ZX Spectrum Vega Review // Sent In For Review - Rerez

The classic ZX Spectrum reimagined as a plug and play video game system for your TV.
More Rare Obscure or Retro: goo.gl/vVAKBv
Subscribe to Rerez: goo.gl/0qauGx
Rerez Intro Theme by 2 Mello: / 2mello
Thank you to Funstock for sending us the ZX Spectrum Vega for review. Here is a link to their store page for the ZX Spectrum Vega : www.funstockret...
This product was sent to Rerez through our P.O. Box. No payment was exchanged in the production or release of this video. The review and my thoughts on the product are my own. External website links may be requested by the sender of the product but do not generate any revenue for Rerez.
Rerez is a KZbin channel presented by Shane Luis all about video games. Presenting you the newest, strangest and most unique gaming topics. Featuring high quality reviews of new video games, consoles, previews, oddities, rare titles, unknown hardware, classic and retro games, and much more!
Credits:
Host & Writer - Shane Luis
Director - Shane Luis
Camera Operator - Alex Pereira, Robin Luis & Shane Luis
Editor - Robin Luis & Shane Luis
Produced by - Shane Luis & Robin Luis
Follow Rerez on Twitter @RerezTV and visit us on Facebook at Facebook.com/RerezTV
#Console #Review #Gaming #VideoGames #Gamer #Rerez #KZbinGaming #Retro #RetroGaming

[@TheDeeplyCynical]

5:14. That's the reason why SNES Starfox was called Starwing, and Starfox64 was renamed Lylat Wars in Europe

[@xj0462]

either that or the shitty atari 2600 game

[@hanselmanryanjames]

Right, also the Snes Starfox came out way later than the ZX one did. So Nintendo stole the name from them.

[@EireProductions]

It was actually because of perceived copyright issues with the German company StarVox (German pronunciation: /ˈʃta:ɐ̯fɔks/), spelled differently but pronounced very similar.

[@mongooseonaunicycle2056]

Awesome to see Shane has respect for the speccy, It was a Titan during the home computer era

[@danxepha4535]

That ZX Spectrum Starfox game is the reason it was called Star Wing on the SNES in the UK.

[@gracekim25]

Of course 😅

[@obsoletegeek]

ZX Spectrum is still on my "to-get" list!

[@dubsy1026]

The Obsolete Geek shame

[@billybollockhead5628]

Loads of the buggers in my mums attic.. no use to US people though as it’s pal

[@Colorband]

Thank God you pronounce it Zed-X. Most people in North America don't know that, in Britain, Z rhymes with bed.

[@reaperofburgers]

Most of Canada says Zed anyways.

[@johnnybensonitis7853]

Fuckin' 'Murica will conquer your alphabet! I'll even bet it is harboring weapons of mass destruction!!!

[@SuperAV21]

Shut up.

[@QuarioQuario54321]

Here Z rhymes with blizzard.

[@GatorRay]

Not even Game Sack pronounced it right

[@atik1798]

The Speccy wasn't just popular in the UK. Many other European countries like Spain and Ireland also had a big Spectrum following. Great video :)

[@3pwud]

Complete respect to hear you pronounce it correctly .

[@fusiobro]

Im an American and I always call it Zed X Spectrum.

[@RetroGUY77]

Good... That's how we want it

[@poorangus8584]

:) as do I

[@DoomGuyPictures]

me too ZEEEE EXXXX Just dosen't sound right

[@ReluctantWarrior]

I do as well.

[@futuredirector999]

it rolls of the tongue better

[@AlejandroFerrariMc]

That chair setup is so great! Felt like you were in the matrix.

[@rerez]

Neo always leaves bent spoons all over the damn floor behind the chair.

[@aleblasco39]

Well, the Rare games for the ZX Spectrum are also present on Rare Replay's compilation for the Xbox One, so you can play them there also

[@stevenmccorkindale4684]

"Zee that's how we say it North America unless you're in Canada" HA HA HA HA HA! Why don't you just say "that's how we say it in the USA"? As far as I know the USA is the only English speaking country that does. You made me laugh though.

