ZX Touch handheld ZX Spectrum gaming console | review

[@pad-pd4hl]

Great review and a wonderful device. I like the border LEDs, the touch keys and the overall quality. Everything is fine tuned for the Spectrum. It certainly needs some firmware updates, but that seems just a matter of time.

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

Thanks and indeed a couple more software updates and it’s ideal.

[@alanreader4815]

I'VE GOT ONE. it's seriously AWESOME :)

[@bilymotyl7704]

This is an amazing device from hardware and software perspective, some genius behind this, congrats 🎉

[@elblanco5]

This is a beautiful project! The Speccy deserves more attention outside of the markets it was famous in.

[@TheTimeProphet]

I am glad you include Lawnmower simulator. I would love this, but I haven't got the cash at the moment.

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

Maybe one day!

[@drvonpinken]

when I first heard about this device I was sceptical because there was nothing about it anywhere, but after some looking I found a place selling it in the UK, I purchased one earlier this year and i think its an amazing device, such a clever way to do the keyboard, and also adding games and their splash screens.

[@retrorobbins]

I was one of the very first to Owen one of these from crash live back in November last year where it was kindly brought for me very nice guy indeed by the name of Chris and to me it's everything the spectrum Vega or a handheld could be considering it's emulating the spectrum great video we need to do a live stream together or have a chat

[@tenminutetokyo2643]

"We've got disco. And 8-Tracks and cassettes and stereo". - Jackson Browne

[@aneargoner449]

Glad I found your channel. Looking forward to what's next

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

Thanks!

[@NilsKullberg]

A very good review. Big thanks!

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

Thanks!

[@mumfnah]

I didn't know about this device. I'm very tempted. I used ZXDS on 3DS which is good, but this looks good for the larger screen. Not sure about that dpad choice, but I'm considering this. Get all my favourites added and away we go

[@TruthUnshackled-Freedom]

A turbo mode would be very nice though.

[@ArmandQ.]

I thought I was set for life, having had the excellent ZXDS on my DSi XL for years. But this looks tempting. I'm a huge fan of scanlines and other CRT emulation, and this looks promising.

[@Bob_Beaky]

Funnily enough, I just ordered one a few hours ago. It took a while to convince myself that it was worth the money but now that I've got one coming I'm super excited! I agree with you thoughts regarding the industrial design and cheesy looking interface but the big 50Hz screen sounds too good to miss out on. I've got lots of handhelds and lots of other ways to play using emulators but pretty much everything struggles running 50Hz games smoothly and lag free. I can't wait for this little/big baby to arrive. :)

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

Nice! Enjoy the big screen, hopefully the software will improve a little in future firmware uodates.

[@johnparker007]

"pretty much everything struggles running 50Hz games smoothly and lag free." Except a real Speccy ;) Seriously though, another option via PC is to hook a PC up to a modern TV over HDMI. You then can set the PC display output to 50 Hz and the TV will switch to 50Hz to match. Then a Speccy emu such as Spectaculator etc will run fullscreen (or even windowed) at native Speccy speed, so the smoothness is back.

[@gillmaus]

I wish there was something like that for the C64..

[@binaryrooster]

I wondered if this was worth buying seeing as i had the excellent ZXDS set up on my DS, but the Touch is now my favourite way to play Spectrum games. Its down to the consumer if the price point is worth it, but i just think its a fantastic device. Great video!

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

The large screen does it for me.

[@stevemahoney5209]

You have this 🤔🤔

[@igitwams]

I'd love an Amiga or Atari ST version!

[@robinmeade7573]

🔼This! But I would have to have some sort of touch pad to emulate the mouse. Touch screen would sucks.

[@Futura2500]

if this can be hooked up to my tv in future update im in

[@Geordie-Jedi-77]

Fantastic review of the device. Clear well thought sections. Good overview of all of the important features. Specs !! (I am a specifications, bloke) So I appreciated you putting them in there. And more importantly, your honest opinions of the device. Great stuff. Have you considered providing some help for the UI / UX to the developer ?

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

Yes I’ve been in contact with Goran and gave all my insights as well as bug reports. I am also a beta tester.

[@snufkinmatt162]

I am tempted. I actually like the industrial look. The way he's handled different keyboard setups for different games is smart. If he can get TZX support and some kind of turbo mode, then it starts to look quite promising. My only reservation is that it looks like it has a TN display which doesn't have great viewing angles. In some shots, the blacks look quite grey.

[@johnparker007]

and if not grey, then blue.. be nice to see an IPS (or OLED) at the high price point

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

My video shots aren't the best unfortunately. I like the viewing angles but I'm not a display expert.

