The Spectrum Officially Announced - 8bit Retro Computer - same day Oasis Reuniting - Retro Games LTD

Today was the day, Tuesday August 27th, 2024, that both Oasis announced they are reuniting AND that the new The Spectrum from Retro Games LTD officially announce the new Speccy 8bit Computer.
Let us together check out the Retro Games Ltd web site and watch the new The Spectrum video!
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/ sinclairsociety
#zxspectrum
#retrogames
#8bit

[@KevReillyUK]

Much as I love my Spectrum Next, if I'm being honest I've not really used it to the full potential I envisioned when it first arrived during lockdown. Life has once again asserted itself and I struggle to find time to play newer games on it, let alone get back into BASIC programming like I thought I might. It's a great all-in-one stand-alone machine for retrogaming, which was of course part of its appeal, so it hasn't been a waste by any means. But with hindsight I might have been better off if I'd had a psychic vision and waited for _TheSpectrum_ to come along. Having said that, I'll be surprised if the combination of emulation and HDMI will allow this thing to deal with some of the more quirky timing tricks used by some games and many demos, and I doubt it'll be able to emulate the ex-Soviet Sinclair clones unless the platform is quite open and a modding community builds up around it. So as an all-in-one stand-alone for collating _all_ of Spectrum history the Next and its clones (or original hardware with modern peripherals) will remain king. I have no doubt it will sell in droves in the UK though, with may parents and grandparents lining up to get one of these under the family Christmas tree to recreate that early 1980s buzz. I'm actually quite amazed at how much they've been able to make it look like the original 48K design, given that they clearly don't have a licence from Sky for the name or possibly even the ROMs. UK IP law is a mystery sometimes. OT: now I'm hoping, almost certainly in vain, for Retro to start working on _TheBeeb._ With its unusual graphics modes and even more unusual keyboard layout, the BBC Micro has proven among the most difficult 8-bit machines of which to fully recreate the experience either in emulation or FPGA. The unofficial Beeb core for the KS1 Next is pretty damned close when paired with a suitably compatible monitor, but it's still not ideal. If Retro could do a recreation with as much attention to detail as they've applied to the rest of the _The_ series, it would be a thing of beauty. Alas it seems very unlikely to be on the list. The Beeb was popular in schools for obvious reasons but very expensive as a home machine, and with a few notable exceptions most of the games were pants. And it's definitely retrogaming that's driving this current wave of nostalgia into the mainstream.

[@MarcKloos]

They don't have any licences, so they will use an open source ROM, possibly based on Andrew Owen's Chloe 280SE as he's involved as well. The case of the Spectrum was not patented and can be copied, just but the branding and the use of "ZX" which is patented! As for _TheBeeb,_ I think the lacking number of games (Elite and Monsters withstanding) may be a major factor for not doing such a machine. On the other hand, being used in schools and on TV it had a great deal of exposure back in the day.

[@johnwiesen4440]

I rember back in the day praying to the tape gods when I was loading a big 128K game.

[@1969gawa]

Boston and the Blue Öyster Cult, superb. Getting one of these machines myself,it was the dog's back in the day.

[@steviepaperboy154]

All the best from Scotland TJ. Also I've ordered one.

[@jonnsonsam]

Took me hours and hours going through 'top 100 spectrum games' video's to remember the name of a game i loved when I played as a kid....Firelord! Glad its included, definitely buying.

[@danestegman155]

Good video! TJ! It sounds interesting! I did see them for sale on UK Amazon site! I hope it comes to the US Amazon site! i probably will get one then!

[@mwaddams]

I love how you're always 'not going to go there' but then sort of do 🙂

[@MacSociety]

I am a tease! haha

[@mwaddams]

@@MacSociety You could do standup! Sort of a mix between George Carlin and Rodney Dangerfield 🙂

[@MacSociety]

wish I was 1/32 as rich as them. haha. Of course I always have my good looks. ;-)

[@pascal8300]

I love videos like this from you! I have a Next and an original Speccy, but I want this device too. 🤪

[@MacSociety]

Thanks! Yeh this new computer is getting some good coverage right now on KZbin. Hopefully it does well.

[@stevenray8737]

I love learning to code the Speccy and it will be nice to finally have the hardware to try it out. The Spectrum has been a life long "friend" since childhood, starting with the 48K+ model, and later on the 128K +2, and hunting down technical books has been a quest. Sadly my machines are long gone, and the only surviving physical copy of a game I own is Nightbreed. It'll be nice to experience a new machine, although I do hope it will be available through Argos...

