Retro Virtual Machine (RVM) represents the aesthetic and functional vanguard in the emulation of Amstrad systems. Created by the Spanish developer Juan Carlos González Amestoy, this emulator was designed under a clear premise: not just to emulate software, but to replicate the sensory experience of sitting in front of a real machine from the 80s.

Unlike other projects with interfaces based on classic menus, RVM offers an integrated visual environment where each emulated system is presented as an independent "virtual machine". Its support for the Amstrad PCW range is one of the most meticulously crafted today, standing out for a visual fidelity that accurately recreates the flickering and persistence of GT65 monitors.

Among its greatest documented contributions to the PCW system are:

• Advanced Monitor Filters: It is widely considered the emulator with the best visual representation of the PCW. Its filters allow adjusting brightness, contrast, and screen curvature, making working in LocoScript visually identical to the original hardware.


• Intuitive User Experience: Thanks to its "Drag & Drop" system, managing .dsk images is extremely simple. Furthermore, its internal database automatically recognizes a large part of the existing software catalog.


• Multiplatform Performance: It is the reference choice for macOS users, offering exceptional performance and seamless integration with the modern architecture of Apple systems.

PCW support in RVM reached technical maturity in 2025-2026, allowing full integration with the machine's standard peripherals.

• Supported Models: Primary focus on the classic PCW 8256 and 8512 models.
• Audio Fidelity: Includes a unique emulation of the floppy drive sounds, helping the user identify loading processes and read errors in the same way as in the 80s.
• Snapshot Management: Allows saving the exact state of the machine at any time, ideal for pausing work sessions in CP/M or games.