[@johnparker007]

@@hotdogsoup-nl View angles seems ok, it's just the backlighting/black levels - your video captures it well :)

[@newstream2000]

I love FRED! (yes, we exist)

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

Me too!

[@BongWeasle]

Wow, this looks like a lot of fun. I like the design and size . Definitely for me . Thanks for the video.

[@VampireJack10]

I'd heard of this, but now I've seen your review I am tempted to pick on up - but probably not until after Xmas, If the missus let's me after pre-ordering The Spectrum! But I guess she doesn't have to know.........I agree the price could be a little lower, especially as it's possible to emulate the Speccy on other hand helds....but i really want to support someone who has obviously love for the Spectrum,.

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

I’ll review The Spectrum too but it’s not a handheld so back to the man cave then 😀

[@GilbertoPaulo1970]

Since I got to know about this device I keep thinking it's an expensive one considering it only emulates ONE system. But that is also what differentiates it because it seems to run everything on the go. I try to play ZX games on handhelds using emulators like Fuse and Retroarch and IT'S A NIGHTMARE to have the controls configured. I loose more time doing that than actually playing games... Now, the big question: WHERE DO I BUY THIS FROM PORTUGAL? The Sintech page it's german. Are they the only ones selling the ZXT?

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

At the top of the page you can set their site to English. They ship to Portugal too.

[@coppermutant]

Actually I would want to play the text adventures and RPGs and never met a decent touchscreen keyboard for that. But Im probably not the usual gamer.

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

That is possible but the touch screen typing isn’t as nice as on a mobile phone for example.

[@OptiVids]

Great review of this enormous ZX spectrum Handheld. It’s clearly a robust and reliable device. However, I wonder how many people would actually want to pay so much for just ZX Spectrum games. I have Speccy games on my Anbernic RG40XXH and with the border disabled these games fill my entire screen as it has the exact same 4:3 ratio. It might be a more classic emulation (Fuse) but I don’t think for these type of games it makes much difference. Sure, adventure games are unplayable, but I wouldn’t want to play these anyway. Great entertaining review, I love the cameo of the 128k version of the Elevator Action Soundtrack, that’s my favourite tune of all speccy games!

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

Nice! But can you play Target: Renegade with 2 people? :P

[@OptiVids]

@@hotdogsoup-nl Yes that’s possible. You’ll need to connect the RG40XXH with HDMI to your TV or Monitor and set up 2 Bluetooth Controllers. It might be a bit of work setting up the controls, but it’s definitely possible. The ZX Touch doesn’t seem to have HDMI, so I guess it can’t connect to a TV? Maybe the USB-C is display port? How about connecting external controllers? Can that be done wired or wirelessly?

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

That would no longer be handeld gaming :)

[@alanreader4815]

latest update really helps lots of improvements also a OTA function so no plugging in a USB Cable

[@alanreader4815]

ZX Touch - Firmware V1.11

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

This does not seem to be a function in 1.11. Do you mean 1.12?

[@alanreader4815]

@@hotdogsoup-nl yes sorry wrong version i meant 1.12

[@th45h1zn1t]

Thanks for a great review! Can you switch off auto-load and have the games load from basic with title screen etc? Also do you know if you can get the border back as it looks like the screen is zoomed in to increase play area (which is a good thing) and minimising the border? thanks

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

I haven’t tested the tape loading experience. As far as I know you cannot get the border back.

[@PipBoykin]

Is it compatible with the +2? //Edit: it seems you can. It's mentioned in the video under the Software section, instead of the Specifications.

[@SkidMarcUK]

Can you change to a plus2 keyboard for 128k basic.

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

not at the moment

[@SkidMarcUK]

Shame. Never got on with the keywords. But 50hz panel is definitely a plus. Smooth scrolling. Nice

[@stevemahoney5209]

Will it update the firmware over WiFi 🧐🧐

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

Yes it will

[@TruthUnshackled-Freedom]

Maybe he could make a ZX Next someday.

[@stevemahoney5209]

Have you discovered the Evercade yet which uses old school carts with a proper case & manual...🤔🤔 A ZX Spectrum cart will be coming out possibly next year some time. Great review dude 🤩🤩

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

Yes I know Evercade but did not know a Speccy cartridge was coming up :)

[@stevemahoney5209]

@@hotdogsoup-nl Yes, any mini’s that Retro Games bring out usually means a cart based on that mini. So the A500 mini brought us Amiga games for the Evercade and also the C64 has brought us 3 C64 carts 🤩🤩

[@OptiVids]

I doubt there will be a ZX Spectrum cart for Evercade. It doesn’t make much commercial sense due to the ZX Spectrum never had a release in the US. (It was released as Timex Sinclair 2068, but with many software being incompatible).

