Emulators

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Software Platforms (Full OS independance)

Java Platform

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

JS / Wasm / Web Platform

Emulator name External link Current version Latest release Developer tools Amstrad Plus Also emulates License
CPCBox [5] BZH Games beta Dec 28, 2013 ❌ ❌ - Freeware
CrocoDS [6] May 13, 2020 ⚠️ ❌ - Freeware
Emularity (MAME) [7] JSMESS

CPC Games CPC Demos on Internet Archive

Jul 15, 2023 ❌ ✅ Lots of other computer systems Open source
Roland [8] Sep 24, 2011 ❌ ❌ - Open source
Ronald [9] May 10, 2023 ⚠️ ❌ - Open source
RVMplayer [10] 0.1.1 Apr 29, 2023 ❌ ❌ ZX Spectrum Freeware
Tiny Emus [11] [12] yakc

WebGL 3d 8-bit Amstrad CPC Games Z80 Live zpz

Dec 15, 2021 ✅ ❌ KC Compact, ZX Spectrum, VIC-20, Commodore 64, Acorn Atom, KC 85, KC 87, Z9001, Z1013, LC80 Open source
Xiragon [13] Nov 28, 2012 ❌ ❌ - Open source

LibRetro (API for emulators)

Emulator name Type External link Current version Latest release Developer tools Amstrad Plus Also emulates License
libretro-cap32 Emulation core [14] 4.5.3 Mar 16, 2022 ❌ ✅ - Open source
libretro-crocods Emulation core [15] 0.1 Feb 28, 2017 ❌ ❌ - Open source
MESS 2015 Emulation core [16] 0.160 circa 2015 ❌ ✅ KC Compact, Aleste 520EX & lots of other computer systems Open source
SugarLibRetro Emulation core [17] (wraps independent lib CPCCore) git Jan 10, 2020 ❌ ✅ - Open source
EmuVR Frontend [18] Dec 25, 2022 ❌ - Depends on emulation cores Donationware
Hackable Console Frontend [19] Mar 27, 2022 ✅ - Depends on emulation cores Open source
RetroArch Frontend [20] 1.15.0 Mar 11, 2023 ❌ - Depends on emulation cores Donationware & Open source

