https://www.instructables.com/Play-Zork-and-other-zmachine-files-on-Linux/
https://retropie.org.uk/docs/Zmachine/
Here is a subset of some of the links on archive.org
- Arthur - The Quest for Excaliber v74 (1989)
- Beyond Zork - The Coconut of Quendor v57 (1987)
- Enchanter v29 (1986)
- Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy SG, The v31 (1984)
- Mini-Zork I - The Great Underground Empire v34 (1988)
- Zork - The Undiscovered Underground v16 (1997)
- Zork I - The Great Underground Empire v88 (1983)
- Zork II - The Wizard of Frobozz v48 (1983)
- Zork III - The Dungeon Master v17 (1982)
- Zork Zero - The Revenge of Megaboz v383 (19xx)
Download and unzip somewhere.
In most of the zip files there should be an extension of .z# like .z5 or .DAT
Install frotz and xzip and gargoyle-free. You only need one of them, but you can try out each to see what you think of them.
sudo apt install frotz xzip gargoyle-free
cd z-machine-games
frotz ZTUU.z5
"It is with great hope and expectation I send you on this mission," the
Grand Inquisitor intones, his voice booming like distant, rumbling
thunderheads. "We have discovered what appears to be a piece of the
Great Underground Empire, never before explored. I would have sent
Grubald the Bold, but he's busy. As is Matchlick the Mighty. So, 'tis
you."
"What of Linklaw the Lucky?" you ask shyly.
"Laid up. I'm afraid 'tis you and none other. A simple, solo quest, one
of fun and mirth, mischief and merriment, a jaunt, an excursion, a
simple outing. Merely explore, enjoy yourself, and bring back news of
what lies there, long-ago buried for countless ages."
"And Fretsham the Fortunate?" you ask hopefully.
"A fatality!" the Inquisitor booms. "Here," he says with evaporating
patience, "take these and be of good cheer." He thrusts into your hands
two things: a brass lantern of dubious quality; and a plastic sword of
no antiquity or use whatsoever.
"But what of Kolchack the --"
"Enough! Kolchack is contracted. Remember, who is the boss of you!" He
pauses briefly as if awaiting a reply. Then without warning, he answers
his own question. "Me! I am the boss of you! Now begone!"
And with that, you embark on...
Zork: The Undiscovered Underground, a text adventure prequel to Zork
Grand Inquisitor
Copyright 1997 by Activision Inc.
Written by Marc Blank and Mike Berlyn, programmed by Gerry Kevin Wilson.Release 16 / Serial number 970828 / Inform v6.13 Library 6/2
Standard interpreter 1.0
New Excavation
You are standing at the entrance of a narrow, waist-high tunnel that
winds out of sight to the northeast. This, you have been told, is the
entrance to the newfound areas of the Great Underground Empire.