[@stevemahoney5209]

@@OptiVids I understand that but at the same time it might open these games up to a whole new audience 😃😃 Time will tell 😊😊

[@aki_128]

I would say the UI is ok-ish, but it still needs some care. What's the most painful from my point of view is that the emulation has problems with some types of AY hardware envelopes, which is hearable mostly in demos. This is the biggest issue, following the fact that the sound isn't in stereo even when using stereo headphones. However, the ABC channel separation can be adjusted in the menu, this doesn't make any sense with just a mono output. I miss the Pentagon mode timing as well, again useful for some demos. What's good that there's a USR0 mode added, double touch gesture for turning off the side menus and a larger keyboard as you've mentioned. But I'd say typing in a whole program listing on it would be a pain. The display is really great and as it is 50Hz synchronized, it overcomes any other ZX Spectrum emulations. Personally, I miss the slow loading option, which I'd like to come with the next firmware update bringing the TZX support.

[@nintendive]

I would pony up for a very well made C64 version.

[@retrogamerecluse]

Is it possible to capture footage from the device to upload to KZbin etc? I normally use a capture card that plugs into a USB-C port (which I think I saw on this device).

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

No that is not (yet) supported.

[@annalucía2013]

Nice!!

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

Yippee!

[@annalucía2013]

🤓😂

[@MarcKloos]

Nice, but I'm waiting for the The Spectrum to add to my Spectrum museum! (I should monetize it 🤔)

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

Well if you own a museum the ZX Touch definitely would fit :)

[@kingcoherent]

Can it faithfully replicate loading games from tape? Tape loading errors?

[@stevemahoney5209]

This looks quite awesome but will also be competing with the brand new Retro ZX Spectrum at £89.99, which comes with a fully working keyboard in the shape of the classic rubber keyed 48k Speccy 🤩🤩 This will be great for playing those old, great games on the move though ❤❤ I'm also of reading glasses age 😅😅😅

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

Yes the difference is handheld versus TV / monitor gaming and also "The Spectrum" will not be bare metal emulation but software based.

[@OptiVids]

Although this is a handheld, I personally consider this ZX Touch to be too big to play ‘on the move’. It’ portable, but I wouldn’t take this out of my suitcase until I arrive at my destination (if I had one).

[@filevans]

Should have a 4:3 screen as it's dedicated to one system

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

that would remove the possibility to have a few extra keyboards on the sides.

[@filevans]

@hotdogsoup-nl no you could have a floating keyboard that can disappear after the key is pressed

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

@@filevans yes, but that would not work for games that require multiple additional keys like Elite or Flight Simulation.

[@Evilkingus]

The question everyone needs to ask themselves about the existence of this device: "Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?????"

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

Well, because people.

[@avenginglettuce]

I totally understand that reaction but honestly, it's become my go-to device for Spectrum gaming. I've got access to a Steam Deck and several Ambernic devices but there's something about just picking this up and having it immediately configured to be the best Spectrum handheld available which keeps me coming back to it. Software updates have been steady and ambitious and honestly, it's a great community to be part of. Is it for the hyper enthusiast only? For sure, but if you are in that camp and you have the money to spare, I don't think you'll have much cause to regret your purchase.

[@cdoty]

It would be nice if it had some additional emulators. Nothing really locks it to the ZX Spectrum, since the keyboard is on-screen.

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

Yes I mentioned this to the developer. Not only the ZX81 is possible but many other Spectrum clones and variations. (Not to mention that other machines and consoles may be a possibility.)

[@AndrewHelgeCox]

It would be awesome to have an Amstrad CPC version.

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

Testing if this works lol

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

I received a whopping €0,97 from the €2,49 :D

[@Reprogrammed_By_SEGA]

Definitely needs an OLED display.

[@AndreiNeacsu]

This is a very nice surprise. Thank you! My only wish that applies to other devices and emulators is to have a monochrome screen filter that enables green and amber CRT emulation. In my childhood I had a green monitor for my ZX Spectrum clone and for color attribute clash reasons I sometimes prefer it.

[@therealyogibear2k225]

Are you sure you are not thinking of the Amstrad CPC 464 as the Spectrum only had RF and no way to connect it to a monitor without modification.

[@AndreiNeacsu]

@@therealyogibear2k225 "clone" is the key word in my comment. I had a TIM-S clone of the ZX Spectrum that was somewhere in-between the 48K and the 128K variants. Mine had 80KB of RAM, AY-3 8910 sound, centronics and serial ports, joystick port, S-video, RGB video, RF video, plus a large connector exposing the whole CPU and other buses. So, yes, I am thinking of my Spectrum clone. A friend had an Amstrad CPC 464 (the Schneider variant) and I liked that one too; he also had a green monochrome screen. PS: The CPC was not plagued by the color attribute clash "feature".

