We get to review an old favourite, again
It’s fair to say that I have a bit of a soft spot for the ZX Spectrum. It is, after all, the first computer I ever owned and what got me into this whole crazy technology world I now work and play in.
I therefore followed with great interest the Kickstarter project from Elite, back when it was first launched in December 2013 – even when the project stalled due to unpaid royalties to some developers of the games featured. It’s been a bit of struggle for the team behind the project to finally get the Recreated ZX Spectrum to the desktops of the backers, but despite some bad press from certain quarters, it’s finally here. And we now have a valid excuse to re-play Chuckie Egg.
First off, the Recreated ZX Spectrum looks, feels and even smells like the original machine. The dimensions are precise, and even the weight is a few grams within the parameters of this much loved 80s home computer. The rubber 'dead flesh' keys are beautifully remade, complete with the Symbol Shift, Caps Shift, Graphics and multiple commands per-key that we once knew like the backs of our hands.
The case bears the same colours, with the iconic Spectrum rainbow stripe along one side, and the raised, plastic moulded top with Sinclair and ZX Spectrum logos. After that, though, the rest of the Spectrum is a purely 21st century affair.
Where the rear of the original featured the 9VDC, expansion, Mic, Ear and TV ports, this modern creation instead has a power switch, status LED, Pair button, Layer A and B switch and a 5V DC micro USB port, together with a battery compartment on the base for a couple of AA rechargeable batteries.
The Pair button is pretty self-explanatory, since this new Spectrum is essentially just a Bluetooth powered keyboard. The Layer A and B switch, however, changes the state of the keyboard when the Spectrum is connected to a PC, these options being a Game mode and a QWERTY mode. The difference is in the Game mode, keys 1 through to 0, D and Enter are available. In the QWERTY mode, the Spectrum keys can be unlocked and used as a traditional keyboard on a PC.
Out of the box, the Spectrum is a novel, if somewhat expensive, Bluetooth keyboard. To get the best from it, you’ll need to connect it to either an Android or iOS device, or to a PC running the Recreated Spectrum app or online web app.
The app opens up the Recreated Spectrum, along with a collection of games, such as Chuckie Egg, Manic Miner, Saboteur, Scuba Dive, Thanatos and even access to 48K and 128K BASIC – along with instruction on how to play or use them. There are many more titles – 50 to be precise – which each cost 70p.
Interestingly, we did manage to get it working as a fully blown Bluetooth keyboard on our PC while using Spectaculator. Unfortunately, the keys were mapped incorrectly – the PC thinking that it was a traditional UK Bluetooth keyboard. However, it did work, and again that opens up a more realistic retro gaming experience, especially if you have countless Spectrum images on hand.
Through the app, though, the emulation of the games is flawless. And equally, the interaction between the Recreated Spectrum and the app and game is perfect. Trying to find the right balance between modern connectivity while recreating the nostalgia is something that many modern retro consoles fail to do with any degree of accuracy. With the Recreated Spectrum, though, everything from the build quality to the app itself is absolutely wonderful.
The fans of the original machine are undoubtedly going to be the hardest to please and probably the ones who will ultimately be purchasing the device in the first place. There are no doubt younger retro fans too, but in all honesty we can’t see a modern teenager opting to spend £99 of their own money to play a 30-year-old platform game. For the 40-plus retro gamer, we think the Recreated ZX Spectrum beats the rival ZX Spectrum Vega model. But it is a niche device for a niche set of users.
The biggest hurdle for Elite and the companies involved in the production of the Recreated Spectrum is the addition of more games to the database. The company does hope to have several hundred available within the coming year, but getting hold of licences and so on could well be an impossible task.
Of course, there will be some cases where your favourite game may never appear, Barry McGuigan World Championship Boxing might still be something we play through Spectaculator or the original Spectrum and tape, but it would be nice to see developers and publishers putting their forgotten titles forward.
Ultimately, the Recreated ZX Spectrum is a fan’s dream come true. It’s a fantastic, welldesigned and well-engineered device that looks great even through the rose-tinted hue of nostalgia. Where it goes from here will be interesting, and we’re be looking forward to a splendid year of 80s gaming. David Hayward
An amazing recreation of our childhood memories.