The Spectrum review: A ZX Spectrum Lover’s Dream or Disaster?

[@RetroRecipes]

Thanks for watching! Get The Spectrum: 🇬🇧amzn.to/4i14r9Q | 🇺🇸amzn.to/4fX6NoD or www.amazon.fr/dp/B0DF39DTX8 (ships to US) | retrogames.biz/purchase/thespectrum/ (not sponsored). Become an official part of the Perifracteam: patreon.com/perifractic 🙏

[@ArcadeTrooper]

@RetroRecipes hello! I'm an upcoming 80s synthwave artist! I was wondering how I can get a song on the show for review!. I don't have my music on this account its on my topic account!

[@RetroRecipes]

@@ArcadeTrooper Thanks for asking. Sorry but I generally only feature my own tracks here otherwise it has led to copyright issues etc. Just simpler that way. But best of luck!

[@Anthony-qt8wv]

If you happen to see any Spectrum Minis around let me know. My order is delayed until mid-January on AmazonUk. I am not happy lol

[@Sol-Cutta]

You didn't write on the original zzap 64. You're too young.. so its out again??? As I see the 4.99 on it..or is it a one off ???

[@Sol-Cutta]

I had the speccy in 84 or 5 I think..I had that many as kid, and have many now inc.48k spectrum , zx spectrum +2, +2a (?) Would have to go upstairs to check. Lol. Sure u know which I'm on about.. I also have amstrad cpc, commodore 64, atari St, ste, amiga a500,a1200(e?) , and most consoles from ps1...I have microwave ans Kempston interface , voice synth, etc.

[@sheppertonstudios8253]

Me in 1984: Playing Manic Miner while worrying about nuclear war. Me in 2024: Wow I sure am going to be happy playing Manic Miner without having to worry abo......oh.

[@ihgday6103]

Anyone up for a game of Raid over Moscow!

[@richardclark2346]

🤣

[@arthurjordison5392]

@@ihgday6103 More like Theatre Europe...

[@andyhunter7855]

Omg I remember that game from usgold ​

[@CarrigansGuitarClub]

Manic Miner....what a game - that and Jet Set Willy (not sure that name would pass the sensors today)

[@sanctanox]

In the early 80s I was one of the few spectrum guys in my school. Germany was C64 country and I was a spectrum fan. I subscribed to british spectrum magazines like crash and that was not that easy in pre internet times. I learned programming on that thing and loved it. Became a game developer later thanks to the spectrum.

[@CarrigansGuitarClub]

The ZX is what got me into software development...40 years on, I'm a Tech Lead at a multinational...all started from those combo of pressing rubber buttons, trying to make "Jet Set Willy" jump :)

[@svendtang5432]

Funny same for me I just turned agile coach 5 years ago.. but it shaped my career

[@LurgsHowToGuides]

I bet Sir Clive is looking down feeling very proud that his machine is still bringing joy, absolute classic days the 80’s

[@CommodoreVic20]

Actually Clive hated that his machine was seen as a 'games' computer.

[@gibbo9089]

Getting mine tomorrow hopefully. I'm now 60 and this will transport me back to my youth. Had the ZX 81 before that. Stay well and healthy.

[@CraigMcIntosh]

i am 55 years old and like you I am awaiting delivery of mine, and like you I had the ZX80 and ZX81 lol, beam me up Scotty. can't wait to fill the usb stick with my favourite games.

[@rayerdinc2441]

@@gibbo9089 68, waiting for mine. ZX80 my first ever computer, got me into computers from that day! Saw it in a ‘computer’ shop window, in 1980, went in saw a group round this device, they asked my name, then this device put on the screen “Hello Ray’! That was it, I was hooked line and sinker!

[@sanctanox]

Me too, not 60 yet but ZX 81 and Spectrum owner. Loved both.

[@PaulTaylor1]

Me three - a whipper snapper at 54, though! 😂

[@LOTPOR0402]

53 had one for Xmas either 82 or 83. Had a collection of hardware I had purchased years ago on Ebay .It included stuff I purchased by the mid 80s as a kid .Got rid of it all 18 months ago

[@Dunbar0740]

That loading sound is why a generation of young technoheads went on to create, and consume, head splitting EDM without breaking sweat. We were steeped in the most avant-garde noise for hours a day waiting for our games to load. Normal "music" sounded pedestrian in comparison.

