a New SPECTRUM in 2024 LEAKED - THE SPECTRUM announced - 8bit Computer from Retro Games LTD - Speccy

[@wonderdog8895]

Smyths is a toy store here in the UK. It's basically Toys'r'us. The Sinclair trademark is owned by Sky (the satellite TV company) in the UK, and apparently wouldn't licence the Sinclair name for the device (or maybe wanted loads of money), so there is a slightly modified case design (has "RETRO" instead of "SINCLAIR" embossed on the top), and probably has a slightly modified software stack, probably just removing trademarked terms like "Sinclair" etc from the rom. The seperate USB port is there for you to keep a USB stick in with extra disk images and such on it. It supports all the main disk/tape/cartirdge image file formats. It ships with a USB A>C power cable, but no power block (any phone charger will work). It will use the same ARM based emulator board seen in all the recent retrogames mini consoles. Perfectly capable of the task. The Smyths pictures show it comes with an issue of Crash magazine. It emulates both 48k and 128k spectrum models, there are a lot of great 128k specific games. This device is gonna sell massively in the UK on nostalgia. The Spectrum is to the UK what the C64 was the to the USA. Having the fully functional rubber keyboard of the original is going to be massive. Can't wait - but also really can't wait for the announced "full sized Amiga" due in Q1'25 !

[@Jammet]

FINALLY! I have been PRAYING for this to happen!!!!

[@spidericemidasiosmusicprod1309]

Same here. Already got a folder of Spectrum ROMs saved on my phone in anticipation of this possibly becoming a reality.

[@davidmcilroy1578]

Is to be officially announced next Tuesday at 2pm by retro computers, but now the worst kept secret in retro gaming. Like a lot of others, I pre ordered one earlier on Amazon. Not for everyone, I appreciate that, but I think good for the speccy scene and brings more interest

[@ChampippleD]

I’m getting one despite having zero nostagia because I collect all these mini systems and enjoy diving into what made them special. It’s fun to watch enthusiasts videos on the unique technology and play the catalog, curated by fan lists of favourite or most memorable games.

[@MarcKloos]

But the *The Spectrum* isn't a mini, it's a maxi! If it was a mini, they wouldn't be able to fit the PCB in it 😄

[@mattmyers9351]

Great video TJ! Yeah, im excited by the news! I'll probably pre-order one.

[@BartBear]

The Company (RG) has made so far - TheC64Mini, full size with functional keyboard TheC64(Maxi), TheVIC20(Maxi), TheA500 mini and TheA400(mini) - all are hardware emulators powered by ARM or Allwinner with this "carousel" mode or standard boot, some features like savestates or last x second backward in game. Now comes The Spectrum and next year it will be The (one of Amiga model - Maxi) - all these are great emulators (got mine TheC64Maxi) for games and fun, but for real "Retro-Maniacs" who want to have just like original real favourites computers with abilities to connect any original peripherals are FPGA based product like Next and RM ;)

[@cdoty]

The Smyths listing is showing a box that says it includes a Crash magazine. It might be limited to Smyths. That would be a cool addition though. I will probably grab one when they show up on Amazon.

[@tenminutetokyo2643]

That is going to be totally awesome.

[@justinwormleighton7433]

Hey TJ I've just pre-ordered one of these in time for Christmas!

[@starship2010]

Loved this video TJ like your others. Very entertaining and informative

[@ambigousBarrel]

I think the power supply situation is related to a law the EU passed about power plugs or something. Dunno but that's my guess! But would love to have one of these! Have an original grey +2 but would love a modern recreation to go with it! Can never have enough ZX Spectrum goodness!

[@MarcKloos]

Yes, to combat e-waste the EU discourages shipping power bricks. Also you're likely to have one already or can use your TV's USB port (that's what I do with my Atari 2600+).

[@idea1407]

I'm getting this. I had one in 1983 in Spain and when I went back to the US the next year, I couldn't use it because of TV incompatibility. So I'm getting this as it is probably going to be in my price range. Btw Retro Games made The C64 Mini and the C64. Maxi was a nickname given by the fans.

[@Jammet]

You know, this is how I play catch-up to old computers! Back then I had an Amstrad CPC, but I buy every single mini and "maxi" they make, because this allows me to have something cool sitting around, that I like to look at, while getting just as giddy as I was when I was a child, when I'm about to touch my first ever home computer. I'm still hoping they make a small CPC too, but I always kept saying how they should just make a Spectrum, because then you wouldn't NEED a mini, they're small to begin with! :3 And I love exploring these other home computers!

[@techsaverscomputerrepairca2127]

I'm hoping that maybe next year we'll get an MSX computer out of RGL (also compatible with the Sega Master System and the ColecoVision, since tge hardware is so similar).

[@MacSociety]

I like that MSX idea. I been wanting an MSX for a while.

[@BoomerNewman]

Definitely going to get one, wonder if it comes with a usb joystick/pad like the other machines from Retro Games

[@islygon]

I have "almost" all of their machines... I have the Atari 400 mini, the Amiga 500 mini, and the C64 Maxi (well, I have the VIC 20 version, but they are the same machine, with just a different look). They are great machines, a lot of fun! Even the mini versions you can plug in a USB keyboard and use it like an original computer. It usually boots to the menu with the built in games, as well as a browser option to read your USB dongle. You can also boot them into the computers original "Basic" command line as well, and use it like the old days. They are exactly what you said.. easy to use, plug and play, no fuss machines that just work... They are NOT however FPGA.. if they were, they would be closer to the price of the Speccy NEXT... What they are is more like a custom Raspberry Pi.. a cheap ARM based small board computer with their software installed running a custom tuned emulator. I wouldn't be surprised at all if this one runs something like FUSE at its core, and they just custom build it with their own software on top. The commodore one for example runs a custom build of VICE, and I believe the Amiga one is just running some flavor of UAE. Will I get one.... yep.. most likely... I have a stack of their machines, and it will be nice to get this one, to make it easier to play with original spectrum software on something I can just plug into my TV and go. I am also very interested to see how the keyboard is. The full sized Commodore 64/VIC 20 keyboard is actually very nice! I want to see how they manage the rubber keys of a 48K ZX Spectrum. Supposedly their next machine after this one is a full sized Amiga of some sort... I would guess a 600, as it is the smallest one. The only one I didn't buy was the C64 Mini, just because I have so many ways to play C64 software already... but the full sized version was a must... ANYWAY! I am interested to see what is said on Tuesday!