[@AndrewHeathboootstrapparadox]

This brings back memories. I had speccie. You need a adapter to connect an joystick a tape player to load the games. But you could also program the games which came in magazines. There was second version of spectrum which had built cassette player. This got me interested in computers and gaming. The spectrum plugged into the tv's aerial port at the back of TV. You had tune TV to get to see the spectrum games. Like the commodore you need to enter programming language to load the games.

[@dreadtheweekend]

There was also a ZX Spectrum with a built in floppy disc drive.

[@Corad4]

The ZX Spectrum has always being such an interesting little micro computer! Games like Jetpack are quite fun.

[@JeffreyPiatt]

Jetpack a Microsoft classic game now.

[@yamigekusu]

I freaking love Jetpac! I put in a ton of time on the version that was included in Donkey Kong 64 (N64 and Wii U) and Rare Replay. Very fun stuff

[@barubary87]

As someone who owns an original 48k speccy, I wouldn't go for this. There is a new 'Recreated ZX Spectrum' which looks identical to the original though I haven't used it yet, but it would seem to be the better experience. Obviously an original would be best, but you need a 50hz TV with RF, mono leads and a cassette player. I don't even think you can get those TVs in the US. Luckily mine has a composite mod, so works on newer TV sets.

[@dubsy1026]

Stick_Giraffe cause the original is sexy

[@ianlacey11]

The recreated is good if you use an emulator on your PC or laptop then plug it in to the PC - on the Ipad or iPhone the app isn't updated and you have to buy the games and theres no guarantee they'll always be available.

[@iana6713]

Had a ZX Spectrum +2 as a kid (the one made after the Amstrad take-over) and loved it. Would love one of these but I believe it's pricey.

[@JT-js3uf]

Excellent review - thorough, slick and professional! Great job!

[@pandagaming4907]

the starfox game was trademarked with the game you mentioned so that's why Nintendo couldn't call starfox STARFOX here till starfox adventures since the trademark ran out.

[@rerez]

Ah that is cool to know! I never thought that would have been a problem at the time!

[@TheHoagie13]

yep, it was renamed as: Lylat Wars, in Britain-Land :-P

[@NickBFTD]

Jon Haugland the original was renamed starwing.

[@bunnyboyking5215]

Rerez Hey Shane do you consider Star Fox Adventures to be the start of Rare's decline?

[@ebelbeb]

I was finally able to watch and understand the review of ZX Vega thanks to your great pronunciation. Most reviews of this gear have been recorded by people who... mumble in English ;)

[@AstraVex]

I had an original ZX Spectrum+2 growing up (along side a PS1), but mine had a cassette tape player attached to it, since that's what the games media came on. I also had a Medicine crate from a school charity drive FILLED with games, about 250+ cassette tapes! :D It was a great system and had some good memories on it. Fast Food, Paperboy, Dizzy's Island Adventure, Batman, Mickey Mouse, all great games that I still joke about with today! But sweet lord, they took forrrreeeeeeeeeveeeeeeeer to load games. -_- Gamers today complaining about having a half-hour install for a game? Try half hour of loading for EVERY single time you put the game in the system! xD

[@scottbreon9448]

Some of the latter models had disk drives, but most people still used cassette decks as they were still cheaper

[@RetroGamePlayers]

That thing is pretty cool! I can't wait until the ZX Spectrum Vega is finished...Good times ahead.

[@kmichael9787]

We've got 5 TVs in my house (varying from a tiny one in the kitchen, to a medium one in my bedroom, and a entertainment one in the living room) and they all take the red, yellow, white cables and all have USB ports. I'm guessing it is more common in some countries than it is in America?

[@johnsquarez6806]

but can it assault Chun li while she's taking a pointless shower scene?

[@rerez]

Yes. Yes it can.

[@johnsquarez6806]

+Rerez savage.

[@Gaminggod1997BAGR]

+John 2 DAMN!

[@terminallytrash]

+Rerez LOL

[@Gaminggod1997BAGR]

Hyper combo finish!

[@guilmon182]

I've actually seen, in a Dollar Store mind you, a retro console that not only looked like a Sega Genesis, but it had 80 Genesis games built in, including Sonic, Golden Axe, Ecco the Dolphin, and many other familiar games. And it was $40! Blew my fuckin' mind!

