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Emulators: Difference between revisions

From CPCWiki - THE Amstrad CPC encyclopedia!
Phi2x (talk | contribs)
Phi2x (talk | contribs)
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! Current version
! Current version
! Latest release
! Latest release
! Plus emulation
! License
! License
! Emulated systems
! Also emulates
|-
|-
| Anbernic RG350
| Anbernic RG350
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|  
|  
| Jan 15, 2020
| Jan 15, 2020
| ❌
| Freeware
| Freeware
| [[CPC old generation|CPC range]]
| -
|-
|-
| Dingoo A320 / A330
| Dingoo A320 / A330
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| 0.8pre
| 0.8pre
| Aug 19, 2010
| Aug 19, 2010
| ❌
| Open source
| Open source
| [[CPC old generation|CPC range]]
| -
|-
|-
| Dingoo A320 / A330
| Dingoo A320 / A330
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| 1.1.2
| 1.1.2
| Oct 17, 2009
| Oct 17, 2009
| ❌
| Open source
| Open source
| [[CPC old generation|CPC range]]
| -
|-
|-
| GamePark Caanoo
| GamePark Caanoo
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| 1.1.3
| 1.1.3
| Apr 24, 2011
| Apr 24, 2011
| ❌
| Open source
| Open source
| [[CPC old generation|CPC range]]
| -
|-
|-
| GamePark GP2x
| GamePark GP2x
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| 0.5
| 0.5
| Feb 22, 2006
| Feb 22, 2006
| ❌
| Open source
| Open source
| [[CPC old generation|CPC range]]
| -
|-
|-
| GamePark GP2x
| GamePark GP2x
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| 1.5.1
| 1.5.1
| Aug 29, 2009
| Aug 29, 2009
| ❌
| Open source
| Open source
| [[CPC old generation|CPC range]]
| -
|-
|-
| GamePark GP32
| GamePark GP32
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| 1d
| 1d
| May 15, 2010
| May 15, 2010
| ❌
| Open source
| Open source
| [[CPC old generation|CPC range]]
| -
|-
|-
| GamePark Wiz
| GamePark Wiz
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| 1.1.0
| 1.1.0
| Aug 29, 2009
| Aug 29, 2009
| ❌
| Open source
| Open source
| [[CPC old generation|CPC range]]
| -
|-
|-
| GCW Zero
| GCW Zero
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| 1.1.2
| 1.1.2
| May 25, 2014
| May 25, 2014
| ❌
| Open source
| Open source
| [[CPC old generation|CPC range]]
| -
|-
|-
| JXD S5110 / S601 & Yinlips G18
| JXD S5110 / S601 & Yinlips G18
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| 1.1.1
| 1.1.1
| Oct 27, 2012
| Oct 27, 2012
| ❌
| Open source
| Open source
| [[CPC old generation|CPC range]]
| -
|-
|-
| Nintendo DS
| Nintendo DS
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| 4.0
| 4.0
| Apr 25, 2010
| Apr 25, 2010
| ❌
| Freeware
| Freeware
| [[CPC old generation|CPC range]]
| -
|-
|-
| Nintendo DS
| Nintendo DS
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| 2.0
| 2.0
| Nov 9, 2007
| Nov 9, 2007
| ❌
| Freeware
| Freeware
| [[CPC old generation|CPC range]]
| -
|-
|-
| Nintendo GameBoy Advance
| Nintendo GameBoy Advance
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|  
|  
| Dec 26, 2005
| Dec 26, 2005
| ❌
| Open source
| Open source
| [[CPC old generation|CPC range]]
| -
|-
|-
| Odroid GO
| Odroid GO
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|  
|  
| Dec 3, 2020
| Dec 3, 2020
| ❌
| Open source
| Open source
| [[CPC old generation|CPC range]]
| -
|-
|-
| Pandora
| Pandora
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| 1.1.0
| 1.1.0
| Jun 27, 2010
| Jun 27, 2010
| ❌
| Open source
| Open source
| [[CPC old generation|CPC range]]
| -
|-
|-
| Sony PSP
| Sony PSP
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| 4.2.0.2
| 4.2.0.2
| Nov 28, 2007
| Nov 28, 2007
| ❌
| Open source
| Open source
| [[CPC old generation|CPC range]]
| -
|-
|-
| Sony PSP
| Sony PSP
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| 0.1
| 0.1
| Dec 24, 2005
| Dec 24, 2005
| ❌
| Freeware
| Freeware
| [[CPC old generation|CPC range]]
| -
|-
|-
| Sony PSP
| Sony PSP
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| 1.5.1
| 1.5.1
| Aug 21, 2009
| Aug 21, 2009
| ❌
| Open source
| Open source
| [[CPC old generation|CPC range]]
| -
|-
|-
| Trimui Model S
| Trimui Model S
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|  
|  
| Oct 19, 2021
| Oct 19, 2021
| ✅
| Open source
| Open source
| [[CPC old generation|CPC range]], [[Plus|Plus range]]
| -
|}
|}



