ZX Spectrum
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for ZX Spectrum.
Latest coverage
MAX STONE DOS - MAX STONE TWO - The sequel to a fantastic ZX Spectrum game by Flopping
Flopping has released Max Stone Two, a sequel to a ZX Spectrum game, featuring a chiptune soundtrack and two difficulty settings. The game is available now and offers a blend of challenging gameplay for retro enthusiasts.
Metal Man Remixed - This stunningly overhauled Metal Man Reloaded has made another appearance on the ZX Spectrum
Slider and goodboy'26 have announced the re-release of 'Metal Man Remixed', an improved version of the 2015 action game Metal Man Reloaded for the ZX Spectrum. Originally developed by Oleg Origin and Stella Aragonskaya, this version features updated graphics, new animations, alternative music, and a tweaked difficulty level. The game is available for free, with the remixed version appearing again due to the original developer's website no longer being functional.
The Last Ninja Collection Review – Blast From the Past
The Last Ninja Collection offers a nostalgic trip for fans of 1980s and 1990s home computer games, featuring the original trilogy, a remake, and other titles like International Karate+. While International Karate+ remains a strong multiplayer experience, the core Last Ninja games' design, particularly their challenging controls and pixel-perfect jumping, has not aged well, though a save option is included.
TOWER 48 - SimTower arrives on the ZX Spectrum via haabb001
Tower 48, a skyscraper management simulation heavily inspired by Maxis's SimTower, has been released for the ZX Spectrum by developer haabb001. The game tasks players with constructing and managing a massive architectural marvel, balancing various factors like cash flow, population, and tenant satisfaction.
Slick Willy — A Manic Miner Graphic Improvement Project for the ZX Spectrum
Developer Bob Fossil has released 'Slick Willy,' a playable mod for the ZX Spectrum classic Manic Miner, featuring enhanced graphics and sprites. This project builds upon an earlier, stalled remake effort by ParadigmShifter, integrating new assets into the original game engine. The mod offers a visual upgrade for the beloved title, though some animation adjustments were necessary for the main character.
BLINDWALKER - A new retro puzzle-platformer for the ZX Spectrum by Ariel Endaraues
Ariel Endaraues has released BLINDWALKER, a new retro puzzle-platformer for the ZX Spectrum. The game won the Best Technological Development Award at Retro Game Dev 2026 for its technical achievements on 8-bit hardware. BLINDWALKER features a unique gameplay mechanic where players guide a visually impaired owner through a haunted mansion.
Radioactive Ralph - A Manic Miner-like ZX Spectrum clone that's well worth checking out!
Radioactive Ralph is a high-quality Manic Miner clone for the ZX Spectrum, now available as a digital download. It features classic flickering sprites alongside faster animations and impressive static graphics, with notable audio design by the KUVO team. Players control a robot named Ralph to collect radioactive plates within a contaminated power station while avoiding enemies and toxins.
A Brief History Of James Bond Video Games
This article chronicles the history of James Bond video games, tracing the spy's evolution from early text-based adventures to modern first-person shooters and open-world titles. It highlights key games like Goldeneye 007 and discusses the varying success of the franchise across different platforms and eras.
Bloodstone - This new ZX Spectrum 128k game by ZXOnline looks gorgeous!
ZXOnline has released Bloodstone, a new platformer for the ZX Spectrum 128k. The game is being praised for its high-quality visuals and atmospheric storytelling, pushing the limits of the classic hardware. The narrative follows Kamran, who must fight without his soul after his father's sacrifice.
Shadow Fields - This side scrolling Shoot 'em up for the ZX Spectrum 128k by Gandulf is rather decent!
The new horizontal-scrolling shoot 'em up, Shadow Fields, has been released for the ZX Spectrum 128k. Developed and graphically designed by Manuel Ferreira Moreno (Gandulf), the game is praised for pushing the hardware's limits with features like destructible environments and large bosses. It exclusively supports 128K models and utilizes assembler code.
