I'd actually dig a version of ZZT that's exactly like it is now, and runs everything exactly the same, except for working the way it's supposed to... like how it used to on older version of Windows and stuff
Being an alternative GCS fanatic, I ask you if you'd be interested in fixing up the source code of BANG!. BANG! is a GCS far superior than ZZT and MZX. It's written in C/C++, uses Allegro, and is Windows based. All you'd have to to is make the source be able to compile then things will go from there. In return, I'm willing to give you a framed self-made color pastel drawing of the various aspects of ZZT.