ZX Spectrum
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for ZX Spectrum.
Latest coverage
Dizzy - The Dragon Trap - An unofficial ZX Spectrum Dizzy fan game makes an appearance
Dizzy - The Dragon Trap, an unofficial fan game created in 1997 by Dmytro Mosiychuk and Viktor Voloshuk, has been recovered and released for the 48K ZX Spectrum. The game features new levels, graphics, and music, and was recently made playable after a digital recovery effort from its original cassette tape.
Fix-It Felix Jr has appeared on the ZX Spectrum Next and it looks really good!
A faithful port of the arcade game Fix-It Felix Jr., inspired by Wreck-It Ralph, has been released for the ZX Spectrum Next. This new version features striking 256-color graphics, fluid animations, digitized voice tracks, and an authentic chiptune soundtrack, offering a genuine retro arcade experience.
Knight Lore - Ultimate Play the Game classic arrives on the Commodore VIC-20
The classic isometric adventure game Knight Lore, originally by Ultimate Play the Game, has been ported to the Commodore VIC-20 with a 35K RAM expansion. This follows previous conversions to other 8-bit systems like the Commodore 64. The game challenges players to collect items and brew a cure for a werewolf curse within forty days, navigating deadly obstacles in its signature viewpoint.
Basilisk of Roko - A new action platformer for the speccy with a great soundtrack!
Basilisk of Roko is a new action-platformer developed by RetroSotano for the ZX Spectrum 128K. The game features 24 intricate screens, a notable soundtrack by Sergey Kosov and Pedro Pimenta, and puzzle-based gameplay focused on unlocking doors and collecting keys. The story follows Nachete, an employee of the AI company Neurolonk, who is transported to another world after an accident.
In 1985, one video game made you telephone for permission to nuke Europe
Theatre Europe, a 1985 wargame by Personal Software Services, is analyzed for its innovative and unsettling approach to nuclear war simulation. The game required players to make a real-world phone call to authorize a nuclear launch, a feature designed to highlight the catastrophic consequences of such actions. Despite controversy and a ban in West Germany, the game was praised for its chilling realism and its message against nuclear conflict, ultimately winning Strategy Game of the Year.
Rescue on Fractalus! - An 8bit classic is coming to an Amiga near you!
The classic 1985 game Rescue on Fractalus!, originally developed by Lucasfilm Games, is being ported to the Amiga by Vesuri. This port requires 1 MB of RAM and runs on Kickstart 1.3 or 3.1. The game is a tense planetary simulation where players pilot a Valkyrie fighter to rescue stranded pilots while avoiding alien saucers and ground emplacements.
Ghostbusters Revisited - A new take on that classic Ghostbusters game is coming to the C64
A new Commodore 64 game, 'Ghostbusters Revisited', is in development by Dave Izon, building upon a previous unfinished demo. This homebrew title aims to recreate the classic Ghostbusters experience with a first-person perspective and proton stream mechanics. It is separate from another project called 'Ghostbusters Remastered'.
THEA1200 launch edition comes with an exclusive ZZAP! Amiga magazine
Retro Games Limited announced that the UK launch edition of the THEA1200 will include an exclusive collector's edition of ZZAP! Amiga magazine. This special magazine, created in collaboration with Fusion Retro Books, will only be available with the first production run of the THEA1200. The 36-page publication features new content and nostalgic Amiga content, including reviews and features on classic games.
Fix-It Felix Jr is coming to the ZX Spectrum Next!
The arcade game Fix-It Felix Jr, inspired by the Wreck-It Ralph film, is coming to the ZX Spectrum Next. Developed by a team including Antonio Savona, Steven Day, and Saul Cross, this homebrew conversion follows its successful release on the Commodore 64. The game will be available for free on itch.io with an option to donate to charity.
Oids PC - A brilliant Thrust-like game comes over to the ZX Spectrum NEXT
Oids PC, a faithful recreation of Dan Hewitt's 1987 Atari ST game, has been released for the ZX Spectrum NEXT by Mausthekat. This new version preserves the original's challenging momentum-based physics and features 60fps performance, an optional CRT filter, and all six original galaxies.