[@themadmoderator8465]

growing up in council estate poor finding a specky 48k in a skip and my brothers friend helped us fix it was amazing. other year my friends parents died he found the said spectrum in the loft and it still worked. 😪

[@jasbo7288]

Wow, I'm on the verge of bursting into tears with memories with my late dad and this computer..My 17 & 20 year kids are getting there old dad (52) 😅 one for Xmas and wonder why but they will never understand the emotions & feelings that go with it..Great video Chris, keep up the good work 👍 UK

[@masteryoda3035]

Best review ever, I am 53 and it transported me back to a better time, a simpler time. Thank you, you have earned my subscription.

[@HisVirusness]

I, too, am loyal to the Commodore 64. But any 8-bit computer is still a computer worth having. That absolutely includes newer models.

[@johnDingoFoxVelocity]

@@HisVirusness yeah c64 was my sh** back in the day hands down

[@igitwams]

@@johnDingoFoxVelocity Me too!

[@johnDingoFoxVelocity]

@HisVirusness I played donkey kong on the c64 until the cart stopped reading I loved that game growing up and burger time

[@davidgraham6781]

I had an old Amstrad computer 💻 years ago and played Emlyn Hughes International Soccer ⚽ on it. 😂 Ah the memories. 😂

[@mmkrk4071]

ZX Spectrum+ (normal keyboard version) was my first computer. There is a limit of 2 colors per 8x8 field, but the colors are more vibrant than on C64, and 3.5MHz CPU was allowing any 3D game (flight sims etc.) to run much faster on Spectrum than on C64. BASIC with one key press instructions/commands was a great way for me to get into computer programing. I have a really good memories of this machine.

[@Alchemy-Computing.since.1987]

The music is terrible, the graphics are terrible, no matter what great features the Spectrum has, the C=64 is better.

[@ZxSpectrumplus]

@@Alchemy-Computing.since.1987 Not really. The C64 is mostly stuck in lowres 160x200 resolution for multicolor sprites, while speccy only has 1 mode...256 x192. The details are a lot better in most of the games despite the monochromatic and color clash. I always wondered as a kid why the C64 graphics looks elongated. I didn't have one back then. Btw, i have restored and repaired a C64 i got for free 2 years back. Quite proud of myself for someone who has little electronic background. Now i have a C64, The C64 and 2 Spectrum NGOs(next clone). Waiting for TheAmiga and my collection would be complete.

[@grahamedwards2323]

I couldn't afford a c64. Or an amiga which is why I had a spectrum and many years later an Atari ST.

[@CowmanUK]

@@Alchemy-Computing.since.1987 My friend had a C64 and I thought the graphics were blocky and low res. I didn't like it. Each to their own I guess. I can't believe it's 2024 and the C64/Spectrum wars are still raging.

[@saszab]

​@@Alchemy-Computing.since.1987Despite the facts you mentioned, there are plenty of games which are better on ZX Spectrum than on C64. Some of them are my favorites, like R-Type. And I agree with both Spectrumists: the colors are more attractive and resolution is often better on ZX Spectrum. Regarding the sound: the 128K version has much better sound than the 48K.

[@jakegallows2032]

Thank you so much for the review, I actually shed a tear when Atic Atac started to load!..I get mine tomorrow, I'm 49 but feel like 10 again, I cannot wait!..Airwolf for me😊

[@PlattLineker2Pen]

Ahh mate. Your face when it turned on and that unmistakable Speccy music, couldn't hide your delight. 😊 I'm watching this while waiting for Amazon to deliver mine, only an hour away apparently! I'm like a kid waiting for xmas! I'm far too excited

[@JB.zero.zero.1]

Fantastic piece of kit - however, I know I would barely use it. The ZX Spectrum was my first "real" computer obsession. I remember playing Black Crystal for many hours with a school friend to the point where the unit overheated and failed. My poor Speccy had to go back to Sinclair for repairs and I lost my little buddy for 3 weeks. Halls of the Things, Jet Pac, Jet Set Willy, Dark Star, Chuckie Egg ... such sweet memories.

