fruit-bat is a documented ZX Spectrum emulator project for Raspberry Pi Pico RP2040 and Pico 2 RP2350 boards. It targets 48K and 128K Spectrum models and offers build-specific display choices—DVI/HDMI, VGA or a 320×240 LCD—along with several keyboard, joystick and audio options. Its author describes it as a fun prototype rather than a highly accurate emulator, so treat the feature list as project documentation, not a promise of compatibility or performance.
What the Pico emulator does
The fruit-bat project README documents emulation of the ZX Spectrum 48K and 128K on Raspberry Pi Pico-family hardware. Its feature list includes loading .z80 snapshot files, reading .tap and .tzx tape files, an on-screen menu and twelve quick-save slots. It also documents Kempston and Sinclair joystick emulation and Kempston mouse emulation.
These are capabilities listed by the project, not independently verified results. The README sets expectations plainly: “It’s just for fun and not a highly accurate emulation; hopefully it is good enough to be enjoyable.” The available documentation does not establish frame accuracy, a compatibility rate or measured speed.
Choose a board and display together
The project lists targets for RP2040 boards, including the standard Pico, and RP2350 boards, including Pico 2. Display output is a build choice: a board target and its wiring must match the output you want. The documented paths are:
#1 Best Overall
- RP2040 microcontroller chip designed by Raspberry Pi in the United Kingdom
- Dual-core Arm Cortex M0+ processor, flexible clock running up to 133 MHz
- 264KB of SRAM, and 2MB of on-board Flash memory
- Castellated module allows soldering direct to carrier boards
- 26 × multi-function GPIO pins
| Display path | Documented support | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| DVI/HDMI | PicoDVI-based output | Use the target and hardware arrangement specified for your board; HDMI is not a universal output from every Pico configuration. |
| VGA | Several color encodings | Choose the matching target and wiring instructions in the README. |
| LCD | ST7789 or ILI9341, 320×240 | Confirm that your chosen board build supports the particular display and connection. |
The README marks at least one RP2350 board combination as “Untested.” Check the current target notes for the exact board/platform pair rather than assuming that support for RP2350 means every RP2350 configuration is tested.
Pick controls, tape input and sound
Keyboard and joystick
Documented keyboard paths include USB, PS/2 and a matrix keyboard; the project also lists USB joysticks. Its emulated joystick options are Kempston and Sinclair, with Kempston mouse emulation also listed. These are distinct from the physical input choices: check the target-specific instructions to see which peripherals the selected build accepts.
Rank #2
- The Raspberry Pi Pico is a beginner-friendly microcontroller board that uses MicroPython to give you a taste of the Internet of Things and microcontrollers. The RP2040 is a well-designed microprocessor that can be utilized in almost any Internet of Things project. It has enough power to complete the task quickly.
- 【Raspberry Pi RP2040 Microcontroller】Raspberry Pi Pico features Dual-core ARM Cortex M0+ processor, flexible clock running up to 133 MHz. With 264KB of SRAM, and 2MB of on-board Flash memory.Supports up to 16 MB of off chip flash memory via a dedicated QSPI bus
- 【Multiple Software Support】Pico has rich and complete software support, it comes with a complete Rasberry Pi official C/C++ SDK, Micropython SDK.The programming and burning of Pico need to be carried out on the computer. Supported operating systems and computers include:Raspberry Pie with Raspberry Pi OS,Other platforms equipped with Debian based Linux system Computer with MacOS, Computers with Windows, etc.
- 【Rich Hardware Interface】Raspberry Pi Pico has 30 GPIO pins, 4 pins for analog signal input and 26 × multi-function GPIO pins, 2 × SPI, 2 × I2C, 2 × UART, 3 × 12-bit ADC, 16 × controllable PWM channels.USB 1.1 supported by host and device, The installation mode can be flexibly selected by users to facilitate welding with other development boards.
- 【Build Project in Tiny Size】Only 2.1cm*5.1cm ( as small as your thumb). Pico has been designed to use either soldered 0.1" pin-headers or can be used as a surface-mountable 'module'.
Tape loading and audio
The software lists .tap and .tzx tape-file reading, .z80 snapshot loading and tape audio input. For output, it documents options for the Spectrum buzzer and AY-3-8912. Which interfaces and wiring are needed depends on the chosen board build; the README does not establish one universal peripheral setup.
