ZX Game Loader

A comprehensive GUI application for loading ZX Spectrum games onto original hardware with advanced tape control and save state functionality.

Features

Core Functionality

• Game Browser with instant search (supports multi-term filtering)
• Screenshot Viewer (supports JPG, PNG, GIF)
• Manual Viewer (TXT format)
• Supports both .tzx and .tap game files

Tape Control

• ▶️ Play: Start game playback
• ⏸️ Pause/Resume: Temporarily halt playback
• ⏹️ Stop: End playback completely
• ⏪ Rewind: Move back 1 tape block
• ⏩ Forward: Jump to next tape block
• 🔢 Block Counter: Shows current playback position
• 000 Set 000: Mark reference point (e.g., after loading screens)

Save States

• 💾 Save Game Progress:
  • Records audio from Spectrum's EAR port
  • Auto-detects signal start/stop
• 📂 Load Game Progress:
  • Browse and select saved .wav files
  • Simulates tape loading process
  • Status feedback during operation

Convenience Features

• Remember Last Game: Auto-reopens your last-played game
• Customizable Folders: Set paths for games, images, manuals

Requirements

• Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
• Python (embedded in distribution)

Installation

1. Download latest release
2. Extract to preferred location
3. Run ZX Game Loader.exe

Usage Guide

First-Time Setup

1. Open Settings (Menu → Settings)
2. Configure folders for:
   • Games (.tzx/.tap files)
   • Images (screenshots as .jpg/.png/.gif)
   • Manuals (.txt files)
3. Enable "Remember Last Game" if desired

Playing Games

1. Select game from list (use search to filter)
2. View screenshot and manual
3. Click Play to start
4. Use Pause, Rewind, Forward as needed

Saving Progress

1. During gameplay, click Save
2. Wait for "Waiting for signal..." message
3. Play audio from Spectrum's EAR port
4. Application will automatically:
   • Detect the signal
   • Save as timestamped .wav file

Loading Progress

1. Click Load
2. Select your saved .wav file
3. App will simulate tape loading

File Naming Convention

All supporting files must match game filename exactly:

• Game: GameName.tzx or GameName.tap
• Image: GameName.jpg/png/gif
• Manual: GameName.txt

Technical Details

• Uses modified tzxplay.py from tzxtools
• Save system works with standard audio cables
• Optimized for 44.1kHz mono WAV files

Troubleshooting

• No sound during playback? Check audio cable connections
• Save/Load not working? Ensure:
  • Adequate volume during save
  • Minimal background noise
  • Correct WAV format (44.1kHz mono)
• Game missing from list? Verify:
  • Correct folder location
  • Proper file extension (.tzx/.tap)
  • File integrity

License

GNU General Public License v3 (GPLv3)

Contributing

Bug reports and feature requests welcome via GitHub Issues.