[@craigmacdonald4987]

Chuckie Egg!! ❤

[@FabianoMaiaFranco]

The ZX-81 was launched here in Brazil as the TK-85 by Microdigital (a Brazilian manufacturer of microcomputers that made clones of Sinclair computers). Later, the ZX Spectrum was launched as the TK-90X. I started in the world of computers with a TK-85 (ZX-81). What good memories this episode brings back! Thank you very much!

[@steven1000000000]

Clicked So fast... Still have my spectrum which kicked off my career in coding and tech. Also had a Vic 20, which was given away sadly years ago. Really want to get my speccy up and running again. Very awesome seeing a boxed spectrum.

[@samaeldrakul4191]

i was on the fence about buying one, your video has sold it to me, the loading sounds hit me right in the nostalgia, felt myself welling up a bit thinking about 7year old me loading up Freddy Hardest, Horace goes Skiing, Chucky Egg, Thanatos, Dizzy, Game Over, Barbarian, Attic Attack and countless galaxian clones 🎉😂 damn... yep... im gonna have to buy one now and fall in love all over again😊 thankyou 👍

[@adamskyj69]

"that sound is imprinted im my brain man" - Yep, as soon as I heard the tones of the colouring on the Atic Atac loading screen, I was exactly the same, and was all goosebumped up! My wife has pre-ordered for Xmas for me, I can't wait tbh and have already ordered the microdrive usb stick and plan on putting all the Ultimate games collection on it when arrives - Jet Pac and Sabre Wulf on rubber keys man! I just can't bloody wait!

[@aliceinvideo1and]

Cool where did thou order the microdrive thingy?

[@adamskyj69]

@@aliceinvideo1and The link keeps getting deleted, try googling "usb microdrive spectrum memory stick auk" , should be first link (Auk Direct) - site is saying now out of stock but to revisit next week.

[@adamskyj69]

@@aliceinvideo1and youll need to google it as they keep deleting my reply with further info.

[@Ghost_Swe]

My first computer was ZX81 then a ZX Spectrum 48 and after that a C64, i love them all!!!!

[@realmchat6665]

I love your genuine reactions, I also had a magical childhood thanks to a timex sinclair and later a c64, and nostalgia takes me back to times that just seemed to glow with wonder and I long for a feeling I can never fully recapture and miss the friends I shared that time with.

[@PhilipTimm]

Oh, man, when the sound of the colour loading on the "Atic Atac" title screen happened @20:45, I was ready for it, but I literally teared up! I was flung 40 years back into the past, looking over my big brother's shoulder as he loaded up "Jet Pac". Damn, I might need to buy one of these. Or maybe 2.

[@gperch]

I'm touched that you were moved by the ZX-perience, it brings our ZX-tra special COMM-unITies together. I am Speccy through and through; no one at our school could afford a C64 (even our teacher had a Speccy, which he kindly brought round to our house to show our parents). My mum made a huge sacrifice during her divorce to afford a 48K rubber keyed Speccy. She bought it October '83 and asked if we wanted it now or to wait until Christmas. For some inexplicable reason we said we'd wait (!) but it did make '83 the best Christmas ever :) I've had some involvement in the retro community, proofreading Chris Wilkins books for a while and even making Sub-Editor on the new Crash for a bit. Not as hallowed as full on Editor though! Get Well Soon to you all, and Merry early Christmas to you (I'm sure it would have made for an extra special unwrapping on Christmas Day, but you've probably got other things to do with the family and I'm glad I didn't have to wait for your lovely video). I've rambled, you should probably edit me :)

[@little_fluffy_clouds]

The 48K Speccy was my first computer at the tender age of 8, and is the reason why I chose to have a career in IT. A wonderful machine that allowed me to learn how to program and kept me and my school friends entertained for hours with its plethora of games. It’s hard to explain how much of an impact it had back in the day, as the most affordable home computer with colour graphics and sound.