Current Operating Systems

Desktop

Emulator name External link Windows macOS Linux Current version Latest release Developer tools Amstrad Plus Also emulates License
AceHacked [21] [22] wip wip2 ⚠️ ⚠️ ⚠️ Sep 19, 2023 ✅ ✅ - ❌ Unreleased
AMSpiriT [23] [24] ✅ ❌ ❌ 0.863b May 13, 2023 ❌ Unreleased ❌ - Freeware
Arnimedes [25] ✅ ❌ ❌ 1.02 Jul 7, 2012 ❌ ❌ - Freeware
Arnold [26] Aeliss fork Arnold TNG [27] ✅ ⚠️ ⚠️ WIP May 13, 2017 ⚠️ ✅ KC Compact, Aleste 520EX Open source
Caprice32 [28] [29] [30] Caprice32-Aleste ✅ ✅ ✅ 4.6.0 Oct 8, 2022 ⚠️ ✅ - Donationware & Open source
Caprice Forever [31] ✅ ❌ ❌ 23.7 Jul 10, 2023 ✅ ✅ - Freeware
Caprice Reloaded [32] [33] ✅ ❌ ⚠️ r533 Sep 25, 2011 ✅ ❌ - Open source
Clock Signal [34] [35] ❌ ✅ ✅ Sep 10, 2023 ❌ ❌ ZX Spectrum, Enterprise, MSX, ColecoVision, Acorn Electron, Apple II, Oric, VIC-20, ZX80/81, Atari 2600, Atari ST, Macintosh Donationware & Open source
CoPaCabana [36] ✅ ❌ ❌ 0.74 Apr 12, 2006 ⚠️ ❌ - Donationware
CPC++ [37] ✅ ✅ ⚠️ b700 May 31, 2015 ❌ ❌ - Freeware
cpc4x [38] ❌ ❌ ⚠️ 0.26 Dec 11, 2004 ❌ ❌ - Open source
CPCEC [39] [40] CPCE CPCEG ✅ ❌ ⚠️ Aug 6, 2022 ⚠️ ✅ ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, MSX (unreleased) Open source
cpcec-gtk [41] ❌ ❌ ✅ Feb 4, 2023 ✅ ✅ - Open source
CPCemu [42] ✅ ✅ ✅ 2.5 Aug 13, 2022 ⚠️ ❌ - Freeware
CPCEPower [43] ✅ ✅ ✅ 2105 Jun 4, 2021 ❌ ✅ - Freeware
CPCSharp [44] ✅ ✅ ❌ 1.0.0-beta1 Apr 7, 2021 ⚠️ ❌ - Open source
CPvC [45] ✅ ❌ ❌ Oct 7, 2020 ❌ ❌ - Open source
DSP [46] ✅ ⚠️ ⚠️ 0.22wip5 Aug 22, 2023 ❌ ❌ ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, ColecoVision, Game Boy, NES, SG-1000, Master System, Game Gear, Super Cassette Vision, PV-1000, PV-2000, Arcade Open source
ep128emu [47] ✅ ⚠️ ⚠️ 2.0.11.2 Apr 19, 2019 ⚠️ ❌ ZX Spectrum, Enterprise Donationware & Open source
MacCPC [48] ❌ ✅ ❌ 0.9.2 Jan 22, 2010 ✅ ❌ - Freeware
MAME [49] [50] [51] ✅ ✅ ✅ 0.258 Aug 30, 2023 ⚠️ ✅ KC Compact, Aleste 520EX & lots of other computer systems Open source
NO$CPC [52] ✅ ❌ ❌ 1.8 Nov 2, 2000 ⚠️ ✅ - Freeware
PC-CPC [53] [54] ✅ ❌ ❌ 0.1at b29 Nov 17, 2011 ⚠️ ❌ - Open source
Retro Virtual Machine [55] ✅ ✅ ✅ 2.1.8 Sep 1, 2023 ❌ Removed ✅ ZX Spectrum, MSX 1, ColecoVision, SG-1000, Master System Donationware
Roland [56]/GitHub ✅ ❌ ✅ 0.70 Apr 20, 2017 ❌ ❌ - Open source
Ronald [57] ❌ ❌ ⚠️ May 10, 2023 ⚠️ ❌ - Open source
SugarBox [58] [59] ✅ ✅ ✅ 2.0.1 May 26, 2023 ⚠️ ✅ - Open-Source
Virtual CPC [60] [61] ✅ ❌ ❌ 1.1 Aug 8, 2011 ⚠️ ❌ - Freeware
WinAPE [62] CPCwin ✅ ❌ ❌ 2.0b2 Jan 5, 2016 ✅ ✅ - Donationware
WinCPC [63] vbCPC ✅ ❌ ❌ 0.9.26 Feb 1, 2007 ✅ ❌ - Freeware
Xcpc [64] ❌ ❌ ✅ 0.38.1 Apr 8, 2023 ❌ ❌ - Open source
XNACPC [65] CPC3D ✅ ❌ ❌ 1.0 Nov 11, 2011 ❌ ❌ - Open source
YACE [66] ❌ ❌ ⚠️ Nov 12, 2014 ✅ ❌ - ❌ Unreleased
ZEsarUX [67] ✅ ✅ ✅ X Sep 8, 2023 ⚠️ ❌ PCW, ZX Spectrum, ZX80/81, MSX 1, ColecoVision, Spectravideo, Jupiter ACE, Sam Coupe, SG-1000, Master System, Sinclair QL, MK14, Z88 Donationware & Open source

Alternative OS

Host system Emulator name External link Current version Latest release Developer tools Amstrad Plus Also emulates License
AmigaOS PPC Arnold [68] 1.15 Dec 17, 2012 ❌ ✅ KC Compact Open source
AmigaOS PPC SDLMESS [69] 0.146u4 Aug 19, 2012 ⚠️ ✅ KC Compact, Aleste 520EX & lots of other computer systems Open source
Haiku ACE [70] [71] 1.25.0 Feb 18, 2023 ✅ ✅ - Freeware
Haiku AdvanceMAME [72] 3.9-1 Feb 3, 2020 ⚠️ ✅ KC Compact, Aleste 520EX & lots of other computer systems Open source
MorphOS ACE [73] 1.25 September 8, 2022 ✅ ✅ - Freeware
MorphOS MESS [74] 0.113 Nov 1, 2007 ⚠️ ✅ KC Compact, Aleste 520EX & lots of other computer systems Open source

