noddybox has released DS81 v1.0 - a basic Sinclair ZX81 emulator for the DS. The ZX81 is a home computer released by Sinclair Research back in 1981. The Sinclair ZX81 was hooked up to a TV set and saving and loading programs were done using ordinary magnetic audio tapes on home audio tape recorder. Its claim to fame was being the first home computer under US$ 100.

Through DS81, you can now play games originally made for the ZX81 such as noddybox's favorite 3D Monster Maze. The just released emulator doesn't support loading of external files right now but itdoes include a few games to try out:

* ZX81 ROM © 1981 Nine Tiles Networks Ltd
* City Patrol © 1982 Don Priestley
* Sabotage © 1982 Don Priestley
* 3D Monster Maze © 1983 Malcom E. Evans

When you run DS81, following a splash screen, you'll sede a ZX81 display on the top screen and a soft keyboard on which you can type.Click on the bottom part of the touch screen for the menu. Choose choose a tape, reset the ZX81 and set the sticky state of the shift key on or off. Once you have selected a tape, simply type LOAD "" on the ZX81 to load it. All the included games map the joypad and buttons to sensible settings for each specific game.

And here's a special note from the developer: "I did not write these games, or own the copyright to them. They are included in good faith (as far as I know the authors do not mind this work being distributed), and if any of them want their work removing I'll gladly oblige."