[@MacSociety]

Maybe this will be my 1st Retro Games computer.

[@islygon]

@@MacSociety You will like it!

[@MarcKloos]

These machines are made by Plaion-formerly known as Koch Media-for Atari (the 2600+, upcoming 7800+, CX joysticks, The 400 mini), Konami (huge arcade joystick) and Retro Games (The C64, The A400, The VIC).

[@davidwhaite3330]

Love your energy TJ lol I'm getting one of these it looks awesome and it'll sell like hot cakes ,

[@alanreader4815]

I Also had an old model from the 80's in 1984. 50 years now and want to Relive the Feeling of what the future was like Back then. UK viewer Ftom Reading U|K. if you want one i can help you get one Ship it to the U.S :).

[@Inaflap]

40 years.

[@insoft_uk]

Hopefully it’s FPGA not an emulator as some games will not correctly work in a emulator and HDMI can be an issue like on the Spectrum NEXT fo a game like Aquaplane you need to use 48K RGB to get the timing correct for that border split

[@HiddenAsbestos]

They've never used an FPGA before, no reason to think they'd use one now. Emulating a simple machine like a Spectrum really doesn't need one. It would massively inflate the price and limit availability for no benefit.

[@Inaflap]

I've played that game under FUSE and the border split is perfect.

[@delmonti]

....if it turns out the keyboard works and you can side load games and the emulation is good then YES!

[@MarcKloos]

It should work, otherwise you wouldn't be able to play the included The Hobbit properly. (Ugh, no onscreen keyboards please!)

[@JonLazer]

I hope nostalgiac 50yr olds get these first. I'd love to play 'Feud' and 'Back to Skool' again!

[@andrewbevan4662]

So everyone loves the rubber keys now?..why not make a toast rack replica ...

[@HiddenAsbestos]

It's not aimed at people who know what a toastrack is. All of their products look like the most familiar variant of the hardware - breadbin, A500, etc.

[@jeitoots]

Pre-ordered. Hopefully it doesn't turn out like the Vega+! 😂

[@HiddenAsbestos]

Maxi is a community made up thing, RetroGames don't use that naming, it's just "TheC64" and "TheC64 mini". If you call the models with keyboards 'maxi' that's at your own risk ! :D

[@MacSociety]

lol

[@thomasrotweiler]

I had a rubber key Speccy back in the day when they came out. Hated the keyboard. Got a Plus as soon as that came out. Have a Next so have no need for this.

[@pedroschurmann3345]

no dohicky, no sale! cheers!

[@intellivisiongamer]

😮 nice!

[@ddabrahim]

I find it so disappointing this retro company can mass produce these remake emulation machines while the ZX Spectrum Next released only every few years on demand. And I have to add, these emulation machines do feel good, they are not cheap replicas. I own The C64 Maxi and typing on it feels really good. It has very good keyboard and the software is also well optimised. So it is not even that they use cheap materials and designes.

[@melthebell33]

comes down to money, the Next team dont have the cash up front to make more machines up front, even if its only a few thousand machines, so they decided to kickstart it

[@HiddenAsbestos]

Using an FPGA and all those connectors and buttons make a Next cost more, plus it's an enthusiast device. RGL will be able to sell more / get more funding because of the recreation/nostalgia factor being an easier proposition to 'sell' to investors. (Don't get me wrong, I'm sad about this - I'd buy a Next if they sold them everywhere and cost the same as this TheSpectrum)

[@melthebell33]

@@HiddenAsbestos indeed this is mainly aimed at the casual market which is what makes me laugh at the hardcore spectrum users that whinge, these things arent really aimed at the hardcore, but theyre the first to spit the dummy out, it happened with the c64 too

[@HiddenAsbestos]

@@melthebell33 The full-sized Amiga will be same too - what do you mean it doesn't have a real floppy drive ?!?!.. I too see a lot of misunderstandings about who these devices are aimed for - the answer is probably not people who already own a real one in 2024 - they're gifts for someone who hasn't seen one since they were a kid and couldn't care less if it has a parallel port or supports real cartridges, etc.

[@MikaelLindberg]

I have not found where to buy it in the USA yet. Anyone?

[@MacSociety]

@@MikaelLindberg not aware of any USA places. I believe only online from overseas. I have not ordered so not sure.

[@intellivisiongamer]

Maxipad 😂

[@melthebell33]

Opinions are like arseholes as they say.....everybodys got one

[@TurboCharged_RubberDuck]

Its from the same company that make the mini's (C64, Amiga 500 and Atari 400) and THEC64 and THEVIC20 so it will probably be a pretty high quality FPGA reproduction of the original with a real keyboard! They have always secured the rights to the games and firmwares from the respective license owners.

[@HiddenAsbestos]

I agree with you on the quality and I'm a happy customer of there. Technically it's not FPGA though, just a fast ARM processor running emulation, like a Raspberry Pi (but not that specific board)

[@EddiePepper]

Oh good, another overpriced retro computer that only a few people will be able to find...