After 48 years on the market, the iconic Zilog Z80 microprocessor is being retired. Originally developed as a chip based on the Intel 8080, the Z80 became one of the most popular 8-bit CPUs for gaming and general computing devices. The Z80, manufactured by Zilog Company, was widely used in home computers, gaming consoles, and various electronic devices.
The Z80, with a maximum clock speed ranging from 2.5 MHz to 10 MHz, was a key component in Nintendo’s Game Boy and Game Boy Color, SEGA’s Master System and SG-1000, and classic arcade consoles. It was also used in military applications, music synthesizers, and other electronic devices. Federico Faggin, the engineer behind the Z80, founded Zilog in 1974 after developing Intel’s first 4-bit CPU, the 4004.
Technical support for the Z80 has now ended, and orders for the product will no longer be produced. Zilog’s manufacturing partners will stop accepting “last-minute buy” orders for the Z80 in mid-June. Companies interested in ordering the remaining Z80 products have a limited time to place their orders before support ends.
Zilog has shifted its focus to the embedded device market, providing advanced microcontroller products while still retaining compatibility with the original Z80 and Z180 designs. Despite its retirement, the Zilog Z80 leaves behind a legacy of innovation and widespread use in the world of electronics.