Zx Spectrum Emulation


GA01

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Which formats are the best to use? Tap and z80 seem to be the most popular but wondering why there are many different formats.

:)
 
Which are the best to use? I would like to use original copies but without the loading lines (if you know what I mean).

:)
 
You just need to use Z80 or SNA files then. These are a snapshot of the the Spectrums memory and they are usually taken just after the game has loaded.

If you want to play a game that requires multiple loads, then you need to use a tap or tzx file. These are images of the actual tape and allow tape loading to be done within emulators. Most emulators do allow you to skip past the loading bit though, but I do not think compatibility for tape files is as high as it is for snapshots on the GP32 Spectrum emulators.
 
Sorry to kinda change the topic a little but can anyone recomend any fun spectrum games?
 
Depends what you like - I'd recommend

Rex - really superb polished platform shooter with lovely graphics.

Chaos - Strategy game for up to 8 players where you cast monsters to attack each other. A chatboard is handy for this one.

Myth - A pretty deep platform puzzle game.

Roller Coaster - A Jet Set Willy styled game set in a theme park.

That's all that springs to mind right now - if I think of any more I'll let you know!

Paul
 
Sadly, but fZx32 dont have *.trd format. UFO: Enemy Unknown, UFO: Terror from the deep, Black Raven (clone Warcraft) and more amazing games for Spectrum written in my country and it freeware, but for TRDOS.
 
Try:
Batty - Arkanoid clone
Bomb Jack - platform gaem
Commando - shoot 'em up
Split Personalities - Tile sliding puzzle game
Exolon - shoot 'em up
Jet Pac - platform game
Chuckie Egg - platform game
Way of the Exploding Fist - beat 'em up
 
Firstly dont worry what format theyre in, i think tzx files are the actual tape files but considering fZX32 loads all games in 'quick' format it doesnt matter if theyre the real tape image or not.

http://www.worldofspectrum.org/ is the best site out there

Great friendly forums and if you go to the games archive....

http://www.worldofspectrum.org/games/index.html

Theres about 5000 games to download, before anyone starts getting on their high horse these games are allowed to be distributed and have permission. The games which havent got permission you cant download sadly.

When you play a game try to select Kempston as thats the default joystick fzx32 uses.....

Some great games are...

Alien 8 - Amazing game, considering the games 20 years old the 3d graphics etc were amazing back then. BUT its denied for distribution so you'll have to do a search on the net for that one.

Bruce Lee - Great platform / puzzle game, very addictive

Batty - Like others have said, great arkanoid clone

Bombjack - Excellent conversion of the arcade game

Bubble Bobble - Great arcade conversion, amazing they can do this game in just 48k

Chuckie Egg - CLASSIC platform game, very early game, very simple but brilliant.

Cobra - Great shoot em up based on the Stallone film kind of !

Commando - Great conversion of the arcade classic, also try 'Who Dares Wins II', 'Ikari Warriors' and 'Rambo' if you love these sort of games.

Critical Mass - Nice game, similar to the 'Dune' film

Saboteur - Great game

Rollercoaster - Great platform game, same as Dragons Lair on the Gameboy but this is the original version.

Dynamite Dan - Great platform game

Flying Shark - Monochrome but great vertical shoot em up

Lightforce - Colourful shoot em up

Green Beret - Excellent version of the arcade game

Ghost n Goblins - Great arcade conversion

Highway Encounter - Very original 3d type of game

Head over Heels - Great isometric 3d game

Jet Set Willy - One of the most famous Spectrum games ever, very early platform game, classic

Manic Miner - The prequel to JSW, basic platform game but brilliant, very old game

Ultimate were one of the best companies but their games are denied distribution but if you search on the net look for these names...

Sabre Wulf , Atic Atac , Jetpac , Knight Lore, Alien 8. Cant tell you what sites to get them from though !