[@thaJeztah]

That ring bound manual brought back some memories. Spent so much time in it, learning basic

[@_NeXus6_]

Great video, really enjoyed the soothing presentation, but sorry youve been sick! - as for the loading screen audio, I am really glad that I am not alone with the "inprinted audio memory" of different games and loading screens!!

[@Dunbar0740]

I need to walk into Dixon's and buy this... then return it because it doesn't work... twice, to get the original, full, 1983 vibe.

[@ennahh76]

My zx spectrum+ was bought at Boots (yes, they did actually sell computers) with a boots datacorder and some boots data cassettes that were 8 minutes long. My spectrum +2a was bought at Dixons.

[@gperch]

Ours was Dixons (or Currys?) too - October '83 for Christmas. It was replaced twice (once probably because I foolishly plugged the joystick interface in after switching the Speccy on, as I couldn't be arsed waiting the

[@Dunbar0740]

@@ennahh76 I got my Spectrum +2 (grey) from Laskys. It worked out of the box, although I was disappointed with the performance of the built in "Datacorder". I assumed it meant no more wrestling with tone controls to hit the load "" sweet spot. How wrong I was. Adjustment now required a tiny screwdriver to be inserted through a tiny hole to adjust an unknown something or other that sometimes worked, when the stars were aligned (or was it the heads?)... I've been waiting to get that complaint off my chest for 38 years. Thanks for listening.

[@Inaflap]

Ha ha, yes! My Spectrum (issue 2) was from John Menzies, and it broke down three times during the first year. It would get too hot. It was happier inside the far roomier DK'Tronics keyboard.

[@CowmanUK]

Back in the day I got my Speccy 48k+ from Dixons. And had to return it after a few weeks because it stopped working. So, yes, your post is correct.

[@nickellion3657]

I am So happy I found this Channel. Superb content that takes me back. I think that was 'Lost Angeles' playing in the background to. Fantastic song and video.

[@RetroRecipes]

Good ear! Thanks for watching (and listening)

[@idj20]

I agree with you when you said about how life seemed more simpler back then (I was in my mid-teenage years in mid-1980s) but sadly the second hand Spectrum mum bought for me never really gelled on me. After playing with it for a couple of hours on a portable black & white telly, it ended up under the bed gathering dust. I did try to revive it by upgrading to a portable colour TV and even bought a Curran speech/music adaptor for it with my own money but it just never clicked on me. I fell more in love with my Commodore Amiga A1200 10 years later where I spent much more time on it creating my own weather maps using Deluxe Paint 4. Hope you and your family are all feeling much better by the time you read this post and as always keep up the good work with your content.

[@EdGreenwood1974]

That loading sound.... My word. My son's wondered what the noise was and I started getting emotional when I was explaining it.

[@TeamJayniaK]

Walking through a WHSmiths with my late father seeing a spectrum on offer with a tape deck as the spectrums box was damaged the whole lot was 99£ now were avid game streamers and coders, thanks sir clive for tapping into our creativity!

[@cameralabs]

Great video! I LOVED that tape loading sound when the colours were painted over the monochrome intro screen. Number one nostalgia sound! Although my Brother M1009 made quite an attractive racket of its own - coincidentally, I remember printing that Atic Atac loading screen on that dot matrix printer, thereby combining BOTH classic sound effects!

[@IanMaddock]

I similarly had my roots in Commodore machines, namely the VIC20 as that's my 1st childhood computer. Sadly I never owned a C64 but I played on one often. When I started work when I was 16 I was offered a Spectrum 48k & a box of games for about £40. , later got given a 16k which I upgraded myself to 48k and slotted the board into a Spectrum + case I picked up, which is where my talents I suppose for repairing computers began. . I was later given a +3 which I still have but haven't fired up in years but I still want to mod it with composite video and improved audio. I now own "The VIC20" from RGL (so I can play C64 stuff also) and I've got "the Spectrum on preorder which I should get later this week. Both machines are going in my old bedroom on my original 80s computer desk as I recently inherited my parents house which I intend to move into soon. One of the main reasons I got the 2 RGL machines, so I can recreate my computer desk but with a modern twist.

[@MarcKloos]

No need for a composite video mod, get a cable from the Retro Computer Shack and you're good to go! (He sold 2568 so you can be sure it's a fine cable, still 10 in stock, be quick before he goes on holiday!)