Revision as of 14:30, 27 August 2023

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Software Platforms (Full OS independance)

Java Platform

Emulator name External link Current version Latest release Plus emulation Developer tools License Also emulates
Arnold Jnr [1] Aug 27, 2001 ❌ ❌ Open source -
CPCInAJar [2] Mar 16, 2011 ❌ ❌ Open source -
JavaCPC Desktop [3] JavaGX4000 3.0.2 Apr 8, 2022 ✅ ✅ Donationware & Open source KC Compact
JEMU [4] Feb 19, 2007 ❌ ❌ Open source BBC Micro, ZX Spectrum, ZX80/81, VZ-300
WebCPC [5] JavaCPC Applet r15 Dec 31, 2010 ❌ ❌ Open source -

JS / Wasm / Web Platform

Emulator name External link Current version Latest release Plus emulation Developer tools License Also emulates
CPCBox [6] BZH Games beta Dec 28, 2013 ❌ ❌ Freeware -
CrocoDS [7] May 13, 2020 ❌ ⚠️ Freeware -
JSMESS [8] 0.153 Oct 29, 2014 ❌ ❌ Open source Lots of other computer systems
Roland [9] Sep 24, 2011 ❌ ❌ Open source -
Ronald [10] May 10, 2023 ❌ ⚠️ Open source -
RVMplayer [11] 0.1.1 Apr 29, 2023 ❌ ❌ Freeware ZX Spectrum
Tiny Emus [12] [13] yakc

JavaCPC-Games Amstrad CPC Games zpz frontend

Dec 15, 2021 ❌ ✅ Open source KC Compact, ZX Spectrum, VIC-20, Commodore 64, Acorn Atom, KC 85, KC 87, Z9001, Z1013, LC80
Xiragon [14] Nov 28, 2012 ❌ ❌ Open source -

LibRetro (API for emulators)

Emulator name Type External link Current version Latest release Plus emulation Developer tools License Also emulates
libretro-cap32 Emulation core [15] 4.5.3 Mar 16, 2022 ❌ ❌ Open source -
libretro-crocods Emulation core [16] 0.1 Feb 28, 2017 ❌ ❌ Open source -
MESS 2015 Emulation core [17] 0.160 circa 2015 ✅ ❌ Open source KC Compact, Aleste 520EX & lots of other computer systems
SugarLibRetro Emulation core [18] (wraps independent lib CPCCore) git Jan 10, 2020 ✅ ❌ Open source -
EmuVR Frontend [19] Dec 25, 2022 ❌ ❌ Donationware Lots of other computer systems
Hackable Console Frontend [20] Mar 27, 2022 ✅ ✅ Open source KC Compact, Aleste 520EX & lots of other computer systems
RetroArch Frontend [21] 1.15.0 Mar 11, 2023 ✅ ❌ Donationware & Open source KC Compact, Aleste 520EX & lots of other computer systems

