The Spectrum - upcoming console from Retro Games

[subcon959]

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The new console from Retro Games appears to have leaked - it's the legendary ZX Spectrum! We're looking at a projected November release for around £90.

Here's the marketing blurb...

Relive The Magic. Discover The Spectrum, a beautifully designed masterpiece that belongs in an art gallery, adorned with its signature rainbow colours. This fun, quirky, and extroverted machine brings back the joy of accessible pick-up-and-play games, offering an experience that modern gaming has lost. With its timeless aesthetic and vibrant personality, The Spectrum isn't just a replica of the iconic Eighties home computer; it's a work of art that delivers a nostalgic, yet ever-relevant gaming adventure for everyone.

• Emulates 48 and 128 models of the ZX Spectrum
• Fully working replica keyboard
• 48 games built-in, including; Manic Miner, The Hobbit, and Head Over Heels
• Multi region 720 HD output via HDMI, with PAL (50Hz) and NTSC (60Hz) compatibility. Play in original 4:3 or pixel perfect aspect ratios, with or without CRT filters and configurable border size
• Choose from 12 attractive frames to surround gameplay
• Save games at any point in one of 4 slots per games and rewind gameplay by up to 40 seconds
• Play games you own via a USB flash drive with multiple file-type compatibility (TAP/TZX/PZX/SZX/Z80/SNA)
• Includes 32 page Crash Magazine "Mini-Mag" special edition, featuring reviews of classic and new games, along with articles and editorial on the world of Spectrum computing

 

[hippy dave]

Real keyboard is a step up from the Amiga mini. We weren't a Spectrum family (Amstrad CPC, baybeh) but this looks well done.

Post automatically merged: Aug 26, 2024

Doesn't say anything about joystick support, but I'm guessing it should work in those USB ports. If it supports all the regular emulated file types I doubt they'd skip out on joystick support.

 

[sudeki300]

ahhh, the memories with this bit of kit, running home after school to get on the speccy.good times

 

[shaunj66]

Classic!

My second computer was the ZX +2 . The James Bond action pack to be specific! Spent many an hour copying my mates tapes and writing game code out of the old magazines!

I love the look of these old retro systems but they're the sort of thing you play for 10 minutes then put on the shelf for the rest of time

 

[Latiodile]

Real keyboard is a step up from the Amiga mini.

probably because the spectrum wasn't that big in the first place tbh, there's not much to "miniaturize" unless you make it the size of a RPi, judging by these renders it looks like the size of the original thing

 

[AmandaRose]

probably because the spectrum wasn't that big in the first place tbh, there's not much to "miniaturize" unless you make it the size of a RPi, judging by these renders it looks like the size of the original thing

The Sinclair made models were small but the Amstrad plus models were huge.

 

[Latiodile]

The Sinclair made modes were small but the Amstrad plus models were huge.

fair, i'm not european/british so i don't know much about these things, i only know about the particular model this one's based on
i think there was a model released in the west but it failed really hard, but i think it was based on one of the bigger ones and had a tape deck built in

 

[ILuvGames]

That's nice and all but damn, I kinda miss tape games from when I had a 48k speccy. And besides, the TOSEC set is huge. Good luck sorting all those if that is what most people will do.

 

[subcon959]

I think it's a bit disappointing not including a joystick when all the previous releases had one. They are really limiting sales to old farts with the keyboard only approach.

 

[chasdgreen]

From what I recall, the price is a lot lower than the original 48k Spectrum I bought from W H Smith when they were first released

 

[subcon959]

From what I recall, the price is a lot lower than the original 48k Spectrum I bought from W H Smith when they were first released

Just a tad.. I make it about £700 lower after adjusting for inflation. A lot more if you add the 48 games. Hmm, I guess it's a bloody bargain then.

 

[RedColoredStars]

I owned one of these along with a 16K Ram Pack:

Timex Sinclair 1000
https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/nmah_334354

 

[subcon959]

I owned one of these along with a 16K Ram Pack:

Timex Sinclair 1000
https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/nmah_334354

I think I recall playing some 3D maze game on the ZX-81! My mind was blown.

 

[AmandaRose]

I think I recall playing some 3D maze game on the ZX-81! My mind was blown.

Probably 3d Monster Maze

 

[ciro64]

ZX Spectrum caught my curiosity ever since I played Jetpac on Donkey Kong 64 - and after I looked at its cute but reportedly uncomfortable keyboard.

I hear a lot of stories about programmers who grew up with computers like these and started out by typing code from a manual. I'm a programmer who wasn't born neither at the time or the place to experience this so I always wonder what it was like.

About this modernized version, HDMI input-only is always a turnoff for me. I get why it's financially effective to just do that, but man let me use my CRTs please.

 

[Lostbhoy]

C64 was better.... Come at me

 

[sudeki300]

Classic!

My second computer was the ZX +2 . The James Bond action pack to be specific! Spent many an hour copying my mates tapes and writing game code out of the old magazines!

View attachment 454738

I love the look of these old retro systems but they're the sort of thing you play for 10 minutes then put on the shelf for the rest of time

i remember they were doing the offers in the newspaper where you sent in your 48k to get it upgraded to the 48k +, never did it personally loved the rubber keys too much on the spectrum.

 

[The Catboy]

Me an autist

 

[SylverReZ]

Amiga was honestly a good system, the same with the Spectrum, combined with a good handful of amazing games.

 

[AmandaRose]

Amiga was honestly a better system.

That's kinda a stupid statement considering the Amiga came out years after the ZX Spectrum so obviously it would be better.