The Spectrum Show Festive Special

[@redrobbosworkshop]

Love it. Mine is wating for me under the tree. Only 4 more sleeps! Rob- 58 going on 8 :)

[@custardpie69]

Me too!

[@RetroGod1982]

I think a lot of the criticism with The Spectrum is unwarranted if you consider the main goal of the project. It was to provide an easy to use all-in-one package that allows a non-technical person to run Spectrum games without needing a PC. It's under £100 and recreates the look and feel of an original Spectrum. What did the detractors want for £89.99?? It's an absolutely amazing accomplishment for a small company to produce this. The ROM is a much improved ROM over the buggy original and is an open source reverse engineered version with many enhancements. It's not an inferior alternative to the original ROM. It even comes bundled with ULAplus. The sales figures speak for themselves. This has sold many times more than the Next. It's a capable little product that hits that sweet spot. If the detractors wanted an officially licensed product alone then that would have cost a fair bit more with no obvious advantage. I really hope it opens the door for a +2 case style product but that won't be a reality.

[@spjewkes]

Merry Christmas Paul and Geoff. About Magic Micro Mission: there's a KZbinr called 'Stuart Millard' and one of his videos has quite a funny review of that show. Although his sardonic humour might not be for everyone.

[@simonbailey8728]

AC/DC No , Eddie from Iron Maiden . Merry Christmas all .....

[@chrishill7797]

Maiden and the Spectrum go hand in hand

[@simonbailey8728]

@@chrishill7797 Yeah They Both Rock ! 😆😆😈🤘🤘

[@mrpositronia]

@@chrishill7797 Funny how prog and metal were soul mates with the Spectrum. :)

[@celbeleg1]

thanks for another year of quality fun nostalgia!

[@stevenice8320]

Thanks Paul / Geoff for another great episode. Takes me back to playing Manic Miner on Christmas morning. Have a good one.

[@LuciferStarr]

22:14 You don't need to worry about the tap forward to shoot issue. As long as you populate the level with massed objects, which overlap each other, they will explode when drawn, and Jetpac Lvl4 style, you get the points!

[@SpectrumNez]

Another fabulous episode! Happy Christmas, chaps!

[@craigwalker3194]

Merry Christmas Paul & Geoff. Great Episode. Great Nostalgia of a time we have sadly lost, but thankfully these shows bring them back .

[@stefanschomburg8456]

Thanks for all your work, Paul and Geoff! Happy Christmas!

[@chrisshipman6253]

Thanks for another year of fabulous entertainment. Here's to an equally wonderful 2025!

[@MarcKloos]

40:00 no power adapter because of EU regulations to reduce e-waste. Of course it's also cheaper and makes it "compatible" with the various wall outlets. But the main reason is e-waste. That's why not only the The Spectrum doesn't have one, but also phones and other small electronic devices.

[@LoftBits]

My Christmas is now complete! Thank you so much for the magic. P.S. For the 3D game, try red and GREEN glasses.

[@BazWhite]

Thanks for another year and for keeping the show fresh!

[@thebaron9059]

I pre ordered The Spectrum a few months ago and Smyths Toys delivered on release day. I fully intended to save it as a Christmas present for myself and open it on Christmas Day, 40 years to the day that I received my original 48k . Unfortunately, I am weak, and it was opened before the postman got to the end of the street! I love it! Happy Christmas to all.

[@Anthony-qt8wv]

I live in the USA and ordered The Spectrum from Amazon UK. I received it on Dec 23rd. I never had one so I am curious about what game should I try first? I am also saving it for Christmas Day. I did open the box and contents to check for damage. The outer box was beat to heck. The box with the system was perfect though. It was a miracle lol Merry Christmas to everyone! I am enjoying the video! What issue is the Breakout game in? Can anyone tell me? Thanks!

[@thebaron9059]

@@Anthony-qt8wv Great stuff. there are far too many gems on there to choose one, but I'd start with Manic Miner, Skool Daze and Trashman for some instant fun! Of course, there are thousands of great Spectrum games that you can download for free, and which will all fit onto one small memory stick! Happy Christmas mate.