Current Operating Systems

Desktop

Emulator name External link Windows macOS Linux Current version Latest release Plus emulation Developer tools License Also emulates
AMSpiriT [22] [23] ✅ ❌ ❌ 0.863b May 13, 2023 ❌ (✅vaporware) (❌for real) Freeware -
Arnimedes [24] ✅ ❌ ❌ 1.02 Jul 7, 2012 ❌ ❌ Freeware -
Arnold [25] Aeliss fork Arnold TNG [26] ✅ ⚠️ ⚠️ WIP May 13, 2017 ✅ ✅ Open source KC Compact, Aleste 520EX
Caprice32 [27] [28] [29] Caprice32-Aleste ✅ ✅ ✅ Oct 8, 2022 ✅ ⚠️ Donationware & Open source -
Caprice Forever [30] ✅ ❌ ❌ 23.7 Jul 10, 2023 ✅ ✅ Freeware -
Caprice Reloaded [31] [32] ✅ ❌ ⚠️ r533 Sep 25, 2011 ❌ ✅ Open source -
Clock Signal [33] [34] ❌ ✅ ✅ May 15, 2023 ❌ ❌ Donationware & Open source ZX Spectrum, Enterprise, MSX, ColecoVision, Acorn Electron, Apple II, Oric, VIC-20, ZX80/81, Atari 2600, Atari ST, Macintosh
CoPaCabana [35] ✅ ❌ ❌ 0.74 Apr 12, 2006 ❌ ⚠️ Donationware -
CPC++ [36] ✅ ✅ ⚠️ b700 May 31, 2015 ❌ ❌ Freeware -
cpc4x [37] ❌ ❌ ⚠️ 0.26 Dec 11, 2004 ❌ ❌ Open source -
CPCEC [38] [39] CPCE CPCEG ✅ ❌ ⚠️ Aug 6, 2022 ✅ ⚠️ Open source ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64
cpcec-gtk [40] ❌ ❌ ✅ Feb 4, 2023 ✅ ✅ Open source -
CPCemu [41] ✅ ✅ ✅ 2.5 Aug 13, 2022 ❌ ⚠️ Freeware -
CPCEPower [42] ✅ ✅ ✅ 2105 Jun 4, 2021 ✅ ❌ Freeware -
CPCSharp [43] ✅ ✅ ❌ 1.0.0-beta1 Apr 7, 2021 ❌ ⚠️ Open source -
CPvC [44] ✅ ❌ ❌ Oct 7, 2020 ❌ ❌ Open source -
DSP [45] ✅ ⚠️ ⚠️ 0.21 Mar 12, 2023 ❌ ❌ Open source ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, ColecoVision, Game Boy, NES, SG-1000, Master System, GameGear, Super Cassette Vision, PV-1000, PV-2000, Arcade
ep128emu [46] ✅ ✅ ✅ 2.0.11 Jan 20, 2017 ❌ ✅ Donationware & Open source ZX Spectrum, Enterprise
MacCPC [47] ❌ ✅ ❌ 0.9.2 Jan 22, 2010 ❌ ✅ Freeware -
MAME [48] [49] [50] ✅ ✅ ✅ 0.257 Jul 28, 2023 ✅ ⚠️ Open source KC Compact, Aleste 520EX & lots of other computer systems
NO$CPC [51] ✅ ❌ ❌ 1.8 Nov 2, 2000 ✅ ✅ Freeware -
PC-CPC [52] [53] ✅ ❌ ❌ 0.1at b29 Nov 17, 2011 ❌ ⚠️ Open source -
Retro Virtual Machine [54] ✅ ✅ ✅ 2.1.7 Jul 24, 2023 ✅ (✅v2.0) (❌v2.1) Donationware ZX Spectrum, MSX 1, ColecoVision, SG-1000, Master System
Roland [55]/GitHub ✅ ❌ ✅ 0.70 Apr 20, 2017 ❌ ❌ Open source -
Ronald [56] ❌ ❌ ⚠️ May 10, 2023 ❌ ⚠️ Open source -
SugarBox [57] [58] ✅ ✅ ✅ 2.0.1 May 26, 2023 ✅ ⚠️ Open-Source -
Virtual CPC [59] [60] ✅ ❌ ❌ 1.1 Aug 8, 2011 ❌ ✅ Freeware -
WinAPE [61] CPCwin ✅ ❌ ❌ 2.0b2 Jan 5, 2016 ✅ ✅ Donationware -
WinCPC [62] vbCPC ✅ ❌ ❌ 0.9.26 Feb 1, 2007 ❌ ✅ Freeware -
Xcpc [63] ❌ ❌ ✅ 0.38.1 Apr 8, 2023 ❌ ❌ Open source -
XNACPC [64] CPC3D ✅ ❌ ❌ 1.0 Nov 11, 2011 ❌ ❌ Open source -
ZEsarUX [65] ✅ ✅ ✅ 10.3 May 10, 2023 ❌ ⚠️ Donationware & Open source PCW, ZX Spectrum, ZX80/81, MSX 1, ColecoVision, Spectravideo, Jupiter ACE, Sam Coupe, SG-1000, Master System, Sinclair QL, MK14, Z88

