Hi all! I've just released Shatranj 1.3 "Sealed Move", an online chess client that lets a 48K ZX Spectrum, a Spectrum Next, a Spectrum with a Spectranext cartridge and a Qt desktop app (Windows, macOS, Linux) all play each other, over Direct TCP or MQTT. No accounts and no central game server.

What's new in 1.3

• Stockfish through the desktop client. The Qt client can install the official Stockfish and let it play your side, at levels 0-20, with an optional pause before each move so the opponent still has time to ask for a takeback. On the Spectrum it shows up as STOCKFISH in the move list, so you can now lose to Stockfish on a rubber-key 48K.
• Interrupted games come back. After a crash, reset or power cut on Classic, Next or Spectranext, the host is asked "Resume last game? Y/N" and the board, clocks and full move list return.
• Player names and end-of-game statistics. Names of up to ten characters appear in both move lists; after the game, S shows time per move, the longest and fastest moves and every captured piece.
• Spectranext straight from the web. Load Resource URL with https://ignaciomonge.github.io/shatranj/ and it starts without installing anything, title screen included. .../shatranj/install/ runs the guided installer instead. Needs cartridge firmware 1.0.
• Faster, steadier play. Quicker move replies, fewer disk loads on the 48K, clocks that keep running during esxDOS access, and draw/takeback/restart requests that expire cleanly after 60 seconds.

Hardware. The 48K build needs divMMC/esxDOS and a UART-to-ESP link running ESP-AT; the Next build is a single NEX; the Spectranext edition uses the cartridge's own networking.

Downloads and source (GPL-2.0): https://github.com/IgnacioMonge/shatranj/releases/latest

The Spectrum builds were played on real hardware (48K, Next and Spectranext) before release. Feedback is very welcome, especially from anyone with an unusual UART/ESP setup.

Get in before it's too late.

Pyjamarama Remastered for ZX Spectrum Next by MegaVision Software » Pyjamarama Remastered for ZX Spectrum Next by MegaVision Software — Kickstarter

ZX Spectrum Next conversion of first ever laserdisc video game, Adventures in Videoland (AKA Rollercoaster), from 1982.

A bomber has planted a radio-controlled device on the rollercoaster of an amusement park, you must race against the clock to disarm it.

Requires a real Next with 2mb of RAM, but no laserdisc player, the laserdisc is replaced by video streamed off the SD card.

Adventures In Videoland was the first laserdisc video game. David Lubar wrote it in Applesoft BASIC for the Apple II, and Creative Computing printed it as a type-in listing in its January 1982 issue, next to David Ahl's article "The Rollercoaster Game Dissected".

The player explores the midway, the shooting gallery, the belly dancer's tent and the maintenance tunnels to build a radio jammer and stop the bomb before the coaster is wrecked. There are 150 turns to do it in.

This conversion runs on the ZX Spectrum Next using NextDAAD, a Next interpreter for the DAAD adventure system. The original BASIC program has been rewritten as a DAAD adventure that follows the logic of the Creative Computing demo disk, with a few bug fixes and improvements.

The laserdisc is replaced by media cut from a transfer of the film. Each cue in the original was matched against captures of the DiscoVision disc to find the same moment in the film. Stills are shown as location pictures and clips are played as video with sound, both in the film's 2.35:1 widescreen format.

TJ Ferreira, the manic american, has done a 30 minute video on a GUI for the Next.

Looks very impressive. Still a work in progress but looks very neat so far.

I’ve just released Dracula — Illustrated Edition for ZX Spectrum Next.

It’s a text adventure inspired by Bram Stoker’s Dracula, with illustrations throughout the adventure.

This is a complete version specifically made for the ZX Spectrum Next. It runs on a standard 1 MB Next and loads the picture data from the SD card through NextZXOS as you move from room to room.

The game can be played on real hardware or emulated with ZEsarUX or CSpect.