[@mattcarpenter6270]

23:05 I had the book from this up until 91/92 when I took it on expedition in the Australian outback with me. Unfortunately, because of the shiny parts of the cover, it was attacked by birds and the first half was destroyed. I do have another copy now of course (same print), but it would have been nice to have the "original".

[@chrishill7797]

Thank you for your videos, I think we can all agree we wait eagerly for each one!

[@BJD67]

Im really happy with RGL's Spectrum iv found no timing issue whatsoever ticks all the boxes for me ! ( you do get a power cable included along with the hdmi cable )

[@alanreader4815]

TVS was my favourite Channel ident.

[@hammeys1]

Merry Christmas & Thank you

[@michaelrussell220]

I had a program published in C&VG two issues later, Feb 1984, but for the Oric 1. I got a Spectrum later though. Really enjoy the shows. Thanks guys.

[@cjh0751]

Paul this was on my feed yesterday and i forgot to watch your video. Looking forward to some scrumptious speccy goodness. Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to the Spectrum Show.

[@alanreader4815]

Blimey is that Right Said Fred From 4:45 seconds lol 😂. merry Chrismas to you both from old spectrum user and fan from 1984.

[@621pw]

Great Xmas eve viewing - really enjoyed the show. I reckon Tranz Am started me off on being interested in geography/place names/maps etc. What, with cities like Wichita that I hadn't heard of before! As far as The Spectrum is concerned, that's a fantastic review you have there and very useful in weighing up whether to get one. In my case I'd have loved one for Xmas (but missed out). It's all down to time and simplicity for me. It looks as if the machine does everything you could probably want it to if all you desire is a quick - and above all easy - speccy fix every now and then. I imagine it's a good 'plug and play' unit to introduce Gen Z to the delights of the ZX Spectrum (dead flesh keyboard and all) as well as getting older partners/spouses etc involved who otherwise wouldn't touch a modern console. On balance I reckon a good thing to have if indeed you can get one...

[@njmcphail]

The easiest way to slay the dragon in The Hobbit is to throw the ring at it. Can dispatch just about any foe or friend. Truly a Ring of Power.

[@paulpatrick885]

Awesome episode. The rubber keyed Spectrum was the one I grew up with and played a lot of the early 83/84 games on. My dad upgraded it to the Saga lo profile professional keyboard. Splat! was an awesome game with the mix of risk and reward that kept you coming back for one more game chasing a high score.

[@Fuzzytubby]

Yah, Happy Christmas and half way through the decade will be coming in the near future! It was good to meet you, Geoff and Mat at Crash live. Thank you for the calendar, it's sitting ready on my desk at work. I was actually a member of the audience on the Magic Micro Mission. The class from Fairfax, Sutton Coldfield (Episode 4 I think) I'm the kid with the silver spray painted cardboard box on his head (Aged 13) I'm currently passing on my obsession to Z80 assembly language programming to someone at work. I have set him up with everything he needs to learn Z80 coding on the ZX81 over the Christmas break. Lets call it home work. Have fun, eat lots of food and drink and wishing everyone peace and pencils for the New Year.

[@Huddison]

Merry Christmas Paul & team 🎄🎄

[@SwainyAtRetroAsylum]

A great episode guys, merry Christmas!

[@Ben_C01]

Merry Christmas - from someone who really appreciates your work!

[@retrorobbins]

Merry christmas to you paul geff thanks for all the great videos keeping me entertained throughout the years long may continue🎉 from your friend in retro Retro Robbins a super specy head fan . Look forward to the New Year's show well done everybody and brilliant as always at crash live 🎉🎉🎉

[@CyberhugTechnologies]

Merry Christmas everyone! Happy new year!

[@mamemeister]

The guy with the bowler hat with Piman is Mel Croucher.

[@wallacew6782]

The Aquaplane borders not lining up is due to the 128K ULA. The timings differ from the original 48K ULA. If you are able to load Dark Star on The Spectrum, the spaceship graphic in the border will also not be right.

