A new update has been released for SpeccySE (formerly SpeccyDS ), the emulator of the legendary 8-bit ZX Spectrum computer for the Nintendo DS and DSi consoles.

This new version introduces support for files .POK, used to enable cheats during gameplay, thus expanding the possibilities for the user to customize the emulated experience.

Also improved the speed of loading tapes, especially for those non-standard loaders that often caused slowdowns or compatibility problems.

The update also fixes a bug with custom loaders using less than 8 bits in the last byte, allowing for more precise data handling.

Finally, several minor improvements have been made to the graphics, helping to make the emulation visually more faithful and smoother.

ZX Keyboard

The emulator includes a virtual on-screen keyboard that works quite well, but keep in mind that the console’s touch screen is not multitouch (like a smartphone). This means that you can only press one key at a time.

For the SYMBOL and SHIFT keys to work properly , when you press one of them, a small white or yellow indicator will appear at the top of the screen.

This indicates that the SHIFT or SYMBOL button has been activated and the system is waiting for the next key to be combined. For example, to type the character "(quote mark), you would first press and release SYMBOL , and then press the letter P .

Joystick Support

The emulator supports the Kempston and Sinclair 1 joysticks , but also allows you to map any keyboard key to one of the 12 Nintendo DS buttons , giving you a lot of freedom in configuring your controls.

Through the “REDEFINE KEYS” menu, the user can press the  console key to cycle through several preset configurations commonly used in ZX Spectrum games , such as QAOP or ZXM.

By default, the system is configured to use the Kempston joystick .

The emulator also includes a specific setting for the D-PAD called CHUCKIE , designed to improve accuracy in games where using the joystick is ineffective.

In titles like Chuckie Egg , which are known for requiring extremely precise movements, switching from a horizontal to a vertical direction (e.g. to climb a ladder) can be frustrating with a traditional joystick.

CHUCKIE mode kicks in by holding the previous direction active for a fraction of a second during the transition, making movements smoother and more natural.

While primarily intended for Chuckie Egg , this mode can also be useful in other games with similar controls.

Cassette Holder

The emulator supports snapshot files .Z80, but much more useful is the support for tape .TAPand .TZX. The format .TAPis fully compatible, while .TZXit is supported satisfactorily, with the exception of some complex blocks (which are rarely used in most common software anyway).

As is common with software distributed on tape, some files in the formats .TAPor .TZXmay become corrupted or non-functional.

In these cases, it is advisable to look for an alternative version of the same game or program, which will most likely load and run correctly on the emulator.

As for loading, the developer has chosen not to remove the classic loading screens, preferring instead to significantly speed up the speed.

Most games now load 10 to 15 times faster than they originally did: a 48K title starts in less than 15 seconds, while a full 128K game takes about half an hour to load.

The loading screens, an integral part of the ZX Spectrum ‘s charm , are thus still present and enjoyable in a more streamlined form.

User can press the cassette icon to change tape or manually set the track position.

Typically, the game automatically detects the necessary information, and the automatic tape playback and stop systems work quite effectively. However, you can intervene manually when required.

ROM Support

The emulator allows you to load files .ROMdirectly into the same memory area as the BIOS (from +0000 to +4000), up to a maximum of 16K. This feature is primarily intended for loading diagnostic programs such as the amazing RETROLEUM DIAGROM .

Changelog

• Added support for .POK(cheat) files.
• Improved tape loading speed for non-standard loaders.
• Fixed custom loaders with less than 8 bits in the last byte.
• Improved graphics in several minor aspects.

Download: SpeccySE v0.8

Download: Source code SpeccySE v0.8

Source: gbatemp.net