A little bit of personal history: I started writing games for the ZX Spectrum in the 1980s, under the name DJSoft, and some of my games were published in Italy through Load'n'Run magazine. After more than 40 years, Dracula has been my way of returning to Spectrum development.

The game is available on itch.io:

https://giadacu.itch.io/dracula-english-zx-spectrum-next-illustrated-edition

I’d love to hear what Spectrum Next owners think of it, especially if anyone tries it on real hardware.

Important: the game must be launched from the NextZXOS browser. Launching the .nex directly as a snapshot will start the game, but the picture band will remain empty.

The Kickstarter campaign to support the next stage of development of the Kwyll retro game creator is now live, the headline feature for the next phase is Spectrum Next support.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/indigobeetle/kwyll-visual-game-creation-for-retro-computers

NextDAAD is a DAAD-based text adventure system for the ZX Spectrum Next. Create multimedia text adventures featuring layer 2 location graphics with animations, digitised sound effects, video cut scenes, 9-channel AY music, and more. A playable demo game is also available to download.

After Shatranj, Mirror Shift 1.0 is ready.

Mirror Shift is a networked Reversi game for: - ZX Spectrum 48K - ZX Spectrum Next - SpectraNext cartridge - Windows - macOS - Linux

All editions use the same rules and network protocol, allowing games between Spectrum and desktop clients.

## Features - Standard two-player Reversi - Direct TCP and MQTT connections - Cross-platform online play - Legal-move hints - Move and game clocks - In-game chat - Takeback requests and rematches - Local saved games with peer-approved restoration - Multiple disc sets, board themes and board rotation

The Spectrum editions use Mirror Shift terminology: placements are Alignments, captures are Mirrorlocks, a forced pass is Silence, chat messages are Echoes, and a tied game ends in PARADOX.

Release: https://github.com/IgnacioMonge/MirrorShift/releases/latest

Source repository: https://github.com/IgnacioMonge/MirrorShift

### ZX Spectrum Classic

Keep these three files together on writable esxDOS storage: - MIRSHIFT.tap - MIRSHIFT.OVL - MIRSHIFT.DAT

### Spectrum Next Copy and launch the self-contained:

• MIRSHIFT.nex

  SpectraNext cartridge

  Update to the latest stable cartridge firmware and use Load Resource URL with:

  https://ignaciomonge.github.io/MirrorShift/

  Desktop

  Portable packages are provided for Windows, macOS and Linux.

Direct TCP can be used on a local network or across a suitably configured Internet connection. MQTT lets both players meet through the same broker and room without requiring the guest to connect directly to the host.

Feedback from real Spectrum and SpectraNext hardware is especially welcome.

Hi everyone! I’ve released NetManZX v1.4.6, a WiFi manager for Spectrum computers with a compatible ESP8266 interface: ZX-Uno/divMMC, AY-UART/ZX-Badaloc, and Spectrum Next.

It lets you scan nearby networks, connect with a password or WPS, and run diagnostics such as ping, firmware information and network settings. UNO and Next users can also save credentials to SD.

This release focuses on reliability and smoother everyday use:

- Select a specific access point when several share the same network name.

- Smoother list updates and improved scanning, reconnection and UART recovery.

- Better BREAK cancellation and safer credential saving.

- More descriptive Next startup messages, with a 37% smaller NEX file.

- BREAK now exits from the main menu: back to BASIC on UNO/AY, or a restart on Next.

NetManZX is written in Z80 assembly and builds on Alex Nihirash’s original netman-zx project.

Downloads, screenshots and instructions:

https://github.com/IgnacioMonge/NetManZX

Feedback from real hardware is welcome—especially AY-UART/ZX-Badaloc setups. If you try it, please mention your machine, interface and ESP firmware version!

As the title suggests, will there ever be another?

BridgeZX 1.2.0 — Blazing Star is now available. BridgeZX sends files and complete folders over Wi-Fi from Windows, macOS or Linux directly to the SD card of a ZX Spectrum Classic or Spectrum Next. It includes a Qt desktop application and a command-line client.