Mobile

Host system Emulator name External link Current version Latest release Amstrad Plus Also emulates License
Android andcpc [75] 1.5.1 Apr 4, 2011 ❌ - Open source
Android Azimuth [76] 1.11 Aug 22, 2023 ❌ - Adware and in-app purchases💲
Android CPCDroid [77] 1.5.1 Mar 2, 2011 ❌ - Open source
Android CPCemu [78] 2.5 Aug 14, 2022 ❌ - Freeware
Android Droid-CPC [79] 1.1.01 Dec 15, 2016 ❌ - Commercial💲
iOS CPCemu [80] 2.5 Aug 13, 2022 ❌ - Software available on request
iOS CrocoDS [81] 2.1 Jun 21, 2013 ❌ - Open source

Discontinued Operating Systems

Host system Emulator name External link Current version Latest release Amstrad Plus Also emulates License
Acorn RISC OS !CPC [82] [83] Jul 28, 1996 ❌ - Open source
Acorn RISC OS !CPCemu [84] 1.21 Mar 22, 2016 ❌ - Open source
AmigaOS m68k A-CPC [85] 2.0 Mar 30, 2002 ✅ - Open source
AmigaOS m68k Ami-cpc [86] Ami-cpc2 0.46 Jan 21, 1998 ❌ - Open source
AmigaOS m68k CPE [87] Feb 24, 1995 ❌ - Open source
AmigaOS m68k EmuCPC [88] 0.7 Sep 15, 1996 ❌ - Open source
BlackBerry OS BB-CPC [89] (dead link) 1.0.1.3 Jul 15, 2013 ❌ - Commercial💲
Classic Mac OS CPC++ [90] 1.3.2 Oct 6, 1997 ❌ - Shareware💲
DOS AdvanceMESS [91] 3.9 Sep 8, 2018 ✅ KC Compact, Aleste 520EX & lots of other computer systems Open source
DOS Arnimedes [92] 0.8a Apr 15, 2000 ❌ - Freeware
DOS Caprice32 [93] 1.11 Sep 20, 1999 ❌ - Open source
DOS CPC [94] 0.55b May 16, 1997 ❌ - Freeware
DOS CPC-em [95] 0.4 Jul 7, 2004 ❌ - Open source
DOS CPCE [96] 1.94 Jun 2, 2011 ❌ - Freeware
DOS CPCemu [97] 1.5 Jul 7, 1998 ❌ - Freeware
DOS CPE [98] 5.2 Apr 21, 1997 ❌ - Open source
DOS NO$CPC [99] 1.8 Nov 2, 2000 ✅ - Freeware
DOS PC-CPC [100] Feb 3, 1998 ❌ - Open source
DOS RWCPC [101] Mar 23, 1995 ❌ - Freeware
DOS SIMCPC [102] Dec 10, 1989 ❌ - Shareware💲
DOS YAGE [103] 0.91 Oct 24, 1998 ❌ - Freeware
EXOS Software CPC Emulator [104] [105] 1.3 Jan 11, 2013 ❌ - Open source
Maemo CPCm [106] 1.20-1 Apr 27, 2010 ❌ - Open source
MSX-DOS EMU6CPC [107] Dec 17, 2018 ❌ - Freeware
Palm OS CaPriCe for Palm OS [108] 2.8 Jun 28, 2011 ❌ - Open source
Palm OS CoPaCabana [109] 0.75 Dec 4, 2007 ❌ - Freeware
Pocket PC PocketCaprice [110] 0.9 Aug 19, 2007 ❌ - Freeware
SunOS CPC++ [111] 1.3.0 Feb 22, 1997 ❌ - Shareware💲
Symbian S60-CPC [112] 0.74 Feb 21, 2006 ❌ - Open source
Windows 9x CPC-em [113] 0.3 Jan 22, 2004 ❌ - Open source
Windows 9x MTMW [114] 1.30B Jan 11, 2000 ✅ ZX Spectrum, ZX80/81, Enterprise, Jupiter ACE Freeware