[@mcmurder8835]

Me and my mates gamed on Speccys, C64s and Amstrad CPCs from '84 all the way to '92. One rich kid down the road had an Amiga. These machines are the granddaddy of PC gaming. That absolute explosion of creative and accessible content has been rarely matched since.

[@stephengardiner5410]

Everything about this episode was sick - the console, the games, the sounds...and Perifractic! And thanks to PCB Way too - or as we know it Peri's Curdling Bowels 😂

[@CragScrambler]

I had that same zx spectrum when I was 7 back in 1984, was my first computer so one of these is a no brainer for me just turned 47 so it's 40 years since my first machine.

[@Felix-Sited]

I am 47 in December! I have a similar experience!

[@craig50]

Great video,hope you’re all feeling better soon,much love from the UK.

[@ismamad]

This was the first computer I encountered at it belonged to my grandfather - currently it's on my house but does not work anymore. Great sound loading the tape. Thanks for the video and hope your feeling better.

[@ChrisKoerner]

Remember the sounds of loading a TRS-80 program via Cload (or cloadm) on my CoCo via the attached cassette recorder and it’s that attention to detail they did that makes me so happy even though my life was Tandy and the CoCo I still love watching these for other computers. I want one!

[@bevbeveridge4707]

Great review ! Reminded me of many happy years of spectrum gaming . My “new” spectrum turns up tomorrow and now I can’t wait !

[@mvl71]

In the olden days you had to get Coli the hard way, but now with E-Coli you can get it from anywhere with the click of a mouse button! I'll stick to factory made carrots. Hope you all get well soon.

[@Reed-Publications]

Sorry to hear that you and the family been sick. My wife and I have also been sick the last few weeks. It just won't go away! 🤧

[@c.b.1378]

Thanks for the review! I grew up in Norway, and the ZX Spectrum were never very big here, unlike the C64 which me and several of my friends had as kids. In fact, I don’t think I have ever seen a ZX Spectrum in real life, which makes me that much excited for The Spectrum, which I have on preorder on Amazon. :)

[@zro_dfects]

This is why I still love the Commodore Amiga today, back when life was simpler, but loads more fun, no Instagram or KZbin etc, just gaming, you grab a game, put the disk in and play, not worrying about firmware updates every 3 seconds, and just itching your leg, wondering how that funky melodic Amiga music would sound like, and that first note comes in and your mouth drops into your cheesecake, this is what the Amiga life for me was all about, putting in a game and just waiting for cool pixelly images and the awesome tunes, then after 6 hours listening to the tune, you finally play the game lol

[@vicpinto1970]

I grew up in South Africa as a teenager in the 80's I loved my ZX Spectrum - an huge upgrade from the Commodore VIC-20 i had before that. My favorite games were Manic Miner, Stonkers, The Hobbit, Lords Of Midnight, TIr Na Nog, Tau Ceti, and Tomahawk. I cannot wait to get my hands on one of these here in the US.

[@fredsmith1970]

You appear to have now fixed your Retro gaming room, with a splash of 80's black and rainbow. 🙂

[@ChadeGB]

The 48k Spectrum was my first computer, the one that was bought only for me. Before that I used to play on a ZX81 that belonged to one of my brothers and a Commodore PET that my eldest brother was allowed to borrow from school (he later became a programmer) Good old days!

[@alzeNL]

A very slick package ! Nice review as well. I hope you are all back in full health again soon !

[@giorgio_pandini]

I can totally relate with you buddy, I was 6 years old in 1982 and I spent literally hours playing with my older brother's Spectrum, I love that little black machine. I still have the original functioning one, I orderd this few days ago and I look forward to receive it. Moving...

[@bobbus_74]

C64 and Spectrum fans can get along just fine now, right? RIGHT??

[@ruisilva5758]

@@bobbus_74 Always have. There's no point to disagree that the C64 is the best.

