Plaion Launches Retro ZX Spectrum Computer

[TheLostSwede]

PLAION, a global leader in video games, and Retro Games Ltd. (RGL), the premier producer of reimagined home computers, proudly announce the launch of The Spectrum. This modern recreation of Sir Clive Sinclair's legendary ZX Spectrum retains its original design while incorporating today's technology, delivering nostalgia and innovation in one package.

Unlike previous emulations, The Spectrum is the first to faithfully replicate the design of the iconic 48k ZX Spectrum while including 48 pre-installed games. The design of the original machine was seen as unique. While machines like the Commodore 64, BBC Micro and ATARI 800XL shared a common aesthetic that became synonymous with home computers, the ZX Spectrum had a look and feel that had not been seen before, or indeed since. The Spectrum aims to bring back that nostalgic feeling to retro fans with an authentic looking, sleek, minimalist design worthy of any display cabinet.




Widespread accessibility and affordability of the original ZX Spectrum helped breed creativity, with games being made by small independent companies as well as bedroom developers from a variety of backgrounds. This creativity led to a diverse library of software including fun and quirky games - many of these games have been pre-installed on The Spectrum including fan favourites Manic Miner, Horace Goes Skiing and The Hobbit.

"We're thrilled to launch The Spectrum and deeply appreciate the enthusiastic support from the community. From hidden gems to a vibrant user culture, this project truly feels like Christmas 1982 all over again," said Paul Andrews, Managing Director at Retro Games Ltd.

Additional points of interest include:

• Emulates all ZX Spectrum models from 16k to 128k and has officially licensed games, playable using only the keys just like the originals; see the full list of games here - https://retrogames.biz/games/thespectrum/.
• Accessibility features such as the ability to rewind gameplay by up to 40 seconds and the inclusion of four 'save-game' slots per title, as well as functionality that allows players to add their own games via a USB stick.
• Distinctive multi-function keys with colour-coded labels, blending style and practicality.
• Detailed control mapping instructions for all games, which can be accessed from the themed User Interface, as well as an old-school CRT filter option to replicate TVs of old.
• Compatible with a variety of new and old proprietary and third-party controllers/joysticks.

The Spectrum is now available from a variety of European retailers, priced at £89.99 (€99.99).

View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[JasBC]

The appeal of these continues to evade me, like - it's a low-power ARM SBC stuck in a custom case with a custom Retroarch-skin, or the like. . . The fact the games are actually like properly licensed and not some illegal ROM-dump is a cool thing these have going for them, but that's like their one redeeming feature, especially for a thing with a "unique design" like the Spectrum, which wasn't designed with usability and comfort in mind, especially with decades worth of hindsight.

 

[QuietBob]

8-bit Spectrum and Atari machines were my introduction to home/personal computers and games. I owned neither, but would regularly visit my friends who did. Some of the games we played I remember fondly to this day.

It's incredible how talented and skilled the developers of this era were, given the constraints of the hardware.

 

[TheLostSwede]

It's incredible how talented and skilled the developers of this era were, given the constraints of the hardware.

Someone that used to develop for them wrote an epic story about how he ended up making games for a bunch of different systems as a teenager.
Sadly I don't remember who it was and I can't find it, but it was someone in the UK.

 

[QuietBob]

Someone that used to develop for them wrote an epic story about how he ended up making games for a bunch of different systems as a teenager.
Sadly I don't remember who it was and I can't find it, but it was someone in the UK.

Yeah, many of those "bedroom coders" were teens. They were self-taught developers who mastered assembly languages and BASIC. Some of them didn't even have access to the hardware that they were programming for. And yet they were able to create great software that fit within 1-128K RAM

 

[TheLostSwede]

Yeah, many of those "bedroom coders" were teens. They were self-taught developers who mastered assembly languages and BASIC. Some of them didn't even have access to the hardware that they were programming for. And yet they were able to create great software that fit within 1-128K RAM

Yeah, that's exactly the kind of story he told. He even took on projects on hardware and software he'd never even used, yet the game companies gave him the projects.

 

[Nelly]

Ahh, when the UK manufactured a computer! Most of my friends had the ZX Spectrum 48K, my parents bought me the 48K+, my favorite games were the text based adventure games, I remember buying the Gauntlet port for £9.99 but it made me then realise how crap the graphics really were compared to the arcade games. Switched to the Commodore 64, the sound felt amazing compared to the speccy, then got blown away with a second hand Atari ST - loved that machine, then I eventually got an Amiga 500, didn't feel much different.

 

[cal5582]

The appeal of these continues to evade me, like - it's a low-power ARM SBC stuck in a custom case with a custom Retroarch-skin, or the like. . . The fact the games are actually like properly licensed and not some illegal ROM-dump is a cool thing these have going for them, but that's like their one redeeming feature, especially for a thing with a "unique design" like the Spectrum, which wasn't designed with usability and comfort in mind, especially with decades worth of hindsight.

yeah i kind of agree. if it were an actual hardware replication then id get it. but emulation boxes are something anyone can throw together.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Ahh, when the UK manufactured a computer! Most of my friends had the ZX Spectrum 48K, my parents bought me the 48K+, my favorite games were the text based adventure games, I remember buying the Gauntlet port for £9.99 but it made me then realise how crap the graphics really were compared to the arcade games. Switched to the Commodore 64, the sound felt amazing compared to the speccy, then got blown away with a second hand Atari ST - loved that machine, then I eventually got an Amiga 500, didn't feel much different.