Ranbler - A rather decent Scramble clone for the ZX Next by zxspeccykid
Ranbler, a new game for the ZX Spectrum Next, has been released, serving as a clone of Konami's 1981 arcade classic Scramble. Developed by zxspeccykid as a solo project using z80 assembly, the game features 13 levels and incorporates advanced ZX Spectrum Next hardware capabilities. The creator credits the homebrew community and open-source materials for their learning process.
Games Inbox: Will single-player video games go extinct?
This article discusses the current sales trends of single-player games, with readers expressing concern over their perceived decline in popularity compared to multiplayer titles. The piece also touches on the future of VR gaming, the potential for reboots of classic games like Elite, and the rising costs of GPUs and consoles.
NIGHTSHIFT SKEDADDLE ZX - A rather lovely looking arcade-style ladder maze race game for the ZX Spectrum
Nightshift Skedaddle ZX is a new arcade-style ladder maze race game for the ZX Spectrum 48K, developed by mavtherave as a sequel to Scrapyard Skedaddle. The game features a story about Willow navigating a biscuit factory to retrieve lost stock from the Rat Gang. It is designed as a short, simple, and nostalgic retro experience.
Astronaut Jet Pac - A Jet Pac inspiration for the Commodore Amiga by Rozsoft
Rozsoft has released Astronaut Jet Pac for the Commodore Amiga, a new game inspired by the classic ZX Spectrum title Jet Pac by Ultimate Play the Game. The game features a stranded astronaut collecting fuel and dodging aliens across five levels, with a looping difficulty for high-score enthusiasts. Rozsoft has implemented improvements such as collectable items that remain on the ground and extra lives awarded for accumulating points.
TX-1696 - A nod to Shoot 'em up classics for your ZX Spectrum Next [UPDATE]
The shoot 'em up game TX-1696 by Lucky Red Fish for the ZX Spectrum Next has received a significant price reduction to £25.00. The game is described as a coin-op quality destructive action title with a unique weapon system and multiple levels, drawing inspiration from classic titles like R-Type and Project-X.
ZXGolf - Lets play some Golf in this new ZX Spectrum 128k game by Menyiques
ZXGolf is a new golf game released for the ZX Spectrum 128K by Menyiques, featuring two 18-hole courses and advanced techniques like memory paging and ZX0 compression. The game supports single-player, two-player, and AI opponents, with realistic elements such as variable wind and a detailed green view.
Porklike - It's the turn of the ZX Spectrum to get a port of a Pico 8 game!
HairyViking has released a ZX Spectrum port of the turn-based roguelike Porklike, originally created for the Pico-8 by Krystian Majewski. This 8-bit adaptation retains the original's minimalist aesthetic while being redesigned for the ZX Spectrum. Players must navigate nine levels of traps and enemies to steal the Wurstlord's Kielbasa, with support for keyboard and various joystick inputs.
BACKROOMS ZX - This new ZX Spectrum game by AmikoES is rather decent
AmikoES has released a new ZX Spectrum game titled BACKROOMS ZX, which challenges players to survive the unsettling depths of the Backrooms. The game features both side-scrolling and top-down perspectives, offering Arcade and Exploration modes with elements like platforming, resource management, and combat.
A new retro and gaming exhibition arrives next month at Kingston University
Kingston University is hosting a free retro and gaming exhibition from August 5th to 11th, featuring over 60 playable machines from the 1970s to the present day. The exhibition, organized by the Archive of Retro Computing at Kingston University (ARC@KU), will showcase classic titles and consoles like Sonic the Hedgehog, Pac-Man, Tomb Raider, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, and Atari 2600. The event aims to celebrate and preserve video game history, making it accessible to the public.
The NES is 45 years old – here’s why there’s no nostalgia for it in the UK
The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), despite its global importance and iconic franchises, had a minimal cultural impact and generated little nostalgia in the UK. This is attributed to its late release in 1987, high price point compared to dominant home computers like the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64, and a perception of being for children, unlike Sega's offerings. While foundational for many genres and franchises in North America and Japan, the NES's legacy in the UK is largely overshadowed by these market factors.