[@robertoneill1979]

Merry Christmas and all the best for 2025 you guys 🤩

[@stuartsinclair6269]

Thanks Paul, interesting video, I shall get The Spectrum next year, Merry Christmas guys and Thank you 🙏🏻🎄

[@Aeoringas]

Another great video and my thanks goes to the creators of them, they are most welcome. One minor point on this festive edition though. At 45:54 you say that the The Gamepad is the same as the one included in the A500. This has been stated by a lot of people and I'm afraid it is not true. The Gamepad has an improved D-pad controller on it, making it easier to use.

[@Bob_Beaky]

Happy Christmas!

[@Hairyfoot_Studio]

Thanks both and a merry Christmas to everyone. Quick question, are your 3D glasses red/blue lenses? If so they are unlikely to work with 3 Deep space as this would need red/green lenses looking at the graphics

[@PittPenguin]

Great shows n Merry Xmas!

[@VampireJack10]

Fantastic episode as usual. Both of you have a wonderful Christmas - the same applies to everyone else here. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[@skutte30]

As always a great show, love the HW reviews both new and old stuff. I bought the Chat64 after the crash episode and testing it out on various speccys. see if we get online at same time. Merry X-mas & happy New Year / ZXSkutte / aka Kent Petersson

[@alanreader4815]

Lothlorien from Iron Maiden AKA Dave lol.

[@davidroberts1882]

Ac dc close lol eddie rocks

[@vandammesque]

Eddie!

[@alanreader4815]

@@vandammesque From the young ones lol 😂

[@PigDogBay]

The speccy version of the Central TV ident was great!

[@stevesgaming7475]

Ohh superb!!! Thank you.

[@lassie6]

I put on my Julian Clary and Nigel Havers, Robin Hood 3D glasses and tried crossing my eyes too, but to no avail. Must be the wicked sheriff up to no good again🎄!

[@philharrison5]

Great show always. Merry Christmas to you both. Maybe 2025 will be the year Santa brings me a spectrum next or one of the clones.

[@michaelhill6453]

Merry Christmas sir!

[@frankowalker4662]

I want A "The Spectum" I still program on the Speccy, so it would be fun.

[@chrishill7797]

Mine arrived yesterday 😊

[@TRONMAGNUM2099]

Another masterpiece

[@MarcKloos]

47:35 yep, I admit to being one of those hardcore collectors, trying to get every iteration of Spectrum. I got nearly every machine, except for the Korean Samsung SPC-650 speccy rebrand. (Follow the link in my "Community" tab here on KZbin)

[@StorminBriski]

C&VG Dec 1983 was the first computer magazine I bought. This led me to buying it monthly with my paper round money. You skipped past the adventure part where they reviewed Circus by Brian Howarth. One of my favourite text adventures.

[@EnjoySynthSounds]

The virtual keyboard is useful if you're playing purely from a distance with the joypad. Maybe youre on tbe sofa but the speccy is under the TV snd you don't want to use a usb keyboard.

[@dazhigh9208]

Cv&G was a great mag. nice upload dude keep up the good work. From me and my dog MAX . Merry Xmas .Peace.

[@vandammesque]

I wonder if the 3d effect game was based on a small TV?

[@paulpatrick885]

Thank you for this Christmas special. 🎄🎅🎄. Best wishes for 2025.

[@charliejade8959]

33:12 It's Eddie from Iron Maiden not ACDC :D

[@bryanbridgwood6923]

Thank you

[@davidroberts1882]

C and v g was a great magazine i used to luv it ❤

[@davidroberts1882]

Iron maiden eddie not ac dc but close

[@gperch]

We bought Splat! from Micro Mart in Kidderminster, based purely on the beautiful holographic cover :) One of the first games with speech (yippee!) Anyone remember Merv the Merciless (Amiga Power?) cover disk? Every time I see holographic Christmas wrapping paper it takes me back...