Build and install the right UF2
Building from source involves the Pico SDK and companion repositories, including PicoDVI, display and menu utilities, and Z80/Zeta emulator components. The project’s repository instructions are the authority for current dependency versions and target names.
Rank #3
- with pre-soldered header Raspberry Pi Pico. RP2040 microcontroller chip designed by Raspberry Pi in the United Kingdom
- Dual-core Arm Cortex M0+ processor, flexible clock running up to 133 MHz. 264KB of SRAM, and 2MB of on-board Flash memory.
- Castellated module allows soldering direct to carrier boards. USB 1.1 with device and host support. Low-power sleep and dormant modes. Drag-and-drop programming using mass storage over USB. 26 × multi-function GPIO pins.
- 2 × SPI, 2 × I2C, 2 × UART, 3 × 12-bit ADC, 16 × controllable PWM channels.Accurate clock and timer on-chip.Temperature sensor.
- Accelerated floating-point libraries on-chip.8 × Programmable I/O (PIO) state machines for custom peripheral support
- Choose a documented RP2040 or RP2350 board target and check its status in the README, including any “Untested” note.
- Select the matching display, input devices and tape/audio interfaces, then follow the wiring and platform instructions for that configuration.
- Set up the Pico SDK and the companion repositories listed by the project.
- Create a build directory, configure CMake for the selected board and platform, and compile the relevant target using the repository’s current commands.
- Locate the UF2 produced for that target. Put the board into its USB mass-storage boot mode and copy that UF2 to the boot drive.
Do not assume one UF2 works for every board or display. If the expected artifact or target is unclear, use the README’s current build instructions rather than substituting a binary for a different configuration.
Keep the project separate from similar Pico emulators
A separate community project documents a different Pico emulator with a 5 cm, 320×240 TFT, a serial keyboard driven by a Python client, and Z80/SNA image loading and saving: its repository is not the fruit-bat project. Those details should not be used to infer fruit-bat features. For handheld context, Raspberry Pi’s January 23, 2024 feature on a Pico ZX Spectrum handheld describes the PicoZX lineage: Peter Misenko (Bobricius) created the original design, which inspired Ken of What’s Ken Making to make a handheld build. That example does not establish current kit availability.
Rank #4
- New Flexible Microcontroller Board --- Raspberry Pi Pico is a tiny, fast, and versatile board. It's based on RP2040 chip, which features a dual-core Arm Cortex-M0+ processor with 264KB internal RAM and support for up to 16MB of off-chip Flash, flexible clock running up to 133 MHz.
- Multi-Function GPIO Pins---It has 26 multifunction GPIO pins, including 3 analogue inputs, 2 × UART, 2 × SPI controllers, 2 × I2C controllers, 16 × PWM channels.
- Rich Peripheral Set---A wide range of flexible I/O options includes I2C, SPI, and — uniquely —8 × Programmable I/O (PIO) state machines for custom peripheral support.
- Multiple Software Support---Raspberry Pi Pico has rich and complete software support and community resources. Programmable in C and MicroPython. Drag-and-drop programming using mass storage over USB.
- Low-power sleep and dormant modes; Accurate on-chip clock; Temperature sensor; Accelerated integer and floating-point libraries on-chip
Understand the licensing distinctions
The README says most project source code is licensed under the MIT License, but third-party files retain their own terms. It cautions that binaries may include components under other licenses and that documentation should not be assumed to be MIT-licensed. ROM images are copyrighted by Amstrad and redistributed with permission; the README advises users to ensure their own use complies with Amstrad’s terms. The source-code license does not make ROMs freely reusable.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Raspberry Pi Pico: A tiny, fast, and versatile board built using dual-core Arm Cortex-M0+ processor (Comes with pinout card and stickers)
- Detailed Tutorial: Provides step-by-step guide with MicroPython, C and Processing (Java) Code (The download link can be found on the product box) (No paper tutorial)
- Example Projects: Each project has schematics, wiring diagrams, complete code and detailed explanations (Need extra items)
- Easy to Use: Just connect the board to your computer (installed IDE) with the USB cable to program it
- Get Support: Our technical support team is always ready to answer your questions