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 Amstrad Plus Also emulates License
Microsoft XBOX ArnoldX [115] [116] v5 Apr 20, 2010 ✅ - Freeware
Microsoft XBOX CoinOPS (RetroFE) [117] 5 Oct 18, 2012 ❌ Lots of other computer systems Freeware
Microsoft Xbox 360 XNACPC [118] 1.0 Nov 11, 2011 ❌ - Open source
Nintendo Wii Wiituka [119] 0.98.8 May 15, 2009 ❌ - Open source
Sega Dreamcast CPCast [120] May 6, 2006 ❌ - Freeware
Sega Dreamcast DreamCPC [121] Alpha 3 Oct 16, 2005 ❌ - Freeware
Sony PS2 CPC-em [122] 0.4 Dec 22, 2004 ❌ - Freeware
Sony PS3 Caprice32 [123] 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 Amstrad Plus Also emulates License
Anbernic RG350 CrocoDS [124] Jan 15, 2020 ❌ - Freeware
Dingoo A320 / A330 Pituka Dingux [125] 0.8pre Aug 19, 2010 ❌ - Open source
Dingoo A320 / A330 Dingux-CAP32 [126] 1.1.2 Oct 17, 2009 ❌ - Open source
GamePark Caanoo Caanoo-CAP32 [127] 1.1.3 Apr 24, 2011 ❌ - Open source
GamePark GP2x CapriceGP2x [128] 0.5 Feb 22, 2006 ❌ - Open source
GamePark GP2x GP2X-CAP32 [129] 1.5.1 Aug 29, 2009 ❌ - Open source
GamePark GP32 Pituka GP32 [130] 1d May 15, 2010 ❌ - Open source
GamePark Wiz Wiz-CAP32 [131] 1.1.0 Aug 29, 2009 ❌ - Open source
GCW Zero Dingux-CAP32 [132] 1.1.2 May 25, 2014 ❌ - Open source
JXD S5110 / S601 & Yinlips G18 JXD-CAP32 [133] 1.1.1 Oct 27, 2012 ❌ - Open source
Nintendo DS AmeDS [134] 4.0 Apr 25, 2010 ❌ - Freeware
Nintendo DS CrocoDS [135] 2.0 Nov 9, 2007 ❌ - Freeware
Nintendo GameBoy Advance Mini Amstrad Emulator [136] Dec 26, 2005 ❌ - Open source
Odroid GO CapriceESP32 [137] Dec 3, 2020 ❌ - Open source
Pandora Pandora-CAP32 [138] 1.1.0 Jun 27, 2010 ❌ - Open source
Sony PSP Caprice32 PSP [139] 4.2.0.2 Nov 28, 2007 ❌ - Open source
Sony PSP CPCPSP [140] 0.1 Dec 24, 2005 ❌ - Freeware
Sony PSP PSPCAP32 [141] 1.5.1 Aug 21, 2009 ❌ - Open source
Trimui Model S Arnold Trimui [142] 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 Amstrad Plus Also emulates License
#CPC4Rpi [143] 1.1 Dec 19, 2013 ❌ - Commercial💲
CapriceRPI [144] 1.3d Feb 28, 2016 ❌ - Open source
Clock Signal [145] May 15, 2023 ❌ ZX Spectrum, Enterprise, MSX, ColecoVision, Acorn Electron, Apple II, Oric, VIC-20, ZX80/81, Atari 2600, Atari ST, Macintosh Donationware & Open source
CPCEPower [146] 2105 Jun 4, 2021 ✅ - Freeware
MAME [147] 0.258 Aug 30, 2023 ✅ KC Compact, Aleste 520EX & lots of other computer systems Open source
SugarPi [148] 1.2.0 Feb 3, 2021 ✅ - Open source
ZEsarUX [149] X Sep 8, 2023 ❌ PCW, ZX Spectrum, ZX80/81, MSX 1, ColecoVision, Spectravideo, Jupiter ACE, Sam Coupe, SG-1000, Master System, Sinclair QL, MK14, Z88 Donationware & Open source

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. The Cyboard is a Symbiface II clone that adds Ethernet support at a TCP/UDP level. The Net4CPC is the Ethernet part of the Cyboard provided without the Symbiface II.
  • 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 well 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, Net4CPC, 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

If you want to promote usage of real CPC computers, you can detect CPC emulators by:

  • Checking if the memory is initialized with zeroes, as real machines have random memory values at boot
  • Focusing on the minute details in emulated Z80, CRTC, and PPI chips. They are most often wrong in emulators
  • Examining 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.

  • Emulator undetected

  • Emulator detected

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 Emulates
CPCZVM [154] Jul 6, 2019 Open source Z-Machine
Pac-Man [155] 1.1 Jun 5, 2014 Open source Pac-Man arcade
Phoenix [156] Jan 6, 2019 Freeware Phoenix arcade
Space Invaders [157] 1.0 Jun 11, 2016 Freeware Space Invaders arcade
ZXM [158] 1993 Freeware ZX Spectrum
Zym [159] 0.9 Feb 19, 2022 Open source Z-Machine
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