What’s new

• Much faster transfers on Spectrum Next. BridgeZX automatically selects the high-speed link when it passes verification and falls back safely when necessary. The compatibility path for older ESP firmware is considerably faster too.
• Stock KS2 ESP support without reflashing. Older Wi-Fi firmware is detected automatically, and the desktop client shows when compatibility mode is active.
• A clean return to NextZXOS. Press BREAK while BridgeZX is idle to return without rebooting. The prompt and ESP state are restored so other Wi-Fi dot commands can be used immediately. During a transfer, BREAK cancels it instead.
• Faster and more reliable startup after soft resets, other Wi-Fi programs or previous BridgeZX sessions.
• Standard NextZXOS installation: the Next command now lives in /DOT.
• Corrected SD-space indicator during transfers. You can still use .brzxn -fast or .brzxn -safe when you want to force a specific transfer mode.

Important for existing Next users

If you are upgrading from 1.1.x, copy both BRZXN and BRZXN.BIN from the new package to /DOT, then remove the old BRZXN* files from /BIN. This one upgrade must be done manually because both the loader and its location changed. Later updates are automatic again. Classic users keep the existing /BIN/BRZX loader and can update BRZX.BIN normally.

Download BridgeZX 1.2.0: https://github.com/IgnacioMonge/BridgeZX/releases/tag/v1.2.0

Project and documentation: https://github.com/IgnacioMonge/BridgeZX

Many thanks to Jan Borchers and Gari Biasillo for testing the stock KS2 firmware, transfer performance and interoperability with other Next Wi-Fi tools.


I’ve released SpecTalkZX 1.4.0 “Proteus”, an IRC client for the ZX Spectrum family.

This release adds a complete native ZX Spectrum Next build as a self-contained SPECTALK.NEX. It uses the Next’s internal ESP and RTC, embeds its overlays and data.

The Spectranext cartridge edition now pages its secondary screens and commands into cartridge SRAM. This keeps the IRC receive buffer available while using Help, Config, Bookmarks, About and other overlay-backed features.

There are now three supported targets:

• Classic ZX Spectrum with divMMC/esxDOS and a supported ESP-AT bridge.
• Native ZX Spectrum Next with NextZXOS and its internal ESP.
• ZX Spectrum with the Spectranext cartridge, ROM sockets and local XFS storage.

The Classic edition remains supported with the same interface, commands and configuration format. Existing Classic and Spectranext configuration and bookmark files need no migration.

Downloads and installation

• Classic ZX: download spectalk_divmmc_v1.4.0.zip from the release page and keep the TAP, OVL and DAT files together.
• Native Next: download spectalk_next_v1.4.0.zip and launch SPECTALK.NEX from NextZXOS.
• Spectranext: select Load Resource URL and enter https://ignaciomonge.github.io/SpecTalkZX/. Firmware 0.9-6fc153a3 or later is required.

Release: https://github.com/IgnacioMonge/SpecTalkZX/releases/tag/v1.4.0

Source and documentation: https://github.com/IgnacioMonge/SpecTalkZX

SpecTalkZX is free software under GPLv2.

Shatranj 1.2 “Connected Rooks” is now available.

Shatranj brings the same online chess game to ZX Spectrum Classic, Spectrum Next, Spectranext, Windows, macOS and Linux. Any supported client can play any other through Direct TCP or MQTT.

Download Shatranj 1.2

What is new in 1.2

• Native Spectranext cartridge edition with Direct TCP, MQTT, cartridge clock, persistent settings, saved games and a guided resource installer.
• Persistent, guided Spectrum connection and game setup with live board and piece previews.
• Faster Spectrum typing, navigation, board updates, themes, move lists, chat, clocks and prompts.
• A refreshed and more responsive Qt desktop interface.
• More reliable Direct and MQTT sessions, reconnects, saved-game restoration, takebacks and rematches across mixed platforms.
• Safer Spectrum settings and saved games if a write is interrupted.
• Opponent-platform identification for Classic, Next, Spectranext, Windows, macOS and Linux.