[@davidwhaite3330]

I just love your energy Mr TJ you rock dude,

[@MacSociety]

@@davidwhaite3330 thanks. 😁

[@davidwhaite3330]

@@MacSociety Welcome...Sweet Heart lol x 😘

[@FaxiiChannel]

Una delle macchine più belle della storia The Spectrum Preordinato Bel video👍🏻 ciao dall'Italia

[@PatrickDunn13078]

Since I had the 2068 I would love to have one of these to play the old games I can find on the internet like Fighter Pilot! And to program it too as I programmed a lot of stuff on that machine.

[@bazodee2]

So far havent seen any stores in finland adding this on their inventory, but im gonna get one somehow. I still have the original speccy since '84 or '85.

[@cdoty]

I was able to pre-order one on Amazon UK. With fastest shipping it comes out to slightly less than the $130 advertised price.

[@BottIsNotABot]

So I have ZX Spectrum 48, 48+, 128, +2, +3, KS1 Next and KS2 Next. Of course I am buying this!

[@MarcKloos]

That few? Not even a 16K, NTSC version, Portuguese label version, Nordisk version, Spanish +, Beckman 48K+, Arabic +, Spanish 128, Arabic 128, 128 with regular RS232 port, French +2, Spanish +2, Arabic +2, Spanish +2A, Arabic +2A, Spanish +3, Arabic +3, Inves +, dB Spectrum+, TK90X, TK95, CZ 2000, CZ Spectrum, CZ Spectrum Plus, Timex 2048, Timex 2068, Vega or Vega+??? 😉👍🏼

[@synchro62]

Despite all the attempts at bringing back the Spectrum like "Spectrum Next" Vega etc some good and some very disappointing there hasn't been anything so close that should give Spectrum users the most nostalgic, authentic experience. When i booted up THEC64 in "C64 Mode" and started typing away after 20 mins you could have been forgiven for thinking you were using a real C64. Personally i think " The Spectrum " will do that as well and with bells on. Really looking forward to this :)

[@xeviphract5894]

I've pre-ordered this. The HDMI, generous USB ports and mainstream accessibility make it worth getting. It's a different beast to the original machines, software emulators, Next/N-Go and the rest of the enthusiast scene. The functional keyboard, bundled old and new classics and the ability to add any of the thousands of back catalogue titles ought to be a licence to print money. Being under a ton helps too. Also, is it "cheating" if the games are otherwise nigh on unbeatable?

[@ronaldkinsella1256]

I'm in the UK TJ and have the Spectrum Next, 128K+ too, and have pre-ordered this. Great news for us who had the real things back in the day.

[@intellivisiongamer]

I’m definitely getting one

[@markthintie5132]

@7:46 Save states is not Cheating. If you worked hard to get to Level X and the game has no save option then you are ok. If you applied Infinite lives or Energy cheats to get to X and then save state then yes it is cheating.

[@thadd4156]

I'm in the USA and ordered the "theVIC20" from amazon UK when it was first available and had no issues. It arrived on the correct date as advertised . Pre-ordered this without hesitation. 👍

[@MacSociety]

thanks!

[@alancheatley4378]

Trashman is a proper Speccy game 😁

[@johnwilliams7999]

I've got a spectrum next a next clone in a 48k case and an original 48k plus. Not sure if I'll get it as I use the next these days. But if it brings more people to the speccy that's only a positive thing

[@nickolasgaspar9660]

HDMI out is an issue for me and my CRTs. Maybe a HDMI to COMP convertor will work better on this one than on the ZXpico. On the other hand putting together a Harlequin will be much more fun and will perform better. All the replica systems I have don't work as well as the original hardware does (i.e. The C64, ZX-pico). Real Hardware and PC emulation works far better.

[@johnwilliams7999]

See a pixilated clashing blob .... oh I wonder what's under the... lol

[@AndyPetrie]

Boston was great 😉

[@MacSociety]

yup!!!

[@burbercat3558]

Got one on pre-order. I may have to buy 2.

[@headcrab4090]

I am looking forward to it being picked apart and tested. What is it capable of? Bugs, will there be system updates to download?

[@zombiesbyte331]

On the fence. Presumably there's stock going to be available later. I really would like to spend the money to refurbish my original 48k+. I need to here more about the finer details of this before I do anything. Ive never owned a rubber key before so this might fill that void. I'm more of a game collector than a hardware collector. It would be great if you got one to review before the release date!