[@adamskyj69]

Yep, many of us Brits owned both at some point anyway (maybe me and my friends were spoilt lol). Those days of swapping tapes in the school yards - ah, the memories! I still think that the Speccy had better (playable and challenging) games (Ultimate games for instance), it was just let down by its colour clash and sound, meanwhile I remember spending a lot more time humming the loading tunes than playing the eventual loaded game on my C64, well until I got a 1541 disk drive lol.

[@bobbus_74]

@@adamskyj69 they did indeed have their own strengths. As an owner of both, like yourself, I can also attest to loving both machines.

[@nickolasgaspar9660]

I am not sure 8bit users of any platform can ever go along "just fine" with C64 fanboys...lol.

[@escos0410]

I was commodore nut, c16 was the 1st, then had a c64 bought But if I’m brutally honest If the spectrum could do what the c64 could do colour wise and sound it would have blown it out the water

[@GAMECLOSET]

This was so fun. Sadly, I’ve never used a ZX Spectrum and perhaps one day, this will be the one I get to use. Great work, Peri. And I’m glad you and the ladies are on the mend. 💜

[@safirahmed]

Many who were loyal ZX Spectrum users also became loyal Commodore Amiga users.

[@MarcKloos]

Nah, Commies upgraded to an Amiga, Spec chums got an ST!

[@safirahmed]

@MarcKloos The history of Commodore, Amiga and the Atari ST can be confusing.

[@curtismantle]

I went from ZX Spectrum to Commodore Amiga. I don't recall there being any particular 'pipeline' when people moved from 8 to 16/32 bit.

[@another3997]

​@@MarcKloos More people moved to the Amiga than the ST. But considering the heritage of the Amiga, the hardware being designed by a bunch of ex-Atari engineers, and it being snatched from Atari's grasp at the last moment by CBM, you could almost argue everyone went to Ataris. 😂

[@damonboyle2747]

@safirahmed very true I had zx81 spectrum 48k then 128k and then went onto the amiga. Great memories.

[@Robots0verHumans]

@RetroRecipes: Is it possible to buy the printed Zzap! Magazine somewhere in Germany?

[@RetroRecipes]

Absolutely - order internationally at link in description

[@chrisshaw451]

Love that tape loading, really takes me back.

[@saganandroid4175]

1:50 glad to see you are NOT diluting the show with kid-friendly stuff. That was unexpected and alarming. Don't ever stop!

[@joewhiteuk]

Christian, My wife, daughter and I love you and your lovely family. You warm our hearts. Really, I kind of want to be you. Thank you!

[@rastersoft]

Get well!!!! A big hug from Spain, from a Spectrum fan.

[@RetroRecipes]

Muchas gracias!

[@glennproctor4178]

I'll probably buy one of these, but they're sold out at the moment - good to see there's a demand!

[@lepterfirefall]

When putting your own games in..what format should you use for instant loading instead of 10 minute tape loading?

[@eliasb8]

In Brazil, we had licensed clones of the ZX Spectrum. We used to call them KC82-C. I didn't have the money to buy one, but my school had one in the lab. I remember staying after hours to learn how to program with it. Fond memories if my first experience with computers! 🤔

[@Youtuber-qt5rn]

Where can I buy the microdrive with the package? Cant find this on amazon?

[@davedoubledecks1614]

I was a commodore kid in the UK in the 80’s but like you my friend had the spectrum and we always tried to compare games of both systems. Got my spectrum on Friday 22nd before it sold out. I love it and playing your own spectrum games with the loading screen and the noise brings back memories.

[@JerryCornelius-c5t]

Great vid mate, loads of good memories as this was my first foray into computers. My Dad got a used one in 84? I remember him staying up all night to program a tank going across the screen he was chuffed to bits. I then got a +2a a couple of years later. The games were cheap, esp if you had a mate who copied 5 on a tdk for you. So glad the new model lives up to expectations. I wish Movie was on there, my fave ever. Made this 40 +year old man very happy.

[@SirHilaryManfat]

Commodore 64 owner back in the day, but I could have almost been a Speccy owner. Around Christmas '83 me and my Bro were begging our parents for a ZX Spectrum, but the local Dixons were sold out, so we opted for the C64. Much as I love the good old commie, the original ZX Spectrum was such a beautiful design and a great computer. So tempted to get this!