[@twankistevenson3884]

Have a good one

[@hazy33]

Lovely ep, Merry Christmas guys. The 3d effect in 3 Deep Space was never going to work for you... your glasses are red and blue, the game uses red and green. Amateur mistake! 🙂

[@andrewdunbar828]

The arcade only has one screen but each of the four levels is displayed on that one screen (-:

[@Anthony-qt8wv]

I live in the USA and ordered The Spectrum from Amazon UK. I received it on Dec 23rd. I never had one so I am curious about what game should I try first? I am also saving it for Christmas Day. I did open the box and contents to check for damage. The outer box was beat to heck. The box with the system was perfect though. It was a miracle lol Merry Christmas to everyone! I am enjoying the video! What issue is the Breakout game in? Can anyone tell me? Thanks!

[@andrewbevan4662]

Why don't they include an adaptor?.. Because 99% of people have dozens lying around...

[@Metal_Maxine]

I think "the Official Santa Claus" game was a charity product for Save the Children or somebody similar. Way back in the day, I think LGR did a review.

[@Graeme_Norgate]

Groucho, another Automata game had a prize to go to America. Splat! Had a cash prize and I might be making it up but I swear Moon Cresta had a prize to win the arcade cabinet

[@EnjoySynthSounds]

And being 128k compatible it's good value as opposed to the original 48k rubber keyed model.

[@frankowalker4662]

I love Kraatoa.

[@lilacfloyd]

5:31 Liver sausage sandwiches, not liver and onions. ;)

[@alanreader4815]

love your winter nuts paul. :D

[@evilblade666]

Iron Maiden, not AC/DC!

[@notanfningain]

When I saw Gridrunner I thought it was Transversion.

[@retro-resolution]

Christmas Special

[@michaelelsy2209]

You mean the weirdo from Iron Maiden Eddie the Head.

[@martinclark1411]

ive asked a few reviewers if they can check what happens when you try the microdrive commands which are still on the spectrum keyboard, and then again if the microdrive roms are added using same method to add the sinclair roms, could you try this to see what it does ?

[@scottishwildcat]

The computer on the cover looks a lot like the Philips G7000 you can win inside, to me….

[@wildkinraccoon37]

"Zombie AC/DC guy" - That's clearly a rip off of Eddie IRON MAIDEN's mascot

[@RRRRRaa]

Iron Maiden, not AC/DC ;)

[@frankowalker4662]

I bought H.U.G.H. I regretted ever since. I wrote Blakes 7 init with the Liberator and Avon in great detail. It couln't run on anything else. I was so pissed off.

[@talideon]

39:05 - honestly, unless you're complaining about firmware issues, anyone angry about The Spectrum desperately needs to get off the Internet and go outside.

[@ParadigmShifter-zx5fq]

Scrabble is a good version and has better graphics than the (much stronger CPU) 128K Scrabble Deluxe. It's a bit too easy to beat even on the higher level though whereas Scrabble Deluxe is pretty strong (neither version knows about QI though which is the most played Scrabble word lol). Psion one struggles to ditch its Q and Z too. Neither ever seem to change letters which is poor if you are going to be stuck with an unplayable Q or Z at the end. Psion one is best for beginners though, only change to Scrabble Deluxe once you can consistently win (without cheating) on the highest level (level 4). Psion Backgammon plays a pretty good game too. Scrabble Deluxe is good enough to challenge intermediate players (like I would classify myself as) - I had a few walkthroughs on Spectrum Computing forum against highest level on it (I think I won all those games which was very good for me, normally I'd say it's a pretty even match).

[@The-Man-On-The-Mountain]

The amount of nostalgia, dude, is almost unbearable. This channel is like when you catch a smell for a fraction of a second, and you are immediately transported back in time into the happiest moments of your childhood.

[@frankowalker4662]

I hate Ant Attack. I just die. I've never found the girl.

[@lestat1uk]

Spoilers, first one is right in front of you 😊

[@frankowalker4662]

@@lestat1uk That's the one that kills me. LOL

[@lestat1uk]

@frankowalker4662 that's odd you just walk forward collect her and walk her back over the wall before the ants arrive.

[@frankowalker4662]

@@lestat1uk I have no sense of direction. I'm crap at games. I write them, but I can't play them. You know the cheats codes ? I put them in so I can test them.

[@pablorai769]

About the Gold Rush game, I can't think of a better name than Oron for such a planet...

[@davarosmith1334]

Christmas 88 was my Spectrum Christmas!