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The Z80 ( i ) was an improved implementation of the Intel 8080 architecture, which was faster, more capable, and much cheaper ; alongside the 6502 it was one of the most popular 8-bit processors for general purpose microcomputers and other applications.

It was used in the Nintendo Game Boy, the Sinclair ZX80, ZX81, ZX Spectrum and the Amstrad CPC home computers as well as the MSX architecture and the Tandy TRS-80 series — among many others.

More so than simply sparking improvements in the budding field of home computing and gaming, the Z-80 also sparked a revolution in electronic music, as the first truly programmable polyphonic synthesizers ( as well as their peripherals ) relied heavily on implementations of this CPU.