on Linux, Windows.

Compared on ZX spectrum emulators

Host platforms
Linux, Windowsgithub.com
Tape formats
TAPgithub.com
Snapshot formats
SNA, SZXgithub.com
Built-in debugger
Yesgithub.com
Open source
Yesgithub.com
Peripheral support
Kempston joystick, Sinclair joystick, Kempston mousegithub.com

Facts

Product
RustZX is a ZX Spectrum emulator written in Rust.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Cross-platform
The README describes RustZX as cross-platform.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Models
It emulates the ZX Spectrum 48K and 128K.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Audio
Features include Z80 core emulation, AY chip emulation, and beeper sound emulation.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
File formats
It supports TAP tapes, SNA and SZX snapshots, and SCR screenshots.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Controls
It supports Kempston and Sinclair joysticks, Kempston mouse, and quick save/load.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Install
The README gives `cargo install rustzx` as the installation command and lists C compiler and CMake requirements for bundled SDL2.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Linux dependency
On Linux, the README says to install required development packages including libasound2-dev.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Core library
The project includes a separate no_std core library intended to help port the emulator to other environments.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
License
The repository identifies an MIT license.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Distribution
The README says Sinclair-created ROMs are included in the core library and can be opted out by disabling the embedded-roms feature.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Release
The releases page lists RustZX v0.16.0 as the latest release.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Purpose
RustZX is a ZX Spectrum emulator written in Rust.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Spectrum models
It emulates the ZX Spectrum 48K and 128K.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Processor and sound
Features include Z80 core emulation, AY chip emulation, and beeper sound emulation.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Input emulation
It supports Kempston and Sinclair joysticks, plus Kempston mouse emulation.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Save states
Quick save and load are available using the F1 and F2 keys.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Installation
The README gives cargo install rustzx as the installation command and says building requires a C compiler and CMake for bundled SDL2.github.com · 5 Oct 2026
Linux requirement
Linux installation also requires the libasound2-dev development package.github.com · 5 Oct 2026

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Where it ranks on Specifiction

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