SuperHair 2 Revenge of the Wizard - For the first time Super Hair goes Isometric in this new ZX Spectrum game
Micro Chops has announced the release of the new ZX Spectrum game, Super Hair 2: Revenge of the Wizard. This installment features an isometric perspective, a departure from previous Super Hair platformers. The game is available for both 48k and 128k ZX Spectrums and includes gameplay mechanics such as traversing rooms, moving objects, and avoiding enemies.
A mouse life 2: Escape from science lab - Help a Mouse escape from the laboratory in this new ZX Spectrum 128k game from BAD BITS
BAD BITS has released a new ZX Spectrum 128k homebrew game titled A Mouse Life 2: Escape from Science Lab. Players guide a mouse through laboratory screens, deactivating force fields and collecting letters to spell 'DOOR' to escape. The game features AI-generated art adapted for the Spectrum and a chiptune soundtrack.
The Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum Are Getting Retro Clamshell Handheld Comebacks
HyperMegaTech!, a brand of Blaze Entertainment, has announced two new retro-inspired handheld consoles: THEC64 Mini and The Spectrum Handheld. These devices feature clamshell designs reminiscent of the Nintendo 3DS and come pre-loaded with 25 games each, with expandable storage via microSD. Both consoles are priced at $129.99 and are available for pre-order, with collector's editions limited to 2000 units each.
The ZX Spectrum that never was, until now - The Spectrum White Edition inspired by the ‘one millionth’ legend launches today
Retro Games Ltd, in collaboration with PLAION REPLAI, has launched The Spectrum White Edition, a new all-white recreation of the iconic ZX Spectrum 48k computer. This collector's edition, inspired by community folklore of a white model marking one million units sold, features the original rubber keyboard, 48 built-in games, HDMI output, and USB support. It launches on the 44th anniversary of the original ZX Spectrum's release, priced at £129.99, with a matching THEGAMEPAD (White) controller available separately.
The Tower Of Ochate - A new puzzle platformer for the ZX Spectrum by FlunkyRetro that's worth a play!
Retro gaming developer FlunkyRetro has released a new puzzle platformer for the ZX Spectrum titled The Tower Of Ochate. Players take on the role of a paranormal investigator trapped in the Tower of Ochate, needing to solve mechanical puzzles in each room to escape. The game is built on the MPAGD engine and features music by Air and art by Aitor Chavez.
Nigel Alderton interview - the man behind ZX Spectrum classic Chuckie Egg
Nigel Alderton, the creator of the 1983 ZX Spectrum classic Chuckie Egg, discusses his early career in game development, the design philosophy behind the game, and its recent mobile remake. Alderton, who developed the game as a teenager, reflects on the differences between early home computer development and the modern industry, and shares his thoughts on the enduring appeal of his seminal platformer.
Games Inbox: Are retro games better than modern gaming?
Readers debate whether retro games are superior to modern gaming, citing the current industry's perceived issues and long waits between major releases. While some appreciate the raw excitement of older titles, others acknowledge the advancements in technology and gameplay offered by contemporary games, including indie titles and remakes like Resident Evil 4.
I still play my favourite ZX Spectrum game 38 years after it came out - Reader’s Feature
A reader shares their enduring passion for Laser Squad, a ZX Spectrum game released in 1988, highlighting its gameplay similarities to X-COM and its enduring appeal as a turn-based multiplayer experience. Despite its age and the limitations of the ZX Spectrum, the author finds the game's core mechanics timeless and continues to play it using emulation.
Commando - This Hack/Mod of an 8bit classic looks rather super now on the ZX Spectrum
A new hack/mod for the classic ZX Spectrum game Commando has been released by tiboh'24-26. This modification overhauls the intro graphics and adds AY-Music, bringing it closer to versions on other platforms like the Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, and Commodore 64. The game, originally released by Elite Systems Ltd in 1985, is a vertical scrolling shoot-'em-up.
Commodore 64 game sequel is so old school it's being released on cassette tape
A sequel to the classic Commodore 64 action platformer Impossible Mission, titled Impossible Mission 3, is set to be released on May 18, 2026. Developed by Icon 64 and published by Psytronik, the game will be available as a digital download and on physical cartridge or cassette tape for the original Commodore 64, featuring retro-style visuals and digitized speech. The game's design, graphics, and coded speech are by industry veteran Trevor Storey.