Alternative OS

Host system Emulator name External link Current version Latest release Plus emulation Developer tools License Also emulates
AmigaOS PPC Arnold [66] 1.15 Dec 17, 2012 ✅ ❌ Open source KC Compact
AmigaOS PPC SDLMESS [67] 0.146u4 Aug 19, 2012 ✅ ⚠️ Open source KC Compact, Aleste 520EX & lots of other computer systems
Haiku ACE [68] [69] 1.25.0 Feb 18, 2023 ✅ ✅ Freeware -
Haiku AdvanceMAME [70] 3.9-1 Feb 3, 2020 ✅ ⚠️ Open source KC Compact, Aleste 520EX & lots of other computer systems
MorphOS ACE [71] 1.25 September 8, 2022 ✅ ✅ Freeware -
MorphOS MESS [72] 0.113 Nov 1, 2007 ✅ ⚠️ Open source KC Compact, Aleste 520EX & lots of other computer systems

Mobile

Host system Emulator name External link Current version Latest release Plus emulation License Also emulates
Android andcpc [73] 1.5.1 Apr 4, 2011 ❌ Open source -
Android Azimuth [74] 1.06 Aug 10, 2022 ❌ Commercial💲 -
Android CPCDroid [75] 1.5.1 Mar 2, 2011 ❌ Open source -
Android CPCemu [76] 2.5 Aug 14, 2022 ❌ Freeware -
Android Droid-CPC [77] 1.1.01 Dec 15, 2016 ❌ Commercial💲 -
iOS CPCemu [78] 2.5 Aug 13, 2022 ❌ Software available on request -
iOS CrocoDS [79] 2.1 Jun 21, 2013 ❌ Open source -