[@johnsaunders6510]

What a fantastic review. Had me smiling from ear to ear. My mate had a speccy and this brought back great memories.

[@Loner-Lee]

great vid, as usual. will unbox my the spectrum during the Christmas time. I bought a the gamepad as a companion. greetings

[@brick6347]

Today's my birthday, Peri. Today! Couldn't you have released this a month ago... oh well, Christmas present! And £89.95 is amazingly reasonable actually, cheaper than a pi400.

[@RetroRecipes]

Happy birthday!

[@sheppertonstudios8253]

I think if you use one of the basic borders near the start of the options you will also get the flashing loading colours as well!

[@superviewer]

Our Speccy resided in my fathers hobby and rehearsal room (he worked as a classical double bass player and teacher). My main nostalgy is around the early 'Ultimate Play The Game' titles, and Jetpac in particular. Wheelie, Doomsday Castle, A Day In The Life and Maziacks also comes to mind. It was an amazing world that opened to me. My carreer in computer graphics could be said to have started with 'The Artist' on the Spectrum and continued on the C64 (Print Fox) and the Amiga (Deluxe Paint). All pre-Photoshop and Quark that came next. Will there ever be a time like that again I wonder... I think we were lucky to be that particular generation. Thanks for reigniting some great memories.

[@stuartleckie]

Christmas 1983. Aged 13 Got my speccy Best friend also had one. Fantastic times indeed. I traded mine away about a year later for a C64, which to me felt like an upgrade, but it was just really a slightly different take on the same sort of games. I did love writing little programs in basic, especially drawing pictures, although it would take forever to do ! I love the attention to detail on this one.

[@neilbeaumont2820]

40 years ago this xmas my brother and I got our speccy, bough one of these for my niece and nephew

[@djdublo]

This looks great. Although rarely played on a Spectrum, I and a lot of school mates had Amstrad CPCs!! My wife had a spectrum, and has fond memories of the Horace games, particularly Horace and the Spiders.

[@ennahh76]

Horace goes skiing for me.😅

[@countzero99uk]

So looking forward to tomorrow. This was the computer of my childhood (well the ZX Spectrum+) Your review was great :-)

[@ddummer]

My friend had a ZX-spectrum up in the addict so yes.. this is nostalgia.. but we also had the cold war coming but the ignorance of bliss of not knowing too much about the surrounding world in our time bubble was pretty nice. :)

[@cawleygamma]

I’m loving this thing! Seriously, never thought I’d see the day that I’d be loading .tzx files and watching them do the entire load just to see and hear the loading process! Reminds me of that scene in BTTF3 where the old guy says ‘run, for fun!’ 😂😂😂

[@bobmathews9072]

Did you seriously scroll past Horace Goes Skiing & Skool Daze ? Im calling shennanigans

[@paulallen6915]

Ah that noise, reminds me of playing Atic Attack in a friends bedroom on his Spectrum. I had a TI994A and then a C64, then the A500, but there were so many different home computers back then. My posh friend had a BBC ! The landscape for them seemed to be changing so quickly. My earliest memory of computing was in 1980 when all our computer club chipped in and bought the ZX80 in parts and then building it up in a few of the dinner time's at school. We then did some fund raising and bought a PET, which seemed like something from the set of Space 1999 ! Happy days.

[@Ori-Retro-Gamer]

Best times Peri, the sounds bring me right back. 🙂

[@CasperLD]

Wow, that tape loading sound got me.

[@spinnetti]

I don't know what it was exactly, but the industrial design of the Speccy beats everything of the era and I still love interacting with it.

[@proteque]

been waiting for this one! nice with a look back at how your studio looked.

[@GJ-mn9ly]

Great video as always!, the speccy 48k was my first computer, and then I moved on to C64 in time.But with speccy it had a certain charm, and had some great games in the day.And how cool is 'The Spectrum' for the modern time👍.

[@tankypoo285]

I ordered the Spectrum - I used to run a web site when I was at Uni - Noticed your super cool BBC micro in the background. I use to buy Zapp 64, Crash, your Sinclair and Sinclair user. I have my USB Ready to go with over 100 games. So glad it has the 128k mode for games like Glider Rider and Enduro Racer - for the music titles and other titles that great music on the title screen. .