[@nationharris]

really enjoying these reviews of modern "retro" stuff.

[@HuntersMoon78]

Recently got a Vega to go with my 3 ZX Spectrum 48K's , 3 Spectrum +, 2 +2's - Still waiting for my bloody ZX Spectrum Next.

[@OldGameBox]

I guess in the end it's all up to the price. It's usually like that with those emulator machines. Nice review, thanks for that.

[@Michirin9801]

"That's how we say it in North America, unless you're in Canada" Then why not say "In the US"?

[@dariusfadavi7188]

this. after all, the US is Canada's neighbour to the south, not the centre of the universe.

[@evanthomas8313]

Ever heard of Mexico?

[@anibalromero619]

+Evan Thomas and south america?

[@Michirin9801]

Evan Thomas Well, I thought we were talking about 'English speaking countries' I'm pretty sure they speak Spanish in Mexico and that they say "Zeta" in Spanish, which btw is much closer to "Zed" than it is to "Zee", and well, isn't mexico more like "Central America" rather than "North America"? Oh well, it's all "America"...

[@evanthomas8313]

+Ruko Michiharu I know, but some people do speak English in Mexico. I was joking.

[@Nagifan7496]

The vega is prohibitivly expensive, Its $147 (without shipping to us, which we all know will be $30+). I could get a Real ZX Sprectrum for less.

[@cybersholt]

Exactly. seems like they are capitalizing on one's nostalgia .

[@Nagifan7496]

+Commodorefan64 ok point proven BUT if you live in the uk where this item is prediminatley sold all the extra hassles you have to go through are gone. So point still stands.

[@CommodoreFan64]

Nagifan7496 This review was done by a North American reviewer who has a large North American audience so my point stands.

[@bunnyboyking5215]

Larry Bundy Jr So true Larry. It looks worse than the Retro Bit Generations.

[@bunnyboyking5215]

Commodorefan64 I thought he was Canadian.

[@TipsterLIVE]

I want one of these.

[@robotwo]

Surprised you didn't mention the ZX Spectrum Vega Plus, which is a upcoming device that addresses most of the form factor issues you mention in this video.

[@puertoricanguy999]

I wish you could review the Apple Bandai Pippin console.

[@rerez]

It's in the works. :)

[@TJ-pg6up]

+Rerez Yisssssss!

[@ryderakashermhead8527]

Rerez i hope and also the Game.com

[@MeneerMattie]

@@ryderakashermhead8527 I'm pretty sure he already did that before

[@greensun1334]

@@MeneerMattie not before - but yes, he did.

[@WhoWatchesVideos]

I'd get one for listening to ZX Spectrum tunes. The Spectrum's synth can just sing in the right hands.

[@rerez]

Totally agree.

[@CommodoreFan64]

I'm more of a Commodore 64 SID fan, but as of recent thanks to ZX Tune player on Android been listening to some Spectrum tunes, and they are not that bad when done proper.

[@WhoWatchesVideos]

Commodorefan64 The Amiga and C64 are rad as hell, too.

[@Corad4]

I think you're thinking of the later 128K spectrum by Amstrad. The original Sinclair 16K and 48K Speccies only had a beeper.

[@WhoWatchesVideos]

***** Oh, yeah. Whoops.

[@ToprakSezginFromTurkey]

Larry's gonna love this video. Great review Shane!

[@wasabi._.8614]

I like that shelf in the background

[@blakegriplingph]

As a matter of fact Rare embedded a ZX Spectrum emulator in GoldenEye 64, though since it was well-hidden from the main game it wasn't until 2012 when the hidden games were discovered from the ROM.

[@awesomeferret]

I think you are a little misinformed on the presence of composite connectors on modern TVs. It's COMPONENT that is not included on most modern TVs. This is sort of baffling, because if you have a 4K tv and a PS2, why should you be forced to play Gran Turismo 4 in 480i instead of 1080i or 720p? you'd think that composite would be the first to go, but that simply is not the case. With that said, it's still fairly easy to find both HDTVs and 4k TVs that have a combined composite and component input.