Amstrad also made computers, although mainly PCs, although they had one with a Sega Mega Drive built in as well...

Amstrad Mega PC - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I guess I was wrong about the mainly PCs part, but these were really before I started using computers and I didn't grow up in the UK...

Amstrad CPC - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[AsRock]

Of all the Spectrums they could do this with they picked the one with the worst ever made keyboard.

 

[QuietBob]

Amstrad also made computers, although mainly PCs, although they had one with a Sega Mega Drive built in as well...

Now that's a rare find! Never even heard of those hybrids. If it hadn't been for the sub-par specs and high price, it would have combined the best of both worlds for gaming.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Now that's a rare find! Never even heard of those hybrids. If it hadn't been for the sub-par specs and high price, it would have combined the best of both worlds for gaming.

Yeah, even at the time it was about two years too late to the market.

I actually ended up winning a 486DX-33 Amstrad PC many moons ago.
It wasn't bad at the time, but it has some weird quirks.

Olivetti was another company making very strange computers.

Of all the Spectrums they could do this with they picked the one with the worst ever made keyboard.

Apparently it's very nostalgic to a lot of Brits.

 

[AsRock]

Yeah, even at the time it was about two years too late to the market.

I actually ended up winning a 486DX-33 Amstrad PC many moons ago.
It wasn't bad at the time, but it has some weird quirks.

Olivetti was another company making very strange computers.


Apparently it's very nostalgic to a lot of Brits.

It is but dammit it's worse than a new $10 keyboard of today. It's the worsted one i have ever used, well it's up there with the ZX80\81 which you had option to use a rubber key mat with lmao.

Sorry not willing to pay money for bad idea's, been there done it,

 

[WonkoTheSaneUK]

What the article doesn't mention is that instead of the OG composite video out, 2x 3.5mm audio jacks (for load/save) & edge connector for expansion cards, (see fig. A)
this version has 720p HDMI & 4x USB-A (see product page)

 

[The Quim Reaper]

Without the ZX Spectrum, there would be no GTA as its on the Spectrum that many of DMA designs (later to become Rockstar) programmers got started on.

 

[Wirko]

What the article doesn't mention is that instead of the OG composite video out, 2x 3.5mm audio jacks (for load/save) & edge connector for expansion cards, (see fig. A)
this version has 720p HDMI & 4x USB-A (see product page)

That makes the new version incompatible with the EPROM programmer I built.

 

[JasBC]

Ahh, when the UK manufactured a computer! Most of my friends had the ZX Spectrum 48K, my parents bought me the 48K+, my favorite games were the text based adventure games, I remember buying the Gauntlet port for £9.99 but it made me then realise how crap the graphics really were compared to the arcade games. Switched to the Commodore 64, the sound felt amazing compared to the speccy, then got blown away with a second hand Atari ST - loved that machine, then I eventually got an Amiga 500, didn't feel much different.

There was this too: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_32/64

 

[R-T-B]

It is but dammit it's worse than a new $10 keyboard of today. It's the worsted one i have ever used, well it's up there with the ZX80\81 which you had option to use a rubber key mat with lmao.

Sorry not willing to pay money for bad idea's, been there done it,

View attachment 372913

Is it the feel that's upsetting or the layout? Because I highly doubt the switch construction is identical.

 

[AsRock]

Is it the feel that's upsetting or the layout? Because I highly doubt the switch construction is identical.

The whole key was trash, they were softdome but with rubber keys which which is problem piled on another problem, yeah sure they would of hopefully made this better but with the keys kinda being big with a single dome button did not help either.

Sorry it was just a horrid keyboard and really hope they improved it some how but them again if they did would that not take some of the retro out of it.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Here's a good review of this system!

Noel seems to like it!

 

[redeye]

And people thought the original raspberry Pi was underpowered…

 

[lexluthermiester]

And people thought the original raspberry Pi was underpowered…

This is an odd statement. The Speccy can be simulated/emulated by a potato and provide a brilliant experience. If you'd watched Noel's video review you would have a better understanding of the attention to detail and refinement this device offers.

 

[DirtyDingusMcgee]

I never saw to many ZX spectrums in this part of the world, all i know is that you could have a smoke, make a sandwich, eat said sandwich, and go to the bathroom before your game loaded........and it made an awful noise the whole time it loaded.

 

[AsRock]

I never saw to many ZX spectrums in this part of the world, all i know is that you could have a smoke, make a sandwich, eat said sandwich, and go to the bathroom before your game loaded........and it made an awful noise the whole time it loaded.

They all did, just in different sound's\looks, and you could tell if they were loading right or not to by it.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I never saw to many ZX spectrums in this part of the world, all i know is that you could have a smoke, make a sandwich, eat said sandwich, and go to the bathroom before your game loaded........and it made an awful noise the whole time it loaded.

Back then, yeah that about summed it up. The OG Speccy was released stateside as the Timex 2048 or 2068(can't remember which) but was never a success.