[@Carl_Thompson]

I used mine back in the day equally for coding and gaming. Can’t wait to be 13 again tomorrow when mine arrives

[@paulholden4100]

Mine arrived today, will save it until the big day, I have my Next to tie me over, thank for the review!

[@paulradford4100]

It is actually 4.8*. My reason for saying that is (you didn't show it) it used an original membrane for the keys, which like the original, is glued down by the keyboard overlay plate. Essentially what this means is that we'll have the same issues trying to replace that membrane as we originally had if ever it goes bad.. a better solution would have been to have a trap door beneath the top cover for easy membrane replacement. As for expensive.. the original speccy 48 was priced 129.99 (£130), this thing is new at only £80. Adding peripherals to the original was dodgy.. with the rs232, if you knocked the computer and the expansion detached, it would blow the expansion or worse still the computer itself. This is powered by usb c? Has hdmi and 4x usb ports - no danger there. Another thing to consider is that it does actually have a working keyboard, unlike the other mini retro computers that you had to add a usb keyboard (try programming a speccy on a windows keyboard, lol) This is the closest retro thing to an actual retro machine, you could be forgiven for thinking it was a speecy 48k.

[@lightscamerapaint816]

Amazing, that loading sound takes me back 😃

[@caolruadh1]

What contollers are compatible?

[@RichyJMovies]

i got the spectrum christmas 2024 and soon as i loaded up dizzy the ultimate cartoon adventure i nearly cryed because as you said the loading sounds and images are etched into your soul and i might be 42 years old but i remember every single zx game i ever had :D and i also got the Amiga500 mini as well at christmas and the 1st game i played was rock N roll by rainbow arts - i also subbed to your nice channel

[@wozstamp3750]

What controller are you using? Great video

[@all.day.day-dreamer]

Thank you for bringing up the imagination aspect of enjoying these types of games back then. I remember Project Firestart on the C64 ... amazing game, and I remember how my imagination would run wild while playing this game and the two combined, made for such an amazing experience.

[@Gamergeekenator-z6t]

This looks amazing! Getting one to add to my collection. Thank you for such a great review. I love your passion!

[@mortimore4030]

The Atari 400 mini was Retrogames best offering so far, IMO. The 800XL and 130XE are my favourite 8-bit computers. I think Retrogames will put out a full sized Atari 800XL at some point.

[@RetroRecipes]

It's definitely up there, but no keyboard whereas this thing brings back the rubber glory!

[@xXTheoLinuxXx]

I've heard a story about someone who made some kind of XL machine but I believed he was told to stop it by Retrogames (since they have the rights of that case). Did they bought the rights because of the 400 mini or do they have other plans? Well in theory they could make a full size XL version :)

[@garyt123]

Hope you're all feeling better. Thanks for all your content.

[@labnine3362]

As a kid that grew up with C=, I was always intrigued by the spectrum but the one thing that put me off from buying one is lack of telecommunications ability. Back then BBSing was my main interest, then games, then programming. I got really excited about the PC (8088) because of this and that was the point of no return unfortunately. BBS on a PC was on a whole different level.

[@leedn5]

Quick question, does it have an internal speaker? Mine has no sound. Just wondering if I need to get speakers attached to the monitor or send it back to the shop? I just assumed it would have internal sound like the original. Anybody?

[@plan7a]

I'd add most of the classic dial-up modem sounds and some of the older/retro Windows sounds to those which are immediately recognizable and nostalgia inducing! Just saying! Hope you all get well soon too! Poisoning Carrots Banned, could be another PCB meaning for this one, perhaps?

[@RetroRecipes]

Hahah!

[@0815mkl]

Saw what you did @11:30 🙂 Film you unplugging the connectors and run it backwards in the edit as it is hard to get these fiddly connectors in without poking around with them when you cannot see what you do.

[@Fifty1stState.]

Ant Attack, go to the corner of an outer wall, walk straight ahead and after a while you should find a little Easter Egg, a cube/polygon or something.

[@TuxedoPanther]

Great video, many thanks, I started with the Vic-20 in the early 80s 😀👍