[@MacSociety]

yeh would dig that but my guess folks like me are not even on the radar to get a sample unit for review, even though I have a decent following. My guess they want channels with tons for subs than mine. But yeh would be cool!

[@intellivisiongamer]

Cloud people should have been on it!

[@MacSociety]

@@intellivisiongamer yes!! lol

[@alanreader4815]

lol What is the ultimate Bastard Joystick. I've never heard of it.?

[@MacSociety]

a 1 of a kind joystick that was made for me. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqGolGZ9gauIhLc

[@lunademiel4452]

Its mean have "basic" like in commodore.

[@islygon]

Yea.. I am sure I will order one… wish they were better with US distribution… same thing happened with the full size C64… they did finally get some here, but in small amounts.. I finally ordered mine from the UK.. the Amiga and Atari ones however were easy to get here… who knows.. but they are fun machines! This one should be too!

[@stephenvarney8930]

Yh I’m getting one my son has ordered it from smyths toys

[@legendodinson7082]

When you click on pre-order, it's not available in the states. Only says European countries.

[@MacSociety]

sad bummer!

[@ddabrahim]

I think the rubber keys were horrible to type on maybe it is iconic but was horrible. Wish it was the Spectrum+ case. Regardless I don't think I'm going to get one. I own the original hardware and cassettes and I enjoy using the original hardware. If they have added cassette player support then maybe I would buy it, but not like this. If I wanted to use memory cards I can use an emulator or get a replica board for less.

[@donlowery1423]

Attempted to order this from Amazon UK, but the order was cancelled less than 15 minutes after placing the order. For those of us in the US, how are we able to get one of these consoles?

[@MacSociety]

@@donlowery1423 bummer

[@donlowery1423]

@@MacSociety - Thank you for the response. Just had a thought if us US users were to contact Retro Games, they would consider allowing those of us across the pond to enjoy this console. Love the channel. Seeing your enthusiasm gives me a smile. Please keep it up!

[@GhettofingerGaming]

Ok, i need to add an atari pc to the horde. Which one is the bees' knees

[@MacSociety]

Are you looking at the 8bit or 16/32bit Ataris?

[@Florin76]

An ZX Spectrum emulator in a Speccy rubber key case with that crap keyboard... Should we buy it? There are lots, I mean lots and lots of other options on the market! For half the price you can buy a Murmulator or PICOZX that bare metal emulate also the Eastern clones like Pentagon 128 and support .TRD disk images. For the same price you can buy a XBerry Pi, a ZX Spectrum NEXT clone which simulates in FPGA all the Speccys including the Pentagon 128 and you have the old and the new in the same machine. Or, for few bucks more, you can buy a ZX Omni which is a real hardware clone compatible with 48K/128K machines, you can even opt for the laptop version with an LCD mounted on it! If you like emulation you can have it for free directly on you computer with the easiest to use emulator: Retro Virtual Machine ! Personally I'll wait the for first real reviews to decide if it worth it because I'm not so convinced...

[@mattmyers9351]

TJ, where did my comment go from the other day on here?

[@MacSociety]

@@mattmyers9351 no idea. You sure you are not mixing it up with the previous video ? Anyway, if you did and gone, can only think YT removed. I don’t remove posts myself .

[@mattmyers9351]

​@MacSociety ok, I was just saying pre-ordering from overseas from that website is easy, ive done it before, I won't say it's name In case that's what triggered youtube to remove my comment.

[@lunarmodule6419]

Guys I have 2 questions! --Is it North America ntsc compatible? --Why would I buy the ZX Next instead of this which is way cheaper? I guess the ZX Next has more capabilities? It would be great to get a comparison video :-D

[@MacSociety]

From what I see it is HDMI so makes no difference as it is a 50/60hz capable so should work on any HDMI TV from any place. At least that is the way I think HDMI is. Universal worldwide. Next is way more of a computer as it offers play of old and new Next specific titles. The new The Spectrum just does 48/128k games.

[@lunarmodule6419]

@@MacSociety So I emailed them and they say yes it's compatible. And north America based customers should use Anazon UK.

[@MacSociety]

I’m guessing you mean by compatible usable anywhere since hdmi? Yes that is normally the case.

[@lunarmodule6419]

@@MacSociety Sorry for the silly question I'm still on a old tube tv to keep it really retro lol

[@MacSociety]

nah not silly at all. Using Euro things say in USA means adapters and such on old computers so there can always be issues. The nice thing is most new computers do HDMI and more universal. Could still have some color issues on some games and such but overall it works decent.

[@lunademiel4452]

Rubber keyboard :/ ehhhh