[@CherryPixelBun]

I think it's because composite is so popular and is used for so many devices, while, at least in my experience, had nowhere as many component cable devices. The only time I used them was the Xbox 360.

[@bunnyboyking5215]

awesomeferret My Vizio Smart TVS have component but no Composite.

[@awesomeferret]

Interesting. My 2015 Vizio TV has composite and component, but only one composite and two component inputs.

[@peloquin1979]

Many games would be defunct on this device because of the many different keyboard combinations some of them have. The classic "Back 2 Skool" for instance has various key functions.

[@Whalewraith]

As someone who had a zx back in the day, most of the games used a lot of keys for different functions can't see how this would work at all well for anything but the most basic of games.

[@dj505Gaming]

Never actually used a ZX Spectrum despite being a fan of old games. Some of them look pretty neat, though! Save states might come in handy for some more difficult games for sure.

[@garfieldepicmoments]

I don't know why some people feel the need to call the ZX Spectrum the "Zed X" Spectrum. I mean, the Zilog Z80 microprocessor was designed in the US, and I've never heard any British person call it the "Zee 80" so it "reflects the original name that its creators wanted it to be known as" or something.

[@DanteSolablood]

To be honest, I'm British and grew up with the ZX Spectrum & don't really care what it's called in America. However it is interesting to note that America seems to be pretty much the only country in the world that has the "zee" pronounciation. But then us Brits drive on the left... call it a draw?

[@dubsy1026]

Shicky256 because Zed X Spectrum sounds much better.

[@TXKXME]

there is apparently a bluetooth full size keyboard ZX spectrum available on amazon but there are no reviews.

[@shubtakesdubs5395]

This was made for Leo "Old British Guy" Heh Heh

[@KillerBill1953]

You do need a keyboard to play Elite, whatever platform, to access some of the functions. I would say a joystick is essential for the actual flying. I think the Spectrum Next is probably a much better buy (although more expensive).

[@MrFixer1983]

So in the end you can better wait for the ZX Spectrum NEXT (with HDI) or ZX-HDMI interface. Then you can play old speccy games with very scarp image.

[@endoftheleft2704]

“Zee Eks” sounds really cool actually

[@briansegarra9312]

Great video as always , love you channel , by the way , what console is the one in the background , is right down the red ps4 controller , an atari flashback or what ?

[@rerez]

You'll find out soon enough!

[@supernovagamer929]

they actually released the zx spectrum in the u.s.! it's called the Sinclair (I don't remember the rest) and I own 1.

[@arvizturotukorfurogep6235]

Sinclair made the ZX Spectrum. American machines are actually called TIMEX Sinclair. But the most common of those is the TS 1000 which is actually not based on the Spectrum, but it's predecessor, the much more primitive Sincalir ZX81. That is black and has flat membrane keys. The one based on ZX Spectrum is called something like TS 2068 if I remember right, which is white and has rubber keys. But that's ultra rare. So which one do you have?

[@PeBoVision]

"Zed" is also the correct Canadian pronunciation of Z. Folks who use "Zee" simply watch too much US television. Was nice to watch a Rerez review where you really didn't have very much negative to say (to be fair I've been watching too many of your NES on a chip knock off videos). I play a lot of ZX Spectrum games that have been ported to the TI-99/4A computer over the past few years (shared retro fan base??), so I might consider picking one of these up if the local price it right. Would prove quicker than setting up a Spectrum emulator and downloading another system software collection. Anyway always enjoy of your content. I've watched way too many hours of you playing bad fakes.

[@andrealopriore9062]

"Doctor What"..... I can't believe it! 😂

[@sevinPackage]

Owners of Donkey Kong 64 have a copy of Jetpac (and Donkey Kong) built into the cart! It's a fun game.

