The ZX Spectrum is back... and it's handheld with 14k free games
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Dave from DesignSpark
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If you are of a certain vintage then you will no doubt have fond memories of the iconic ZX Spectrum and will be as excited as we were at DesignSpark HQ to learn that it is being rebooted as a handhelp device, with a built in LCD screen!
The ZX Spectrum Vega+ smashed its crowdfunding target on Indiegogo after it was announced by Sir Clive Sinclair six months ago and will go on sale on 20th October 2016 at a cost of around £100. Although a handheld device, it can also be connected to a TV.
Anybody who has used Retro Pie on their Raspberry Pi device will tell you just how satisfying it is to play those favourites from your childhood such as Jet Set Willy and Daley Thompson's Decathlon, especially without the slow loading speeds.
In fact it was this popularity of "retro gaming" in recent years that pursuaded the original ZX Spectrum team to develop their latest creation.
The Vega+ is pre-loaded with 1000 original ZX Spectrum titles, however that is only the tip of the gaming iceberg! The device also comes with support to access the full back catalogue of over 14,000 games via a MicroSD Card.
Sinclair sold millions of the original ZX Spectrum systems back in the 1980's across the UK. It was one of the first home computers and developed a cult status for it's gaming capabilities. The open source nature of the system even allowed people to write their own games. You could say it was the Raspberry Pi of it's generation.
Bring on 20th October, although I must admit it won't be the same without the sound of the tapes loading.
A full technical spec is available at www.retro-computers.co.uk