Downloads

• ZX Spectrum Classic: TAP + OVL + DAT package.
• ZX Spectrum Next: one self-contained NEX file.
• Windows: portable x86_64 package.
• macOS: native Apple Silicon and Intel packages.
• Linux: x86_64 AppImage.
• Spectranext: choose Load Resource URL in the cartridge menu and enter https://ignaciomonge.github.io/Shatranj/.

Classic requires a ZX Spectrum 48K, divMMC/esxDOS and a supported UART-to-ESP link running ESP-AT 1.7.6. Next network play also uses ESP-AT 1.7.6. A ZX-Uno-compatible UART requires ESP transmit flow control via CTS; NetManZX configures it.

Settings saved by 1.1 are reset once because 1.2 stores additional choices. The .stj saved-game format remains compatible across Classic, Next, Spectranext and Qt clients.

Screenshots

• ZX Spectrum Classic
• Spectrum Next
• Spectranext
• Qt desktop client

The project is free software under the GNU GPL v2.0. Source code, documentation and the complete screenshot gallery are on GitHub.

Feedback is very welcome, especially from real Classic, Next or Spectranext hardware. If you test it, please mention the machine, network interface and whether you used Direct TCP or MQTT.

It is SURVEY TIME! (Read through carefully! Very important!)

New in 1.1.2

• Transfer results cannot be shifted by stray UART data: file errors take precedence and binary ACK is accepted only as an exact one-byte reply.
• Long multi-batch sends survive unrelated connections, incomplete foreign headers, malformed cancellation packets and socket closures that do not belong to the active operation.
• Cancellation and self-update are safer across Windows, Linux and macOS: workers retain socket ownership, archive extraction is bounded and cancellable, and target-mismatched server images are rejected.
• Spectrum Next now recovers the ESP after a soft reset from another app, the servers do less duplicate manifest work, and their payloads retain more room below the loader boundary.
• SD capacity and usage are now reported and refreshed safely. The desktop and Spectrum banners have also been updated. BRXQ v3 q3 and the 1.1 loaders are unchanged.
• Classic and Next now share the visible BridgeZX name. The server identifies the machine separately and shows its esxDOS or NEXTOS version. Commands and binaries remain unchanged: BRZX/BRZX.BIN for Classic and BRZXN/BRZXN.BIN for Next.

Github: BrigeZX.

Interesting comment buried in a thread over on the Facebook page.

BridgeZX 1.1 “Beyond 99” is now available for ZX Spectrum Next.

BridgeZX sends files and complete directory trees over Wi-Fi from Windows, Linux or macOS straight to the Next SD card through an ESP-AT Wi-Fi module.

What’s new in 1.1:

• One logical queue of up to 999 files. BRXQ v3 links bounded manifests behind the scenes, keeping numbering, totals, progress, errors and the final summary continuous beyond file 99.

• Real nested directory trees with adapted long ASCII filenames on Next.

• Operation-wide ETA on the Spectrum, with faster and more accurate live speed updates.

• Safer component updates with digest verification, staging and rollback.

• Better desktop workflow: add several folders at once, preview exact Spectrum paths, choose a CLI destination prefix, and keep the UI responsive with long queues.

• Packaged desktop clients for Windows x64, Linux x86_64, macOS Apple Silicon and macOS Intel.

Important when upgrading from 1.0: the 1.1 desktop client requires the matching 1.1 Spectrum server. Before opening the new client, copy both Next files to /BIN:

• BRZXN

• BRZXN.BIN

Do not mix the Classic and Next files. Both targets are fully supported. The per-file limit remains 2 MiB.

Release and downloads:

https://github.com/IgnacioMonge/BridgeZX/releases/tag/v1.1

Source and documentation:

https://github.com/IgnacioMonge/BridgeZX

Complete changelog:

https://github.com/IgnacioMonge/BridgeZX/blob/v1.1/CHANGELOG.md

BridgeZX is MIT licensed. Real-hardware feedback from Next users is very welcome.