[@jmalmsten]

I think the choice of cabling was one of maximum compability. The RCA plugs might not be the sharpest. But there are ways to plug them in for pretty much any TV ever. Also. The original ZX probably never could output anything higher anyways. The USB for power solves the problem of internationalization on the power side. Should it have been a 110V US-plug? Or a 230V UK... or 230V European? 12V Cigarette lighter? Or some other weird variant. By choosing the USB standard they pretty much covered all of their bases. Will I buy it? Probably not. But those choices for cables are not at all bewildering considering that it is a niche product and they probably cannot do a lot of variants to cover all of the bases otherwise.

[@WS-gw5ms]

I remember those virtual keywords have been around since the nes.

[@Ass_Burgers_Syndrome]

Zee vs Zed. As a Brit I and every other Brit I know says Zed. Except, when it is a name of something that requires the other, such as the band ZZ Top. No-one I ever heard in Britain would say Zed Zed Top, rather ZZ Top as it was originally intended because that is their name. If ZZ top had been British however, the opposite would probably be true. But the Spectrum was always Zed X Spectrum. And as a couple of people have already alluded to, Zed comes from the Latin 'Zeta' I'm not sure why Americans pronounce it Zee though, maybe so that it rhymes with T, P, C D etc etc and fits in their ABC's rhyme !!

[@dreadtheweekend]

I bought one of these on eBay, but only played it a couple of times. I felt the problem with it is that the games were mostly made for play with a joystick. Having had the Spectrum +2 as a kid, a d-pad just didn’t feel right to me.

[@KyogresHideout_Vegito2121]

I love retro games but anything older than the nes I am not really a fan of and I don't really like all the ataris either but games aside it is really interesting to learn about all these old forgotten and semi forgotten systems even if I don't have any interest in ever playing them

[@KuraIthys]

If I could get an Atari 800 or the like for the sake of Nostalgia, I'd be pretty happy. Couldn't actually stand using the thing when I owned a pair of 800XL's, but it still has some nostalgia factor anyway... XD

[@gracekim25]

Grateful you explained to Z thing 🙂 oooo this should be fun😜 2.1.22

[@RockyBergen]

Excellent review!

[@edwardgreenjr167]

A USB input header would have solved so many issues with this, and would have been negligible in cost. Make it compatible for keyboard input only if you need to avoid the coding headache. But I could not get used to any text based games with that setup. For a product that already has a niche market, I can see that turning so many potential customers away.

[@DitoAldiSoekarnoPutra]

ZX spectrum's keyboard is basically some tv remote buttons in qwerty

[@TheBoxyBear]

many of these Rare classics are also in Rare Replay

[@onlyonewhyphy]

Regarding the pronunciation of "Z", even in North America it will be pronounced "Zed" if the context is correct. For example, no one would ever say "Zee" in a Star Trek Episode. It's always "Zed" at least in TNG.

[@johneygd]

Aslong hd tv's will still contain a composite video input, it should be no problem hooking it up BUT if it lacks composite input, then you need a hdmi convertor box for it. It's good they ditn't implemented a upscaler in it or the games don't look original anymore and upscaling will cause lag in the gameplay so it's a good device I only hope those buttons are not chiclet based besed because these type of buttons can stuck overtimes.

[@artemismeow]

the video processor natively outputs composite video. it's possible to use RGV scart and have that output to component. but either way you wouldn't get an HD signal natively. so an upscaler would be the only option for HDMI etc so it would add cost hence why they went with composite. as for the USB for power uhm you got me xD but these chips likely run well on the 3-5 v range so powering them by usb is probably the most cost effective option.

[@Roboshi2007]

general rule for "z"; "Zee" is for lower case "Zed" is for Upper case

[@Crazy_Gamer_OG]

Didn't Rareware release a working ZX-Spectrum Emulator hidden in the Goldeneye 007 N64 Cartridge?

[@gaminghistory101]

Good video, Shane. :)

[@GamesFromSpace]

I just call it the zixx spectrum. Since somebody will say I'm wrong whether I say zed or zee, I'm just going to embrace it.

[@cloudstrife4534]

I actually like that way of thinking! Zixx Spectrum does have a nice ring to it as well!

[@ramgladore]

I would buy it. I buy plug&play stuff from the thrift store, even if I think it might be crap. I bought a Coleco P&P system that only has sports games on it and I hate sports games. I just wanted something to put on my shelf.

