ZX Game Loader

Core Functionality

• Game Browser with instant search (supports multi-term filtering)
• Screenshot Viewer (supports JPG, PNG, GIF)
• Manual Viewer (TXT format)
• Supports .tzx/.tap game files
• New in v1.5.0: Edit Mode with game management tools

Tape Control

• ▶️ Play: Start/Resume game playback
• ⏹️ Stop: Halt playback
• ⏏️ Eject: Completely end playback
• ⏪ Rewind: Move back 1 tape block
• ⏩ Forward: Jump to next tape block
• 🔢 Block Counter: Shows current playback position
• 0️⃣ Counter Reset: Mark reference point (e.g., after loading screens)
• ↪️ Jump: Jumps to block set by Counter Reset

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
• New in v1.5.0: Drag-and-drop support for adding games/images/manuals
• New in v1.5.0: Right-click context menu for game management
• New in v1.5.0: Updated in-app manual with Edit Mode documentation
• New in v1.5.0: About dialog with version/license info

• Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
• .NET Framework 8.0
• Python (embedded in distribution)

• Download latest release
• Extract to preferred location
• Run ZX Game Loader.exe
• Optional - Download the Assets Pack (Contains screenshots and game manuals/info)
• Optional - Download the Games Pack

First-Time Setup

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

Playing Games

• Select game from list (use search to filter)
• View screenshot and manual
• Click Play to start or resume playback (after Rewind/Forward/Stop)
• Use Stop, Rewind, Forward as needed

Edit Mode Features (New in v1.5.0)

• Enable Edit Mode (Menu → Edit → Editor On)
• Select the game and right-click for options:
  • Rename: Change game name while keeping all associated files
  • Move: Relocate game to different folder
  • Delete: Remove game (sent to Recycle Bin)
• Drag and drop files directly onto:
  • Game list (to add .tzx/.tap files)
  • Image panel (to update screenshots)
  • Manual panel (to update documentation)

Saving Progress

• In-game, select or type the save command, it will then say "Press Record" or something similar.
• Click SAVE in the Game Saves section (button changes to STOP).
• Wait for "Waiting for signal..." message.
• Wait for save to finish on the Spectrum.
• Click STOP to end recording.
• Application will automatically:
  • Detect the signal
  • Save as timestamped .wav file

Loading Progress

• In-game, select or type the load command.
• Click LOAD in Game Saves and choose the desired .wav file.
• File should begin loading on the Spectrum.

All supporting files must match game filename exactly:

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

• Save system works with standard audio cables
• Optimized for 44.1kHz mono WAV files

• 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
• Edit Mode features not appearing? Ensure:
  • Edit Mode is enabled (Menu → Edit → Editor On)
  • You're right-clicking on a game in the list