Discontinued Operating Systems

Host system Emulator name External link Current version Latest release Plus emulation License Also emulates
Acorn RISC OS !CPC [80] Jul 28, 1996 ❌ Freeware -
Acorn RISC OS !CPCemu [81] 1.21 Mar 22, 2016 ❌ Open source -
AmigaOS m68k A-CPC [82] 2.0 Apr, 2002 ✅ Open source -
AmigaOS m68k Ami-cpc [83] Ami-cpc2 0.46 Jan 21, 1998 ❌ Open source -
AmigaOS m68k CPE [84] Feb 24, 1995 ❌ Open source -
AmigaOS m68k EmuCPC [85] 0.7 Sep 15, 1996 ❌ Open source -
BlackBerry OS BB-CPC [86] (dead link) 1.0.1.3 Jul 15, 2013 ❌ Commercial💲 -
Classic Mac OS CPC++ [87] 1.3.2 Oct 6, 1997 ❌ Shareware💲 -
DOS AdvanceMESS [88] 3.9 Sep 8, 2018 ✅ Open source KC Compact, Aleste 520EX & lots of other computer systems
DOS Arnimedes [89] 0.8a Apr 15, 2000 ❌ Freeware -
DOS CPC-em [90] 0.4 Jul 7, 2004 ❌ Open source -
DOS CPCE [91] 1.94 Jun 2, 2011 ❌ Freeware -
DOS CPCemu [92] 1.5 Jul 7, 1998 ❌ Freeware -
DOS CPE [93] 5.2 Apr 21, 1997 ❌ Open source -
DOS NO$CPC [94] 1.8 Nov 2, 2000 ✅ Freeware -
DOS PC-CPC [95] Feb 3, 1998 ❌ Open source -
DOS RWCPC [96] Mar 23, 1995 ❌ Freeware -
DOS SIMCPC [97] 1990 ❌ Commercial💲 -
DOS YAGE [98] 0.91 Oct 24, 1998 ❌ Freeware -
EXOS Software CPC Emulator [99] [100] 1.3 Jan 11, 2013 ❌ Open source -
Maemo CPCm [101] 1.20-1 Apr 27, 2010 ❌ Open source -
MSX-DOS EMU6CPC [102] Dec 17, 2018 ❌ Freeware -
Palm OS CaPriCe for Palm OS [103] 2.8 Jun 28, 2011 ❌ Open source -
Palm OS CoPaCabana [104] 0.75 Dec 4, 2007 ❌ Freeware -
Pocket PC PocketCaprice [105] 0.9 Aug 19, 2007 ❌ Freeware -
SunOS CPC++ [106] 1.3.0 Feb 22, 1997 ❌ Shareware💲 -
Symbian S60-CPC [107] 0.74 Feb 21, 2006 ❌ Open source -
Windows 9x CPC-em [108] 0.3 Jan 22, 2004 ❌ Open source -
Windows 9x MTMW [109] 1.30B Jan 11, 2000 ✅ Freeware ZX Spectrum, ZX80/81, Enterprise, Jupiter ACE
Unreleased? YACE [110] Nov 12, 2014 ❌ Unreleased? -

Home Consoles

You can use RetroArch for Amstrad CPC emulation on Apple TV, Android TV, Nvidia Shield, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PS2, GameCube, Wii, Wii U and Switch. Or you can use these stand-alone CPC emulators:

Host system Emulator name External link Current version Latest release Plus emulation License Also emulates
Microsoft XBOX ArnoldX [111] [112] v5 Apr 20, 2010 ✅ Freeware -
Microsoft XBOX CoinOPS (RetroFE) [113] 5 Oct 18, 2012 ❌ Freeware Lots of other computer systems
Microsoft Xbox 360 XNACPC [114] 1.0 Nov 11, 2011 ❌ Open source -
Nintendo Wii Wiituka [115] 0.98.8 May 15, 2009 ❌ Open source -
Sega Dreamcast CPCast [116] May 6, 2006 ❌ Freeware -
Sega Dreamcast DreamCPC [117] Alpha 3 Oct 16, 2005 ❌ Freeware -
Sony PS2 CPC-em [118] 0.4 Dec 22, 2004 ❌ Freeware -
Sony PS3 Caprice32 [119] 4.1.0 DBG Apr 9, 2012 ❌ Open source -

Handheld Consoles

Note: Android-based handheld consoles (Razer Edge, Ayn Odin Pro, Retroid Pocket Flip, GPD XP, ...) will work with stand-alone Android CPC emulators or with RetroArch, same as an Android phone.