[@scannaunderscore1]

They're all emulated anyway

[@SkidMarcUK]

50hz screen. Nice.

[@meh3247]

He could've, and in my opinion, should've fixed that awful attribute clash that the Speccy always suffered from.

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

I guess that would require to change the code of games to match any changes in the emulation, like ULA+.

[@snufkinmatt162]

That's almost impossible. Games were written to work with the Spectrum's original screen format and every one will use it's own custom code to draw sprites and other graphics to screen. You'd literally need to rewrite every game.

[@MarcKloos]

That's the same as saying that loading games on the Spectrum Next still shows colour clash. You need software specifically (re)written for it (like Head Over Heels for the Spectrum Next)

[@BongWeasle]

Fixing the attribute clash, That’s as crazy as saying men can have baby’s !

[@MarcKloos]

@@BongWeasle makes you wonder why men do have nipples 🤔

[@adeharris4457]

Silly price, emulators are so much better these days too

[@thelefttechcat]

£200 for a device that only does Spectrum is a little much to ask. If it also covered the other micro-computers - C64. CVic20, Amstrad CPC, Amiga and other retro consoles this would be a lot more attractive.

[@Bod8998]

Great idea looks cool but only a certain amount of people i think will actually buy it.bit of a follie.i think.

[@therealyogibear2k225]

I can't imagine a worse handheld. Dont get me wrong I loved my speccy back in the day, but at this price, you could get 2 vitas and emulate it doing exactly the same thing. Heck, I just want to play games, I don't care about the interface and all that other junk. Definitely not for me. I will stick with spectaculator on my laptop, which i CAN take anywhere and probably get the same amount of battery life with a much bigger screen. I hope someone will but it though.

[@OtterlyInsane]

Won't fit in your pocket. Immediately puts it in pocket. 😂

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

Haha yes but try walking around with that

[@thetraveller1246]

“Completely legal and not pirated” 😂

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

Exactly those are the ROMs you need 😃

[@TotalDec]

Loose the old ppl jokes. They're cringe, not funny.

[@spidericemidasiosmusicprod1309]

Lose not loose. You should know better if you are an old person yourself from back when people could actually spell and use English correctly.

[@dglass2008]

the one percent of the world that emulates old systems, less than one percent of that would be interested in a Spectrum dedicated console . None of them would be interested at this price: $220.00.

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

Well, it IS being sold and some people DO buy it.

[@battmann7089]

If you say so.

[@ivancho5854]

I totally agree. I find a one system emulator device is extremely perplexing - to me it is just artificially limited for no good reason. Why? And the cost is insane. Surely any tablet and controller could emulate the Spectrum using RetroArch or similar, and could emulate many more systems.

[@glenaitken9403]

One percent? Think you need to have a rethink, Flower.......

[@chumorgan443]

Yeah , this is very niche. But no less , cool.

[@xAlexZifko]

Heres a tip dude, if youre gonna not take on ads or sponsors.....dont then pause the video to tell us you dont have ads. Thats just an ad. For nothing.

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

Well some people appreciate it and I’d like to emphasise it because many review videos are sponsored.

[@Thealpine92]

This is not a console.

[@BongWeasle]

Fans keep mentioning a Spectrum cart but Blaze have never confirmed it. I suspect there never will be because of the problems using the keyboard, the evercade display is to small to use the same solution as the Zx-touch, in my opinion. That’s why this device is a winner. Although I suppose they could just release games that use direction Keys + jump/fire ? But you would be excluding the majority of the library of games.

[@OptiVids]

I play ZX Spectrum games on a Anbernic RG40XXH handheld with a 4” 4:3 screen. There is the ability to get rid of the border. Then the games are perfect full screen as they have the exact same resolution. It works well for most action games. But the Text Adventures and complex simulators that use a lot of the keyboard are not suitable.

[@BongWeasle]

Hmmm I bought one and found it a pain to use and setup. Battery life is abysmal. Speaker is placed under your hand ! Documentation is non existent. The buttons are hit or miss, the analogue stick is not responsive, games suffer from slow down, some games don’t run, configuring them to run is a nightmare. Overall feel is pretty cheap.

[@hotdogsoup-nl]

I did not experience that. The docs can be downloaded on the website. Some games don’t run but that happens on all emulators and then you try switching machines or use a different file. The buttons should be responsive and there is no slow down so those things might indicate a faulty device if you ask me.