Paperboy - Nice arcade conversion

Quazatron - Very original game

Robocop - Huge hit on the Spectrum

Renegade - Bit like Double Dragon

Starquake - Great game , exploration type of game

If you search the World of Spectrum forums and website theres a list of top 100 best games, top 100 favourite games, has a review for every game etc. Its a great site

Along with the C64 (And Amstrad) the Spectrum was huge in the UK in the 80's, file sizes are very small so you can try tons of games. Okay these games might not have mind blowing 3d graphics or amazing tunes but the playability which to me is number 1 is amazing.

Just think back then we had to wait 5 minutes or so for the game to load from tape !! You dont know how good you've got it !!
 
So your saying that tap and z80 files would load exactly the same regardless of there file size. I tend to choose tap and then z80 if no tap is available. Playing ZX Spectrum games on ZXPG32 and fZX32 brings back so many happy memories :wub:. Although lacking in colour the detail on some of these games are amazing.

:)
 
Yeah dont worry about the format, the sizes (and you can use zipped games) are so low dont worry but like you i have success normally with .z80 games but .dsk +3 games work well also !

A lot of games yes had a lot less colour (C64 had more) but the graphics to me were better defined so its a catch 22. Either way it was a golden era back then, some games are still SO playable, eg Commando/Bombjack , 3d StarStrike was a great Star Wars conversion and theres SOOO many to get and download

Great era !
 
Anarchy - Excellent top-down tank based shoot-em up.

Rebel - Great top-down tank based puzzle with elements of shooting (Deflector with a tank).

Atic Atac - Dungeon based collect-em up, Similar to wizards lair, But much much better.

Trooper
 
I've noticed that when you use the kempston joystick, only one button is assigned (Used a joystick with my old Spectrum but can't remember how many buttons it had). Do any of the other joysticks allow for the second button on the GP32? I guess you could use the keyboard and then configure the keys but that would be alot of work for each game. Kempston is ok but having to hit up to jump (i.e Bubble Bobble) seems a little strange.

:)
 
Most early joysticks for the Spectrum always had just one fire button.

Bubble Bobble on any platform has 'jump' for up because in that game you dont go up any ladders or that, up is useless.

With Bubble Bobble cant you define the keys and press the fire buttons for jump and then fire ? Thats what i do with Chuckie Egg.

Havent got my GP32 to hand but i think you just simply select define keys and then press the different directions as it should register it as a seperate key and then do it for jump/blow bubble.

Great game that is though, not being biased but i like some more of the low depth conversions of games, eg Bubble Bobble, Bombjack, Commando. Amazes me how they could cram it into just 48k.

By the way if you want to buy some original Speccy software ! I'm selling some...

http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ50QQsassZpsj3809

(Before anyone says the ladies clothes arent mine, theyre the wifes !)
 
I don't have my Spectrum anymore, only memories :). It's such an amazing feeling to be able to play these games again.

:)
 
I don't have my Spectrum anymore, only memories :). It's such an amazing feeling to be able to play these games again.

:)

Yep you get a HUGE nostalgic feeling playing some of those old games, remember back in the day getting 1 pound a week pocket money and then saving up for weeks to get a full priced game ?

Then when your friends had a tape to tape machine and it was a dream getting copies of all their games !

Some classic memories with those games. You should look more at the World of Spectrum site, theres some great links to other sites showing you game reviews etc
 
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Ah yes, the good old days :D. Once somebody got a tape-to-tape machine, everyone wanted to be their friend :lol:. I mainly remember the arcade conversions though.

It's funny, I'm probably more into arcade games now (Mame) than when I was younger. I guess in my younger years, I always thought that they would be around for ever (sadly not anymore :( ).

:)
 
Well i love the range of games MAME on the GP32 can play, most of those are from my favourite era.

Commando, Bombjack, Bubble Bobble, Track n Field etc. Great games.

I love the Taito style of graphics as well, Bubble Bobble, Rainbow Islands etc. Some excellent games.

Just amazing that you can have 100's on your computer now, so weird looking back pumping in tons of coins into them for one more go !!! Classic era !
 
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