You can use RetroArch for Amstrad CPC emulation on PSP, PS Vita, DS, 3DS, Switch, Steam Deck, RetroFW, Miyoo and OpenDingux. Or you can use these stand-alone CPC emulators:

Host system Emulator name External link Current version Latest release Plus emulation License Also emulates
Anbernic RG350 CrocoDS [120] Jan 15, 2020 ❌ Freeware -
Dingoo A320 / A330 Pituka Dingux [121] 0.8pre Aug 19, 2010 ❌ Open source -
Dingoo A320 / A330 Dingux-CAP32 [122] 1.1.2 Oct 17, 2009 ❌ Open source -
GamePark Caanoo Caanoo-CAP32 [123] 1.1.3 Apr 24, 2011 ❌ Open source -
GamePark GP2x CapriceGP2x [124] 0.5 Feb 22, 2006 ❌ Open source -
GamePark GP2x GP2X-CAP32 [125] 1.5.1 Aug 29, 2009 ❌ Open source -
GamePark GP32 Pituka GP32 [126] 1d May 15, 2010 ❌ Open source -
GamePark Wiz Wiz-CAP32 [127] 1.1.0 Aug 29, 2009 ❌ Open source -
GCW Zero Dingux-CAP32 [128] 1.1.2 May 25, 2014 ❌ Open source -
JXD S5110 / S601 & Yinlips G18 JXD-CAP32 [129] 1.1.1 Oct 27, 2012 ❌ Open source -
Nintendo DS AmeDS [130] 4.0 Apr 25, 2010 ❌ Freeware -
Nintendo DS CrocoDS [131] 2.0 Nov 9, 2007 ❌ Freeware -
Nintendo GameBoy Advance Mini Amstrad Emulator [132] Dec 26, 2005 ❌ Open source -
Odroid GO CapriceESP32 [133] Dec 3, 2020 ❌ Open source -
Pandora Pandora-CAP32 [134] 1.1.0 Jun 27, 2010 ❌ Open source -
Sony PSP Caprice32 PSP [135] 4.2.0.2 Nov 28, 2007 ❌ Open source -
Sony PSP CPCPSP [136] 0.1 Dec 24, 2005 ❌ Freeware -
Sony PSP PSPCAP32 [137] 1.5.1 Aug 21, 2009 ❌ Open source -
Trimui Model S Arnold Trimui [138] Oct 19, 2021 ✅ Open source -

Single-Board Computers / Raspberry Pi

LibRetro / RetroArch is used as the foundation of Lakka, Recalbox, Batocera and RetroPie alternative OSes for the Raspberry Pi and other SBC. But you can also use RetroArch for Amstrad CPC emulation on a stock Raspberry Pi OS. Or you can use these stand-alone CPC emulators:

Emulator name External link Current version Latest release License Emulated systems
#CPC4Rpi [139] 1.1 Dec 19, 2013 Commercial💲 CPC range
CapriceRPI [140] 1.3d Feb 28, 2016 Open source CPC range
Clock Signal [141] May 15, 2023 Donationware & Open source CPC range, ZX Spectrum, Enterprise, MSX, ColecoVision, Acorn Electron, Apple II, Oric, VIC-20, ZX80/81, Atari 2600, Atari ST, Macintosh
CPCEPower [142] 2105 Jun 4, 2021 Freeware CPC range, Plus range
MAME [143] 0.256 Jun 28, 2023 Open source CPC range, Plus range, KC Compact, Aleste 520EX & lots of other computer systems
SugarPi [144] 1.2.0 Feb 3, 2021 Open source CPC range
ZEsarUX [145] 10.3 May 10, 2023 Donationware & Open source CPC range, PCW, ZX Spectrum, ZX80/81, MSX 1, ColecoVision, Spectravideo, Jupiter ACE, Sam Coupe, SG-1000, Master System, Sinclair QL, MK14, Z88

Hardware

Mass-storage, RTC and network dilemma

Multiple mass-storage, RTC and network solutions already exist for the Amstrad CPC. We can put them in 3 categories:

  • Historical: The Vortex Winchester Drive and the Dobbertin HD20 with Dobbertin Smart Watch were sold during the commercial lifetime of the CPC. But these solutions are clumsy today with their very small capacity, their CP/M filesystem and their non-standard hard-drives and interface.
  • Historically-plausible: The Symbiface II or X-Mass with Nova NVRAM/RTC are using the IDE/PATA interface created in 1986 for mass-storage access. However, the IDE interface was introduced on the CPC way after its commercial lifetime, the Symbiface II being released in 2006. The whole IDE/PATA sector access and FAT filesystem dance the CPC has to perform here is not necessary with more modern solutions. On the positive side, this isolation of the filesystem guarantees that the CPC software and the CPC emulator cannot inadvertently do wrong on the host filesystem, as the operations are limited to modifying the contents of the virtual hard-drive file. A direct file view on the host side can also make trouble if the CPC assumes it is the sole owner of the filesystem and doesn't accept that we change files and folders behind his back.
  • Modern: Albireo, ULIfAC, Symbiface 3 and M4 Board as they give the CPC a direct file view of the mass-storage instead of a sectors view. These solutions are better suited to provide network too, as HTTP and FTP are file access protocols. The Symbiface 3 and the M4 Board provide a NetAPI to access the Internet unlike the Albireo and the ULIfAC. The Symbiface 3 also emulates other peripherals (Dobbertin HD20, SSA-1 speech synthesizer, Digiblaster and AmDrum soundcards) but it is going overboard with its embedded MP3 player.

Emulator support is as follows:

  • Dobbertin HD20 with Dobbertin SmartWatch is emulated by MAME
  • Symbiface II or X-Mass IDE/PATA is emulated by ACE, Caprice Forever, MAME, WinAPE, WinCPC, Arnold, Virtual CPC
  • Albireo is emulated by ACE, Caprice Forever
  • M4 Board is emulated by CPCemu
  • Vortex, ULIfAC and Symbiface 3 are not supported by emulators

CPC cartridge slot

Emulator support for a CPC cartridge slot is as follows:

  • Dandanator brings a non-standard physical cartridge port and a very exotic non-standard memory mapper that spies on Z80 instructions. It is emulated by ACE, Retro Virtual Machine, CPCEC, ZEsarUX
  • Plus2CPC and Play2CPC bring a standard physical Plus cartridge port to the CPC. They are not supported by emulators
  • M4 Board simulates a standard Plus cartridge port on the CPC and handles standard CPR files. M4 Board is emulated by CPCemu

Why is the Dandanator winning over standard Plus cartridge solutions like the Plus2CPC? It's because some CPC games (The Sword of Ianna, Los Amores de Brunilda, ...) are released exclusively for it. So emulators are then forced to support it.

The situation would be different if those games were converted to standard CPR format by the community.

Audio devices

Emulator support is as follows:

Emulator accuracy checking tools

Quick evaluation

Z80 CPU

Diagnostics

Amstrad Plus

Graphics

Peripherals

Copy-protection

File format specifications

Emulation Tools

Emulator Detection

To detect Amstrad CPC emulators:

  • Check if the memory is initialized with zeroes, as real machines have random memory values at boot
  • Focus on the minute details in emulated Z80, CRTC, and PPI chips. They are most often wrong in emulators
  • Examine the FDC chip. It is only replicated more or less superficially in all emulators because the internals of the chip are still unknown

Combining these methods will definitely get you a 100% success rate in detecting emulators, even the toughest ones.

There is also this initiative for emulators who willingly want to be detected: Emulator IDs

Emulators running on the Amstrad CPC

Emulator name External link Current version Latest release License Emulated systems
CPCZVM [148] Jul 6, 2019 Open source Z-Machine
Pac-Man [149] 1.1 Jun 5, 2014 Open source Pac-Man arcade
Phoenix [150] Jan 6, 2019 Freeware Phoenix arcade
Space Invaders [151] 1.0 Jun 11, 2016 Freeware Space Invaders arcade
ZXM [152] 1993 Freeware ZX Spectrum
Zym [153] 0.9 Feb 19, 2022 Open source Z-Machine