[@Cowboygineer]

If it had a built in USB port to plug in a standard USB keyboard, it would make things not only more authentic, but easier to use and play on.

[@bsdims]

Nice review, i'll probably get this some time later

[@coolcosmo3000]

There does seem like plenty of room on it to add a usb port for keyboards, just a recommendation I would make.

[@jakublulek3261]

But where is Kempston port for joysticks? I don't want to play R-Type or Dragon Spirit with keyboard, it sucked back in a day and it would sucks now.

[@jarnoob]

How come people whine that there aren't composite inputs on televisions anymore? I've tried to look for one without composite, but i simply haven't been able to.

[@LeftoverCultureReview]

I did get comments on my Atari Jaguar video that I should roll with jag-war because it's an American system... But my system was imported from the UK.. Sometimes it's just fun to be 'wrong'.

[@Chaos89P]

Is there another type of "modernized" ZX Spectrum for the average 'Murican?

[@fudeldideldu]

Maybe the idea with the USB is that you can hook it up to any of the over 9000 USB mobile chargers s.b. Haß laying around...

[@AmaroqStarwind]

3:54 I would try using a setup that includes a Framemeister, a Scanline Generator, and something similar to a Hauppage HD-PVR.

[@K.J.S.est1994]

Amaroqdricaldari I wish they would come up with an Euroscart version for better quality via rgb

[@rustyshackleford2022]

I like that theres a green "free" by the title like"b and ain't paying to watch a 5 year old rerez video"

[@JungolistMassif]

Why would you want jagged edges? the whole goal of graphics on the PC is to smooth out edges. Composite cables naturally smooth out the edges.

[@chrishine2717]

You don't have to connect the Vega to a USB socket on a TV - a mobile phone charger with a USB connection works fine :)

[@retrogamelord3763]

2:47 Just like the atari 2600 wires; their even longer!

[@POKEGAMERZ-uy5lv]

Was the ZX Spectrum Starfox actually released for the original ZX Spectrum.

[@dubsy1026]

POKEGAMERZ 9185 yes. We got Starfox as Starwing, and would have gotten 2 as Lilac Wars iirc.

[@choppergamer]

Man, I wish I can go to anywhere it was you went to get this

[@SolidSnake2017]

wow you didn't sell me on it at all haha

[@caligulajodorowsky]

Why didn't they put an usb port for a regular keyboard ? Was it too expensive to add that ?

[@Chatetris]

For a brief second I thought you were a fellow Canadian :(

[@rerez]

But I am! :P

[@mellloyellow]

He is Canadian

[@Chatetris]

OH shiiiiiet. I did not know.

[@chriswyatt]

Find it comforting that even Canadians can't tell the difference (I'm British BTW)

[@thearcheduck8746]

i have a hd flat screen tv when hd was new, so I'm not worried about the av cable.

[@coollukester]

Another great video from a great hidden gem.

[@greensun1334]

This must be a small House... Sit EVERYWHERE in your House and play with a 115" Cable? 🤔 But, it's nice. I hate the short Cables of my SNES classic!

[@paulnash9851]

I love my Vega, it's great. Now if only someone would do the same for the Amstrad CPC 464.....

[@RSD321KOOL]

I have a ZX Spectrum +1 and a ZX Spectrum +2 in my garage. ... I don't know if they still work.

[@SilentPrayerCG]

zx spectrum was very popular not only in uk.

[@NaphrumAlt]

in Canada we say zed too in but its kinda 50 50 though with zee or zed

[@rerez]

I switch between them all the time (I'm Canadian as well by the way!)

[@Rebel_Railroad_Productions]

I mentioned the ZX Spectrum on my Donkey Kong Country review.

[@fishylad8523]

great video. perfect editing :)

[@klaudijevtrkaciteritorij4301]

If i better see,more this games was made by resolution of ZXSpectrum,and this plug'n'play console is good,but i dont like too longers wires

[@JomasterTheSecond]

H..he said... He said... "Zed-X"? *T H A N K Y O U*

[@SikSlayer]

Why didn't they just add a USB port to connect a keyboard into it? Also, for Spectrum controllers.